Overview
The S13 is not a train that shouts about itself, and that is rather the point. It slips out of Wädenswil on the shores of Lake Zurich and climbs steadily inland towards Einsiedeln, trading lake glitter for hills, pasture and the quiet approach to one of Switzerland's great pilgrimage towns.
Run by SOB, this is a proper working commuter and regional line rather than a tourist showpiece, which is exactly why it appeals to travellers who like their scenery unfiltered. You get the shift from lakeside to upland Switzerland in one unbroken ride, without needing to plan a special excursion around it.
It is a short journey by distance but a satisfying one by feel, the sort of line you could ride purely for the changing view even if you had no business in Einsiedeln at all.
Key facts
| From | Wädenswil |
|---|---|
| To | Einsiedeln |
| Operator | SOB |
The route: lake to hills
The S13 begins at Wädenswil, a town on Lake Zurich's southern shore that also serves as a junction for main-line trains, so it is an easy place to start a journey whether you have come along the lake or down from Zurich itself.
From there the line turns away from the water and heads up into the hillier country of the region, gaining height as it goes. The character of the landscape changes noticeably over the course of the trip: the open lake views give way to a more folded, pastoral terrain, and by the time the train reaches Einsiedeln you are firmly in upland Switzerland, with the lake feeling like a different world already left behind.
It is a compact journey rather than a long haul, but the contrast between its two ends is the whole appeal. Few lines pack such a clear shift in scenery into so short a ride.
Timetable and how to book
As a regional S-Bahn service within the ZVV network, the S13 runs to a repeating pattern rather than a handful of special departures, but exact frequencies and timings shift with the season and with wider timetable changes. Do not rely on any timings printed elsewhere — always check current departures directly with SOB before travelling.
Booking in the conventional sense is generally unnecessary for a service like this: it operates as part of the regional network, so tickets and passes covering the ZVV area or wider Swiss travel schemes are the normal way to travel. If you are combining this with other journeys, it is worth checking with SOB or a Swiss rail information point on the most sensible ticket for your whole trip, particularly around holiday periods when demand and schedules can vary.
Fares and classes
Swiss regional trains of this kind typically offer two classes, and the S13 fits that pattern in general terms. The difference is one of comfort and space rather than any dramatic change in what you see out of the window — both classes travel the same route and pass the same scenery.
First class, where offered, generally means a quieter carriage with more generous seating and a bit more room to spread out, which can be welcome if you are travelling with luggage or simply want a calmer ride. Second class is the standard, practical option used by most commuters and day-trippers, and is perfectly adequate for enjoying the journey.
No specific fares can be quoted here, and prices are also liable to change, so treat any figure you see elsewhere with caution. Check current fares and any applicable passes or regional tickets directly with SOB before you travel.
Which side to sit for the views
Because the S13 begins by the lake and finishes among hills, the most rewarding views tend to come in the opening stretch out of Wädenswil, where the water is still in sight, and again as the train climbs into higher, more open country towards Einsiedeln.
There is no need to be too precious about exact seating — this is a short regional journey rather than a scenic showcase with a strict view side — but choosing a window seat and simply watching the transition from lake to upland scenery unfold is the best way to appreciate what makes the line worthwhile. If the carriage allows you to switch sides partway, do so, since the character of the landscape changes enough over the trip that both sides offer something at different points.
Onboard experience
Expect the practical comfort typical of a Swiss regional train: clean, functional carriages with windows generous enough to make the most of the changing scenery, and a ride that is smooth and unhurried rather than geared towards spectacle.
This is not a service built around catering or special onboard facilities, and none should be assumed beyond what you would expect of a standard regional train. What it offers instead is an easy, low-stress way to watch the landscape shift from lakeside town to hill country, ideal for reading, watching the world go by, or simply resting between connections.
Best season to travel
The S13's character changes with the seasons in ways that suit different travellers. In summer the lake at Wädenswil is at its brightest and the hills beyond are green and full, making for a lush, layered journey. Autumn brings colour to the higher ground the train climbs into, a season well suited to unhurried regional lines like this one.
Winter has its own appeal, with the upland scenery around Einsiedeln taking on a starker, quieter mood that suits the town's pilgrimage character. Spring sits between the two, with the landscape freshening up as the train climbs from the lake into the hills. There is no single correct time to ride the S13 — it simply offers a different mood depending on when you go, and the choice is really about what kind of scenery you would rather see.
Alternatives and onward connections
Einsiedeln is a natural terminus for this kind of journey, being a significant pilgrimage destination in its own right, and many travellers will simply arrive, explore, and return the way they came. From Einsiedeln, onward travel generally means connecting into the wider Swiss rail network, so it is worth checking with SOB or a general Swiss rail planner for the best onward routing depending on where you are headed next.
Wädenswil, at the other end, is a well-connected point on the Lake Zurich shoreline, making it a straightforward place to join or leave the S13 if you are travelling on from Zurich or elsewhere along the lake. Those wanting a longer day out sometimes treat the S13 as one leg of a loop, combining it with other regional services in the area, though any such itinerary should be checked and built around current timetables rather than assumed in advance.
A little history and context
The S13 operates under SOB, one of the private Swiss railways with a long-standing role in linking lakeside towns to inland and upland communities, and lines like this one grew out of the broader development of regional rail networks that gradually connected Switzerland's smaller towns to its main lines.
Einsiedeln's status as a pilgrimage town gave routes towards it a particular significance over time, as travellers sought practical ways to reach it beyond road transport. The S13, as a modern regional S-Bahn service, is really the current chapter in that longer story of connecting the lake to the hills, now running as part of an integrated, everyday network rather than as a special or occasional line.
Common questions
- Do I need to book the S13 in advance?
- Generally no — it operates as a regional S-Bahn service, so normal ZVV or Swiss rail tickets and passes apply rather than reserved bookings. Confirm the best ticket option with SOB before travelling.
- How long does the journey take?
- No specific timing is quoted here, as journey times can vary with the timetable in force. Check current schedules directly with SOB.
- Which side of the train has the best views?
- There is no strict rule, since the scenery shifts from lake views near Wädenswil to hill and upland views towards Einsiedeln. A window seat on either side will give you a good sense of the journey, and swapping sides partway is worthwhile if possible.
- Is there a buffet or catering onboard?
- No specific onboard catering facilities are confirmed for this service, so travellers should not assume any and should plan accordingly, perhaps bringing refreshments for the journey.
- What is there to do at Einsiedeln once I arrive?
- Einsiedeln is best known as a significant pilgrimage town, making it a worthwhile destination in its own right at the end of the line. For onward travel from there, check connections with SOB or a Swiss rail planner.
On the map
Sources & method
- OpenStreetMap route=train (ODbL) — route
See our methodology for how Head Your Way sources and reviews travel data.