About how long to retrieve checked bags from United into Zurich. I have to catch a train.

Where are you going and how do you know that your United flight will land on time?

I am going from Zurich to Lauterbrunnen. And, you're right - I don't know whether my flight will be on time. Is that a rare thing for United?

It simply does not matter. You can get a train connecting to Lauterbrunnen about every 30 minutes from the airport train station. They are not reserved, so just buy tickets when you get there and hop on the first available train.

The standard answer is what takes time is immigration (passport control). By the time you have got through immigration your bags should be waiting. Then you go through customs, which takes zero time (spot checks only).

Zürich is a fast airport, you should be less than 1 hour from landing to exiting the airport and getting to the stataion. Follow signs "Bahn/Railway"

• But, where are you flying from? If it is from outside Europe, your flight could be +/- 1 or more hours depending on weather. This is the most likely cause of delay.
• Where are you getting your train to? If it is inside Switzerland, you do not need to (and usually cannot) book seats. Just buy a ticket at the station, which will be valid on any train, and get the next train. No need to worry about catching a specific train.