Aare Linth
Zwischen Chur und Bern reisen
The Interregio Aare Linth connects the cities of Bern, Zurich and Chur every hour. It stops in varied regions with different traditions and geographical features. They all offer exciting opportunities for excursions and discoveries. This makes the west-east route the most beautiful connection between city, countryside and river.
About the IR Aare Linth route
The SOB's Interregio Aare Linth operates in cooperation with SBB. The direct connection runs from the federal capital via the Mittelland region and Olten to Zurich and on across the Linth plain, along the shores of Lake Walen to Heidiland and across the Bündner Herrschaft to Chur. The Interregio Aare Linth is the ideal feeder train for winter sports in Graubünden.
Total route length: 244 kilometers, Berne-Zurich-Chur
Travel time: 3 hours 10 minutes, Berne-Zurich-Chur
Highest bridge: approx. 60 meters, Carschinahütte viaduct, between Sargans and Chur
Zimmerberg base tunnel: opened in 2003 between Zurich main station and Thalwil, length 9.4 kilometers
Highest station: 593 m.a.s.l., Chur station
Lowest station: 392 m.a.s.l., Zurich main station (Löwenstrasse underground station)
Greatest gradient: 16 ‰
Experience the city, countryside and river
The Interregio Aare Linth offers many wonderful experiences along the entire route. From the very first stop east of Bern, Burgdorf awaits at the gateway to the Emmental with its exemplary medieval old town and impressive castle complex. Herzogenbuchsee is home to the magnificent historic Hotel Kreuz, which also serves exquisite gourmet cuisine. Discover the largest boulder in Switzerland, the large Fluh. If you get off the Interregio Aare Linth train in Langenthal, you will immediately notice the high sidewalks. They were built to channel the flood waters of the Langeten through the streets in an emergency. Next stop Olten. This popular venue for congresses and conferences is the most populous city in the canton of Solothurn and the adopted home of numerous writers such as Alex Capus, Pedro Lenz and Franz Hohler. Let yourself be accompanied on an audio tour through the city by texts read by Swiss authors themselves.
To list the next stops in the cosmopolitan city of Zurich and on Lake Zurich would be like carrying owls to Athens. However, special mention should be made of the Linth Plain, which gives the event its name. It lies between Lake Zurich and Lake Walen. If you continue in the direction of Heidiland, you will be treated to beautiful views of Lake Walen and the peaks of the Churfirsten mountains on the approach. And then the Interregio Aare Linth reaches the fertile Chur Rhine Valley with stops in the traditional spa town of Bad Ragaz with its famous Tamina Therme spa and in Landquart, from where Klosters and Davos can be reached. If you get off at your destination of Chur, you will discover many exciting things in Switzerland's oldest city and in Graubünden.
Travel in comfort
Sit back, enjoy a delicious coffee from the bistro and marvel at the fascinating view during the journey between Berne, Zurich and Chur.
Train tickets and travel information
To travel on the IR Aare Linth you need a ticket, which you can buy online or at any ticket counter. Travel on the IR Aare Linth is included for GA travelcard holders. Please refer to the IR Aare Linth timetable for train times. Seat reservations are not compulsory, but can be booked for an additional CHF 5.
For bicycles that you load yourself, you need a ticket, which you can easily book online. You have the option of purchasing a bike ticket, a bike day pass (also available as a multi-day pass) or a bike pass for one year. It is not possible to reserve a space for bicycles on SOB trains. You can also take advantage of the luggage service.