[Removed user]

9 April 2018 at 2:09:06 #815220

Hi,

We are planning a trip with half-fare cards and a family card. We will be traveling from Geneve to Interlaken and later from Interlaken to Bern. Since we have half-fare cards we need to purchase tickets, and I’d prefer to do so ahead of time rather than wait with three kids at the ticket window. However, I’m a little worried about the ten minutes to change trains in Geneve and Bern. If we purchase tickets for a certain time and miss that train are we able to use them on the next train?

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[rockoyster]

9 April 2018 at 7:29:42 #881561

Normal tickets cover the route for the entire day of travel. You can get off at Bern and go do a city tour if you feel like it.

The only ticket which require you to catch the precise train is a discounted Supersaver.

Ten minutes is a lifetime as far as Swiss trains are concerned. Locals get very cross if a train is 1 minute late.

[Peterli]

9 April 2018 at 8:46:12 #881562

The Swiss transportation system has to run on time, all of the time. Everything, trains, connecting trains, post buses, and lake boats have schedules which mesh, and so even a one minute delay (if one does not more quickly) could mean a missed connection. If you want to catch the 8:03 AM IC 5 from Neuchâtel to Lausanne don’t get up onto the platform at 8:04 because all you will probably see is the end of the train heading off towards Lausanne. But cheer, up there will be another IC train at 9:03 AM !

[Removed user]

9 April 2018 at 11:09:50 #881563

My concern has been less the punctuality of the trains and more the ability of us and our three kids to get where we need to be on time (despite everyone traveling with one small backpack and one carry-on size suitcase. Knowing that if we miss our train we can hope on the next one makes purchasing tickets much less stressful. Thank you!

[Peterli]

9 April 2018 at 16:52:00 #881564

When you know the connection is going to be tight it is a good idea to find out, ahead of time, if a change of platform will be necessary. That way, you will know exactly what you are going to need to do before your train comes to a full stop. Often you will be able to step out of one train, walk a few steps, and board the next train, but this is not always the case. Good luck with all your connections.