You can get to Switzerland's major airports by train, and in 2005 it'll be easier and more convenient. In early morning on Swiss rail, some cars are designated "quiet cars" where even talking is prohibited--and it's enforced. Switzerland also offers some of the most innovative rail passes in Europe (see below).
The New Timetables for Switzerland Trains
Starting December 12, 90% of Switzerland's trains will run on a new timetable with half-hourly service between all major cities. To simplify travel planning, arrivals and departures will be on the hour and the half-hour in major hubs (such as Zurich, Basel, Bern).
Shorter Travel Times on Swiss Rail
The core infrastructure project of Rail 2000 responsible for reducing travel times is the recently completed 29 mile-long rail line between Bern and Olten. This line allows trains to travel at 100 mph and shaves 15 minutes off travel times between Bern-Zurich, Bern-Basel and Bern-Lucerne. When a new signaling system becomes operational, trains will run at 124 mph. The new line enables all travel times within the Bern-Basel-Zurich triangle to be less than one hour. Other Rail 2000 construction projects helping to reduce travel times are a new tunnel between Zurich and Thalwil and a new track between Geneva and Coppet, both already in service.
The New Fleet of Trains
- 44 sleek tilting ICN trains traveling up to 15% faster than conventional trains and featuring a restaurant car and business class compartments, as well as 1st and 2nd class compartments; see the picture above.
- 340 double-decker Intercity trains, with 1st and 2nd class compartments and business seats, and on certain routes a child-friendly family car, bistro/bar on the lower deck and restaurant on the upper deck;
- 460 refurbished Intercity trains with 1st and 2nd class compartments
Improved service to tourist destinations
- Most alpine tourist destinations will offer faster, more direct service to/from Zurich and Geneva and their airports:
- Interlaken - Half-hourly service to/from Zurich Airport (now hourly), 15 minutes shorter time.
- Zermatt and Saas Fee - Reach Zermatt up to 30 minutes faster from Zurich Airport. New direct service Zurich Airport-Brig every other hour means only one change (now two) to go to either resort.
- Lausanne, Montreux, Aigle, Martigny, Sion - Half-hourly service to/from Geneva Airport.
- Davos, St. Moritz, Arosa - Hourly non-stop trains Zurich-Landquart and better connections in Chur or Landquart make the trip to/from Zurich up to 25 minutes faster. Trains on these routes will also have more space for sports equipment and luggage than currently.
- Locarno - New direct train every hour from either Basel or Zurich.
Switzerland Rail Passes
There are quite a few options for the traveler these days. You can buy a Swiss Pass with different durations and savings, or you can buy combo passes that combine travel on Swiss Railways with other bordering countries (currently France and Austria). For information on Rail Passes in Switzerland on one handy page, see Rail Europe: Switzerland Rail Passes.
Perhaps the most interesting of the services provided is the Fly Rail Baggage option. For $15 US you can check in your luggage at the airport, make your way to the train and pick up your luggage there. Imagine, you don't have to lug all your bags from your destination to the train station!
For more on selecting a Swiss rail pass, see our Swiss Rail Pass and Switzerland Transportation Information.
