English Corner

Swiss trains don't always arrive on time. The risk of delays increases, especially at border stations. Image: Stutz AG

These 10 train stations have the most delays

Trains in Switzerland continue to achieve very high punctuality rates compared to other countries. Nevertheless, there are some stations with an increased risk of delays. A new analysis shows where travelers are most likely to need patience.

We've all been there: You're standing on the platform, your coffee's steaming, your eyes are fixed expectantly on the departure board – and then that word that makes your heart race: «Delay.» Luckily, this rarely happens in Switzerland. But the Swiss rail network isn't entirely free of late trains, as a new analysis by the tech startup Chuuchuu shows.

The service platform analyzed railway data from seven European countries, evaluating the period from December 1, 2024, to November 30, 2025. Unlike many studies, this analysis focuses not only on routes but also on stations: Where is the risk of a train arriving late particularly high?

Border stations with lower punctuality

The overall assessment is flattering for Switzerland – with a few exceptions. It's striking that several of the less punctual train stations are located directly on the border. St. Margrethen comes in last: over 40 percent of trains there arrive late, on average around seven minutes. Schaffhausen follows in second place with almost 25 percent of trains arriving late, and Buchs SG is next with around 15 percent.

International comparisons put these figures into perspective. While in Switzerland, unpunctuality rates of over ten percent are already noticeable, neighboring countries are struggling with entirely different dimensions.

In Germany, for example, Paderborn, located between Dortmund and Hanover, tops the negative ranking: Almost 80 percent of trains arrive at the station late, with an average delay of around 15 minutes. In Austria, Thörl-Maglern in Carinthia has the worst record, with over 40 percent of trains delayed.

Remarkably, while in Switzerland all train stations ranked sixth and above achieve a punctuality rate of over 90 percent, comparable stations in Austria only reach around 70 percent. The Swiss leader is Delémont: with 99.8 percent of trains arriving on time, this Jura Arc station is the top performer.

These ten Swiss train stations have the highest risk of delays:

  1. St. Margrethen, 59,8 percent punctuality.
  2. Schaffhausen, 76,3 percent punctuality.
  3. Buchs SG, 84,6 percent punctuality.
  4. Vallorbe, 89,1 percent punctuality.
  5. Basel SBB, 89,6 percent punctuality.
  6. St. Gallen, 92 percent punctuality.
  7. Zürich HB, 94 percent punctuality.
  8. Winterthur, 94,1 percent punctuality.
  9. Liestal, 94,6 percent punctuality.
  10. Zürich-Flughafen, 94,8 percent punctuality.

(RSU)