lormarscribs

In July, my husband and I will be arriviing in Zurich from US early am. We are planning to take the train from the airport to Wengen. However, not being computer savvy I am having difficulty trying to find timetable/itineary for train from airport to Wengen. I'm looking for times and stations where we might have to change. Also, can we do quickest route on way up, then scenic (longer) on the way back to Zurich. Also, we would need to get off a station nearest Hotel Radisson Blu on the way back down.. Thanks Marie

bobthenavigator

www.sbb.ch
You will connect in Interlaken for last leg

lormarscribs

Thanks for the connection info. However, I am having difficuly accessing the sbb.ch. in that I don't know how to get it in English.

111op

Click on the "en" at the top of the page, to the left to the SBB.ch logo.

People here also frequently recommmend the German rail website bahn.de . You can look for train schedules there (trains apart from those in Germany are also covered).

Phil

Marie:

Click or copy and paste this link. It will direct you to the English SBB website:

http://www.sbb.ch/en/home.html

The quickest way on your way up will be via Bern-Interlaken with train changes at Bern, Interlaken Ost and Lauterbrunnen.

As a scenic alternative on your way back, I suggest you travel via Brünig-Lucerne. Train changes are at Lauterbrunnen, Interlaken Ost and Lucerne. This itinerary takes one hour more than the quicker way via Bern.

If by Radisson Blu hotel you mean the one at Zurich airport: It is situated just opposite the terminal and only a few minutes' walk from Zurich Airport rail station.

Hope this helps, enjoy your trip

Phil.

PalenQ

marking for later comment

lormarscribs

Thanks so much. You have made it much clearer for me.

swandav2000

Another (easy) way to go directly to the English pages is:

www.rail.ch

s

kja

Thanks, Phil, for suggesting this scenic train route from Lauterbrunnen to Zurich.

(And my apologies, lormarscribs, for jumping in!)_

lormarscribs

Thanks kja and Phil. Appreciate all the info. This really helps in our planning.

PalenQ

You do not really need schedules as trains on all segments run at least hourly if not more - train from the airport to Interlaken-Ost (sometimes a simple change in Bern or Zurich's main train station) - at Interlaken-Ost board the tiny mountain train awaiting usually at an adjoining platform - take thhis train to Lauterbrunnen, where you again switch to a train awaiting at any adjoining platform that will take you to Wengen.

Buy a thru ticket to Wengen from Zurich Airport.

for lots of great stuff on Swiss trains I always spotlight these fine sources - www.swisstravelsystem.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com; www.ricksteves.com.

If traveling much on trains at all look at the Swiss Pass, valid on nearly all trains - valid in full to Wengen and lake boats, postal buses and gives free entry to 400+ Swiss museums.

KimSanJose

PalenQ hasa good suggestion in that you do not need to worry about the schedules. If your plane is late (or early) you would likely want to change your schedule anyway.

Once you clear customs, simply follow the signs to the train station in the basement of the Zurich airport. Go to a ticket counter and tell them you want a ticket to Wengen on fastest route and/or next departure

(Note: You don't say how long you will be in the country but you will likely be well-served by buying a discount card. The websites PalenQ provides will give you the details. Personally, my favorite is the Half Fare Card which gets you a 50% discount off of everything. Easy breezy. You can also buy this at the ticket counter.)

Ask the ticket counter staff to also print you a timetable for the journey (use the word "timetable", not itinerary) as this will show you which track ("Gleis") you arrive on, which one your next connection departs from, and the amount of time you have to get from one to the other. The connections are very tight but all easily manageable IF you and your luggage are waiting on the platform by the door when you pull into the station. But if you miss, no worries, there will be another train along usually within 30 minutes.

There are a couple of places where the most direct route to Wengen is a bit tricky, particularly if you are jetlagged! The first tricky spot is Interlaken, where there are two stops – Interlaken West and Interlaken Ost (East). Stay on the train until you get to Ost, which is the last stop for the SBB. There you will change to the train bound for Lauterbrunnen. This is the second tricky spot as the same train is also bound for Grindelwald; it stops and splits in a little place called Zweilütschinen (“Two Rivers”). One half of the train proceeds to Lauterbrunnen, where you want to go, and the other half goes to Grindelwald, where you don’t. So, you need to make sure you get on the correct end of the train in Interlaken. It is well marked and there are many assistants to help out so be sure to ask if you have any questions. They spend their entire day trying to keep tourists on the proper end of the train so don’t be shy. Once you get to Lauterbrunnen, switch to the little train with destination Wengen (all uphill trains pass through Wengen so there’s no confusion here!), about 15 minutes up the hill. I recommend that you sit on the right side (facing forward) of the train so you can get the best views.

I have a 35+ page document of tips and recommendations on the region based on my 17 visits there. If you would like a copy send me a private message with your email address. (If you don't know how to do this, post a message here asking me to send you a private message.)

ath_cliath

hi, I am travelling to this region (staying in wengen) next January and I found your post very helpful, thank you. I would love to receive all the info you have about this region in an email, I,m new on here and not sure how to send you a private message.

ath_cliath

hi, I am travelling to this region (staying in wengen) next January and I found your post very helpful, thank you. I would love to receive all the info you have about this region in an email, I,m new on here and not sure how to send you a private message.

ath_cliath

hi, I am travelling to this region (staying in wengen) next January and I found your post very helpful, thank you. I would love to receive all the info you have about this region in an email, I,m new on here and not sure how to send you a private message.

PalenQ

(If you don't know how to do this, post a message here asking me to send you a private message.)>

I'm a member since 2001 and do not know how to do this - how is it possible? I'd love to see all that to but am reticent in giving out my personal e-mail - why not make it available to all like many others have? Curious.

bsm1019e

Hi KimSanJose,

I'd love to ask for your 37 pages you developed on this area... not sure how to send you a private message. Can you tell me!

indy_dad

send a message through Trip Advisor (I did):

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/members-forums/kimsanjose

Here's my TR if interested -- we loved Wengen and the B.O.:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...e-oberland.cfm

Dukey1

If you DO buy that train ticket between the airport and Wengen on line you need not worry about late planes, etc. because the ticket is valid for a 30 day period