IC (Switzerland - ICN)

Swiss national rail operator SBB used to designate which services are operated by these sleek ICN express trains with spacious interiors, on its timetable.

But now these ICN trains have joined the family of IC trains on which seats don't have to be reserved - which designate an express train within Switzerland.

But they have some qualities that they don't share with other SBB (Swiss) IC trains - hence we have aspired to still make a distinction

ON BOARD       ROUTES       BOARDING


SUMMARY       CATERING

The primary distinguishing feature of these ICN trains is that they tilt when there are bends in the track (they are similar to Pendolino trains).

So they are used on express services, which don't use the full length of Switzerland's fastest railway line between Bern and Olten.

On Board:

These ICN trains are comparatively comfortable, but a refurbishment of the interior seems overdue on some of these trains - fixtures and fittings can be a tad worn.

In common with most other Swiss trains the power sockets only accept Swiss 3-pin plugs.
The power sockets can be hard to spot as they're above the seats, in the base of the overhead luggage racks.

All 2nd class seats are in open plan saloons, but some 1st class seats are in open plan saloons, while others are in compartments.

As they’re not doubled decked, ICN trains are not used on SBB’s busiest St Gallen – Zurich – Bern – Fribourg – Geneve route.

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Routes:

However, it is possible to travel between Zurich and Geneve on these trains, as they operate on these routes.

·         Zurich – Olten – Biel – Neuchtael – Geneve

·         St Gallen – Zurich - Olten – Biel – Neuchtael – Lausanne

·         Basel – Delemont – Moutier – Biel (connect at Biel for Geneve/Lausanne)

·         Basel – Olten – Luzern – Arth-Goldau – Bellinzona – Lugano

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Boarding:

ICN trains are seven coaches long, but two trains are often joined together to form a long 14 coach train.

If you have reserved then check the coach number in which your seat is located and wait in the appropriate zone on the gleis/platform/track.

Don’t be surprised if the zone you need is some distance from your entrance point to the gleis/platform/track.

If you haven’t reserved still check the zones in which the coaches will be located.

Head for the zones furthest away from the entrance to the gleis/platform/track, fewer people will have headed to the far ends of each train, so you should increase your chances of finding a seat.
Walk through the train if need be.

Few seats are generally reserved on ICN trains so finding seats shouldn’t be a problem outside business hours.

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Catering:

When two ICN trains are joined together the service will convey two restaurant cars.

The restaurant cars are popular at meal times, as prices aren't exponentially more expensive compared to standard restaurants.

If you want to have a meal head direct to the restaurant car when boarding and spend your journey in the car.

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