Hello fellow travelers. Trying to book tickets from Zweissmen to Basel changing at Speiz. Question is, the planner says I have a FOUR minute transfer???
Is that even possible with luggage?
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
Almost always, yes. 4 minute transfers are pretty standard.
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
The Swiss are really good at these train transfers. It's scary but they work. You could possibly arrive at a particular platform and your next train is just a short walk across the same platform. For a bit more comfort, you can go to the Swiss train website www.sbb.ch, go to the date and time shown on your ticket and then press the round button under the run number on the left to see the full particulars of the run. You will then see the platform numbers. From what I see on the Swiss website, the trains from Zweisimmen arrive on track 2 and your train to Basel departs on track 3. If memory serves, track 1 is in front of the station. Tracks 2 and 3 share the same platform.
Posted by
Green Bay
20070 posts
You could also take an earlier or later train from Zweisimmen and change trains at Bern with a 14 minutes connection. Journey time is virtually the same.
Posted by
white plains, ny, usa
4140 posts
Sure , it's possible . I have made many changes like this . The operative issue is luggage . I carry a backpack ( medium size ) and a fifteen pound hand grip . That allows me to be at the door of the carriage when the train pulls to the stop and on my way . I have seen too many people struggling with large and unwieldy luggage .
Posted by
Kansas City USA/Birmenstorf, Switzerland
453 posts
You'll have no problem in Spiez - its a fairly small station. The trains are designed to connect and they arrive on opposite sides of the same platform (you'll see about half the train doing the exact same transfer). Just head towards the train with your luggage. The conductor will eye the train and even hold it a little to ensure any passengers make it.