[richard_keatley]

2 February 2026 at 18:09:57 #2795388

We are flying into Zurich arriving early next Tuesday morning and will take the train to Zermatt after clearing Customs.  The SBB site mentions “Limited Service” during our visit.  Does anyone know what exactly this means and how this limited service will impact our visit?  Can we expect delays or some kind of queue due to this issue?  Any recommendations or comments are appreciated.

Thanks for your help.

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[Roger Sexton]

Reply 1 of 5 • 2 February 2026 at 21:02:02 #2795392

Hello Richard

DO NOT PANIC!

As I think was the case this time last year, SBB infrastructure are doing Engineering work at Zurich Airport Station.

That means that there will be fewer trains than usual between Zurich Airport and Zurich Hauptbahnhof.   That means that trains on this short section will be busier than usual, and train times will be different.

Looking at http://www.sbb.ch for Tuesday10th February (morning) it is showing me plenty of timings to get you from Zurich Airport to Zermatt.  In fact there is a very clear pattern.

From Zurich Airport, http://www.sbb.ch is showing timings at 09 and 39 past each hour.

The trains at 09 past each hour are IC1 trains bound for Geneva.  To get to Zermatt you change at Bern and then at Brig and/or Visp.  The journey time is three hours and 41 minutes.

The trains  at 39 minutes past the hour are IR13 trains bound either for Zurich Hauptbahnhof or Luzern.  To get to Zermatt you change at Zurich Hauptbahnhof, and Visp.  If the train from Hauptbahnhof is an IC81 bound for Interlaken, you will also have to change at Bern (to an IC8).  The journey time is three hours and 38 minutes.

Platform 3 and 4 at Zurich Airport will probably be busier than usual, but I would not expect ‘queues’ to get onto the platform.  (Remember that Swiss stations do not have ticket barriers.)

Kind regards

Roger

 

 

[Anna]

Reply 2 of 5 • 2 February 2026 at 21:19:11 #2795394

Hi richard_keatley,

This is the detail from the SBB website:

Limited train service at Zürich Flughafen. This is due to construction work. The restriction lasts from 06.02.2026, 23:25 until 23.02.2026, 05:20.Line EC, IC8, IC81, IC5, IR75, IR36, RE75, IR16 (teilweise), S24 (teilweise) does not stop in Zürich Flughafen. Please consult the online timetable for your service.

As Roger mentioned in his post, some services may not be available during the construction but this will not have a big impact on your travel to Zermatt. I still see connections every half hour with change in Zurich HB (Zurich main station).

You can find further details on how to travel to Zermatt here: https://www.myswissalps.com/town/zermatt/#travel-guides

Regards,
Anna

[richard_keatley]

Reply 3 of 5 • 2 February 2026 at 23:46:07 #2795395

Thanks Roger.  Glad to hear it is no big deal.  I know once we get beyond the Zurich HB, it will be smooth sailing.

Thanks for your insight.

[Roger Sexton]

Reply 4 of 5 • 3 February 2026 at 6:57:35 #2795400

Hello again Richard.

The timetable changes are indeed ‘no big deal‘.

The 09 past the Hour Departures ‘IC1’

Just note that if you catch the 09 minutes past the hour departure you DO NOT CHANGE AT ZURICH HAUPTBAHNHOF.  As Indicated in my previous reply this train is bound for Geneva via BERN.  Your first change of train is at Bern.   During the last three years I have used this IC1 train from Zurich airport several times, usually the 07 09 or 08 09.  The train is always an enormous 16 carriage double deck train.  The front of the train is usually less crowded than the back.

The 39 past the hour departures ‘IR13’.  An alternative, the ‘S2’.

If you catch one of these IR13 trains you will have to change at the Hauptbahnhof.  I sometimes use the IR13.  The IR13 train will arrive at Hauptbahnhof at a platform at ground level.   The intercity train onwards towards Bern (and then on to either Brig or Interlaken) goes from platforms which are UNDERGROUND (usually platform 31).  So the change of trains will involve a walk, and your using elevators or escalators.

Here is a tip.  Unless you arrive at the Airport train station ‘at the last minute’, do not catch the IR13.  Catch the S2 bound for ZIEGELBRUCKE.  This train will leave from platform ONE at 36 minutes past the hour.  At Zurich Hauptbahnhof this train runs into …   either platform 31 or adjoining platform 32!  So the change of train will be very easy!

Best wishes for your trip.

Roger

[richard_keatley]

Reply 5 of 5 • 3 February 2026 at 15:50:15 #2795411

Thanks for the tip Roger.  This is really helpful information and we will follow your guidance if our timing forces a 39 departure from the airport.