Short Train Connection Times - realistic?
 

I have noticed that when using the Swiss railway site for train routing that often I am given a short amount of time to change trains. For example, changing trains in Visp on the way to Zermatt allows a 5 minute connection time. Is this realistic? I will have luggage with me - nothing extraordinary, but luggage all the same. Am I better off planning on connecting to the later train - 1 hour away? All you experts, please advise! Thank you. <BR> <BR>Regards, <BR> <BR>Chels

<BR>Swiss Rail know their trains, which are a legend for timeliness. Often they put two trains which offer a change onto either side of an island platform, so you just stroll between them. Five minutes is plenty. <BR> <BR>Welcome to Europe <BR> <BR>Ben Haines, London <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

Chels, <BR> <BR>Yes, as Mr. Haines notes, five minutes is plenty of time. If you want to reduce your stress levels, though, you can look for the track number of each train to see how far apart they are and to be ready for the change. The track information is posted at the Swiss railway site when you click on the journy guide (I believe). I have never missed a Swiss train connection after five years of travelling in Switzerland with luggage. <BR> <BR>Another way to reduce your stress level is to check your largest bag. It costs about 10 chf per bag and the bag will arrive a few hours after you do, but the convenience and ease is well worth it. <BR> <BR>s

Connection times as short as two minutes are published (legal) in Switzerland ... and they work, reliably and consistently. <BR> <BR>Not to worry.

Having done a lot of train travel in Switzerland and having made a lot of very quick connections, I can tell you that Ben Haines is absolutely right (as always). Swiss trains are deliberately scheduled that way to allow for quick connections. Just a couple of times I have been on Swiss trains that actually ran a couple of minutes late (horrors!) and in both instances the connecting trains were held for those connections. Don't worry.

Ben has probably ridden more trains in Europe than the rest of us have seen. <BR>I think you can rely on his assessement, and on the comments of all of the other respondents. My experiencies with Swiss trains are identical to those described here.

Thank you all for your replies. I feel much better. <BR> <BR>Best regards.