Train from Lucerne to Zermatt with luggage

  • Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    29 May 2019 at 15:58:52 #821911

    We are travelling from Lucerne to Zermatt on Sunday 2nd June with 3 suitcases and hand luggage. Our transfer times at Bern and Visp is only 6 minutes…can we do this? We need to go from platform 3 to Platform 5 in Bern and Platform 7 to platform 3 in Visp. Thanks

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    Arno
    Moderator
    15471 posts
    29 May 2019 at 17:03:14 #913612

    Hi Raypercy,

    That’s no problem if you’re ready to get off the train and be near the door when it is approaching the station. Please see “Tight connection times” on http://www.myswissalps.com/ti metable. There’s always a next train should you miss the connection, unless you travel very late at night on the last train.

    Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    29 May 2019 at 23:22:05 #913613

    This is a common question on the this forum.

    The Swiss main line network operates on what is known as a ‘taktfahrplan’, the concept means that trains are designed to connect at nodal points and the minimum connecting times (MCT) are designed to help passengers by providing onward connections as soon as possible, preventing the need for passengers to hang around a long time waiting for the next connection. Unfortunately the MCT worries less regular passengers and tourists because the time can seem very short when seen written down

    But – it is thoroughly tested and planned so the MCT should be adequate

    However

    1) lots of people change trains with lots of luggage at Swiss stations every hour of every day – without problems

    2) a number of minutes written on paper looks like a short time, but actually 3 minutes is longer than you think. Try setting a stopwatch and walking along a street to see how far you actually get in 3 minutes

    Bern platform 3 to 5 isn’t far

    For Visp, I attach the same picture I posted on another thread yesterday:

    platform 6/7 is on the left, the Zermatt platforms are on the right

    Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    30 May 2019 at 5:29:19 #913614

    Hello Raypercy,

    As stated, normally the connections work out perfectly. To be on the safe side it is recommendable having your luggage ready and maybe standing at the doors when the train arrives, in order to alight quickly.

    Find overviews of Bern and Visp train stations in below links, incl. a nice PDF map.
    http://www.sbb.ch/en/station-services/railway-stations/bern-station.html
    http://www.sbb.ch/en/station-services/railway-stations/visp-station.html

    Best,
    Steph

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