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Am I understanding the Express Baggage service correctly?

We'll be traveling from Zermatt to Lauterbrunnen by train and a few days later from Lauterbrunnen to Montreux. Both of these trips involve a few train changes, and my husband and I will each have one suitcase. If we use the Express Luggage service, each travel day it will cost us CHF 52 (12 each per bag and a flat rate of 30 for the service).

Any side trips we want to do either on the way or once we reach our destinations, we can do without worrying about the luggage. For example, when we arrive the first travel day in Lauterbrunnen we could take the bus to Trümmelbach Falls and then pick up our luggage at the station later. Or on the 2nd travel day when we leave from Lauterbrunnen, we could stop off at a station along the way and then reboard a different train heading to Montreux later.

Am I correct in this? At both Lauterbrunnen and Montreux we have until 18:00 to pick the luggage up? Or does it mean we cannot pick up the luggage before 18:00?

Posted by
16895 posts

Both statements in your last paragraph are the same and are correct - they are not promising for the bags to arrive before 18:00. They won't necessarily go on the same trains that you do and while you must have a valid ticket or pass for the route, it's fine for you to take detours and do what you like with your day. I believe the 30 service fee is a new feature of the pricing structure this year.

Posted by
106 posts

Laura, perhaps it is a difference in interpretation. If I am told I have until 18:00 to pick my luggage up, to me that means if I arrive after 18:00 the pick up station will be closed. And I will be without my luggage for the night.

Totally different than being told I cannot get my luggage before 18:00. You're saying that the latter is true. We will not be able to pick up our suitcases until after 18:00, correct?

Posted by
9110 posts

Swiss Rail is saying that your bags will be "guaranteed" for pickup at 6pm or later. They might arrive earlier but but they are not promising that.

If you head to this part of the Swiss Rail site you can see the hours of operation for the luggage counters at each train station:

http://tinyurl.com/jan6nqz

Posted by
106 posts

Thank you Michael; I understand now. There's a possibility that our suitcases might get there sooner. But if they don't, there will be a one hour time window to pick up our luggage (18:00 - 19:00) at each station which is fine.

Posted by
16895 posts

Ah, yes, Cindy, it is the latter. Michael's link should help.

Posted by
106 posts

It did, and I've learned now that the word "until" can be interpreted very differently. Extremely important, so thank you! :)