Skip to content
transportation — Timetable — Zurich — Pragmatic — Finance — Connections — Industry — Percent

Unearthed: Train Routes in Switzerland with Notoriously Long Delays

International Swiss trains generally maintain a robust reputation for punctuality. However, there are exceptions where select services - often those operating internationally - might arrive later than scheduled, and in some instances, considerably later.

,   and  Administrator
2 min read

Unearthed: Train Routes in Switzerland with Notoriously Long Delays

Train journeys in Switzerland are mostly punctual, with a whopping 95% of trains arriving on time or even early during the 2024 timetable. However, it's not a smooth ride for all trains, as some international and domestic connections suffer from delays.

Culprits for delayed foreign trains include night trains and daytime connections from abroad, such as the EuroCity from Venice and trains from Amsterdam, Hamburg, and Graz. The night train from Vienna to Zurich, for instance, regularly arrives over 45 minutes late on average.

The Swiss Railway Company, SBB, pins the blame on foreign train operators for these delays. For instance, trains from Italy often arrive late in Switzerland, but are punctual on Swiss soil. Similarly, disruptions at Zurich Airport train station due to ongoing construction are causing delays for long-distance trains, particularly those bound for Munich.

On the domestic front, the S9 train departing from Rafz (ZH) at 10:45 pm typically has an average delay of eight minutes at its departure station. Meanwhile, an Intercity train leaving Basel at 8:29 pm en route to Brig (VS) consistently faces delays at Spiez (BE).

Three minutes may not seem like much, but in Switzerland, even minor delays can lead to significant cascading effects at subsequent stations. Culturally, the Swiss have an aversion to tardiness, making delays a big deal.

Issues behind the delays are extensive infrastructure upgrades and modernization works on key international rail corridors, particularly between Switzerland and Italy. These works are causing major disruptions throughout 2025, resulting in line closures, replacement buses, reduced train frequencies, cancellations, and reroutings.

Construction works on internal Swiss lines and disruptions at critical hubs like Zurich Airport station also contribute to delays and cancellations. Engineering works and events like landslides occasionally cause further line closures and cancellations, adding to the problems.

So, while Switzerland's trains are known for their punctuality, it's not always a seamless ride. Keep these potential disruptions in mind when planning your journey through the country.

  1. The pragmatic Swiss Railway Company (SBB) attributes delays in international connections, such as night trains from Vienna to Zurich and daytime connections from Venice and other cities like Amsterdam, Hamburg, and Graz, to foreign train operators.
  2. In the industry of finance and transportation, even a minor delay of eight minutes for the S9 train departing from Rafz (ZH) at 10:45 pm can have significant cascading effects at subsequent stations due to Switzerland's aversion to tardiness.
  3. Causes of delays and cancellations in Switzerland extend beyond international rail corridors, with ongoing construction works on internal Swiss lines and disruptions at critical hubs like Zurich Airport station also contributing to these issues.
  4. The percent of trains arriving on time or early during the 2025 timetable might be affected by extensive infrastructure upgrades and modernization works on key international rail corridors, leading to line closures, replacement buses, reduced train frequencies, cancellations, and reroutings.
International Swiss trains typically uphold a sterling reputation for punctuality. However, consistency is not always maintained, as some trains—often long-distance services—arrive significantly ahead of schedule.

Read also:

    Related

    Latest