These direct trains from Basel to Landquart (which are heading to Chur) are an exception to the standard 'clock-face' timetable which, Swiss national rail operator SBB uses for its other IC express train routes.
In some hours there are two trains from Basel to Landquart, in others there is just one and in a few hours there are none.
And this pattern of departures is random.
So when looking up this journey on SBB, you'll also see other journey options, which involve a change of train in Zurich.
If the timings of these direct trains don't suit, then making the connection in Zurich is relatively straightforward.
Connect at Landquart into RhB trains towards Klosters and Davos.
15 x trains per day
Book early and save: Yes - If you book Supersaver tickets (more info is available on the SBB ticket guide below).
You may need to search through the departures to find them using the ‘earlier’ and ‘later’ button, they can sell out on the most popular trains.
Online bookings open: up to two months ahead of the travel date
Try and be flexible with your departure and arrival times, book as near to 60 days ahead as possible
Seat reservations:
Seat reservations are optional on Swiss IC trains and on the ICE trains on this route, so seats won't be assigned when booking online.
You can book reservations online for journeys by these IC trains, AFTER you have booked a ticket, by using the SBB (Swiss national railways) seat reservation service - OR request a reservation when booking at a station ticket office.
Travelling with a rail pass:
Rail pass users can jump on any train, without having to make reservations..
If you have a rail pass and can't see a direct train on the departure screens at Basel SBN take a train to Zurich and connect there for an onward train to Landquart.
Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
---|---|---|
SBB | * | |
Trainline | * | |
Happyrail | * |
Two of the late afternoon/evening departures are by ICE trains that are on route to Landquart from Germany, they substitute for the usual IC trains in the hours in which they operate.
The brand new LD/Twindexx trains are also gradually being introduced on this route.
The highlights of this train ride occur after the train has departed from Zurich where these trains will reverse direction.
From the left of the train (when facing the direction) of travel, there are fabulous views over Lake Zurich for more than 20 minutes.
Then around 10 minutes after leaving Lake Zurich behind, an even more spectacular lake, the Wallensee can also be seen on the left, before the train arrives in Sargans.
Then finally between Sargans and Landquart there are distant views of the Alps from both sides of the train.
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This is one of more than 1000 journey guides available on ShowMeTheJourney, which will make it easier to take the train journeys you want or need to make. As always, all images were captured on trips taken by ShowMeTheJourney.