Construction work on the approach to Zurich Airport's train station will disrupt train service this coming weekend, starting Friday evening, March 21. This construction work will particularly affect Swiss passengers who wish to travel to Munich with a connecting ticket booked on their flight ticket.
Swiss, known for helping its passengers book intermodal travel between train and flight, must now offer detours and alternative connections. These changes primarily affect long-distance travel and require careful planning from travelers, as they will result in reduced and rerouted train services.
Important diversions and restrictions for Swiss passengers
The long-distance train station at Zurich Airport will remain operational despite the construction work. However, passengers who plan to take a Swiss flight this weekend and arrive by train beforehand should expect significant schedule changes. Trains with LX numbers, which are specifically booked for passengers with guaranteed connections on international routes, particularly to Munich, are particularly affected.
One of the most important connections, the EuroCity Express (ECE) between Zurich and Munich, will be diverted overnight from Friday to Saturday and throughout the weekend. The ECE towards Munich will not run directly past Zurich Airport as usual, but will instead route through Winterthur. Passengers traveling on this connection will therefore have to change trains in Winterthur to board the ECE to Munich. This diversion could lead to additional delays, as passengers will also have to adjust to transfer times.
In contrast, the connection from Munich to Zurich will be less severely affected. ECE trains traveling from Munich to Zurich will continue to stop at Zurich Airport as usual, allowing travelers to transfer to the train without any problems. This is particularly important for Swiss passengers who rely on guaranteed connections, as transferring from train to plane should still be possible without any problems.
Further restrictions and diversions
In addition to the ECE, other important long-distance connections serving Zurich Airport are also affected. One of the lines important for intermodal transport is the Intercity line IC5, which normally runs between Geneva and St. Gallen. During the construction work, this line will only be diverted in the direction of St. Gallen, meaning it will no longer serve Zurich Airport directly. Travelers who rely on the IC5 in Zurich must prepare for an additional transfer at Zurich Central Station to continue their journey. A diversion will also be in place in the opposite direction: the IC8, another Intercity line, will have its route changed, which could lead to additional travel time extensions.
Restrictions are also in place in local transport. The S7 and S24 S-Bahn lines, which serve Zurich Airport, will operate with restrictions, which could lead to cancellations or changes in travel times. Here, too, the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) recommends that travelers check the online timetable in advance to avoid possible delays or route changes.
Timetable adjustments and recommendations from SBB
Swiss Federal Railways has already announced that all travelers who rely on Zurich Airport during the construction weekend should check their connections in advance using the online timetable. SBB recommends checking the new transfer and timetable information early to avoid unnecessary waiting times and ensure a timely flight. It is hoped that the measures taken in connection with the construction work will not cause major disruptions and that travelers will still reach their destinations on time.
Although the airport continues to offer extensive, albeit reduced, service, passengers should expect longer travel times and additional transfers. This is especially important for international travelers who rely on seamless rail-flight connections to avoid missing their connecting flights.
A weekend of diversions and restrictions
The construction work around Zurich Airport poses a significant challenge for intermodal transport this coming weekend. Passengers traveling with Swiss and intending to use a train connection to Munich, in particular, must prepare for significant detours. The diversions affecting the ECE train, as well as the restrictions on local and long-distance services, require thorough advance planning. Travelers should inform themselves about schedule changes well in advance to best organize their trip and arrive at their aircraft on time.
However, with some additional time buffer and the right information, even travelers affected by the construction work should be able to catch their flights on time. The situation is likely to be temporary, and once the construction work is completed, Zurich Airport will be able to offer its usual service again.
and 