I need to figure out the best way to get from Innsbruck to Lucerne by train at the end of August. I have looked on OBB and DD websites. Before I buy tickets, want to verify that my best option is with 3-5 transfers? Nothing more direct? I also looked at going from Innsbruck to Zurich to Lucerne but that is not any faster/less transfers. Anything easier? more scenic and worth it to have more stops? etc. Thanks!
Posted by
2896 posts
The best connection has one change in Zurich.
RJ 13478 (dep. 9:16am) Innsbruck - Zurich
IR 2120 (dep. 1:35pm) Zurich - Lucerne
Posted by
Wengen
4215 posts
What is your travel date? You should be able to do this with one transfer, in Zurich. but maybe there is something special going on, but without knowing your travel date we cannot look that up for you. Best place to book is www.oebb.at (the ÖBB site). Other sites will not show different trains...
Posted by
2896 posts
...but maybe there is something special going on, ...
For the next three months (until mid-October) there is track maintenance (on work days, only) near the Austrian-Swiss border. On such days every second RailJet train is affected, having a replacement service by bus across the border.
Posted by
OP
13 posts
ya'll thank you for your help. I did look at the previous day and it appears to have better options. As mentioned above I can find on transfer in Zurich - thank you! and yes, many routes are putting you on a bus due to construction. ugh! The exact day we are now looking at is Wednesday, Sept 2 of this year. I welcome any more input. We are totally chill to leave super early - and late morning if fine - but by afternoon it is too late. Was thinking either the 8:15 to get there an hour earlier But it has more train transfers but thankfully not by bus. Or the 9:15 is direct to Zurich . . . just wish it was the earlier one. What would your preference be?
Posted by
Wengen
4215 posts
Here is something you can do:
- Go to www.oebb.at enter your origin and destination and click "search connection".
- Then when the results com up click on "advanced options"
There you can uncheck "busses" and "Rail Replacement Service".
Now you will only be offered connections using only trains. These will often involve detours, but now you are no longer on a rail replacement bus...
Note: With non-flex tickets the trains are fixed. In practice this means that you have to make sure you are on the correct train for the first leg. Beyond that if you miss a connection due to a delay you can just hop on whatever is the next train continuing along your route, even if that involves changing in different places. Don't hesitate to ask railway staff for help.