Is 13 mins enough to switch platforms in Zurich HB
A traveler named Bman is planning their first trip to Switzerland, specifically traveling from Lucerne to Chur with a 13-minute platform change at Zurich HB. They seek confirmation on whether this amount of time is sufficient for the transfer.
- 13 minutes is plenty of time to transfer between platforms at Zürich HB, as platforms 4 and 8 are both at street level.
- To change platforms, walk straight ahead to the concourse, turn left, and proceed towards platforms 8/9 without needing stairs or escalators.
- If unsure about a shorter connection time, consider arriving at Zürich earlier for a more relaxed transfer, especially with luggage.
AI-generated summary-
Hello,
First time traveler in Switzerland. We are traveling from Lucern to Chur with 13 minutes of platform change at Zurich HB. We will be arriving at platform 4 and transferring to platform 8.
Is 13 minutes enough to transfer between platforms?
Thank you very much.
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Hi Bman, and welcome to MySwissAlps!
Yes, 13 minutes is plenty of time to change platforms at Zürich HB (i.e. Hauptbahnhof /main station).
Platforms 4 and 8 are both at street level. If you aren’t familiar with Zürich HB, the most straightforward way to change platforms is probably just to walk straight ahead along the platform to the concourse at the end, turn to the left and walk past platforms 6/7 to platforms 8/9. No stairs, escalators or lifts involved, although you could use those too if you chose.
Have a nice trip!
Alpenrose
Hi. On a similar question to the above, we have been given 9 minutes at Zurich hub, to change from our train at platform 33 to platform 11. Is this enough? It showed as being the connection for the trip we chose, but it doesn’t seem much! Thanks Kiwibird
Thank you very much.
We’re so excited for our trip.
Hi Kiwibird,
The first thing to say is that the timetable only offers connections that are achievable. That said, if you aren’t familiar with Zürich Hauptbahnhof, and particularly if you have luggage in tow, it can sometimes take a minute or two to orient yourself in the underground areas (where platform 33 is located).
If for some reason you absolutely must catch your ongoing connection from platform 11, then I would arrange to arrive in Zürich a bit earlier.
If missing your platform 11 connection would simply be a nuisance but wouldn’t ruin your plans, then I would leave things as they are, as there’s a good chance you would make that connection.
As mentioned above, platform 33 is below ground. To get to platform 11, you will need to go up a couple of escalators or take the lift up to street level. It is well signposted though – just follow the signs and keep heading up to platforms 3-18, which are all at ground level.
To plan a trip with a longer connection time in the Swiss Timetable (https://www.myswissalps.com/travel/public-transport/timetable/ ) , you can click on “Settings”, turn the button on for “Longer interchange time”, choose the option that suits you, then click “Apply”.
Good luck!
Alpenrose
Hi Bman and Kiwibird,
Concrete tips from Alpenrose. More on connection times in the attached link, scroll to “How to deal with short train transfer times”:
Kind regards,
Yolanda
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