Swiss Federal Railways says the December 2026 timetable change will bring “targeted improvements” across Switzerland, with more seats on busy commuter routes, new test services and some evening and night additions.
SBB says the changes are modest compared with the major 2025 network expansion, but they are intended to better utilise available capacity.
One of the most relevant commuter changes is on the Luzern-Zurich HB-Konstanz line. The IR75 will no longer run through to Konstanz all day; passengers travelling to and from Switzerland’s largest city will now have to change in Zurich HB, but SBB says the move will provide more seats for weekday travellers. On the Zurich HB-Schaffhausen route, new IR-Dosto trains will replace existing rolling stock on the RE48.
Read More: SBB Unveils 2027 Plan: More Direct Trains to Venice and Paris – Helvetica Times
SBB is Also Testing a Later City-Side Extension in Bern
A morning extra IC from Zurich HB to Bern, currently due to arrive at Bern at 7.50 a.m., will continue on to Bern Europaplatz as a trial, giving passengers a direct ride to the western part of the city without a transfer. Another trial change will extend selected Saturday ICs from Bern to Brig with a stop in Frutigen, giving quicker access to the Kandertal and winter-sports areas.
Night travel inside Switzerland is also being expanded where demand is strong.
SBB says weekend night services are likely to continue on the Bern-Olten-Zurich HB-Zurich Airport axis, as well as on lines linking Fribourg, Lausanne, Geneva Airport, Sion and Biel/Bienne. That follows the broader push for a more reliable national night network, which SBB has been testing since 2025.
How Will This Impact You?
The changes will matter most to commuters, weekend travellers and winter tourists, with the main trade-off being fewer direct rides on some routes in exchange for more capacity and better punctuality.
SBB’s draft is open to public comment through the cantonal transport authorities until 9 June.
