MySwissAlps.com includes Roger Sexton
Forum replies
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Anna, Patti and everyone
I have just looked at the Glacier Express website. It says
As of Monday, 08.07.2024, the Glacier Express trains will run again between Brig-St. Moritz.
The existing railway replacement concept will continue to apply between Brig and Zermatt.
I infer that Patti is travelling on Saurday 6th July. She will therefore have to travel on the regional trains between Andermatt and Chur, changing at Disentis.
I have done this interchange at Goschenen. The walk is entirely on the level. The thing to remember is that as Alpenrose says, platform 11 is just the other side of the station building from platform 1. Takes one minute at most. These seemingly ‘tight’ connections happen all over Switzerland! And if the incoming train is slightly late, the Andermatt train will wait. Almost all of its passengers will be people making the connection. Goschenen is only a small village, so very few people start their journey from there!
The change is even easier at Disentis. The train from Andermatt comes in on one side of an ‘island’ platform. The train to Chur is in full view on the other side of the platform. The walk across trakes a few seconds.
Have a great trip
Roger
I cannot help you much; only as regards to public transport in Zurich. All public transport (train, tram bus etc.) in the Zurich area is controlled by the Zurcher Verkehrsverbund. For their fares, and how you pay for them, go to http://www.zvv.ch. I would stress that you must always pay the fare BEFORE you get on the tram, bus or train.
The normal way of getting from Zurich airport to the city centre is by train (takes 11 to 15 minutes: https://www.myswissalps.com/town/zurich/#travel). If your hotel is not near the Hauptbahnhof, ask the hotel what is the best public transport route from the airport.
Bellinzona (https://www.myswissalps.com/town/bellinzona/) comes to mind. Not one but three castles! Another possibility would be Como, paying for the short distance Chiasso to Como. Even Milan is perfectly possible, but the fare from Chiasso MIGHT put you off. There is an hourly semi-fast train which goes Locarno-Lugano-Chiasso-Como-Monza-Milano Centrale. Time from Lugano 78 minutes. I expect that the booking office at Lugano station can sell you tickets for trips south of Chiasso.
Hi Jason.
Like Alpenrose, I think you may have underestimated the distance involved. (Your proposed trip to Chamonix was just a logical extention of your trip from Martigny.) This trip is of a totally different magnitude. However, I suspect that you are (like me) a public tranport enthusiast enthusiast, and that you want to ride on the steeply graded Hollental Bahn. A possible round trip would be Basel Badischer-Freiburg-Titisee-Donaueschingen-Singen-Konstanz. (Or the other way round.) The STP is valid to Basel Badischer and Konstanz, and to Thayngen.
For times of trains, go to the DB (German Railways) website. As to fares, stay on that website and search for ‘Baden-Wurttemberg Ticket’. This is particularly attractive if there is more than one person in your group. But stress that while this ‘ticket’ is valid on all LOCAL trains, trams and buses in BW, it is (usually) not valid on IC, EC or ICE trains. (Contrast the STP.)
Best wishes
Roger Sexton
Hi Patti, Alpenrose and everyone else interested in travelling around Switzerland.
First, thank you Alpenrose for your very comprehensive answer to Patti. I obviously agree with everything you say. I did not know the point about facing backwards going up the Schollenen Gorge!
I have a general point about travelling in Switzerland, or indeed anywhere else scenic, eg Austria. Alpenrose says, ‘As seats will be unreserved, you may have the opportunity to choose which side of the train to sit on, and to change sides when the views change.’ This remark can be applied to every train in Switzerland, except the handful of trains (eg the Glacier Express) which require reservation. I would simply add that the ability to change sides is very dependent on how crowded the train is!
I have open on my desk page 147 of a book ‘Swiss Travel Wonderland’ published in 1972. It is a list of suggestions as to which side of the train you should sit on. Except that, of course, it does not cover lines opened since 1972 (those lines are mostly in tunnel!) the list is still accurate.
Best wishes
Roger Sexton
I find your request a bit difficult to understand. If you want to visit Sevelen (just across the Rhine from Leichtenstein) or Liechtenstein itself, you get a train from Zurich Hauptbahnhof to Sargans, and there change to a bus. (There are no through trains Zurich Airport to Sargans.)
St Gallen (CITY) is some way from Liechtenstein, but it is easy to get to from Zurich Airport. There are 3-4 fast trains per hour from Zurich AIRPORT to St Gallen, and they take just under an hour for the journey.
I cannot help you much, except to tell you that the the Lavaux area is served by two main line railways. The Simplon main line runs along the shores of Lac Leman on its way from Lausanne to Vevey, Montreux and (eventually) Italy. The main line from Romandie to Bern and Zurich climbs out of Lausanne THROUGH the vineyards. Both lines carry stopping train running twice an hour.
I would strongly agree with EASW. Swiss public transport is the best in Europe. Worldwide, its only rival is Japan. Before you go any further, look at the excellent video on the MySwissAlps website which explains the Swiss Travel Pass. (https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/swiss-travel-pass/)
(I would not allow the slow public tranport to Staubifall to sway you in favour of a rental car, which as EASW points out, you will have to leave in a car park in Tasch, which is 5 kilometres – 3 miles, from car-free Zermatt! Wengen (https://www.myswissalps.com/town/wengen/) and Murren (https://www.myswissalps.com/town/murren/) – two villages near Interlaken – are also car free.)
I have just looked at the Swiss electronic timetable. The STOPPING TRAINS which run HOURLY Andermatt to Disentis are running normally. The connecting HOURLY stopping trains Disentis to Chur are running normally. The Hourly semi-fast trains Brunnen to Goschenen are running normally. The connecting trains up from Goschenen to Andermatt… are running normally.
If tomorrow I wanted to travel from Brunnen to St Moritz, I would go Brunnen-Goschenen; Goschenen-Andermatt; Andermatt-Disentis; Disentis-Chur; Chur-St Moritz.
I have visited Switzerland about 40 times since 1971. I have (many times) travelled on the lines which make up the route of the Glacier Express. If asked to name my favourite stretch of railway in Switzerland, I would unhesitatingly answer ‘Andermatt to Oberalp pass.’ (on the way to Disentis). (I have never been on the Glacier Express itself.)
The route via Zurich suggested by Alpenrose is quicker than my suggested route and has its attractions. I love the main line trains from Zurich to Chur, especially if the train is a double-deck. The line is scenic (SIT ON THE LEFT) and the stretch along the Walensee is number three on my list of favourite stretches of Swiss railways.
My suggested route is much slower, but has ‘the Oberalp Stretch’ (and the incredible gorge east of Ilanz).
Best wishes for your stay in Switzerland
Roger Sexton
Where are you flying in from? Are you flying from outside the Schengen Zone? If you do not know what I mean by ‘Schengen Zone’, then you are coming from outside it.
My experience in flying from Britain (outside the Schengen Zone) is that flights into Zurich are often a bit late. There are often long queues (20-30 minutes) at passport control. (That is a new problem, but I have experienced it on all three of my visits to Zurich post-covid).
My reaction is that, especially if you are coming from outside Schengen, there is a real risk of of getting struck in Lauterbrunnen.
Where ‘near Lucerne’ will you be staying? Eg, if you are staying at Vitznau, then Rigi is an obvious half-day trip. Stoos is an obvious choice if staying Brunnen, but ‘a bit of a trek’ if you are in Lucerne city.
From previous threads, I recall that you are using a rental car. A big consideration is going to be, is there car parking at the bottom station?
Please see previous answers to your previous questions given by both moderators and participants (including me).
What sort of pass will you be using (if at all) on what is a very long journey which will include al least five different countries! ?Global Interrail? (https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/eurail-global-pass/ ) How long are you planning to spend in Switzerland? Is there anything in Switzerland you feel you ‘must see’ or ‘must do’?
One thing is immediately clear irrespective of the pass/tickets you use. and the time available. The rail route from Budapest to Zurich is via Vienna/Wien, Linz, Salzburg, Innsbruck THE ARLBERG LINE, entering Switzerland at a place called Buchs (SG). The very attractive Arlberg line (entirely in Austria) is therefore included in your trip anyway. There is a through Budapest to Zurich train leaving Budapest Keleti at 06 40 and due to arrive in Zurich at 17 20. In early January it gets dark in Austria/Switzerland between about 16 30 and 17 15.Most of the ROUTE of the Glacier Express (https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/glacier-express/) is extremely scenic. In addition to the Glacier Express itself, all the lines covered by the Glacier Express are also covered by ordinary trains running hourly. Personally, I prefer the ordinary trains. No compulsory seat reservation, chances to get off and ‘stretch your legs’.
Hello Yoda.
Thanks for the information as to where you are staying. I have just looked at the map, and I was delighted to see that Konradstrass is about 200 yards north of the Hauptbahnhof. (Sorry -This little message is repeating something I have already said!}
Hi Yoda
It is great that you are staying in Konradstrasse. That street is just north of the Hauptbahnhof!If you are taking the train to the Airport, then, as I previously said, MOST trains to the Airport go from Platforms 33 and 34 and go on beyond the Airport to destinations in eastern Switzerland or even southern Germany.
However at 16 and 46 minutes past the hour there is a local service numbered S16 which terminates at the Airport! These S16 trains go from platforms 41 and 42. These platforms are also underground, but are CLOSER TO KONRADSTRASSE than platforms 33 and 34. The S16 train MAY be a rather old train painted dark blue. The CARRIAGE NEXT TO THE LOKOMOTIVE has step-free entrances, the other carriages do have steps. If the S16 train is a modern train (painted grey and white), all entrances are step free!
I hope this helps.
Best wishes – Roger.
in reply to: Hiking recommendations in Geneva region for 3-4 days
Your requirements are a bit vague. For something ‘different’ within easy reach of Geneva, I would suggest the Swiss side of the Jura mountains. Landscape is very different from the Alps. Interesting (small) towns and villages. Mostly French-speaking. Views across Lake Geneva (https://www.myswissalps.com/region/lake-geneva/) or the Swiss central plain to the Alps. Above all the superb Swiss public transport. It might be worth your getting a three of four day Swiss Travel Pass (https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/swiss-travel-pass/) . (Remember the Jura stretches to east of Basel.)
As an aside I am puzzled by your reference to ‘the chamonix and zermatt region’. The two places are some way apart. A public transport journey between the two would require changes of train at Martigny and Visp. (I am wondering whether you are confusing French Chamonix with Italian Cervinia. Cervinia is on the Italian side of ther Matterhorn.)
I would give one day to Gornergrat/Riffelalp/Riffelsee; and one day to Glacier Paradise. It would be very rushed to do both in one day.
Sorry, but I cannot help on fares. I have visited Switzerland about 40 times. But, except on the first occasion (1971!) I have always had a Swiss Travel Pass (https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/swiss-travel-pass/) That gives me free travel on all ‘normal’ public transport, and 50% off on most mountain lines.
For me personally, the trip up the Gornergrat is the best mountain trip in Switzerland (Sit on the right going uphill,) And (unlike the Jungfraujoch which I know you are avoiding) it is great value for money!
Regards
Roger
I am not really an expert on hiking, but combining First/Bachalpsee with Mannlichen/Wengen strikes me as rather demanding. I WONDER WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK.
I wonder what other people think. But I would:
Give Wengen Mannlichen a full day; add the waterfalls to your day up the Schilthorn; do the First/Bachalpsee hike on your last morning in Grindelwald. Where are you driving to from Grindelwald? The drive to Lucerne is not as long timewise as the drive to Tasch (for Zermatt). What day of the week will it be? Weekends MAY be busier than mid-week! Again, WHAT DO OTHER PEOPLE THINK?
I do not drive. One of the reasons I go to Switzerland so often is the superb public transport and the unique Swiss Travel Pass (https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/swiss-travel-pass/) (Where are you from? I am British, resident in Nottingham.)
Kind Regards
Roger
Trips 4 and 5 look half day trips. But note that the bottom station for the cablecar up to Murren and Schilthorn is relatively close to the wanterfalls.
in reply to: The cheapest way to travel from Mürren to Zurich
Further to my previous reply, I have now found a ‘thread’ which you started on November 8th 2023 for a trip to the Berner Oberland in August 2024. Yolanda, one of MySwissAlps moderators, kindly provided a very detailed response to your queries. What she said then would seem to be equally applicable to a simple trip from Zurich to Murren and return.
