We're concerned about missing our train in Zurich if our plane is late or delayed. Going to Como, Italy. Arriving at 8:25 am (checking our luggage) and thinking about the 10:47 train from Zurich. What is better: 1) reserving tickets now, picking up the tickets at the airport but possibly missing the train or 2) is it feasible to think that we can purchase train tickets when we arrive. 4 total travelers.
Posted by
Green Bay
20261 posts
Assuming all passengers are 26 to 59 yo, 324 chf total for changeable/refundable tickets vs 172 chf nonrefundable tickets.
Posted by
OP
Oakley, CA, USA
6 posts
Thanks Sam. So, you think that there will be available seats on the next train after arrival at the airport? Traveling on Sept 27. The lower-cost nonrefundable ticket is tempting, which we could purchase at the airport upon arrival.
Posted by
Green Bay
20261 posts
Well this is interesting. Good news, bad news. I'll give you the bad news first. The special deal disappears as you get close to departure, so you can't get the 172 price on your arrival day, you have to advance purchase. Now the good news. The advance purchase for the day you want is actually 120 total. Now there is another train at 14:47 with the same deal. It is also an EC train direct from Z Hbf. The other trains with one connection are 272 with no advance purchase deals. How bad do you want to get to Como? ASAP or save money? You could buy the 14:47, take the train to Z Hbf when you land, store your luggage and then walk around Zurich for a couple of hours, have lunch, then get on the 14:47 and you're on your way. There is a note on the EC21 (14:47) about being possibly delayed into Milan (the train's final destination, after you get off). There may be some track work going on the route.
It's terrible having all these options isn't it?
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
Sam has noted the really nice fares. For these discounted fares, you need to buy them in advance online. These special fares are limited to get you to buy in advance and they disappear as they get gobbled up by travelers. Usually, when you get to the train station, they are gone and you will pay the standard base fare of 81CHF per person for this journey. You should have no trouble buying tickets for these two trains as the IR train from the airport to Zurich HB originates at the airport and is empty. The EC17 train originates at the Zurich HB train station so it's empty there as well. Note, however, that you have 10 minutes to change trains. You will be arriving on platform 3 and departing on platform 4 which is one platform over. Don't worry here. You are in Switzerland and everything is very punctual and on time. You'll easily make this train change. Second, your train journey will originate in the Zurich Flughafen (airport) train station. It's directly beneath the airport terminal area. Just take the escalator or elevator down to the station. You will generally have a train change about 12 minutes later at the Zurich HB train station. This is the main Zurich train station.