Luggage Transfer Service in Switzerland is crucial when planning a family trip to Switzerland, choosing public transport over renting a car, despite traveling with two young kids and multiple pieces of luggage. Here’s why we made that choice and how you can take advantage of Switzerland’s efficient luggage transfer service.
Why We Chose Public Transport over renting a car
- Winter Travel Concerns:
- Switzerland’s winter roads, often covered in snow and ice, can be challenging for those not accustomed to driving in such conditions. Coming from a country with no snow, we didn’t feel confident about navigating icy roads safely.
- World-Class Public Transport:
- Switzerland is renowned for its punctual and well-connected public transportation system. Trains, buses, and cable cars can take you almost anywhere you want to go, often offering scenic routes that you wouldn’t experience by car.
- We got the half-fare card at 120 CHF for one month, it allows you to benefit from all the trips with a 50% discount
- You can refer to this post for a very detailed sharing on Swiss Pass vs Swiss Half Fare
- Kid-Friendly Experience:
- Our boys love trains, and the idea of traveling through the picturesque Swiss countryside by train was incredibly appealing. The comfort and convenience of Swiss trains, with their spacious seating and panoramic windows, made the journey enjoyable for the entire family.
Using Luggage Transfer Service in Switzerland
One of the challenges of using public transport is managing luggage, especially with young children. Switzerland offers a seamless luggage transfer service that makes this much easier.
- Plan Ahead:
- Unlike Japan, where you can often arrange luggage transfer on the spot, in Switzerland, it’s essential to book the service in advance. Most major rail services, like SBB (Swiss Federal Railways), offer luggage transfer options.
- Booking the Service:
- You can book luggage transfer services directly on the SBB website or at their service counters at major train stations. Here’s a quick overview of how it works:
- Advance Booking: Make sure to book your luggage transfer at least a day in advance. Book via this link
- Drop-Off: Drop your luggage at a designated luggage counter at your departure station.
- Delivery Time: Your luggage will be transferred and can be picked up at your destination station, typically on the same day or the next day, depending on the service you choose.
- You can book luggage transfer services directly on the SBB website or at their service counters at major train stations. Here’s a quick overview of how it works:
- Convenient Pick-Up and Drop-Off:
- The luggage transfer service is very convenient, especially when moving between different hotels. Simply drop off your luggage at your hotel or train station, and it will be waiting for you at your next destination, allowing you to travel light.
- Cost and Options:
- Prices for luggage transfer vary based on the type of service and distance. There are standard services, as well as express options if you need your luggage transferred more quickly. Be sure to check the latest rates and options on the SBB website.
Read all about our luggage transfer experience in Japan.
Useful Tips for Booking
You can reserve ahead online via this link.
Enter your address via link to get your quote –
Our Experience
During our stay, we utilized the luggage transfer service multiple times, which greatly eased the burden of traveling with two young kids. Here’s a snapshot of our experience:
| From | To | Services Utilized | Transport |
|---|---|---|---|
| From | To | ||
| EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg | Hotel Victoria, Basel Address: Centralbahnpl. 3/4, 4002 Basel, Switzerland | No Forwarding service available | Airport Bus |
| Hotel Victoria, Basel Address: Centralbahnpl. 3/4, 4002 Basel, Switzerland | Boutique Hotel Glacier Address: Endweg 55, 3818 Grindelwald, | Door to Door | SSB Train |
| Boutique Hotel Glacier Address: Endweg 55, 3818 Grindelwald, | Hotel des Balances Weinmarkt, 6004 Luzern | Door to Door | Interlaken-Luzern Scenic Train |
| Hotel des Balances Weinmarkt, 6004 Luzern | Zurich Airport | Door to Airport with check in services | SSB Train |
- Ease of Booking: The booking process on the SBB website was straightforward. We selected our destinations and times, and the system calculated the cost and delivery time.
- Drop-Off and Pick-Up: We arranged for pick up at our hotel and we just had to drop off our luggage at the concierge in the morning. As we choose the express service, the luggage was dropped off at our destination hotel on the same day night. Do note that this express service is more costly. If you can afford to bring it for drop off at the train station, it will be more cost saving.
- Traveling Light: Without the burden of multiple pieces of luggage, we could focus on enjoying our train journeys and the stunning Swiss landscapes.
- Kids’ Delight: Our boys were thrilled with the train rides, and the absence of heavy luggage made it easier for us to manage them during the trip.
Zurich Airport: luggage from your front door.
There is a separate service for picking up luggage from your hotel the day before your departure and transferring it to Zurich Airport. You can then collect your luggage from the SBB luggage counter at Zurich Airport on the day of your departure.
Additionally, there’s an option to have your luggage checked in on your behalf so you can head straight to the gate after completing online check-in (as long as you have an electronic boarding pass). Check in Service in available for Swiss and Edelweiss only. It means that you are automatically checked in and luggage will be handed directly to the airline and you collect it at the destination airport. Since we still had a backpack to check in, we went to collect our physical boarding pass. Alternatively, you can choose express delivery and pick up your luggage from the SBB luggage counter at Zurich Airport on the same day of your departure.
Reserve via this link at least two days before pickup or three days before departure by 8pm at the latest.
Airportr Luggage Transfer Service at London Heathrow Airport
Airportr is a convenient luggage transfer service that allows you to travel hands-free by collecting your bags from your doorstep and delivering them directly to your flight or vice versa. We explored this service but eventually decided to book a private transfer service via klook for transfer to hotel and vice versa as the pricing were definitely more affordable than Switzerland.
Conclusion
Choosing public transport in Switzerland, even with young kids and multiple pieces of luggage, can be a delightful experience. With the reliable luggage transfer services offered by SBB and other providers, you can travel light and enjoy the journey without the stress of hauling heavy bags. Remember to book your luggage transfer in advance to ensure a smooth and hassle-free travel experience.