Switzerland By Train

View approximate train travel times between Switzerland's most popular cities using regional and high-speed trains:

Map with example route in Switzerland

Example route in Switzerland

Experience the best of Switzerland on a single trip with a Eurail Pass. You can follow the suggested route below using a: Eurail France-Switzerland Pass - choose 7 days in 2 months, starting from € 271
 

1. Geneva

Geneva is one of Europe's most cosmopolitan cities with a mix of French and Swiss influences.
 

2. Golden Pass scenic route

The Golden Pass train whisks you along the glistening waters of Lake Geneva and through picturesque mountain towns like Gstaad and Interlaken in the heart of Switzerland.

3. Interlaken

Interlaken is a mountain paradise – pay a visit to the underground waterfalls or try one of the many outdoor activities like hiking, white-water rafting or skiing.

4. Lucerne

Lucerne is surrounded by breathtaking mountain sights and filled with medieval treasures.

5. Zurich

Zurich is probably Switzerland's trendiest and most vibrant city and home to the hugely popular Street Parade.

6. Glacier Express scenic route

The Glacier Express weaves through beautiful valleys and shiny mountain lakes with stops along the way at luxurious spa towns - experience the best of Switzerland from just one train!

7. Brig

Brig is a wonderful holiday hideout - make sure to visit the beautiful Stockalper Palace and the open-air thermal baths.

Cityscape of Bern

Beauty and history in Bern

Switzerland’s capital is filled with centuries-old tradition, and modern-day flair. From the Gothic, 15th century cathedral Münster of Bern (Berner Münster), which took more than 460 years to complete, to the high street shopping and current fashion, Bern is a traveler’s best-kept secret. Be sure to visit Historic Old Town, with the Zytglogge clock tower. The old town, built in the 15th century, is now a UNESCO Heritage Site.

Lausanne Cathedral

Lausanne

Home to the International Olympic Committee since 1914, it’s easy to see why the Committee chose Lausanne, with its rolling, vineyard-covered hills and place on the edge of Lake Geneva. Don’t miss the old town and the Lausanne Cathedral – Switzerland’s finest example of Gothic architecture. There’s a wide selection of museums, including the Musée de L’Art Brut (art created by psychiatric patients & convicted criminals).

View on the Alps, Switzerland

Natural wonders in Interlaken

Nestled deep in the Alps, Interlaken may be known for its skiing, but there’s something to do all year round in this mountain paradise. Interlaken lies at the foot of three mountains – the Eiger, the Mönch and the Jungfrau – and between two lakes. Do not miss the Trümmelbachschlucht subterranean waterfalls (yes, underground). Ride a glass-ceilinged cable car into a 500-meter gorge and see the glacial waterfalls up close.

View from Salève

Real and retail paradise in Geneva

Geneva has something to offer every visitor. Boating, biking, hiking, and water recreation are just the top of the list. Geneva also offers phenomenal skiing and unforgettable shopping. The Rue de Reve and Rue de Rhone are very high-end shopping streets. The Salève is Geneva’s backyard mountain, and you can take a gondola ride to an observation point where all of Geneva is visible, surrounded by the Swiss Alps. Don’t miss it.

View on Zürich, Switzerland

Zurich’s energetic excellence

Switzerland’s largest city offers excellent food, endless shopping, and a busy downtown feel. The Bahnhofstrasse has the best shopping in town. Beautiful churches, like the Fraumünster (built in 852) and the Grossmünster (built in 1100) help tell the story of Zürich’s past. After an afternoon on the Lakeside Promenade, visit the Niederdorf – unique shops and busy craftsmen by day, excellent food and exciting clubs by night.

Lucerne Festival

Famous orchestras, legendary conductors, and virtuoso soloists join together three times a year on the idyllic location of Lake Lucerne to celebrate the joy of music. In the concert hall designed by Jean Nouvel, which is renowned for its phenomenal acoustics and its exquisite architecture alike, they encounter an audience that is no less international and sophisticated. Some 110,000 visitors annually make the trip to Lucerne to experience one of the most exquisite and storied music festivals and to hear the international stars of classical music right in the heart of Switzerland.

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Boat on Lake Geneva

Boat trips

With a Eurail pass valid in Switzerland, you'll get free and discounted boat travel on several Swiss lakes and rivers as an extra benefit.

Scenic routes

Eurail pass holders also pay reduced prices on the following scenic train routes:

• Bernina Express: Chur –  Lugano via Tirano (Italy)

• Golden Pass: Lucerne – Interlaken – Montreux

See all pass benefits for Switzerland

People on a regional train in Switzerland

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

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.

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 - Vienna

• EuroNight:
  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:

• Private railway companies that are included in your Eurail pass

• Private railway companies that offer a discount