question about Swiss trains
Jun 22nd, 2010, 01:48 PM
#21
elaine- There's a Migros (local grocery store chain) that is right there in the corner of the train station, which is directly connected to the Geneva airport. It is very easy to grab some food & drink between the flight and the train ride.
Jun 22nd, 2010, 08:16 PM
#22
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,637
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
good news, thanks
When I get off the train from Geneva and transfer to the Matterhorn-Gotthard Bahn to go to Zermatt, is that how the train is labeled?
I mean, it is called the M-G train?
And on the reverse, when I'm coming from Zermatt and going to Vevey, and I change (Visp or Brig), then which train will I be looking for to go to Vevey?
When I get off the train from Geneva and transfer to the Matterhorn-Gotthard Bahn to go to Zermatt, is that how the train is labeled?
I mean, it is called the M-G train?
And on the reverse, when I'm coming from Zermatt and going to Vevey, and I change (Visp or Brig), then which train will I be looking for to go to Vevey?
Jun 22nd, 2010, 08:59 PM
#23
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,361
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
> Matterhorn-Gotthard Bahn
It's written on the train. But that's not the important part. I take it that you have not taken many trains. So this is the basic you need to do when you take/change trains (like one should do at any station). Once you arrived at Visp station, you check the platform number for Zermatt on the time table on the wall (look for yellow one, that's for departures). But you know already it should be 5 or 6 as I wrote above. Then go to the indicated platform. On the platform (5/6), there are sign boards above your head that show info for the next train with time and destination. If that matches what you are looking for, then wait for it to come and get on. Voilà!
It's written on the train. But that's not the important part. I take it that you have not taken many trains. So this is the basic you need to do when you take/change trains (like one should do at any station). Once you arrived at Visp station, you check the platform number for Zermatt on the time table on the wall (look for yellow one, that's for departures). But you know already it should be 5 or 6 as I wrote above. Then go to the indicated platform. On the platform (5/6), there are sign boards above your head that show info for the next train with time and destination. If that matches what you are looking for, then wait for it to come and get on. Voilà!
Jun 23rd, 2010, 04:20 AM
#24
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,637
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Have taken trains in France and Italy, I'm just nervous because I'll be solo, don't speak any German, and will be jet-lagged.
Details make me feel a little less anxious, so all this is much appreciated. When I was going to Venice for the first time, solo, I made myself nuts in advance about arriving by train and then finding the right boat line to take me near to my hotel.
In an effort to make me feel better, a friend said
"Don't worry, you're not the stupidest person to ever arrive in Venice." I've never been sure if that was a compliment or not.
Details make me feel a little less anxious, so all this is much appreciated. When I was going to Venice for the first time, solo, I made myself nuts in advance about arriving by train and then finding the right boat line to take me near to my hotel.
In an effort to make me feel better, a friend said
"Don't worry, you're not the stupidest person to ever arrive in Venice." I've never been sure if that was a compliment or not.
Jun 23rd, 2010, 07:10 AM
#25
remember also that Swiss trains run notoriously ON TIME. my friend who lives helped teach me how to use them. But basically, as kappa already described, make sure you're on the correct platform at the correct time, and when the train that arrives... get on it!
Jun 23rd, 2010, 08:18 AM
#26
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 17,549
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Elaine, believe me not all Swiss trains are on time..they can actually be late by a few minutes..I know..and OTOH it is NOT unreasonable for you to have a four-minute connection time between trains in Switzerland and that is actually reasonable.
I apologize for not knowing that Visp, or at least the station, has superceded the one in Brig...BUT here's what I think you need to remember...
if there isn't one of those larger electronic boards suspended above the platforms there will almost un doubtedly be TV screens which will show the upcoming departures and the platform you need to be on.
As to the Matterhorn-Gotthard Bahn..here is the even easier part..just look for ANY departure for ZERMATT because the MGB is the ONLY railway that goes there from Visp...you aren't going to have any trouble and even if you outright miss a connection there will be another subsequent timing unless you are doing this very late in the day.
I apologize for not knowing that Visp, or at least the station, has superceded the one in Brig...BUT here's what I think you need to remember...
if there isn't one of those larger electronic boards suspended above the platforms there will almost un doubtedly be TV screens which will show the upcoming departures and the platform you need to be on.
As to the Matterhorn-Gotthard Bahn..here is the even easier part..just look for ANY departure for ZERMATT because the MGB is the ONLY railway that goes there from Visp...you aren't going to have any trouble and even if you outright miss a connection there will be another subsequent timing unless you are doing this very late in the day.
Jun 23rd, 2010, 08:41 AM
#27
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,361
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
> "Don't worry, you're not the stupidest person to ever arrive in Venice." I've never been sure if that was a compliment or not.
I think somebody told me that once
Any more questions? I (and am sure others) will try to answer as best as we can.
You are arrving soon, aren't you ? Then you will be lucky. Finally the weather is picking up. It has been rotten and cold until now for a exceptionally long time. Today it has been sunny all over from Geneva to Zermatt. Am thinking this weekend of going your way until Visp. Then I will take a train to the direction Andermatt to do hiking along the Aletsch Glacier by Bettermeralp area (my profile pic). Have done it a few times last summer from June to August. Thought I could do the same this year again but had to wait till now, too cold and too much snow that kept and is still keeping many hiking trails. Forecast for the weekend is not as good as right now but will still be beter than last whole month.
Take a look.
http://www.meteosuisse.admin.ch/web/...s_locales.html
Put a name of the city/town in the box and click on the arrow. you can also put a zip code (3920 for Zermatt or 1800 for Vevey for example)
I think somebody told me that once
Any more questions? I (and am sure others) will try to answer as best as we can.
You are arrving soon, aren't you ? Then you will be lucky. Finally the weather is picking up. It has been rotten and cold until now for a exceptionally long time. Today it has been sunny all over from Geneva to Zermatt. Am thinking this weekend of going your way until Visp. Then I will take a train to the direction Andermatt to do hiking along the Aletsch Glacier by Bettermeralp area (my profile pic). Have done it a few times last summer from June to August. Thought I could do the same this year again but had to wait till now, too cold and too much snow that kept and is still keeping many hiking trails. Forecast for the weekend is not as good as right now but will still be beter than last whole month.
Take a look.
http://www.meteosuisse.admin.ch/web/...s_locales.html
Put a name of the city/town in the box and click on the arrow. you can also put a zip code (3920 for Zermatt or 1800 for Vevey for example)
Jun 23rd, 2010, 05:03 PM
#30
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,637
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
leaving on July 2.
"just look for ANY departure for ZERMATT because the MGB is the ONLY railway that goes there from Visp..."
I wasn't sure of that before, so that's reassuring, thanks.
"just look for ANY departure for ZERMATT because the MGB is the ONLY railway that goes there from Visp..."
I wasn't sure of that before, so that's reassuring, thanks.
Jun 24th, 2010, 12:37 AM
#31
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,206
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
>I wasn't sure of that before, so that's reassuring, thanks.
You should not forget that as long as you travel with normal tickets or Swiss Pass, it absolutely does not matter which company provides the rolling stock for your trip - the ticket from A to B is valid for any train (or bus) running from A to B. (This is not an issue from Visp to Zermatt, but it is for example between Brig and Visp)
You should not forget that as long as you travel with normal tickets or Swiss Pass, it absolutely does not matter which company provides the rolling stock for your trip - the ticket from A to B is valid for any train (or bus) running from A to B. (This is not an issue from Visp to Zermatt, but it is for example between Brig and Visp)
Jun 24th, 2010, 02:43 AM
#32
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 17,549
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Not to get really PICKY here but the MGB runs between Visp and Brig, too as do the SBB (Swiss Federal Railways) so if the pass is good between Visp and Zermatt it is also good between Brig and Visp.
Jun 24th, 2010, 06:31 AM
#33
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 9,023
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You should not forget that as long as you travel with normal tickets or Swiss Pass, it absolutely does not matter which company provides the rolling stock for your trip - the ticket from A to B is valid for any train (or bus) running from A to B. (This is not an issue from Visp to Zermatt, but it is for example between Brig and Visp)>
Not quite the official Glacier Express trains run between Brig and Visp and Zermatt - in addition to the MGB local trains and you cannot board the GE trains without a surcharge for a mandatory seat reservation. Theree are a few GE trains each day and perhaps more in summer. But even on these trains i believe there are a few cars for local travel with MGB tickets - but you cannot board the cars belonging to the Glacier Express with a pass or MGB ticket without first having paid for the mandatory seat reservation fee and supplement.
It's easy to tell the Glacier Express trains as they have fancy doilies on seats and are nearly always stuffed full with foreign tourists -and of course a large Glacier Express sign on the outside.
Not quite the official Glacier Express trains run between Brig and Visp and Zermatt - in addition to the MGB local trains and you cannot board the GE trains without a surcharge for a mandatory seat reservation. Theree are a few GE trains each day and perhaps more in summer. But even on these trains i believe there are a few cars for local travel with MGB tickets - but you cannot board the cars belonging to the Glacier Express with a pass or MGB ticket without first having paid for the mandatory seat reservation fee and supplement.
It's easy to tell the Glacier Express trains as they have fancy doilies on seats and are nearly always stuffed full with foreign tourists -and of course a large Glacier Express sign on the outside.
Jun 24th, 2010, 12:43 PM
#34
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 9,023
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Or you may want to book a seat on the fabled Glacier Express and do its final portion Brig/Visp to Zermatt and the Matterhorn. The train is spiffy with tilting wine glasses at tables so you don't spill your drinks when the train twists and turns at angles. It also offers commentary in English explaining things the train rolls by. Go to www.swisstravelsystem.com for a link to the Glacier Express official site. Book at any station in Switzerland but the trains can often be full - no problem because the local trains run frequently enough.
Jun 24th, 2010, 03:03 PM
#35
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,637
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I had no idea that the Glacier Express was an option on that portion of the trip, that is, Brig or Visp to Zermatt. Tell me why I would not want to do that. Does it take a lot longer? I'll be leaving from Geneva airport train station before 11am I hope. I do have my Swiss Flex Pass, but would love to see as much as I can and would pay a supplement. Heck, I'd book that today.
Coming back the other way from Zermatt to Vevey, what are my train options? Can I/would I do Glacier Express from Zermatt, then, changing to....? Although at that point I'll be eager to move expeditiously to Vevey.
Coming back the other way from Zermatt to Vevey, what are my train options? Can I/would I do Glacier Express from Zermatt, then, changing to....? Although at that point I'll be eager to move expeditiously to Vevey.
Jun 25th, 2010, 06:27 AM
#36
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 9,023
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The Glacier Express is called the world's slowest express train but it is still faster than the local trains, simply because it does not stop at all stations as the local does - but it is only marginally faster.
Now of course the scenery is the same on all trains but GE has panoramic cars with glass-domed ceilings and larger windows - but the windows on the regular train are large too.
Now the supplement for taking the whole GE from St Moritz/Davos to Zermatt is rather steep- $40 or so over your railpass or regular train ticket - but i think on the Visp to Zermatt portion it may be much less - go to the official Glacier Express web site and check or in this country i'd advise calling the helpful folks at www.budgeteuropetravel.com, whom i've bought Swiss Passes from for years and they seem to know everything.But GE trains do not run every hour so you have to coordinate your arrival in Visp with the GE schedules (or when coming out of Zermatt too).
Now of course the scenery is the same on all trains but GE has panoramic cars with glass-domed ceilings and larger windows - but the windows on the regular train are large too.
Now the supplement for taking the whole GE from St Moritz/Davos to Zermatt is rather steep- $40 or so over your railpass or regular train ticket - but i think on the Visp to Zermatt portion it may be much less - go to the official Glacier Express web site and check or in this country i'd advise calling the helpful folks at www.budgeteuropetravel.com, whom i've bought Swiss Passes from for years and they seem to know everything.But GE trains do not run every hour so you have to coordinate your arrival in Visp with the GE schedules (or when coming out of Zermatt too).
Jun 25th, 2010, 06:37 AM
#37
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,248
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hello elaine
IMO, the GE panoramic cars are PACKED with tour groups, whereas the local trains have more independent travelers and are much less crowded.
I'm an avid photographer and like to move from side to side when the scenery warrants a photo. Even with the GE train having the big scenic windows, it wasn't as enjoyable as I couldn't move about or open the windows.
As Palenque states, "the scenery is the same on all trains."
I hope you enjoy your stay in Zermatt. It's sure changed a lot in the 20+ years we've been going there, but still, it's a charming place. I rate the Gornergrat excursion as one of the best I've ever done!
Happy travels!
IMO, the GE panoramic cars are PACKED with tour groups, whereas the local trains have more independent travelers and are much less crowded.
I'm an avid photographer and like to move from side to side when the scenery warrants a photo. Even with the GE train having the big scenic windows, it wasn't as enjoyable as I couldn't move about or open the windows.
As Palenque states, "the scenery is the same on all trains."
I hope you enjoy your stay in Zermatt. It's sure changed a lot in the 20+ years we've been going there, but still, it's a charming place. I rate the Gornergrat excursion as one of the best I've ever done!
Happy travels!
Jun 27th, 2010, 08:41 AM
#39
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 9,023
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I agree but still check schedules carefully to be sure the connecting train at Visp is not the Glacier Express but the local - in schedules GE trains should have a Reservations Obligatory symbol.
