OK, I am flying solo and traveling trains for the first time in Europe in a month (I've done Europe travel before but this train this is new to me).
I am meeting a freind in Interlaken and trying to figure out the best approach.
I fly into London at 2:50 pm and am considering a flight on BA that leaves for Zurich at 6:50 pm (is that enough time to do customs and a new check in??). Once I'm in Zurich I need to catch a train to Interlaken, this is where I'm having trouble...
Is there a site I can use to see a time table of stations and departing trains? I understand there is a train that leaves from the Zurich airport that could take me to the city to catch another train. And would it be considered the best option to just get a hostel in Zurich and try for a train in the morning?
I'm a little nervous about not making a train and being stuck at a train station all night.
Suggestions? Resources? All would be helpful!
Thanks.
Posted by
Knoxville, TN, USA
7209 posts
www.sbb.ch/en is the Swiss Rail site. Zuerich Flughafen is the airport train station and Zuerich HB is the downtown train station.
I think that there are some routes from Zuerich Flughafen to Interlaken OST that are direct with no changes.
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
First, it's about a 3hr. flight from London Heathrow to Zurich. That puts you into Zurich about 9:30pm given no delays. Add an hour for time zone change. You should have your luggage in hand and ready to move by 11:30pm. Second, the Swiss rail system has a train station in the airport. After collecting your luggage, find the retail shops area and escalator or elevator down to the station. You can buy your tickets somewhere nearby. Third, the journey to Interlaken will take about 2.5hrs with one train change. The last two trains out leave at 11:00pm and 12:08am. They arrive in Interlaken in the wee hours of the morning. Do you have anybody to meet you at that time? It's pretty quiet in Interlaken at that time. You might consider and overnight in Zurich or even London. Last, the train information site you are looking for is www.sbb.ch.
Posted by
Carmel, CA
28 posts
Go to the "raileurope.com" website then click on 'train tickets & schedules' on the left side. In case you have not yet bought your ticket to London, research flights directly to Zurich which are sometimes cheaper than to London (from LAX try United and American).
You have enough time for customs in London to catch a 6:50pm flight, but you'll have to do it again in Zurich plus you'll lose another hour with the different time zone. So, since it would be after 9pm when you could catch a train to Interlaken (2.5 + hours), stay the night in Zurich.
Posted by
OP
Los Angeles, CA, USA
2 posts
Thank you!
I think as long as I have the friend I'm meeting in Interlaken get our hostel for the night and maybe meet me at the train station I should be fine...
Thanks again!