How much time do I need to make train connection in Interlaken Ost?

5 minutes is normal for Switzerland. And if you look at the other changes you make along the way, they are all in the 5 to 8 minute range.

What date and time are you looking at? 30 minutes later may have more quick changes along the way to Winterthur. You may have to wait another hour if you are planning on the single connection in Bern and want to keep that.

Very few people get seat reservations in Switzerland because of the frequency of the trains. They are used to just going to the station and hopping on the first train that gets them to where they are going. As our friend WengenK likes to say, "Its mass transportation".

On our recent trip we did 73 train rides and only missed one connection which was when the train broke down.
Additionally I don’t recall that we saw a single seat with any reservation marked on it.

73 train rides! Whoa. The train I was looking at was an 11:30 train with only one connection in Interlaken Ost. It looks like there's another one at 1:30, depending on how leisurely I'd like our day to be. We'll be coming from Murren. Although there's more room for error if we catch the earlier train. Should I play it safe?

We will have luggage with us so I thought a reservation would make that easier? But maybe that's only necessary if it says the train will be busy?
Thanks,
Laurie

We have traveled by train extensively in Switzerland for decades. We travel with two smaller backpacks and two larger backpacks. I cannot recall a time we missed a connection due to short connecting times. We are at the door ready to leave the train when the door opens or I open it (My DH would say I get to the door too early but my timing works for me :) ). By looking of the SBB app we already know which platform we need to travel to and don't delay going there. If I am unfamiliar with a station before we start our trip I'll look on the SBB site to become familiar with the layout. I always check when I get to the next platform that the platform hasn't changed or the train is late or cancelled. Trains typically do not run late in Switzerland but accidents and other situations do arise from time to time. I have a wonky knee which sometimes causes me to be slower so I often use the ramps (with seem to be available at most stations). But if I need to use the stairs for some reason I can use them safely. Oh, and we've never had a reservation for any train.

All that being said, you do what's most comfortable for you and your travel companions.

Have a great trip! Switzerland is a wonderful place.

Traveler Girl

In Switzerland 99% of all passengers making a connection, make it. The system is really very reliable. And the short connections are a well appreciated feature.

You are correct that if you miss a connection you take the next train. On domestic Swiss trips I would not bother reserving seats. You will anyway be boarding this train at the start of its run, where loads will be light. What you can do is walk to the end of the train.

I travel through that station a lot. Usually I am on the platform still 3 minutes before departure, and that gives me enough time to walk to the end where 1st class is, if it is at the back (as it often is). Remember that in Switzerland you have till the actual departure time to board, no "be on board 2 minutes before departure" nonsense like in some other countries.

However one thing: Two weeks ago I missed my connection in Interlaken. And that for the first time since I live here. Recently the trains in the Bernese Oberland have become a bit less reliable, because they are now transporting a lot more people than normal, and the tourists are a bit difficult to herd at times. So missing connections does happen. So if you are connecting through Interlaken as part of a trip that involves a train that is not that frequent (eg. going to Paris, or catching a night train) then I would take an earlier train to reduce the risk.

However travelling within Switzerland to a place that has frequent service I would not add padding. You are still most likely going to be fine.

If I opt for the five minute connection and miss the train, I assume I
can catch the one a half hour later.

Yes. You can take any train that day on that route.

If I reserve a seat, I would just lose that portion of the ticket,
right?

Correct. CHF 5.00

The train I was looking at was an 11:30 train with only one connection
in Interlaken Ost.

I wonder what you mean. 11:30 leaving from which station? Trains from Interlaken Ost going in this direction leave at :29 and :59 each hour.

Follow Travelergirl’s advice - get ready and be at the door before you arrive in Interlaken Ost. You will exit this train on the right hand side. If I am in a hurry I usually look out the window as we arrive at the train station to see when we pass the stairs or ramp down so that I know which way to start walking once I exit the train.

I have had the train from Lauterbrunnen arrive in Interlaken Ost a few minutes late. It has happened a few times and each time they made an announcement on the train that the train toward Bern (the one you want to catch) would wait for a few minutes longer.

Lots and lots of people try to make this connection. You will not be the only one.

We will have luggage with us so I thought a reservation would make
that easier?

At only 5.00 per seat, you can certainly just get them if you want to. In the overall expense of your vacation, this is certainly nothing. You will then have to find that exact carriage on the train, easier to do from the outside (I reserve seats all the time in Germany, but never in Switzerland). If you are running late just jump on the train as soon as you can, then worry about finding your exact seats.

Thanks so much for all the reassurance. The train is actually at 11:31. I will follow all your excellent advice. Since we will have suitcases, I'm hoping they have ramps or elevators at the platforms.

Thanks again,
Laurie

There are ramps. And you will have seen them on the way in...