Abstract: A method can be used to operate an elevator system that comprises multiple elevator shafts, an elevator car, and a shaft changing unit. The elevator car can change from a first elevator shaft into a second elevator shaft by way of the shaft changing unit. To convey a user of the elevator system from a starting position to a destination position, a route is determined from a plurality of route options whereby initial values are taken into account for the determination of the route. In this context, a specification relating to use of the shaft changing unit is taken into account as an initial value from the initial values for the determination of the route.