Success! Thanks to the link kindly provided by Chris F, I managed to make Golden Pass seat reservations for my family of six on the first leg from Montreux to Zweisimmen. (We already have our rail passes.) But! In order to do the next leg of the trip -- Zweisimmen to Interlaken Ost -- we have some choices. The first train leaves 6 minutes after we arrive in Zweisimmen. Specifically, we arrive in Zweisimmen at 13:33 and the train to Interlaken Ost departs at 13:39. Is this even doable? For a (clueless) family of six? And given that the train is run by another company? I have no idea of the way the platforms are oriented. The next train doesn't leave for two hours. If we wait two hours (with our luggage in tow) is there something to do? Lunch maybe? Perhaps I should not bother with a seat reservation on this second leg so we can simply catch the whichever train we are able to make? Still, though I understand this second leg is not the most scenic stretch, it will be amazing for us, and we would like to get those window seats. Thoughts?
Posted by
Chicago
8164 posts
I did that connection exactly last week. No problem
I found the first leg specifically pulling out of Montreux the most scenic part. It is in the eye of the beholder.
You probably don't need a seat reservation there where plenty empty ones in 2nd and 1st
Posted by
The Heartland USA
8967 posts
clintob, with that many people it helps to be ready (with bags) to get off the train at your transfer point, before the train arrives at the station. If you wait until it stops to start gathering your stuff and getting out of your seat, you might get caught in the number of people who are trying to board your train while you're trying to get off. And the train wont wait to make sure your whole party is off before it leaves.
No reservation for the second train.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33821 posts
If you don't catch the 13:39 (you probably will - they are designed to be seamless) there is another at 14:02 (destination Bern, 16 minute connection at Spiez) which will get you to Interlaken Ost at 15:28.
You don't need to hang around for 2 hours.
Where are you getting your timings for the later train?
Use dbahn or sbb for the overall picture.
You will probably be changing from platform 8 to platform 12. Check. There will be plenty of you making the change - the tracks are a different gauge so everybody has to change to the standard gauge onward service. I don't know the platform numbers at Zweisimmen but I wouldn't be surprised if they are side by side. I made that connection several years ago and don't have any memory of it so, like so many other, it must have been uneventful.
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
Zweisimmen is a small station, 6 minutes is plenty. The new train will be sitting there, waiting for the passengers coming in on the other train.
The only reason you have to change trains at Zweisimmen is because it is two different companies. the two companies built their lines to different technical standards. The rails are a different distance apart, so trains from one company do not fit on the rails of the other ☺
I did a change this morning at Spiez (where you will go after Zweisimmen), 2 minutes, also two companies,SBB to BLS. No issue. The second train was starting at Spiez, on the opposite side of the same platform. Train one pulled in, mass of people got off, ten steps across to train 2, get on and grab any seat.
P.S. "The next train doesn't leave for two hours." - Every rail line in Switzerland has at least one train per hour. I looked up Zweisimmen to Interlaken Ost from 13:30 onwards and got the following times: 13:39. 14:02, 15:02, 15:39, 16:02, . . . .
Posted by
Jersey Shore
339 posts
You can do a Google search for Zweisimmen Train Station images, or Google Maps to get an idea of the layout. I just did it. Looks like a pretty small station. You'll actually see the Golden Pass train in a few of the images. I've been able to make all of my connections in Italy with even less time. It sounds like in CH it's even more efficient. I'll find out in September!! Good luck.