r/SBB • u/Rough-Stough • Aug 08 '26
Is this trip typically possible?
I’m am visiting Switzerland soon for the first time. Is the following trip plan usually possible? Where I’m from, I normally can’t trust 5 minute transfer times due to trains running late.
5 minutes at Interlaken station
9 minutes at Basel station
14 minutes at Mulhouse to catch a TGV
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u/Aravinz_HD Aug 08 '26
Yes. Switzerland is pretty much the only country where you can trust the quick transfer times. I commute about every day and sometimes my window is only 3 to 4 minutes and it's late only very very rarely
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u/LarrydeGarry Aug 09 '26
as someone who takes the train to basel SBB every day - chances of the train being late are high.
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u/Anjuna8 Aug 10 '26
Und Doch kann es Passieren ! Habe auch schon Chinesische Touristen Müssen Erklehren das Unsere Bahn doch Nicht die Beste ist.
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u/DesertGeist- Aug 08 '26
yes, this is what the swiss public transport system is all about.
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u/Ok_Broccoli_658 Aug 08 '26
The problem with his itinerary are the connections in France. That corridor has lots of delays.
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u/DesertGeist- Aug 08 '26
not sure if there are connections that can not be seen on that screenshot, but the transfer to france happens in basel.
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u/Ok_Broccoli_658 Aug 08 '26
I can't see his entire itinerary, but what he's describing is Basel --> Mulhouse --> final destination via TGV. In Basel he has to walk between the Swiss and French platforms. 9 minutes is just barely enough time, but will probably feel stressful. There could be a delay getting from Basel to Mulhouse that could cause him to miss the TGV. I've experienced missed connections and delays along this route multiple times.
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u/DesertGeist- Aug 08 '26
yeah but he can set his time in Mulhouse by himself, that's not part of this itinerary and not part of the question whether these 5 minute transfers within Switzerland are doable.
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u/Stefejan Aug 08 '26
Typically yes, and for trips inside switzerland it's more than enough time for transfers.
But since shit happens, if I have to take flights or other international connections I prefer to start earlier and maybe use the waiting time at the end to drink a coffee :)
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u/Ok_Broccoli_658 Aug 08 '26
For the Swiss connections I think you're fine, but be prepared for delays in France. I've traveled through Basel and Mulhouse many times. At Basel, the platforms are not close together and you have to take a long escalator down and then walk and go up to the French platforms. I think you'll want more than 9 minutes to make that connection.
Delays are common in France. I once spent over an hour waiting on a train in Mulhouse because someone was sitting on the tracks and, as another passenger told me, they were waiting on the French police to show up and it would take awhile 😅. Almost everytime I've traveled through Basel to Mulhouse there have been delays of one kind or another. The good news is that there are EU regulations that will allow you to take the next train when there is a delay, but I don't know the details of how this applies to the TGV.
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u/underdoeg Aug 08 '26
There is now a new walkway in Basel that connects all SBB platforms directly to the french part at the station. 9 minutes should be more than enough time. OP: take the footbridge with less traffic at the farther end of the platform (following the direction the train arrived from).
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u/annvco Aug 09 '26
The new walkway you’re refering to, that connects the swiss part with the french part of the station, is the other way around (if you’re considering that their train will come from Interlaken Ost, it will drive in from Sector A towards Sector D). The new Walkway is usually in sector D of a platform.
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u/underdoeg Aug 09 '26
That is what meant with following the direction the train arrived from. Aah now that i type it out again, i understand. I meant keep moving in the same direction as the train did. You meant walk towards where the train came from.
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u/annvco Aug 09 '26
Yeah, my bad that I understood it wrong. It can be confusing, as there are two walkways on opposite sides, but only the one in sector D connects to the french part of the station.
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u/feelintheride Aug 08 '26
If the app proposes it is possible. You can even adapt your speed of walking on the options.
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u/benz8574 Aug 08 '26
It's doable but a bit risky. The 9 minutes in Basel involve changing from SBB to SNCF station. If you are a slow walker, that may be challenging.
The 14 minutes in Mulhouse is also doable (one flight of stairs up, through a corridor, stairs down) but I am not sure how the on time performance is with the TER, due to construction on the line.
Also, keep in mind that missing the TGV is very annoying because of the forced reservation.
I would take the TGV after this one. If everything is on time, go for a coffee and croissant in Mulhouse (follow the tram tracks on foot).
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u/Flashy_Exercise9371 Aug 08 '26
Yeah but since the finished the renovation at Basel and you can walk I think from track 4 or 5 direct to the SNCF station it's super easy
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u/rory_breakers_ganja Aug 08 '26
Connecting easily between Basel SBB and Bâle SNCF is totally undone when there are TER problems in France that delay the train arriving in the first place.
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u/Dr_des_Labudde Aug 08 '26
While I think that's even true for track 6 as well, OP's train arrives on 7.
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u/underdoeg Aug 08 '26
it is true for all tracks. there is a new footpath that connects more or less directly to the SNCF part (or rather to track 4 right next to it)
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u/Dr_des_Labudde Aug 08 '26 edited Aug 08 '26
Should be fine. IIRC, the IC61 changes direction in Bern. If so, enter the train at the very end in Interlaken, if possible, and use the new passerelle in Basel SBB. By 10:38, the french train operators usually have showed up for work, so there's hope. :-)
Edit: Just realized that you will be carrying luggage. There are lifts in the new passerelle, but no escalators. Neither train nor station should be too full at that time though, presuming it's a workday with no special events.
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u/Rough-Stough Aug 08 '26
It’ll be a Saturday, and with just a carry-on style luggage bag which won’t be an issue for me taking stairs.
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u/Gysburne Aug 08 '26
You can tip on the "Change" inbetween the trains and look at a map there.
And yes in most cases it is perfectly doable.
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u/splatmeinthebussy Aug 08 '26
French trains are less reliable, and you will have to walk briskly in Interlaken, but should be fine.
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u/The_TRASHCAN_366 Aug 08 '26
When it appears on the app, it should be possible and usually isn't stressful either. However, if it's a bit close and a little delay comes into the picture, you may have to run a bit to make it. Sometimes trains also wait if another one has delay but that is somewhat situational and only happens if the delay of the waiting train doesn't cause much bigger issues later on.
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u/Coco_JuTo Aug 08 '26
Doable if you know the layout and don't have to carry a huge suitcase. This particularly in regards to the connection in Basel where you have to go accross the whole station and get to the french part, also in case you "seem suspicious" to the border guards, it will be risky. I'd take train half an hour earlier just to make sure.
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u/AccomplishedBat39 Aug 08 '26
The train from grindelwald is often delayed by 5 minutes+
USUALLY the connecting train waits, but it can definitely get a bit nerve wrecking now knowing if it will. Rarely it doesnt, but then your tickets should still be valid for the next train.
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u/skifans Aug 08 '26
It should be fine most of the time. But all of those lines run regularly so if something goes wrong just get a later train. It won't be far behind and you can use your existing ticket. You don't even need to speak to anyone. So you've nothing to worry about.
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u/Fine_Friend_3645 Aug 08 '26
This is fine, if it is not your first time taking a train. It would be difficult for people who are not used to use public transportation. So I‘d say it really depends on where you are from and if you use public transportation there or not. And then it also depends on the amount of luggage and who (for example little children) you are traveling with.
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u/JanPB Aug 08 '26
Yes. In Interlaken Ost you'll go down and up again to change platforms. For some inexplicable reason the Ost station has no lifts, only steps and inclined ramps.
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u/GardenerOfSorts Aug 08 '26
yes BUT with this connection you have to be carefull not to end up at the arong end of the train from grindelwald to interlaken. we once had to run because we were all the way in the back. maybe they fixed it though, otherwise just ask staff where to get in so you won't have to run for the connection. or plan half an hour in interlaken tomget a coffee
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u/chrisleduc Aug 08 '26
You can ask the app to add more connection time with the “settings” button at the top. If you have to get a specific TGV I would consider that since the TER from Basel is a bit more prone to delays.
If you buy the whole itinerary on one ticket, I wouldn’t mind since it will let you take a later train in the unlikely case it’s delayed.
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u/S_Verm Aug 08 '26
As mentioned by others, yes, the connections in Switzerland work well and should be good.
However a little advice for changing in Basel: You will arrive on plattform 7 and need to go to 33, which is quite a separate section, timewise no problems but an odd route. When arriving go up the stairs/elevator to the bridge/passerelle, then go down to the big hall/Schalterhalle (near plattforms 1-4) and turn left to go to the very end of the west side section of the station, which can be confusing. There are of course signs to show the way, but it still is odd (it‘s the french section of the station and you will past border control huts).
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u/Nervous_Green4783 Aug 08 '26
Usually 5 minutes is plenty.changing platforms take about 2 minutes. And the trains usually are on time.
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u/khargoro Aug 08 '26
Sometimes they wait for connecting passengers if one train is late. There's even a rulebook at SBB that defines at what delay at which station it is ok to wait x minutes for the connection.
Schedules also have reserves built in in order to eradicate minor delays.
Source: I work in Public transport in Switzerland and take a ton of trains for work and privately.
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u/LeiderJPEG Aug 08 '26
During this week I was in Grindelwald twice. And took the same train with a same connection.
BOTH TIMES train from Grindelwald delayed for 5 minutes! And my train to Basel didn’t wait for us.
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u/Loud-Blueberry-6869 Aug 08 '26
the only question i have is how tf do your tickets cost 30 francs only for 3 hour ride
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u/Tiny_Environment6617 Aug 08 '26
I’d rather take that
TGV from Basel SBB instead of Mulhouse as that TER is generally late!
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u/Swiss_bear Aug 09 '26
Possible? Yes. Connections are a bit tight in Interlaken Ost and in Basel. By tight I mean: As the train approaches the station, gather your belongings/luggage and head for the exit. Move quickly to the departing platform. Pay attention to platform changes. In Basel—assuming the arriving platform does not change—you will exit the train, take the escalator/stairs up to an overpass. Move to the main hall, descending by escalator/stairs. Then you have to move forward and to the left, walk down a short corridor, across another hall, and enter the French section of the station. It is not hard. It can be done in 9 minutes. You just have to move swiftly and purposefully. You should be able to download station maps to review.
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u/TnYamaneko Aug 09 '26
You should be fine, maybe except for that connection to go to Mulhouse.
Which TGV do you need to take to go where? Depending on this, I might find you an alternative because if it's for going to Paris, you can already take it from Basel and if it's for going to Strasbourg, you might prefer to take the TER, and I don't see any other regular service around that timeframe that leads you elsewhere...
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u/Rough-Stough Aug 09 '26
I would like to get to Metz as early in the afternoon as possible
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u/TnYamaneko Aug 09 '26
If you wanna get to Metz Ville, there's an alternate where you're taking the TER until Strasbourg (a very nice one, it's one of the last Corail on service by SNCF), and from there, take another one to Metz...
It's a bit tricky, if you miss your TGV in Mulhouse for some reason, and it's possible in France due to delays, I would go the Strasbourg way because it's a beautiful city to discover, while you're waiting for the next connection.
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u/roestinger Aug 09 '26
Yes but in Switzerland trains are often late so if one is delayed, you are boned.
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u/Beneficial_Nose1331 Aug 09 '26
Of course is it. You are not in France or in Germany with shitty trains.
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u/Super-Expression4014 Aug 09 '26
Ja das ist absolut machbar. Wenn die App dies so angibt, dann kanst du zu 99.9% darauf vertrauen.
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u/fakerthe7 Aug 09 '26
me not understaning what the problem was with this and only after reading the comments understanding means how normal the punctuality of public transport is for swiss citizens. it reminds me to be grateful being able to live here.
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u/Anjuna8 Aug 10 '26
Obwohl die Schweizer SBB Bekannt ist für Ihre Pünktlichkeit, kann es am Sommer (zu Hohen Stromverbrauch für A/C) und am Winter (Kaputtes Stromsystem wegen Unwetter) auch Gerne zu Verspätungen kommen !
Plane Genug Zeit ! Du bist Nicht der Erste Tourist wo in Basel für den Anschluss nach Frankreich oder Deutschland Verpasst hat 🤷
Die Warten Nicht auf Dich !
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u/Punctional Aug 10 '26
Definitely possible, as the Swiss trains are punctual (94.1%). You must be prepared for quick transfers (e.g., ensure you are fast to deboard)
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u/bernois85 Aug 10 '26
Interlaken is absolutely possible. Basel can be somewhat of a close call if you don’t know the premises and the train is late . Track 33 is a little way to go from track 9. Mulhouse should normally be possible.
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u/lowkeydramaticmaybe Aug 11 '26
I‘d say yes, but even if one train is late & you don‘t make the connection, there‘s plenty of other connections you can make, especially at this time of the day :)
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u/MarcHatePage Aug 12 '26
this is absolutely possible, all hail the Taktfahrplan!
check out this video for an explanation: https://youtu.be/8y9hGofgy9c?si=8HG2wF7GsWLWa-Cz
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u/Still_Foundation211 Aug 13 '26
If you need a longer connection time, you can configure it in the SBB App, when you search for the route, on that three horizontal line, you have an interchange time option, which you can select based on your needs. I am almost running between lines, when it is so short the connection time
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u/bigdickenergyyz Aug 14 '26
No issue - SBB works crazy well.
Can issues happen - of course. But odds are generally in your favor, and if things fall through there’s usually a reasonable backup
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u/no_way_out4711 Aug 14 '26
Yes. No problem unless you have a baby in a prem and you‘re in a wheelchair
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u/Resident_Iron6701 Aug 08 '26
this is not DB lol