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Zurich (Zürich) Rail Travel - Train Tickets and Information

As well as up-to-date information on rail travel from both the UK and mainland Europe to Zurich, our rail page also offers detailed advice for North American travellers on purchasing Eurail passes. And, for domestic travel within Switzerland, we've put together some brief details on the country's rail network, also giving the various ticketing options on suburban and Intercity routes.

UK/European Travellers

More than 30 high-speed Intercity trains connect Switzerland to other European countries, making it an easy (and comfortable) way to see not only Zurich, but the surrounding canton and other large Swiss cities.

Punctual and highly efficient, Swiss Federal Railways (Schweizerische Bundesbahnen) look after more than 3000km of track, along with other rail infrastructure including major stations at Bern, Basel, Lausanne, Geneva, Winterthur and Lucerne (which will shortly fall under the «RailCity» quality marque, marking them out as being some of Europe's most customer-friendly and popular transport interchanges).

Comfortable single and double-decker coaches run on long-haul Intercity routes, while rapid transport S-Bahn services in Zurich are more functional double-decker carriages.

As far as ticketing options are concerned, travellers under 26 can make use of an Inter-Rail pass which offers unlimited travel on most European railways including the Swiss rail network. For the purposes of the pass, Europe is divided into eight zones, with prices varying according to how many countries you visit en-route (Switzerland is zone C). An 'all zone' fare which is valid for one month costs €385, while a 2-zone pass (which is the basic option to get you through Belgium, France, Germany) costs €275. The pass is only valid though continental Europe and does not include rail travel in the UK, ferry crossings or Eurostar services. For those over 26, prices for the above tickets are €546 and €396 respectively. See the table below for more 2006 fares:

		Adults under 26		Adults over 26
	Vaild for	Euros	GBP	Euros	GBP
1 Zone	16 Days	195	£145	286	£215
2 Zones	22 Days	275	£205	396	£295
All Zones	1 Month	385	£285	546	£405

To book visit: interrailnet.com or www.interrail.com. More general information on rail services around Europe can be found at: www.railfaneurope.net, while further details on domestic travel in Switzerland is given below.

American and Canadian Travellers

Although Inter-Rail passes aren't available to citizens outside of Europe, US and Canadian visitors to Switzerland can travel throughout Europe using a Eurail pass. The pass, which allows travel in 17 Western European countries including France, Belgium, Germany, Austria and Switzerland comes in various forms:

For travellers over 26, the basic Eurail Pass (1st Class) covers travel for 15 days and costs $605. This rises to $785 for 21 days, $975 for a month, $1378 for two months, or $1703 for three months. Children aged between 4 and 11 travel for half the adult fare, while those under 4 travel free.

Those under 26 should buy the Eurail Youth Pass (2nd Class). A 15 day pass costs $414, 21 days $534, 1 month $664, 2 months $938 and 3 months $1160. Alternatively, with the Eurail Youth Flexipass (2nd Class) you only pay for the number of days the pass is actually used. 10 days in 2 months costs $488 and 15 days in 2 months $642.

As there are several other passes available, visiting Eurail's own website www.eurail.com is a hassle free way to work out exactly what you need.

If you're arriving in Great Britain first, the fastest way across to mainland Europe is by Eurostar (www.eurostar.com). Crossing under the Channel, the service between London and Paris takes just three hours. Eurail Pass holders get specially discounted one way fares when travelling on Eurostar.

As well as Eurail and Euro Passes, Rail Europe (website: www.raileurope.com) also offer number of Swiss rail passes. For further details refer to our domestic travel section below.

Domestic Rail Travel Within Switzerland

Suburban Trains - Swiss Federal Railways (Schweizerische Bundesbahnen) are also responsible for S-Bahn rapid transport services within Zurich. Morever, as travel within the city (and the wider canton of Zurich) is part of an integrated public transport system - the Zürcher Verkehrsverbund (ZVV) gives travellers the option of combining different modes of transport i.e. train, bus, tram to reach their required destination. For ticketing options within the Canton of Zurich see "Public Transport".

Travel to other parts of Switzerland is (mostly) harmonised with bus and boat services, allowing for easy connections and cross-ticketing (i.e. tickets and rail passes are valid on mountain railways, boat services and bus lines elsewhere in Switzerland).

Aside from SBB's own ticket options (see below), Rail Europe offer a France 'n Switzerland Pass that provides unlimited travel on the French and Swiss rail networks - including some private railroads - with the option of a Glacier Express 'Add-on' (a panoramic trip from St. Moritz or Davos to Zermatt through the "Grand Canyon of Switzerland" and the heart of the alps). In addition, the company also offers a France 'n Switzerland Saver Pass and France 'n Switzerland Youth Pass, plus equivalent ticketing options for Switzerland and Austria.

Overseas visitors can also choose from SBB's own Swiss Travel System offers for an affordable and convenient way to see other regions of Switzerland. They include:

Swiss Pass - allows unlimited travel across Switzerland for 4, 8, 15, 22 days or 1 month. The Swiss Pass is also valid on scenic routes, together with public transport i.e. bus, tram in 37 Swiss cities. Swiss Pass holders also receive discounts on mountain top excursions and other services.

Swiss Flexi Pass - great for non-consecutive travel within Switzerland, the Flexi Pass is valid for the amount of days purchased within one month (3, 4, 5, 6 or 8 days). On the days you choose to activate your Swiss Flexi Pass, you'll enjoy the same advantages as a Swiss Pass holder.

Swiss Card - ideal for travellers who plan to stay in one region of Switzerland, the card allows for transfers from the border or airport to one's final destination (and back), whilst offering a 50% discount on all trips effected by train, boat, postal bus and most mountain trains/cable-cars between the 1st and 2nd transfer day. The Swiss Card has a maximum validity of 1 month. The first and last transfers must be completed by the end of the day. Each transfer has to be as direct as possible.

Note: Most large stations (Hauptbahnhof) have information centres where staff speak fluent English. Arguably it's the best way to organize a trip, especially if you're travelling to several towns/cities within Switzerland. To plan your journey online visit: fahrplan.sbb.ch (English Version) or fahrplan.sbb.ch/bin/query.exe/dn (German Version), while a list of sales points can be found at: http://mct.sbb.ch/mct/en/reisemarkt/services (for certain types of fare online ticketing may also be available).

Panoramic and Alpine Express Services

GoldenPass Line - Aside from suburban and Intercity rail services, another popular choice for visitors to Switzerland is the panoramic GoldenPass Line which runs from Luzern through Interlaken to Montreux. Comprising of three different services (namely Luzern - Interlaken East, Interlaken East - Zweisimmen and Zweisimmen - Montreux) each offers panoramic views from its carriages, while some trains also feature feature pivoting seats and glass roofs.

On the Zweisimmen - Montreux service, the company also offer "VIP seating" at the front of the train giving a driver's eye view. These ultra-modern trains are able to give the traveller the unique sensation of being totally at one with the grandeur of the unfolding landscape. Seat reservations are recommended for individual travellers, while for groups it's mandatory. For further details visit: www.goldenpass.ch.

Rhätische Bahn "The Little Red One" - Comprising of several scenic and historic services, the newest (and arguably most breathtaking) is the Bernina Express which runs from Chur along the Albula Valley to Pontesrina. After leaving the Engadine it climbs upwards, passed mighty glaciers over the Bernina Pass and down to southerly Valposchiavo before negotiating the spiralling viaduct at Brusio and on to Tirano, Italy. And, in summer you can even continue the trip (by bus) to Lake Como and Lugano. Comprising, of 1st and 2nd class panorama cars, customers should ensure they have valid entry documents for Italy before boarding the train.

Also starting (or passing through) Chur is the Glacier Express - which, over its 7.5 hour duration, takes in Zermatt and St. Moritz, while the Heidi Express is a scenic trip through colourful, flower-dotted meadows, high mountains with jutting rocks (from Klosters to Tirano). For details on these and other services visit: www.rhb.ch and www.glacierexpress.ch.

William Tell Express - Following a route from German speaking Central Switzerland to the Italian speaking part, the trip first consists of ride aboard a historic paddle steamer on Lake Luzern, before switching to a panoramic train in Flüelen (with the train then continuing to Lugano or Locarno). A mandatory supplement (CHF 47.-) to a 1st class ticket is necessary for seat reservations on both the paddle boat and train, while an explanatory booklet, three-course lunch and souvenir are also included. For further information visit: www.lakelucerne.ch.

Swiss Chocolate Train - Yep, the best of Switzerland all wrapped up in one glorious route from Montreux through Gruyères to Broc! Riding 1st class aboard a 1915 "Belle Epoque" Pullman car (and/or a modern panorama car) you'll be able to enjoy the stunning views of Montreux's vineyards, before heading into cheese country with a visit to Castle Gruyères and a cheese factory. Eventually reaching Broc (where the Nestlé factory is situated) the Swiss Chocolate Train runs every Wednesday from June to October and every Monday in July and August (coffee and croissants included). For further information visit: www.mob.ch.

Other scenic/mountain express trips worth considering are the: Mont Blanc Express, St. Bernard Express, Pre-Alpine Express, Lötschberg and Centovalli Train (www.bls.ch and www.centovalli.ch), Railways of the Junfrau Region and the Brienz Rothorn Bahn.

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