
Switzerland By Train
Switzerland is high on the wish list of many Eurail travelers. You can explore Switzerland by rail with a Eurail Pass and travel through the snow-capped Alps, alongside beautiful mountain lakes and across rolling green hills. Switzerland's stunning nature and charming cities make this a country you don't want to miss!
Train types in Switzerland
- Route map
- Domestic trains
- High-speed trains
- Night trains
- Scenic trains

There are a number of train types in Switzerland ready to transport you across the country, and to and from other European countries by day and night. Switzerland's national railway company is the SBB (Schweizerische BundesBahn). Use the Eurail train timetable or SBB timetable to check times for trains 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. Your Eurail pass is valid for the S-bahn.
Travel tip:
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 Eurail 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.
High-speed trains in Switzerland
International high-speed trains in Switzerland
These high-speed trains operate to and from Switzerland:
ICE connects Switzerland to Germany and the Netherlands.
RailJet connects Zurich with Vienna (Austria).
EuroCity connects Zurich, Basel and Geneva to Milan (Italy).
TGV connects Zurich, Basel and Geneva to Paris (France).
Domestic high-speed trains in Switzerland
Swiss domestic high-speed 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, Croatia, Hungary and Serbia.
ÖBB Nightjet:
Zurich – Basel - Berlin - Hamburg
Zurich – Linz - ViennaEuroNight:
Zurich – Graz (Austria)
Zurich – Vienna (Austria) – Budapest (Hungary)D-train:
Zurich – Villach (Austria) – Ljubljana (Slovenia) – Zagreb (Croatia) – Belgrade (Serbia)
Scenic train routes in Switzerland
Switzerland is famous for its beautiful scenic landscapes. The following scenic train routes offer special conditions for Eurail pass holders:
Bernina Express: Chur - Lugano via Tirano (Italy)
Chocolate train: Montreux - Broc-Chocolat
Centovalli Railway: Locarno (Switzerland) - Domodossola (Italy)
Golden Pass: Luzern - Interlaken - Montreux
Glacier Express: Davos/St. Moritz - Zermatt
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 Eurail pass while other companies offer discounted travel.
For more information on private railway companies:
Popular connections
- Domestic routes
- International routes
Click here to download a more detailed map of the Swiss train network (2 MB)
View approximate train travel times between Switzerland's most popular cities using regional and high-speed trains:
To / From |
High-speed train | Regional train |
---|---|---|
Basel - Bern |
57min |
1hr 40min |
Basel - Geneva |
2hr 43min |
5hr |
Basel - Interlaken |
2hr |
4hr |
Basel - Zurich |
50min |
1hr 50min |
Basel - Lucerne |
1hr |
1hr 40min |
Bern - Geneva |
1hr 40min |
2hr 30min |
Bern - Interlaken |
50min |
1hr 10min |
Geneva - Interlaken |
2hr 40min |
5hr 40min |
Geneva - Zurich |
2hr 44min |
5hr |
Zurich - Lugano |
2hr 43min |
- |
We suggest the following routes to travel between Switzerland and other European countries:
France – Switzerland
Travel to Paris on the TGV train from Zurich (4hr), Basel (3hr) or Geneva (3hr).Italy – Switzerland
Travel by EuroCity (EC) train directly to Milan from the Swiss cities of Bern (3hr), Geneva (4hr) and Zurich (3hr 30min).Austria – Switzerland
Take a RailJet train from Zurich to Vienna (7hr) or travel by night to Graz on EuroNight trains.Germany – Switzerland
Travel from Zurich to Berlin and Hamburg on the ÖBB Nightjet night train, or travel by day on ICE trains from Switzerland to German cities like Frankfurt.
Reservations
Reservations for SBB regional trains are not required. For InterCity and ICN trains reservations are not compulsory but we recommend you make a seat reservation during the busy summer period (May-September) and on public holidays. Reservations are required for night trains and international high-speed trains. Prices for night trains depend on the type of sleeping accommodation you choose.
How to make reservations for Swiss trains
You can make reservations for domestic and international high-speed trains and night trains:
Through our Reservation Service.
Online through the SBB website.
At a ticket desk or self-service machine at local train stations.
By phone through the SBB Contact Center.
Phone number: +41 848 44 66 88
Opening hours: 24/7
You will get a direct connection when calling this booking center. The Swiss SBB booking center can deliver your reservations to all European countries. Delivery costs are CHF8 (approx. €6.50). This call center may charge a booking fee. You can also pick up your reservations at main Swiss train stations. Just go to the ticket office with your order number.
Get your Pass for Switzerland
Global Pass
Be free to visit Switzerland along with the other 32 Eurail countries.
Standard prices from $ 191
Tips and tricks
Quick facts
Capital: Bern
Population: 8 million
Language: German, French, Italian
Currency: Swiss Franc (CHF)
Dialing code:+41
Swiss hub stations
Switzerland's main hub stations are Basel SBB, Bern, Geneva, Lausanne, Luzern and Zürich HB. From these train stations it's possible to connect to trains to most of Switzerland's main cities.
Station facilities
Stations in Switzerland usually have excellent facilities, often including:
Luggage lockers
Foreign exchange desks
Restaurants and cafés
Tourist information offices
ATM cash machines
Elevators and escalators
Shops
Access for disabled passengers
Spelling of city names
On Swiss train timetables and at train stations in Switzerland, you'll usually find the local spelling of Swiss cities and stations.
Here is the local spelling of some popular Swiss cities:
Geneva = Genève
Lucerne = Luzern
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