Salzburg to Zurich Train line Work????

There is work between Feldkirch and Buchs. The 6:56 am train is still direct because it makes a diversion south to St Margarethen. At other times, there is a replacement bus between Feldkirch and Sargans. So both of these add almost an hour to the normal travel time. They still travel up the scenic Inn Valley and through the Arlberg Tunnel.

If you want to change the order, that is up to you. Prague to Salzburg is actually 30 minutes shorter travel time than the direct Prague to Munich train, although you do have to change trains in Linz. The Munich to Zurich train is less than 4 hours, but not by a scenic route.

Thank for your reply. I think it will be easier to stay with our current itinerary and just take the early train. From what I've read it's worth going in the scenic train ride even though it will take a bit longer. Any thoughts or opinions from those who have taken this train ride? Is it worth taking the very early train in order to see the views as opposed to taking the Munich to Zurich route?

Its not eye-popping like the Bernina Express, but nice. Best part, IMHO, is the descent from the Arlberg Tunnel to Feldkirch. sit on the left hand side of the train. The early train misses the scenic part in Switzerland between Sargans and the Zurichsee, where it travels along the Walensee. The trains with the replacement bus still go this way, in which case you would want to sit on the righthand side of the train.

For those of you that have taken the replacement bus is it a huge hassle? It sounds like it would be but maybe more efficient than it appears. Can you still stop in Innsbruck for lunch in either option?

Obviously, if you started out on the 6:56 am train, and you stopped for lunch in Innsbruck, the next train would be one with the replacement bus. There is also a direct train that uses the southern diversion at 12:56 pm. It departs Innsbruck at 3:16 pm, So if you took the 10:56 train, got off at Innsbruck at 1:04 pm, that would give you 2 hours for lunch. Just make sure you specify the stopover on the ticket as I don't think it is hop-off, hop on like a regional train.

AFA replacement buses, I have had to do it once. Its a mild PITA. Everybody gets off the train with all their luggage, loads it in the bays of the waiting buses, then the buses drive around the blockage to the next station, everybody gets off, gets their luggage and boards the waiting train, and then proceeds.

The rerouted trains actually take a northern diversion, not a southern one :-)

The problem for the railways is that the diversion adds time to the trip, which means that to maintain the normal 2 hourly schedule they would need more train sets, which they do not have. Which is why there are only a two direct trains during the works.

Anyway, I would in your place do Prague - Salzburg - Munich - Zurich. Avoids the issue with the works.

Okay, I think we'll change our schedule as suggested to do Salzburg first because what I understand is even if we take the very early train (6:56) it won't be able to take the same scenic route, will make the overall trip to Switzerland longer and therefore just more hassle overall. I am having to deal with changing our lodging as the ones I originally booked aren't available for the changed dates. It's worth it to me if it's significantly increasing time and hassle because we're actually traveling all the way to Lauterbrunnen instead of Lucerne on the day we arrive in Switzerland. Just want to confirm with all of you familiar with the train and travel that it would be best to switch our intenerary to go to Salzburg first from Prague and then Munich before I cancel our original accomodations.