Train transfer at Interlaken Ost

[hlseah]

Hi

Can someone advise me regarding the train transfer at Interlaken Ost? Our family is planning to travel from Lucerne to Zermatt around end Nov 2023.

We plan for the panoramic route that requires us to purchase the tickets from Lucerne to Interlaken Ost and Interlaken to Zermatt separately. We are concern about the time duration required to change train at Interlaken Ost as most of the arrival and departure timings given are only 5 minutes apart. 

Can we know if 5 minutes is sufficient for our family to alight and board the next train at Interlaken Ost? We are using Eurorail pass and have large travel luggage. Thank You

[Krist]

If you are travelling on an Eurail Pass you do not need to get any tickets. The pass is valid on the trains you intend to take. So under that assumption your question is basically moot.

If you decide not to get an Eurail Pass or any other pass you would need a ticket, but you would not need two tickets. In Switzerland it is always "one trip, one ticket". So for Luzern - Zermatt you just buy one ticket. Just tell the ticket clerk you want a ticket via Interlaken and you are fine. 

If you get a Swiss Pass, then again you would not need a ticket.

[RolandP · Accepted solution]

Hello @hlseah 

Just a short side note:

The end of November is the least good time for travel in Switzerland. Many attractions and cable ways will be closed. Please consider this and carefully check operating times. Also, the weather is often not suitable.

Furthermore, in my opinion, you should check for other travel passes. The Eurail Pass is not very beneficial in Switzerland. Better look for the Swiss Travel Pass or the Swiss Half Fare Card. Both come with the complimentary Swiss Family Card, with it children 6–15 years of age travel for free.

Swiss Travel Pass | SBB

Swiss Family Card | Schweiz Tourismus (myswitzerland.com)

Best regards,
Roland

[uebe]

Hi @hlseah

The panoramic trains from Lucerne usually stops on platform 4. If the next train departs from plattform 5 like this connection departing Lucerne at 17:06 (5:06pm) the 27th november, the change time of 5 minutes should not be a problem. Plattform 4 and 5 are next to each other. And even if you have to go to another plattform, five minutes should be enough, because the station Interlaken Ost is small and has short ways.

And just a hint for you: If you have the Eurail Pass, why you want to purchase tickets? The journey from Lucerne to Zermatt via Interlaken Ost is included in the Eurail Pass fare. You can - of course - make a reservation. But this is not mandatory.

LG, uebe