we will be travelling from zurich airport to grindelwald by train. Do i need to make reservations? do the prices fluctuate? it states 2 transfers w/only 6-8 minutes for the transfers, is that enough time? Will we know when to get off to change trains? Will we be able to figure out where to go to catch the next train? Is everything pretty easy to figure out only knowing English? Also, isn't there a scenic route to take also for maybe one of the trips? Thanks in advance for any help!
Posted by
Paradise
7072 posts
You should try posting in the Switzerland forum and/or the Transportation forum.
Posted by
Green Bay
21166 posts
But in the meantime, those 7 & 8 minute transfers are standard in Switzerland. Trains run like clockwork, and they've been operating like this for a very long time and Swiss people are happy with it.
More scenic route, specify via Luzern. Takes longer, but actually saves a couple of Francs full fare.
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
No reservations needed anywhere in Switzerland.
The prices do not fluctuate. There are some advanced purchase tickets for some trains (note 2 x "some"). Otherwise the fare is fixed, goes up every 2-3 years with inflation. Normal tickets are valid on any train on the date shown on the ticket. You simply buy at the station and get on the next train.
Zürich Flughafen to Grindelwald is CHF 85.20, 2nd class and takes 2h50 (look it up on https://www.sbb.ch/en ).
You can reduce that to CHF 42.60 with a Half Fare card (CHF 120, details here: https://www.sbb.ch/en/leisure-holidays/travel-in-switzerland/international-guests/swiss-halffare-card.html ). Whether that pays off depends on how much travelling you are doing.
"it states 2 transfers w/only 6-8 minutes for the transfers, is that enough time?" - yes. And even if you decide to look around, get a coffee etc., there is a train every 30 minutes, so you just get the next one.
"Will we know when to get off to change trains? Will we be able to figure out where to go to catch the next train?" - Look it up on the abovementioned SBB website, or use the SBB App, or ask when you buy your tickets at Zürich Flughafen station. They will give you a printout with stations, exact times and platform numbers.
"Is everything pretty easy to figure out only knowing English?" - Yes, a lot simpler than airports, just different.
"Also, isn't there a scenic route to take also for maybe one of the trips?" - The last part is fairly scenic anywhere.
The quickest route is Zürich Flughafen - Bern - Interlaken - Grindelwald.
A more scenic slower option is: Zürich Flughafen - Luzern - (Brünig Pass line) - Interlaken - Grindelwald.
Posted by
Knoxville, TN, USA
7209 posts
Congratulations on taking the train and asking questions here to alleviate your train anxieties! So many people have a knee jerk reaction to renting a car, but you’ve made the best decision to stick with trains. They’re wonderful. You miss a connection?? Then just wait 30 minutes for the next connecting train and jump on. It’s really quite simple and you’ll get the hang of it in no time!