5 min train connection at Olten enough time?
A traveler named CdnDreamer is planning a trip from Frankfurt to Lucerne and wants to know if a 5-minute transfer time at Olten station is enough for their train connection. They are carrying only carry-on luggage and are traveling with another adult. Some forum members reassured them that 5 minutes is sufficient and shared helpful tips about Swiss train travel.
- 5 minutes is enough time to transfer between platforms at Olten station, especially with carry-on luggage.
- There are frequent direct trains from Olten to Luzern, so if you miss one, you can catch the next without much hassle.
- Consider getting a Swiss Travel Pass or a Half Fare Card for potential savings on your entire trip if you plan to travel a lot.
AI-generated summary-
We are taking the train from Frankfurt main station to Lucerne. Train stop in Olten at platform 11 at 12:25pm and transfer to another train at platform 12 at 12:30pm for Lucerne. Is 5 minutes transfer time enough at this particular station? We are bringing carry on luggages only. 2 adults. No small kids. Anyone has been in Olten rail station and can share your experience? Thanks so much for your help!
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Hi CdnDreamer!
This is a frequent question on our forum. You will be fine – have a read of “tight connection times” section on the link here (scroll to the bottom): http://www.myswissalps.com/ti metable
I used to commute regularly in Olten, 5 mins is more than enough for your connection 🙂
Maria.
Thanks for your speedy reply Maria!
Hi CdnDreamer –
In the link that Maria provided, you’ll note the comment :
<“Should you miss your train anyway, then there’s always a next train.
If you connect to a train you have seat reservations for, a bit more slack can be useful. Reservations are not valid for other trains.”>>
Inside Switzerland, reservations are not necessary and usually are not available unless the train is an international one. Just like bus service in a city, a ticket is good for any train to the destination by the same route, within the validity period, which is usually for the whole day. ( Sometimes shorter…check if you are buying a ticket from a machine). From Olten to Luzern, there are three direct trains per hour, all day long – at xx06, xx30, and xx49. There is also one (slower) connection via Sursee, at xx36.
Maps-
To help answer that question at any station, a station map is useful. You can find maps for most of the larger stations on the SBB website,
by looking under “Stations and Services/ Find your station”
Here is the link for Olten:
http://www.sbb.ch/en/station-services/railway-stations/olten-station.html
Scroll down for the map(s).
You’ll note the platform numbers on the map. In the SBB timetable, arrival and departure platforms are shown for the trains. So, you can get an idea of the layout.
Most stations are straightforward, because they are on only one level.
Zürich main station, on the other hand is very complex, with multiple levels. Good signage in all stations.
Slowpoke
Hi Slowpoke,
Thank you so much for taking the time to address my question. I looked at the link you sent for Olten station and judging by the map, 5 minutes should be enough to walk down the stairs from platform 11 and walk up on the stairs to platform 12. I am buying train tickets today 90 days before my actual departure date for great savings. $39.95 euro instead of $119.95 euro. I understand if I miss my departure time, I will have to purchase a new pair of train tickets.
Glad to hear that I could help.
Since you will be travelling in Switzerland, I thought it would be useful to understand how things work.
Since we don’t know your other travel plans, we cannot say if a rail pass would be worthwhile. But, you could look here to get some ideas.
http://www.myswissalps.com/sw issrailpasses
Just for example, after you paid for a half fare card (118 CHF) for each adult in your party, the trip you describe could be taken without timing restrictions, for 1/2 of the 119.95 Euro.
Not as good as the super saver, and, not worthwhile unless you travel a fair amount, but , still, a good savings.
If you take any trips from Luzern to the Jungfrau region, and then further onward on the rather expensive transport in the Jungfrau region, 1/2 fare savings could add up pretty quickly.
Slowpoke
That is the plan Slowpoke. After we made up our mind where we wanted to go, and what we wanted to do, we have decided to buy the Half fare card and the Jungfrau Travel Pass as we will be in the region for 3 days right after spending two nights at Lucerne. Then, we will move to Montreux, Lausanne and finally Geneva. We will buy the Saver Day pass on days that we will travel alot and some days simply the Supersaver ticket (Book online 60 days before departure; non-refundable).
So thank you again for all your help!
I see that you have figured out the system. Good for you. it will elp you get the most of your trip for the least cost.
Enjoy!
Slowpoke
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