Define "transfer" on train schedules

I'd have to see the particular schedule for that case, but when the Bahn schedule says transfer 20 minutes it means you have 20 minutes to get to the next train. The Bahn will often show you the platforms for both trains, and it is usually different platforms numbers.

If you look at the expanded schedule on the Bahn website, I don't think there will be any question. It will show one train number for arrival and another train number from there.

For instance, for Paris to Colmar on the SNCF website, it shows train 9571 from Paris to Strasbourg, arriving at at 8:26, then train 96283 to Colmar, leaving at 8:51. At Strasbourg it says, "Temps de correspondance : 25 min", and there is 25 minutes between trains.

It means what it says. Transfer = get off of one train and get on another. Airlines call it the same.

Airlines call it a layover...but changing from one platform to another is not really difficult. It may involve stairs or underground passages or maybe just a few steps right across the platform to the other side.

Patwallga,

You've received great answers to your question, however, if you give us more specific information, regarding the train station(s) in question, we may be able to provide you with more help.

Most trains travel a certain route & only stop at stations for a few minutes ( around 5 minutes or so), unless the stop is the terminus (last stop on the route), in which case, the train may be at that station for a longer period of time (10-30 minutes).

Where are you traveling to?

We are going from London to Paris, then a week later from Paris to Amsterdam. When I was originally looking at the schedules, there were some indications of "transfer 6 mins" or "transfer 9 mins" and we found that to be a little too ambitious for us seniors to transfer self and luggage to another train -- hence the original question. I have since found nonstop trains for both destinations, so will go with those. Thanks much for everyone's help.

It's good to know that you've found direct trains to your destinations.

I don't like transfers that are less than 15-20 minutes, specially if I don't know the layout of the train station.

It sounds like you have a wonderful trip planned out, enjoy!

London to Paris and Paris to Amsterdam are both served by direct, fast trains, respectively called Eurostar and Thalys. No transfers unless there's some construction on the route. Both are cheaper if you can lock in dates and times well in advance.

If you were coming from another part of France, such as from Normandy, you'd see a note like this, which means that you have to take a taxi or metro between two different train stations:

Caen dep 08:54 IC 3302 Intercity

Paris St Lazare arr 10:46

transfer 50 min.

Continue by public transport

Paris Nord dep 12:25 THA 9339 Thalys

Amsterdam Centraal arr 15:42 13a

Thanks so much to all. Our reservations are made on non-stop trains and we should get the tickets tomorrow. Yay!

I find transfers are easy when you when you can manage your bag. In small stations five minutes is probably fine - usually it involves either up or down a flight of stairs to change tracks then back up or down to your next train.

In big stations you have a lot more tracks to choose from, so may have a longer walk. Still 15 minutes is typcally plenty.

If you are concerned about finding your track, add another five minutes. If you add ten minutes, you'll wait a bit - which isn't a bad thing.

If you have a lot of luggage, you really need the direct train. It will give you one full stop with minutes to get off the train and no rush from there to the taxi stand (rather than bus or metro).