china_cat

I know some of you have used the fastbaggage and the check-thru services, and I just wanted to ask a few questions based on your experience...

--We may use the airline check-thru service. We'd be arriving at Zurich at 1PM on a Saturday, and then going on to Luzern. According to the sbb table, if we land between 1 and 3PM, our bags will arrive in Luzern after 18:20. Is it generally the case that the bags will take that long? I expect we will arrive earlier than that, what are the chances that the luggage will as well?

--We're going to be taking the train from Luzern to Montreux on a Tuesday. We actually don't arrive in Montreux until after 8PM. I had planned to use the fast baggage service checking in, in Luzern before 9AM. The sbb chart says it will arrive in Montreux after 6PM. Now this seems odd, because the Montreux station baggage office CLOSES at 8PM. Why would they even say they can deliver it same day if you can't pick it up? I think I'd still like to use the service even if I have to get my bags the next morning, but I was curious at this. might they actually arrive earlier? if I arrived earlier would I have a chance to pick them up?

--finally, does anybody know if there are luggage lockers at the train station in Brienz? I'm searching the sbb site, but its obviously a small station, and I can't find it listed.

thanks!!

PalenQ

If there are not lockers in a station like Brienz IME there may be an alternate place - like a nearby cafe or store, etc. Even if there are lockers in such a small station - well not tiny but not huge they could always be full - I assume there is a manually staffed left luggage to facilitate the baggage transfer thing on trains if for no reason else.

china_cat

i finally got sbb to spit out the info on the Brienz station, and it does seem to have a luggage office with limited hours. lockers would probably suit better if we need them, but at least there is an alternative.

tipsygus

There are luggage lockers at Brienz station they are outside the ticket office on the platform.

kja

I'm afraid I don't understand your 2nd question. If the luggage would be available after 18:00, and the office doesn't close until 20:00 (I didn't check), it would seem that you have 2 hours during which you can claim your baggage on that day. I don't know the answers to your other questions.

china_cat

Sorry...typo. It says they will be available at 18:00, and the office closes at 18:00.

china_cat

Thanks tipsygus. Good to know.

kja

I'm just guessing here, but (a) I don't see why you couldn't ask about the availability of your luggage before the baggage office in Montreux closes, but I wouldn't be surprised if it is not available; and (b) I can imagine that some people would like to be able to get their luggage the next day, when the baggage office opens, rather than waiting until the day after that -- as I think they would have to do if not using the "same day" service. I could be wrong....

swandav2000

Hi china_cat,

I often use the luggage transfer service to Montreux, and I can confirm that the luggage will *not* arrive early or be available after 18.00. That's the *other* side of Swiss efficiency -- if they say it will arrive at 18.00, it will arrive at 18.00, not 17.55.

I normally just take a carry-on size bag to carry me over for that one night. One time when I needed my bags that day, I had them sent to Lausanne, which is open until 18.30 on weekdays. Well, that won't help you much, as you arrive at 20.00.

Have fun as you plan!

s

china_cat

Thanks swandav, that's what I wanted to know.

We already reserved the VIP seats on the late Golden Pass train, so plan to stop and spend a half day in Bern on our way from Lucerne to Montreux. I guess my real question is will they charge us an overnight storage fee? We will probably do as you suggest and plan to pick them up in the morning. Fortunately we have decided to stay at the Suisse-Majestic, so will be very close to the station.

(And I'm very psyched about those front row seats on the train. I think I have Pal and Swandav to thank for the info about reserving them, and it being very worthwhile, so thanks for that!)

swandav2000

Hi again,

No, you won't be charged storage fees. I think your bag has to be there for five days or a week before they will charge you.

Enjoy the VIP seats!

s