Swiss train travel – luggage and train changes
A traveler named Komal is planning a 12-day summer trip to Switzerland from Canada, traveling mostly by train with her husband and 8-year-old son. She seeks advice on changing trains with luggage and the best rail passes for their itinerary, which includes stays in St. Moritz, Zermatt, Montreux, and Wengen.
- Changing trains in Switzerland is easy, even with luggage; using the SBB app helps with information on platform changes.
- Limit each person's luggage to one carry-on to make train transfers smoother.
- Consider the Swiss Travel Pass for travel flexibility, as it includes various modes of transport beyond trains.
- To avoid crowds, visit popular destinations like Jungfraujoch during off-peak times, such as early morning or weekdays.
AI-generated summary-
Hello,
I am planning a trip to Switzerland during summer from Canada. I will be travelling mostly on trains. My high level plan is like below:
Arrival Zurich Airport (Morning) – Train to St Moritz – Zermatt – Montreux – Wengen – Zurich Airport – Overall 12 days.
I have 2 questions:
1. While checking best train routes, I see that on most route, I have at-least one or two train changes, except Bernina and Glacier Exp. How easy it is to change trains in Switzerland during summer with Luggage (at least one bag each member). I am travelling with my wife and son , 8 years old.
2. I will be staying last 4-5 days in Wengen and roam around Lauterbrunenn Valley. Which rail passes will work best for me ? I was thinking of Half Fare and Jungfrau Regional.
Thanks
Komal
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It is very easy to change trains in Switzerland. Pl download SBB app. You can see platform change in App. Also there is sufficient time to change trains. We were 5 of us. Everyone had one stroller bag. Very easy and comfortable
Regarding rail pass, please map your itinerary and tickets price under each pass. It will be very easy for you to take decision
Cheers
Chetan
Komal,
All the above info is the most important. I just wanted to add that the importance of having only one bag a piece so that everyone can carry there own is paramount! I love to ride the trains over there and changing is not a problem at all but the 2 things that I have seen that could take the fun out of your day is one person, usually the strongest, trying to manage all the bags and people not being prepared to depart the train when it is stopping. Most are simple as you just go to the back or front of your carriage, get your bag off the rack and go out the door. Where you have to be more careful is if it is one of the more modern trains that you go up a narrow flight of stairs to find your seat. Sometimes there is no space for the bags below so you must carry them up and on departure carry them back down, quickly, if you are not prepared. Unlike our trains in the US, these almost always run right on time so just watch your watch. I have almost always used a rail pass even if it looks like only a break even purchase. That way I have the advantage of buses and boats being included which gives me flexibility when deciding on a little side trip and it saves time.
I have been lucky to ride the trains as a visitor for about 12 trips from the US. . When I was in my 40’s I had a backpack only and then as now the less I took the better. There are launderettes available and I use them. Now I’m in my 70’s and I can still do 2 weeks with a 21” roll-a-board suitcase and no worries about getting off and on trains. Best of luck! I hope you have a wonderful trip. Kathy
Thank you Chetan, for your response. I have downloaded the app and can see change timings and platform information’s. Its very useful.
Thank Kathy, for your response. You touched upon good points, which will help in better planning. Being from North America, I am sure Swiss trains will be a great experience. Your suggestions are very practical. Based on the feedback from you and Chetan, I will plan to travel with only 1 carry on per person and every individual will be responsible.
I assume trains will not running packed during summer, I mean at-least we will get some place to sit in all connections.
Thanks
Hi Komal,
Welcome to MySwissAlps.
You can find useful and practical tips on how to travel with luggage on Swiss trains here: http://www.myswissalps.com/train/practical/luggage
Here’s our practical guide explaining how train traveling in Switzerland works: http://www.myswissalps.com/train/practical/howtotravel.
Regarding railpasses, we have a quick guide on how to choose the best railpass for your trip here: http://www.myswissalps.com/train/ticketspasses/practical/chooserailpass
Hope this gets you started.
Regards,
Anna
Thank you Anna, these links are very useful.
Regards
Komal
I am an international travel consultant so it would be useful to know if you have any rail services in your home area in Canada so that I can draw some comparisons for you.
In the meantime the very basic information you need is that people change trains all the time in Switzerland, with lots of luggage (and in winter with skis, snowboards etc), it is quite normal and expected. I don’t really agree that you need to restrict your party to ‘one item each’ – especially on your main travel days. My late parents travelled with lots of baggage around Switzerland into their 80s/90s without much difficulty
In answer to (1), my quick guide to how railways in Switzerland work follows:
The Swiss railway operating/timetable concept – a quick guide
Switzerland’s railways are a lot different to very large countries in many parts of the world, such as USA and Brazil.
Passenger trains run very frequently on a dense network, so that the rail network operates like a whole-country version of the transit of a large metropolis such as New York.
This means that it is not necessary to reserve seats in advance or buy additional tickets except on a very small number of specific special services.
It also means that short connecting times between trains are worked out so that they are easily possible, even with luggage.
The operation of the national network (aka Swiss Travel System) is by what is called the ‘taktfahrplan’ principle, i.e. that trains run at the same times past each hour at least every 1 hour on most lines, and half hourly where necessary, and all services are programmed to interconnect with each other at nodal points with a minimal connecting time. This minimum connecting time is built in and is designed to enable you to continue a cross country journey without waiting for ages between trains if you have to change trains.
The main network serving all main towns and villages is known as the ‘AG’ area – AG standing for Abonnement General (ie General Season Ticket) because Switzerland is one of the few countries in the world where you can buy a 365 days season ticket for the whole country’s transport network.
Within this concept, ‘freedom type’ rail passes such as the Swiss Travel Pass and Saver Day Pass act in the same way as 24 hour pass tickets on many city transit systems around the world, in other words they allow ‘hop on hop off ‘ travel for a whole day on all the main modes of transport which make up the Swiss Travel System – federal railways, private railways, post buses, city buses, city trams, local railways, lake boats.
It doesn’t matter which type of train you get on on the main national network (which includes all SBB, BLS and private railways).
If you are worried about short connecting times between key train – don’t be! Take a moment to think about how much time it actually takes to change trains at a small and medium sized stations. Short connecting times between trains are worked out so that they are easily possible, even with luggage. Taking 7 minutes as an example. This might not sound a lot of time but think about how far you can actually walk in a straight line in 7 minutes. At an average walking pace even with luggage most people can cover about 700 metres in 7 minutes, which is far further than the distance needed to walk between platform of connecting trains at most Swiss stations (really all except Zurich HB)
Train classifications decode can be found on the electronic version of the Swiss National Timetable, as can timetables for each railway line in Switzerland
Home page: http://www.fahrplanfelder.ch/en/welcome.html
Explanation of symbols: http://www.fahrplanfelder.ch/fileadmin/fap_explanations/pdf-Dateien/2022/Zeichenerklaerung.pdf
Train types lexicon: http://www.fahrplanfelder.ch/fileadmin/fap_explanations/pdf-Dateien/2022/Zugcharakterisierung.pdf
Note to 1960man – I am most certain that you have more and better information about travel in CH than I. The main reason that pushed me to the information that I offered on luggage and being prepared to get off trains was due to an unfortunate event that I witnessed many years ago riding one of the many trains that I have enjoyed over there. We came to a station and there was a large group (maybe 6-7) adults sitting in front of me who were not paying the least attention where they were and suddenly they realized that it was there stop. It was mayhem! They were grabbing things and running for the exit. One was passing skis out the window to others and as the train pulled away there were at least 2 people still on the train. I apparently was scarred for life as even these 20 years later, and knowing they had to be idiots, am I still very careful to be ready to get off the train as it comes to my station! After that day my late husband and I made a plan that if that separation ever happened to us the one that made it off was to stay put and the other would find their way back to the chosen station. (Ah, the days before cell phones…) On the subject of luggage I always encourage friends to keep it simple as the joy to me is what I see and get to experience and not that I have a different outfit for every day. The more I have traveled over the years the less I take along. Now as I am older it serves me well. The point of this note dear 1960man is you are absolutely correct in all you said and I did not mean to contradict you in any way nor was there a complaint about the Swiss trains. I love to ride them and hope I get to continue for many years to come. You give great advice and are generous with your time and now that I am aware of your profession I understand. All the best, Kathy
Thank you very much 1960man. Apologies, I couldn’t find your name.
I appreciate your professional advice and detailed information about Swiss Travel System. I liked the analogy you put to compare it with Newyork transit.
About your question, I live in Greater Toronto Area in Ontario.
We have a rapid transit system in Toronto. 4 Subway (metro) lines, local buses and street car (tram).
Regional trains and buses connecting Toronto to other Suburban towns.
Few long distance trains to Ottawa, Montreal, NewYork.
It’s not dense and frequent like Western Europe.
Also I lived in India, and in some cases when changing platforms we have to take stairs, which was painful in some cases.
Based on some readings in this site,(which amazing), forums and advices, I am already a big fan of Swiss Trains. The only thing is I have to experience them in peak seasons. I trust they will amaze me. Hats off to Swiss Trains and those who planned it.
Thanks
Komal
I also live in Pune India. By Indian standards crowd in peak season in Switzerland is nothing. If you have experience in travelling in Subarban trains in Mumbai, Swiss trains will be luxury even in Second Class
Only exception is very touristy Jungfraujoch etc. Or travelling in peak time to Bern. I travelled in May which was shoulder season but it was OK to be honest
Cheers
Chetan
I was wondering if you would say Toronto. This is exactly the information I needed to make comparisons.
I visited Toronto/Niagara in 1999 (ship UK – New York then New York, then Maple Leaf train NY – Ontario). l stayed in Burlington ON because I knew that I would be able to use GO Transit to get into Toronto.
Greater Toronto is actually quite like a European urban area transit-wise, with comprehensive trams, buses, metro and suburban trains – and relevant travel passes valid on said network. The Presto fare /day pass system in Toronto is similar to the Swiss/European Tariff area model (as used in Zurich for example). So I think you will be less ‘culture-shocked’ than some. And of course it is not the same as Indian city railway travel. The big difference is of course size. Greater Toronto from Burlington to Scarborough (all largely urbanised) is the same distance as the mostly rural railway journey from Base Zurich (two of Switzerland’s ‘big cities!)
Thank you and 1960man, Chetan
These additional information will surely help in planning.
Interestingly Chetan mentioned Jungfraujoch is very touristy, and in other forum, someone also mentioned Jungfraujoch is more like ThemePark.
I want to understand your point of view about Jungfraujoch. The reason i am asking is for optimized planning.
So far I was thinking it as must visit and accordingly planning number of days stay in Wengen and type pass. Now I am have having second thought whether going up to Jungfraujoch with extra tickets and extra day that too subject to weather is worth or not.
Though I will be visiting up to Kleine Scheidegg and Eigergletscher (Hike/Train/Gondola).
Thanks
Train journey is very scenic for Jungfraujoch but till that part which is free on Swiss Travel Pass. I guess Kleine Scheidegg
If you have to do this attraction then better board the first train, it has discount on top of rail pass and by the time crowd starts visiting you can finish that tour by 1pm. I hated this place – very crowded and expensive
Better option is Schilthorn
This is my personal view. Others may differ and I respect their views
Cheers
Chetan
Thank you all.
I appreciate it can be off putting when destinations are deemed ‘touristy’. An option is to perhaps visit when it is ‘off peak’ to avoid all the crowds. Taking the first train in the morning or visiting later in the afternoon when the crowds die down. Alternatively if you have the option, visit during the week opposed to over the weekend?
Good luck with deciding and let us not forget Jungfraujoch is a highlight for many 😉
Yes, I feel that Jungfraujoch is a bit of a theme park. In my opinion Jungfraujoch is not worth the very high costs of the ticket to get there, for the following reasons:
- The view of the mountains from the top is not as extensive as it is from other peaks (this is because Jungfraujoch is a ‘saddle’ between peaks, not a summit)
- the train up spends lots of time inside mountains not ‘on’ them so views are limited
- the ticket price is very high
- the summit is not quite the ‘away from it all’ experience it once was
Thank you Yolanda, Chetan and 1960man for sharing your point of view. This really helps me in planning my First Swiss trip. Also this website has tons of information, very well arranged, easy to navigate. Kudos to team myswissalps.com !!!
Thanks :-)!
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