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Trains in Switzerland

 

Climb on board Swiss trains and travel through the snow-capped Alps, alongside beautiful mountain lakes and across rolling green hills. Visit Switzerland's most famous cities, Bern, Basel, Geneva and Zurich, by rail and enjoy the breathtaking scenery from the train window along the way.

 

Train types in Switzerland

You can enjoy a large choice of Swiss trains, each type ready to transport you across the country as well as to and from other European countries. Switzerland's national railway company is the SBB (Schweizerische BundesBahn). Use the Interrail train timetable or SBB timetable to check times for trains in Switzerland.

 

Click here to download a more detailed map of the Swiss train network with all trains included (2 MB).

Map with main train connections in Switzerland
Map with main train connections in Switzerland

Regional trains in Switzerland

The main rail network in Switzerland is made up of the following regional and intercity trains:

  • RegioExpress trains link regional destinations with larger Swiss cities.

  • Regio trains connect local towns. 

  • InterCity trains link major Swiss cities like Basel and Geneva.

  • InterRegio trains connect Zurich and Geneva with cities across the whole of Switzerland. These trains make more stops than InterCity trains.

  • S-Bahn (suburban trains) is a network of trains that operate within most big cities.
    • Zurich: Your Interrail Pass is valid for the S-bahn of Zurich except lines S4, S10 and S18.
    • See our Timetable for more details about availability.

International trains in Switzerland

These international trains operate to and from Switzerland:

  • ICE connects Switzerland with cities in Germany and the Netherlands.
    • Basel – Frankfurt – Cologne – Hamburg
    • Basel – Stuttgart – Munich
    • Interlaken - Basel – Frankfurt – Berlin
    • Zürich - Basel – Frankfurt – Hannover – Hamburg - Kiel
  • Railjet (RJX) connects Zurich with cities in Austria, Slovakia and Hungary. 
    • Zürich – Salzburg – Vienna – Bratislava/Budapest
  • EuroCity (EC) connects Zurich, Basel and Geneva to cities in Italy, Austria, Czechia and Germany. 
    • Zürich – Innsbruck – Graz 
    • Interlaken/Zürich – Basel – Cologne – Hamburg 
    • Zürich – Milan – Genova/Bologna/Verona/Venice/Florence
    • Geneva – Lausanne – Milan 
    • Basel – Bern/Luzern – Milan 
    • Zürich – Frankfurt – Dresden – Prague (Overnight)
  • InterCity (IC) connects Zurich to cities in Germany and the Netherlands. 
    • Zürich – Stuttgart 
    • Zürich – Frankfurt – Hamburg (overnight) 
    • Zürich – Frankfurt – Amsterdam (overnight) 
    • Zürich – Frankfurt – Berlin (overnight)
  • EuroCityExpress (ECE) connects Zurich to cities in Germany and Italy. 
    • Frankfurt – Basel – Milan 
    • Zürich – Munich
  • TGV connects Zurich, Basel, Geneva and Lausanne to Paris (France). 
    • Zürich – Basel – Paris 
    • Lausanne – Geneva – Paris 
    • Lausanne – Dijon – Paris 
    • Geneva – Lyon – Marseille (Only 01 July till 27 August)

Domestic high-speed trains in Switzerland

Domestic high-speed Swiss trains are called InterCity Neigezug (ICN). ICN trains transport passengers quickly and in comfort from one side of the country to the other.

 

Night trains in and between Switzerland

International night trains

The following night trains connect Switzerland with Austria, Germany, Hungary, Croatia, Czechia, Slovenia and the Netherlands:

  • ÖBB Nightjet:
    Zurich – Basel – Hamburg

    Zurich – Basel – Cologne – Amsterdam

    Zurich – Basel – Berlin

    Zurich – Linz – Vienna

  • EuroNight:
    Zurich – Graz

    Zurich – Vienna – Budapest

    Zurich – Basel – Dresden – Prague

    Zurich – Villach – Ljubljana – Zagreb

Scenic train routes in Switzerland

Switzerland is famous for its beautiful scenic landscapes. The following scenic train routes offer special conditions for Interrail Pass Holders:

 

Click here to download a more detailed map of the Swiss train network with all trains included (2 MB).

 

 

 

 

Private railway companies in Switzerland

The Swiss railway network is operated not only by the SBB, there are a lot of private railway companies as well. Some of these companies are included in your Interrail Pass while other companies offer discounted travel. 

 

Click here to download a more detailed map of the Swiss train network with all trains included (2 MB).

There's an international regional train connection between Chiasso and Milan (Italy). This connection is a great option if you want to avoid reservation fees. On the Interrail timetable RegioExpress trains are listed as "RE", and Regio trains as "R". InterCity trains are listed as "IC", and InterRegio trains as "IR". Regional and Intercity trains do not require seat reservations. Reservations are however recommended for Intercity trains during high season (May-September) and public holidays.

 

Popular connections

Route Travel time
Basel to Bern 55m
Basel to Interlaken 2h
Basel to Lucerne 1h
Basel to Zurich 55m
Bern to Geneva 1h 45m
Bern to Interlaken 55m
Bern to Zurich 55m
Geneva to Zurich 2h 45m
Zurich to Lugano 1h 55m
Bern to Brig 1h 05m
Route Which train? Travel time Reservations
Zurich to Graz / Villach (Austria) EuroNight 10h 55m (overnight) /
10h 05m (overnight)		 Required
Zurich to Hamburg (Germany) ICE / ÖBB Nightjet 7h 35m / 11h 35m (overnight) Optional / Required
Zurich to Vienna (Austria) Railjet / EuroNight 7h 50m / 8h 55m (overnight) Optional / Required
Zurich / Basel / Geneva to Paris (France) TGV Lyria 4h / 3h / 3h Required
Zurich / Bern / Geneva to Milan (Italy) EuroCity 4h / 3h / 4h Required
Zürich to Amsterdam (the Netherlands) ÖBB Nightjet 12h
(overnight)		 Required
Zürich to Prague (Czechia) EuroNight 13h (overnight) Required
Zürich to Munich (Germany) EuroCity 3h 30m Optional
Zürich to Cologne ICE / EuroCity 5h / 6h Optional

 

Reservations

How to make reservations for Swiss trains:

 

 

Get your Pass for Switzerland

Interrail Switzerland Pass

 

  • Spend your time discovering all of Switzerland's beauty.

  • Benefits include discounted rates on special scenic train routes.

  • Youth, senior and family discounts available.

  • Prices from € 144

 

View Switzerland Passes →

Interrail Global Pass

 

  • Offers you rail travel in Switzerland and 32 more European countries.

  • Youth, senior and family discounts available.

  • Prices from € 212

 

View Global Passes →

 

Tips and tricks for Switzerland

Swiss main train stations

Switzerland has several hub stations:

  • Basel SBB

  • Bern

  • Geneva

  • Lausanne

  • Luzern

  • Zürich HB

 

These stations have excellent facilities:

  • Lockers

  • Cash machines and a foreign exchange desk

  • Restaurants, cafés and shops

  • Tourist information

  • Elevators, escalators and access for disabled passengers

Spelling of city names

There might be some minor differences between the local spelling of city names and what you're used to.

  • Genève = Geneva
  • Luzern = Lucerne

Pass Benefits for Switzerland

Boat trips

Interrail Pass Holders experience boat cruises on Swiss lakes and rivers for free or at a discount.

 

Scenic routes

The following special scenic train routes are also discounted for Interrailers:

 

See all Pass benefits in Switzerland

 

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