Swiss Federal Railways (SBB CFF FFS) Second Class from Zürich HB to Wengen
Map Below: Swiss Federal Railways (SBB CFF FFS) Second Class from Zürich HB to Wengen (via Bern, Interlaken Ost, & Lauterbrunnen)
TRAIN: Zürich HB to Wengen (via Bern, Interlaken Ost, & Lauterbrunnen)
DATE: Thursday, September 4, 2014
OPERATOR: Swiss Federal Railways (SBB CFF FFS)
TRAIN NUMBERS: IC #812, IC#961, R#151, R#351
TRAIN TYPE: InterCity (IC) & Regio
CABIN: Second Class (Using Swiss Pass)
DEPARTURE - SCHEDULED: 8:02am // ACTUAL: 8:02am
ARRIVAL - SCHEDULED: 10:51am // ACTUAL: 10:52am
DURATION: 2 hours 50 minutes (4 different trains with 3 transfers)
DISTANCE: Approx. 110 miles
Before the trip, we purchased a 4-day Swiss Rail Pass for two that was mailed to our home. We took the pass on our trip. However, our pass was the type that has an area requiring a stamp from railways personnel in order to be validated to start the clock for the 4 days. So, we made our way to the station a bit early and had the pass validated at the ticket counter, which had a longer-than-expected line. Also, the evening before our departure, we decided which trains we were going to take from Zurich to Wengen. We selected one that is a popular rush-hour commuter train and often crowded because it arrives in Bern just before 9:00 a.m. So, we also used the SBB app to reserve seats on the first 2 legs of the trip (the other 2 have no advance seat assignments).
We took the following four trains on the journey:
8:02am-8:58am – ZURICH HB - BERN – InterCity IC#812 Second Class [56m]
-- 06m Connection in BERN --
9:04am-9:57am – BERN – INTERLAKEN OST – InterCity IC#961 Second Class [53m]
-- 08m Connection in INTERLAKEN OST --
10:05am-10:25am – INTERLAKEN OST – LAUTERBRUNNEN – Regio R#151 Second Class [20m]
-- 12m Connection in LAUTERBRUNNEN --
10:37am-10:51am –LAUTERBRUNNEN - WENGEN – Regio R#351 Second Class [14m]
Zürich HB was bustling that early Thursday morning. However, the crowds moved quickly and we found our way to the platform with ease. We didn’t have too much time to spare as the line to get our pass validated was longer than expected. So, the train was quite full by the time we boarded. And, it appeared completely full by the time the train departed. Once on-board our train from Zurich to Bern, we determined our seats were on the upper level; so, we left our larger luggage in the upper-level, mid-car corral and made our way to our seats. We were assigned the 2 window seats in a cluster of 4 seats facing each other. However, one of our seats had someone sitting in it. As we enjoy sitting next to each other over across from each other, it was no problem as I took the unassigned aisle seat next to Mrs. FindAWay. With the seats facing each other, legroom was fairly tight. The seat was relatively comfortable though. The 56-minute ride was very smooth and moved faster than the next 3 trains (each moved at a slower pace than the last as we made our way into and up the mountains). The train was on-time.
The 6-minute connection in Bern was tight; but, we made it without issue. However, we did have to take our larger rolling luggage over to a different track, which was not very easy with the crowd. The train from Bern to Interlaken was an older, single-level train (compared to the Zurich to Bern train). Once on-board, we made our way to our seats and were able to fit our larger luggage in-between our seats and the next seats. The train car was also configured with a cluster of 4 seats facing each other; however, there was a bit more legroom than on the previous train. The train was relatively full by the time the train departed. The seat was comfortable but a bit more worn than the previous train (which I gladly traded for the additional legroom). The 53-minute ride was very smooth and on-time.
During the 8-minute connection in Interlaken, we leisurely (
) made our way to the next train. The train from Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen was our first smaller, regional train. The car was certainly more cramped and not as well appointed. It was tighter than the previous trains as well. However, the seats were padded and we were able to get some of the last seats (some of the final arrivals had to stand). We did not have assigned seats for this ride, so, we chose some seats close to the door as we had our larger luggage with us. We held our luggage between our legs during the ride to open up room for others who had to stand. It was tight. The seat was small, but still modern and padded. The 20-minute ride left slightly late.
Our train arrived in Lauterbrunnen before our next train to Wengen, so, we actually stood still on the platform (something we hadn’t done all day thus far) while awaiting the train to Wengen. Not only was this a regional train; but, it was also a cogwheel train. It was an older, smaller, single-class train with wooden seats. We were among the first to board when the doors opened and others departed, so, we choose some of the furthest-in seats, which were a bit tight (in all dimensions). The car eventually filled to standing-room only. As we ascended from the Lauterbrunnen Valley to Wengen, we were treated to spectacular clear views of the valley below and Alps above. The view was certainly the best we had seen out a train window so far during the trip. We thoroughly enjoyed the views during the short 14-minute, which ascended over 1,500 feet!
We arrived a couple of minutes late into Wengen.
Photo Below: Train Platform in Zurich – Swiss Federal Railways InterCity Train #812 Second Class from Zürich HB to Bern
Photo Below: Train on Platform in Zurich – Swiss Federal Railways InterCity Train #812 Second Class from Zürich HB to Bern
Photo Below: Upper Level Seating – Swiss Federal Railways InterCity Train #812 Second Class from Zürich HB to Bern
Photo Below: Reserved Seat Sign – Swiss Federal Railways InterCity Train #812 Second Class from Zürich HB to Bern
Photo Below: Seat – Swiss Federal Railways InterCity Train #812 Second Class from Zürich HB to Bern
Photo Below: Upper Level Aisle – Swiss Federal Railways InterCity Train #812 Second Class from Zürich HB to Bern
Photo Below: Seating Table – Swiss Federal Railways InterCity Train #812 Second Class from Zürich HB to Bern
Photo Below: Power Outlet, Coat Hook, & Luggage Storage Instructional Sign – Swiss Federal Railways InterCity Train #812 Second Class from Zürich HB to Bern
Photo Below: Seats – Swiss Federal Railways InterCity Train #812 Second Class from Zürich HB to Bern
Photo Below: Seats – Swiss Federal Railways InterCity Train #812 Second Class from Zürich HB to Bern
Photo Below: On-Board Car Identification – Swiss Federal Railways InterCity Train #812 Second Class from Zürich HB to Bern
Photo Below: On-Board Luggage Storage – Swiss Federal Railways InterCity Train #812 Second Class from Zürich HB to Bern
Photo Below: On-Board Stairs – Swiss Federal Railways InterCity Train #812 Second Class from Zürich HB to Bern
Photo Below: Train Exterior – Swiss Federal Railways InterCity Train #961 Second Class from Bern to Interlaken Ost
Photo Below: Seats – Swiss Federal Railways InterCity Train #961 Second Class from Bern to Interlaken Ost
Photo Below: Inside Train Car – Swiss Federal Railways InterCity Train #961 Second Class from Bern to Interlaken Ost
Photo Below: Seat Reservation Sign – Swiss Federal Railways InterCity Train #961 Second Class from Bern to Interlaken Ost
Photo Below: Seats – Swiss Federal Railways InterCity Train #961 Second Class from Bern to Interlaken Ost
Photo Below: Seats – Swiss Federal Railways InterCity Train #961 Second Class from Bern to Interlaken Ost
Photo Below: Seat Configuration – Swiss Federal Railways InterCity Train #961 Second Class from Bern to Interlaken Ost
Photo Below: Train Exterior – Swiss Federal Railways Regio Train #151 Second Class from Interlaken Ost to Lauterbrunnen
Photo Below: Train Car Interior and Seating – Swiss Federal Railways Regio Train #151 Second Class from Interlaken Ost to Lauterbrunnen
Photo Below: Train Exterior – Swiss Federal Railways Regio Train #351 Second Class from Interlaken Ost to Lauterbrunnen
Photo Below: Train Seats – Swiss Federal Railways Regio Train #351 Second Class from Interlaken Ost to Lauterbrunnen
Photo Below: Train Car Interior – Swiss Federal Railways Regio Train #351 Second Class from Interlaken Ost to Lauterbrunnen
Photo Below: Views Aboard – Swiss Federal Railways Regio Train #351 Second Class from Interlaken Ost to Lauterbrunnen
Photo Below: Passing Another Train – Swiss Federal Railways Regio Train #351 Second Class from Interlaken Ost to Lauterbrunnen
Photo Below: Legroom – Swiss Federal Railways Regio Train #351 Second Class from Interlaken Ost to Lauterbrunnen
Photo Below: Views – Swiss Federal Railways Regio Train #351 Second Class from Interlaken Ost to Lauterbrunnen
Photo Below: Train Car Interior – Swiss Federal Railways Regio Train #351 Second Class from Interlaken Ost to Lauterbrunnen
Photo Below: View of Wengen and Beyond from Wengen Station Platform – Swiss Federal Railways Regio Train #351 Second Class from Interlaken Ost to Lauterbrunnen
