Need help: timing of train Basel to Zurich airport for checkin to int'l flight home

Most here will recommend spending you last night in your departure city.
By doing this there’s less of a change of missing your flight.

One never knows if there might be a train strike on that very day you must get there.

Enjoy your trip!

Because it’s only a 70 to 90-minute train ride directly from Basel SBB to Zurich’s Airport and because you can take the Swiss train schedule to the bank— that’s one situation where you could overnight in Basel and just leave for Zurich the morning of your flight. Quite contrary to the comment in the above post- there are no indications online or elsewhere that I’m aware of that any Swiss rail employees might strike in 2022. Plan to arrive by 11:40 am which is the required 2 hours before your 13:40 flight. The Global Pass will expedite your re-entry to NYC— it doesn’t make things more efficient than they already are at Zurich Flughafen. ( You’re right, Zurich’s Airport is not large and is not one of Europe’s busiest—especially in mid-October).
You can see train schedules at www.TheTrainline.com

I’d arrive 2 1/2 to 3 hours early. Although it’s a relatively small airport, the US flights depart from a separate terminal (shuttle tram after passport control) and there are additional document checks at the gate. You’ll also have to walk from the train station to Delta check-in which is in another building. It’s not long, but I always prefer to have a cushion and not stress about time. If you take the 9:37 direct train from Basel SBB, you’ll arrive at 11:04 which should be fine.

By the way, no need to book these train tickets ahead of time. Just buy them when you’re in Basel.

One never knows if there might be a train strike on that very day you
must get there.

I asked about train strikes when I was in Switzerland this past June and was told by an SBB employee that they cannot strike because the SBB trains are operated by the gov. So, no need to worry about a strike on the Basel to Zurich airport route.

Do take note of hopper’s comment about additional document checks at the gate. This took me by surprise. Having gone through passport control, I didn’t realize I also needed to get checked at the gate to get a stamp on my boarding pass. I think the gate check is for covid documents. Even though US citizens no longer have requirements to return to the country, others do. So, when you see others line up at a little mobile check in by the gate, be sure to get in that line. You will have to show your passport again, so have that out.

Just adding that I found the Zurich airport to be larger than I was expecting.

Just adding that I found the Zurich airport to be larger than I was expecting.

Yes, we found that walk from the rail station to our terminal to take a lot longer than we expected. I'd plan on three myself.

THANK YOU EVERYONE!!! I voted for the 9:33 with a train change but my other half thinks the 9:37 direct is fine. We'll get there at 11:04 and that gives us just over 2 1/2 hours for it all. Thank you so much for the advice - now I have to wait 2 weeks for our train tickets to open up (I know I can get them that day but like to have train tickets booked and printed!).

Do I need to scan on the platform at Basel or just show on the train?

bean

You will just need to show your tickets to the conductor if he/she comes around. No need to validate or scan before getting on the train.

Have a great trip!!!

One never knows if there might be a train strike on that very day you must get there.

In 35 years living in Switzerland we have never had a train strike and very unlikely to ever have one. If international trains don't run, there will be local alternatives.

Thanks Carrie (and everyone for their advice. )

The last time the Swiss Railways went on strike was in 1918. Yes, more than a hundred years ago...

I travelled Wengen - ZRH about every other week prior to the pandemic. That trip involves three transfers and I never in three years arrived late at the airport. Not that nothing happens though. Today I was travelling to somewhere on Lake Geneva and the train from Lauterbrunnen to Interlaken got delayed because of cattle on the line. And we missed our connection so ended up half an hour later at our destination.

So build in a buffer of about half an hour. In the past I would aim for 1 hour before departure for intra Schengen flights, and two hours for others. I would then add half an hour as buffer. I normally needed only about 25 minutes from the station to air side (including bag drop). But things can go wrong of course.

Note to the OP: Swiss trains are mass transit. It is uncommon to book train tickets that far in advance, and most people buy tickets on the day of travel. Normal tickets are also flexible, are valid a whole day and do not require you to take the train that you selected during the purchase. They also do not come with a reservation, something nobody bothers with here anyway.

Spending the night in Basel and taking an early-morning train to Zurich makes more sense. The trains run like, er, (Swiss) clockwork. think allowing 2.5-3 hours at the Zurich airport is wise, and also it's not necessary to book train tickets in advance, although you could stop by the SBB office in Basel and purchase them the day before. You may or may not be asked to show your tickets on the train. It's a bit of a trek from the train station (across from the airport in the hotel/food court ) to the checkin counters. We found a lift on the train platform that took us up two flights to the walkway and then followed the signs.

As for the Zurich airport, while it may be smaller than some airports, there's a lot of up and down and having to go through Passport Control, which was the major delay for us last month. As someone advised, there's also a smaller passport control in the terminal where you have to get your boarding pass stamped. Don't bypass that one only to find you'll have to go back to have it done! Then again I would think in October the crowds would be less than they were this summer.