SWITZERLAND'S BEST TRAIN? / SBB ICN FIRST CLASS REVIEW FROM GENEVA TO ZÜRICH
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- čas přidán 26. 08. 2024
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Hello and welcome to another video from Switzerland on the channel!
Today we will be taking one SBB's tilting ICN Intercity EMUs, on an IC5 service from Geneva to Zürich. As are most train journeys in this Rail Lover's Paradise, this is a beautifully scenic affair; encompassing stunning blue lakes and tall majestic mountains... enjoy the video!
Date of Filming: 13/9/21
Camera: GoPro Hero 7 Black
Operator: SBB
Departure: Geneva, Switzerland
Arrival: Zürich, Switzerland
Cost: First Class - See video for details!
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Regarding the small tables: If you sit at the aisle, there are tables incorporated within the armrest. You can pull them out and rotate them up. Perfect for a Laptop. [Timestamp: 9:54]
This guy trains! My favourite feature.
Thanks!!!
I didn't know that. Thanks for the invaluable information 😀
This line is going through my home town. I like riding on the ICN trains. They are fast and comfy on this rather curvy track. The tilting is noticeable, but you get used to it. The western part of the route is particularly beautiful with its waterfront views along the lakes of Geneva, Neuchâtel and Biel. Perhaps the most spectacular ride you can take with these ICNs is from Biel through the Jura mountain gorges via Delémont to Basel. But hurry up, the ICNs will be replaced by Stadler "Mouette" trains on this route, soon. They will be more modern and with bigger windows, but a bit slower and without the tilting experience.
Oh I didn't know this.. they're still great trains they don't need to be replaced!
@@NonstopEurotrip It's only on the Biel-Basel route. They might offer a bit too much capacity. The Mouette will be a bit smaller and cheaper to operate. The ICN fleet will soon be modernized and given another 25 years.
Before the big timetable change (taktfahrplan) there where direct ICN train Basel-Geneva through the Jura and the lakes. One of my absolute favourite train rides! Did I say it connected perfectly with the night train from Hamburg too :) . Now you have to walk across the platform in Biel/Bienne to switch train and the connection with the NightJet isn't there anymore.
ICN trains won't be replaced on the Biel/Bienne - Basel line, the "Mouette" (Stadler Flirt) will run additional to the ICN for the 30 minutes tact from december 2025 on.
@@rogerschuerch7768 Good to know, I feared those Mouette trains were replacing the ICN completely on this line.
15:04 This is the Jura "mountain" chain.... but for the Swiss these are only "hills"... ;-)
Ikr 😆🇨🇭
Valaisan repéré :D
One of my all-time favourite train rides, especially the stretch along the northern bank of Lake Neuchatel - quite stunning. Thanks for sharing.
🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Great video! These trains are being modernised currently, with the first prototype being expected at the end of this year. The weirdly placed power sockets are being fixed with this modernisation among other things. I'd love to see you make a review of the new version, once they are in regular service!
I travel this route every week, and love it every time
That's exciting news 🙂
Both ICN and IC 2000 aged pretty well and still look good today
Absolutely 🤗
Hi . My eyes were still watering when I saw the cost of the dessert and latte - wot - no complimentary snack & drink? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the UK was the first country to experiment with tilting trains (which failed because the journalists invited to the launch demo got drunk on the free booze and then complained of motion sickness!). Italy, Switzerland (and possibly other countries) took up the reigns and perfected(?) the technology. You are quite right, you can't get bored with the Swiss scenery.
I think the Italians had them first, but yeah we did make a hash of it with the sick train 🤢... And yes, Switzerland can be expensive, but for the video, I had to try it out 😆🇨🇭
Nice looking train! Love the size of it!
*sneeze* 🤧
Swiss trainstations are always clean!!!!
I liked this train already as a kid. First of all its first year of service is my Birthyear. And I like the tilting.
As of now since I work as a ticket inspector, this trainset is one of my favourites to work on. It’s easy, reliable and comfy, you just need to be careful with walking during the tilting, that feels wild! 😁
Very interesting, SBB staff are the friendliest in my experience 🙏🏻🙂
Aaah yessss, the ICN, my favourite train here in Switzerland😎😎😎. Used them many times on this exact route. In fact, you ran through my hometown just like 10 minutes before you arrived in Olten😁
About the power sockets: when these trains were designed in the late 90's, it was just about to emerge, that everyone will carry a charging device all the time (in fact, it was the era of the Nokia 3310, which easily lastet a week without charging...). So there weren't any power sockets on introduction. When they had to retrofit these at some point, they needed to place them somewhere useful with minimal invasive work. The overhead solution was obvious, as there was only a small hole to drill in the ceiling and also there were already the power lines for the reading lights. So, easy fix, not super perfect, but gets s**t done🙃
That's fair enough I guess! 😆
I lived in Zürich in the 1980s and was on this route many times. Great to see the scenery again!
Glad you enjoyed it 😌
This is my favourite route in Switzerland by far. Normally I do this route 5-6 times a year back and forth and its the most productive 2:50 hs that I ever get in a year. 100000% recommend taking it.
Beautiful isn't it 😍
This week I also went to Switzerland and also used the IC5 service from Geneva to Zürich. I traveled arround with an Swiss Travel Pass Youth (under 25 years). It cost`s me 199 Franken for four days.
Excellent!! 🇨🇭🇨🇭🇨🇭
This trains are getting old but I still find them amazing
Great review!! First class all the way!! Fabulous scenery! I have retired Swiss Railway friends who live in Neuchatal.
Thank you Max😀😀😀
Such a beautiful ride! You liked this... wait for this week's video 🙂
@@NonstopEurotrip Thanks Max. Looking forward to it.😀👌
I once travelled in the tilt train from Basel to Geneva and loved it. Great memories to relive with this video. Thank you.
Such a nice train:) This one and the „einheitswagen IV“ are the best trains on the sbb network in my opinion.
I love these trains, they are the best in my country 🇨🇭. I travelled many times on these trains. I have travelled the long distance between Lugano an Zuricg
Excellent 😊
Great video mate and loved watching this trip report and quite amazed with this train set, and one thing is for sure that Switzerland never disappoints us its amazing landscapes.
Thanks mate, no early access this week 🫣🇨🇭
This is why Switzerland has the best trains. And Switzerland is a incredible country.
Absolutely 🤗
😊
YESSSSS! I've been waiting for the ICN review for 8 months!
same!
Well you're both welcome 😁
NO. I took it several times from Geneva and, it has no level boarding at all, so wheelchairs can't even get into these trains. And they were introduce to SBB in 1999 so they are really too old. They should just be phased out and replaced by furthermore Giruno sets
@@jianfu2301 That doesn't match my comment in the first place. They are OK, i've taken them a couple times. SBB ordered more Girunos and FLIRTs anyway. The ICN is on its way out.
Switzerland BY FAR has the best transit system of anywhere! Always on time, and with a Swiss Pass (NOT a Eurail Pass), it covers all forms of transport. Also, it is such a small country that you can easily see it all in a short period of time.
You not been to Japan 😂
My Grandmother lived in Geneva for two years, 1935-1937.. how different it must have looked back then!!!
Indeed!!
Thank you for this report.
I like this ICN trainset. When travelling in 1.class, I prefer the "business area" with the table in the middle.
This line is very nice, specially the lakeshore area between Yverdon Les Bains and Biel / Bienne, very scenic on all season.
Note that in Switzerland, you also have "discount prices" up to 70%, but have to buy on a specific train in advance.
Daypasses discount price in advance are also available from 29 CHF.
Excellent thank you ☺️
I live in Genève and the trains are amazing!
All the ICN (RABDe 500) sets have been refurbished with new (standard) seat covers; originally the first class seats had leather (but not of the best quality). I have taken an ICN earlier this year (funny enough under a TGV number between Zürich and Basel), it was allright. The ride quality is remarkable and it's fun to experience the tilting. I wouldn't consider it the best train though, in terms of passenger comfort the Apm 19-90 panorama cars are hard to beat, after all there is a lot to see outside the train! I've once taken that across the Arlberg in the EC Transalpin, highly recommended.
Great suggestions, thanks 🙏🏻
Interesting that even first class has mostly face to face seating. I have figured out that the Swiss prefer their trains empty and 4-seaters aren't actually meant to be fully occupied on the whole, but that and the placement of the sockets seems to imply that not many people use these trains to work on? Which can be very wise (just relax and look at the landscape) but it's notable. (Here many first-class seats got adjusted with even more airline-style seating to provide work space.)
Also, I've managed to get a delayed train in Switzerland twice. Not by much, and no connection lost, but not on the dot sharp either, which surprised me.
I've not had this tilting train and I'll put this track on my wish list, as Geneva looks very pretty.
Yeahh, it's the secondary route from Zurich to Geneva
Je prends ce train assez souvent car j’habite à La Chaux-de-Fonds près de Neuchatel. Je le trouve très confortable et j’aime passer un bon moment au wagon restaurant pour prendre un macchiato ou parfois pour manger une assiette de fromages avec un verre de vin ou à d’autres moments un petit déjeuner café croissant 🥐 confiture ….
Au heures de pointe il y a beaucoup de monde dans le train et le surclassement 1 classe peut être utile. Il faut dire aussi qu’il y a un train chaque heure toute la journée dans chaque sens sur cette ligne et aussi des trains régionaux chaque 1/2 heure dans chaque sens et des trains de fret. À votre disposition pour plus d’informations
There weren't any power socket at the beggining of those train. They placed them afterward, and placed theme there probably to avoid having to tear up to much of the interior to do new wiring.
Personally I prefer the power sockets up there.
On other trains they also have power sockets in other positions (ex. in between the seats, under the seat or near/under the little table) but when the socket is placed in between the seats, the power cords goes in the way each time you move and you can easily annoy the other passenger sitting next to you, when it's placed under the seat or near the little table, it's easy to touch it with your leg if you move. It's not the first time that I risk to break my charger because I hit it with the legs.
The best position is where they have put it now, on the top. You can just put the cable along the seats and reach both seats without going in the way, you can walk around without ripping off the cable and you have no cables around you, on your legs or on your arms because the power socket is near to your butt. You have just to bring a USB cable a little bit longer than usual (I have a 2m one in my bag).
Ok for a phone charger, not for a laptop 🤣
@@NonstopEurotrip I also use my laptop on the train sometimes and I never had problems, but you should not bring a power cable 50cm long.
I don't like short power cables in all cases, otherwise I can have the same problem in hotels or other places where the outlet is not placed near.
I prefer a place where the cables don't get in the way
Thanks for the ride ... short but good !!! 🇺🇾
As a Swiss I would really be embarrassed if I would see somebody reviewing the train because I see this everyday😅
But it’s a cool video!
I live in Olten
Thanks Mael 🤗
Great video !!
I traveled from Olten to Lausanne with this train. Very comfortable, quiet, I really enjoyed it
I completely agree ! The ICNs are excellent in every way, and to me are far nicer to ride in than the ETR610s running between Zurich and Munchen !
Aren't they just, rattly things the 610s lol
yay! I was waiting it!
Great video! Sadly, what you said about level boarding in an ICN isn't exactly true : if you're in a wheelchair, you need to call a special number at least 1 hour (2 hours depending on the station) before the departure of the train. Someone trained to use the Mobilift (the yellow lift ramp) will then wait for you at the departure station and at the arrival or connecting station.
Regarding the vehicle, I'm currently training to be a train driver. The ICNs are really cool to drive. One of them is currently being refitted, I hope the prototype will be promising!
Thanks for the info!
City: clean.
Train station: clean
Train: clean.
No graffiti’s, seats are quite clean. We can see cleaners getting off the train.
No one is talking loudly.
Beautiful sceneries.
Trains right on time.
Everything is that perfect in Switzerland?
Pretty much 😂 Except the prices....
I prefer EW IV, IC2000 and Giruno, even FLIRT IR/Traverso.
The ICN has few but grave problems:
- An astonishing amount of people get sick each and every time the ride the ICN. No, they don‘t get used to it, they just don’t take the train anymore for 30 or so years. Luckily, I am not one of them, but I want public transport to work for most everyone.
- The awkward middle positioning of 1st class makes standing at the right spot on the platform difficult, especially when two of them are shunted together, which is the norm.
- Narrow doors, missing doors in 1st, placement of doors that makes for long walks until you reach your seat or the exit makes getting on/off tedious when you use this train daily. Add frequent stops to make for a constant feeling of nervousness in this train.
- This train is the worst train in the fleet for cyclists, parents and people with reduced mobility. Even EW IV is way better in multiple ways and has kept on being improved, the IC2000, similarly aged to the ICN, is the best of them all, even today.
The power sockets (and from the looks of it, also the reading lights) were added later, that makes for the awkward positioning. Same goes for IC2000.
You missed out on my favourite spot on this train: the awesome airline style seating with great tables at the end of 2nd class coaches!
Very objective, thank you! I do love the giruno and traverso flirt too 🇨🇭🤗
As a swiss person I agree with everthing you said! I never get sick on trains but this train on the stretch between biel and yverdon manages to accomplish this! Also as a cyclist, it's very annoying. During parts of the year you even need a reservation to take your bike which costs extra (you already need a ticket for the bike).
Theyre good trains for longer journeys and when theyre empty. I prefer the ETR610s interior when the train is full because it has a brighter interior and it kinda helps combat the lack of space. But if its not that busy I would rather ride this than the ETR610s.
The pendolinos rattle way too much for me!
Enjoyable video, thanks. We've just come back from a week's rail/boat/bus hopping in Switzerland (mainly in the Ticino) and found the Swiss Pass good value. We bought an 8-day pass for £330 each (2nd class), although we travelled 1st class on our outward and return journeys (the less said about them the better - loads of delays, cancellations, missed connections etc on our DB and SNCF trains.). Love the new Giruno international trains but have always found the Pendolinos in Switzerland (and elsewhere for that matter) a bit cramped and they make me feel a bit nauseous. The SOB/SBB Treni Gottardo FLIRT trains are also very good, but ours got suddenly cancelled one evening up in the mountains on the old Gotthard route at Lavorgo due to a problem on the line ahead and left us stranded there until a Postbus came along on a scheduled service 30 mins later and rescued us all. We also noticed that Swiss trains are not as punctual as they always used to be - quite a few late running services.
Excellent! Even when there are hiccups in Switzerland, it's usually an easy fix. I agree the SOB FLIRTs are excellent! I've got a video to come on them soon! 👌🏻😃
❤❤❤❤❤❤
The next time I’m in Zurich I’m going to stay at HOTEL SCHWEIZERHOF.
Alone on the quiet zone of the train
A bit late to the party Pedro 😊
@@NonstopEurotrip As Boris Johnson said "That's all, folks".
See you next week
@@pedrorubiotejero_aka_prt 😂😂😂
The power sockets are placed that way because they were retrofitted onto these train, originally they didn't have any power sockets. So this was the solution.
Great trip report
Excellent BRO 😘🤗😘
One thing to correct. Please Note, that if somebody Need help to board the train with the Ramp/lift. They have to call de SBB min. 1 Hour before departure, so they can organise help. The Train Crew will Not help if they have others to do or its not enough Time until departure Time. So its not only ask a Member of Staff.
Thank you 😊
Of course the trains are excellent. Not privatised, so they go for quality for travellers. Not for maximum return for investors.
Es ist ein ganz tolles Video
Saludos desde México,me gusta ver sus videos
12:11 Anyone noticed? Inside the toilet everything is written in four languages
(German, French, Italian, English)
Yep!!! 🤗
This is common in Switzerland when it comes to tourist infrastructure. In less important buildings and infrastructure you‘ll mostly find „only“ the three business languages (German, French, Italian) and sometimes even only the languages spoken in the Canton (which can vary between only Italian/French/German, French-German, Italian-German, Italian-French and German only). However you‘ll rarely find yourself in a difficult situation as most swiss people also speak english very well.
This train service is just fair but not that great. Compared to the rip off price, you don't get so much. As an expat living in Switzerland for 14 years, I feel it right to break this myth of absolute efficiency, especially because everything is overpaid. And the number of trains delayed or disrupted is becoming embarrassing. But the video is as great as all the others.
Compared to the rest of the world, except Japan, Switzerland is amazing for trains. But yes overpriced. But most will use a pass anyway.
Can you please rewive germany bwegt trains
Amazing 👏
Interesting that they sport a Alstom-Bombardier logo on each ends. Due to more recent refurbishment?
The first series was built by Adtranz which became Bombardier, so the second series was built by Bombardier in a joint venture with Alstom. The refurbishment was made by SBB in her own work in Yverdon-les-Bains.
@@rogerschuerch7768 Thanks for the detailed answer.
Why have seats facing each other without a stationary table in between?
Because this is Switzerland🙃. Have a look at a map: it's small, the longest run of a train is among one of these, Geneva to St. Gallen, taking roughly 4 hours. Ends up, that all of our trains are kinda "metro-ish" for good reasons, even the long distance ones. And usually you'd probably wouldn't expect a table im a metro at all😉
@@avgeekinfotainment7776 I thoroughly enjoyed Swiss narrow gauge tour in 2010. Actually some of our short distance commuter runs in anti-passenger rail USA - like SURNRAIL serving Orlando, Florida - have tables between all facing seats.
I find single seats facing each other awkward if you have a stranger opposite
@@s125ish Well, we don't care, we get used to from childhood🙈. Honestly: why awkward? It is much less awkward, than be squeezed in a subway car like a sardine in its can, with its inadvertent but also inevitable body contact. In fact, you just ask if the seat is vacant, sit down and immediately start ignoring your seatmate, like you would do on a flight, minding your own business for the rest of the trip. If you are a kind person, you may wish your seatmate a nice day upon disembarcation, but this is optional🙈 Nothing easier than that😇
@@avgeekinfotainment7776 well you are facing the person opposite. Imagine that in a restaurant mate
I have travelled on this route with these trains and I prefer them to the Twindexx
No contest 👍🏻
Hi, where can I put big luggages if I bring two of them? Thank you
In the luggage racks!
Really appreciate
I think various concessions/advertisements etc can attract more passengers/tourists, as it is felt that train service is not being fully utilized. Most of the seats look empty.
Yeah but I travelled at a quite time.
OK, nice video, but not many people in your train: must be very expensive !
Yes, true 😄
Where n how can we compare the prices of different passes. Any website that will help in this comparison ??
Check out Seat 61, but as a general rule the Swiss travel pass will be cheaper only in Switzerland, otherwise use an interail pass.
Been there done that.
Very helpful video! Is the dining car available to 1st class seats only? Or both 1st and 2nd class tickets?
Both! 😊
Why this train is empty is it like this always? can take ticket hour before departure? thanks for the reply.
Depends. Sometimes full. But always available
Negara zurich, Swiss, newzearland, munic.
Bom dia lindo trem gostei bom adorei
Great scenery and smooth ride.
The Queen is dead, long live the King
🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
I know the GWR had a King class, but I'm not sure who had a Queen class, now presumably scrapped. Otherwise, I'm not sure what this comment has to do with a railway review.
skip the toilet review?? who in their right mind would do that?
I know right?!
Although I, myself, also am interested in how clean the loo is on a train, some people seem not to care. So it was just a friendly reminder of Nonstop Europe to those who want to skip that part.
Queremos esses trens no Brasil mesmo com os supostos problemas de assentos, tomadas, paradas etc.
Maybe one day?
I think there is except the seats r no difference between first and second class. I booked a ticket first class from geneve to Zürich yesterday.
That's true! And a quieter environment
Hey Bro why can't you try Indian Maharajas Express, it would be a royal journey in India
I'd love to 🙂
I love caramel. How was the caramel dessertr?
Beautiful!
What was the 1st class compartment area and is that a different price than the seating area that you were in?
Just compartments, same price. Like Germany
I am from india want totravel switzerland. I am confused about how to travel to interlaken from zurich airport. I have two children with me we r four people family. Can u suggest me.
Check the online route planners
You missed the train „Giruno“! This is the swiss flakship
Already done a video on it 😉
I’ve never been sick on trains or at sea, but I might be if I had to pay that much for a dessert and coffee.
Ikr, the things I do for you guys 😆🇨🇭
Is this train a version of Pendolino or on a different platform?
If I’m not mistaken the tilting system is electric rather than hydraulic as on the Italian pendolinos. I think it’s quite closely related to the UK pendolinos though. But I might recall that all wrong.
No, it's not a Pendolino. It was jointly developed by the SBB, Bombardier and Alstom, you will find the information here :en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RABDe_500
Tey were planned and built by Adtranz (which became Bombardier) particular for SBB and aren't based on the Pendolino platform.
Great trip. Wait, is this train not stopped in Bern? Or Bern is on outside Geneva - Zurich line?
It’s not on this line. There are two „main lines“ between Geneva and Olten, connected by lesser lines at different points aling the way. This route is the Jurasüdfussline, which has more lakes, although Bern-Lausanne has the best view of the Léman.
This is the northern line...
@@NonstopEurotrip Ahh okay.
These lines are often described as western Swiss line (namely Geneva - Morges - Neuchâtel - Bienne - Solothurn - Olten - Zurich) going along the jurassian mountains southside, sometimes extending to Ostschweiz (St. Gallen). And the central swiss line which is dominated by the Bahn2000-section which is connected mostly from Vaude (Waadt), Ticino (Tessin), and routes via Bern - Olten - Zurich also extending to St. Gallen.
Why are they not emptying trash bins at the major stops? That's kind of unsanitary
Umm
seru
Quiet on first class as they are at the middle and does not contain motors but this is totally different story in 2nd class - not good re ride quality during rainy days
Fair enough 😀🇨🇭
👍👍👍👍
This is far from Switzerland's best Train in my opinion. The Best Trains in terms of Random Example Seats are in my Opinion the ETR 610 Papero, The Giruno, The IC2020 and the new EuroCity Coaches. The ICN Train is nice too, but not as nice as others.
The giruno is nice, I agree, and the ic2020 a bit cramped for me, but I dunno I just love the ICN 🇨🇭
@@NonstopEurotrip And what do you think about the papero Cisalpino?
@@ninnobroggi good yeah, but small legroom and a bit rattly. The SBB ones seem to be in much better condition that the Trenitala ones. And better food 😉
@@NonstopEurotrip I don't know why, but I love that Cisalpino.
@@ninnobroggi it'd be boring if we all loved the same things, eh? I also am a big fan of the traverso flirt 😚
Lewis Matthew Clark Charles Smith Brenda
The RABDe500 is still one of my favourite trains. They are comfy and the interior isn‘t so bright like in newer trains.
EDIT: 16:43 WHO THE F**K SPRAYED A GIRUNO?!
I know 😭😭😭
but its Geneve not Geneva.
The video is in English. It's Geneva.
You can see my house from here
Yay! 🙂
Is it just me or the train sounded very loud ?
Not really!
Camera sets and the microphones tend to amplify one the sound reaches lower levels (-24db) so that even the most silent rumble sounds like a thunderstorm but according to the trainsets in Switzerland in general: they‘re astonishingly quiet and you‘re at risk to doze off missing your destination if you‘re not gazing at the beautiful landscape 😉
Why can’t we have such trains in the US. 😢
Well.... Where do I start!?
Mata uang cina, dan mata uang swiss, gabung, uang eropa uero dan uang cina chf.
Is this the fastest and the only train between Geneva and Zurich? Or are there other trains?
There are many, and very frequent. The Twindexx express also runs this, albeit via a different route
@NonstopEurotrip thank you. I'll be visiting Switzerland, and your videos are a great help in my planning. Much appreciate it.