The Swiss Federal Railways will launch its new timetable on Sunday, with more connections abroad but also some hidden costs for travellers.

Paris will be only four hours from Zurich, 30 minutes less than now with the new TGV line. Basel will also be connected with the French capital six times a day in both directions.

It will be possible to travel five times a day between Interlaken and the German cities of Frankfurt, Cologne and Hamburg. Connections with Austria also get an upgrade, with five trips to Vienna to choose from every day, plus two night trains.

Travellers will have to consider carefully how they purchase their tickets before heading abroad. Reservations at the station or by phone will include a SFr10 ($10.80) fee, double the previous SFr5. Online reservations are possible, but only for Germany, France and Austria.

Buying a ticket on the train in Switzerland will also cost passengers: SFr90 francs plus the price of the ticket, unless you can prove you forgot your general travel card or your half-fare card.

Ticket inspectors have also been given the option of making travellers pay for bags on seats to help deal with overcrowding on some lines. According to the railways, this will be used only if a passenger refuses to move their luggage.

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