5 Rail travel ideas from Switzerland

Are you planning your next vacation abroad? Travelling by train will allow you to take your time, see beautiful scenery and have a reduced carbon footprint. From Switzerland, the rail network is very attractive, and you can reach many destinations by train in just a few hours. Embark on a memorable rail journey from Switzerland to these five foreign cities!

In this article you'll find:

• Practical information for travelling by train from Switzerland to Paris, Milan, Vienna, Barcelona and Munich
• Planning ideas for a weekend visit to these European cities
• Information on night trains from Switzerland
• Some tips for travelling by train with peace of mind

Train from Switzerland to Paris

In just a few hours, you'll find yourself immersed in the French capital, cradle of art, gastronomy and history. Stroll along the Seine, visit the Louvre, and enjoy croissants in an iconic Parisian café. Trains are frequent and flexible.

Where to take the train to Paris?

• Genève Cornavin: a Lyria TGV will take you to Paris Gare de Lyon in around 3 hours.
• Lausanne: a Lyria TGV will take you to Paris Gare de Lyon in around 3 hours.
• Basel SBB: a Lyria TGV will also take you to Paris Gare de Lyon in around 3 hours.

From these three stations, there are several departures a day, with up to 4 direct trains from Lausanne and 6 direct trains from Basel.

• Zurich HB (with connection)
• Neuchâtel (with connection)
   

Reservations are compulsory on TGV Lyria trains, and tickets can be purchased on the SBB website or directly from TGV Lyria.

Ideas for a weekend in Paris

For culture lovers

Set down your bags in Paris on Friday evening, taking the train in the late afternoon.

On Saturday, visit the Louvre Museum, dine at Café Marly overlooking the Pyramid, then head for the Musée d'Orsay. In the evening, after a meal in a good brasserie, take in a show at the Opéra Garnier or one of the city's many theaters.

On Sundays, visit the Centre Pompidou, brunch in the Marais and finish off with a visit to the Musée Rodin or the Fondation Louis Vuitton before catching your train back to Switzerland.

For architecture enthusiasts or those who just want to stroll around

On Saturdays, head for the Eiffel Tower and Trocadero before dining at the Café de l'Homme. Continue on to the Arc de Triomphe and a stroll along the Champs-Elysées. Watch the sun set from the Tour Montparnasse.

On Sundays, admire the Sacré-Coeur Basilica, stretch your legs on the Montmartre staircase, then dine at Place du Tertre before visiting the beautiful Notre-Dame Cathedral.

For neighborhood explorers and good walkers

On Saturday morning, head for the Marais district, then dine at the Marché des Enfants Rouges before heading to the Latin Quarter and Jardin du Luxembourg. In the evening, enjoy an aperitif in Saint-Germain-des-Près
On Sunday, head up to Montmartre and dine at the Relais de la Butte before enjoying the ambience of the Canal Saint-Martin.

Train from Switzerland to Milan

Where to take the train to Milan?

Direct trains to Milan depart from several major Swiss cities:

• Geneva: take Eurocity for a journey of around 4 hours
• Lausanne: Eurocity for around 3 hours 50 minutes
• Berne: Eurocity for 3 hours 30 minutes
• Zurich: also 3 hours 30 minutes with Eurocity
• Basel: 4-hour journey with Eurocity

There are daily connections from these main Swiss cities, although timetables may vary according to the season or possible line works (such as the closure of the Domodossola line in summer 2025).

Note: book your tickets online on the SBB website for peace of mind, and take advantage of WIFI on Eurocity trains.
 

Ideas for a weekend in Milan

Cultural weekend in Milan

On Saturday morning, visit the Duomo and climb the rooftops before lunch in the Brera district. Spend the afternoon at the Pinacoteca di Brera, then enjoy an aperitif on the Navigli before taking in a show at La Scala.

On Sundays, start the day with a visit to the church of Santa Maria dell Grazie (don't forget to book in advance to see Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper). Eat near Cadorna before visiting the Leonardo da Vinci Science Museum or Museo del Novecento.

Architecture and buildings weekend

On the first day, visit the Duomo and Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II before dining in Piazza della Scala. Stroll through Parco Sempione and Castello Sforzesco in the afternoon before admiring the panoramic view from Torre Branca.

The next day, look up in the Citylife district with its modern skyscrapers, brunch in the Porta Nuova district before finishing your stay with a stroll in the Isola district.

If you're a fashionista, Milan is ideal

In the morning, take a stroll through the Quadrilatero della Moda before enjoying a chic dinner in the Brera. Spend the afternoon in concept stores and cool off in a designer bar in Porta Venezia.

The next day, enjoy a small vintage or thrift market in Navigli and Porta Ticinese, before dining in an arty café, followed by a visit to the Armani/Silos Museum or shopping at La Rinascente.

Train from Switzerland to Vienna

Board the IntercityExpress (ICE) train to Vienna. This elegant, imperial city will charm you with its majestic palaces, historic cafés and artistic atmosphere. Don't forget to attend a classical music concert at the opera or even in a church, visit Schönbrunn Palace, and enjoy an apfelstrudel in a traditional kaffeehaus.

Where to take the train to Vienna?

The main Swiss cities with connections to Vienna are as follows:

Zurich HB: direct train with Railjet, daily service. Journey time approx. 7.30 hrs.Basel SBB: one connection, journey time to Vienna between 8.30 and 10 hrs.Geneva: one or two connections, journey time approx. 17 hrs.Lausanne: one connection.

Please note: You can book your train tickets in advance on the SBB website.

Ideas for a weekend in Vienna

On the morning of the first day, explore the Hofburg Palace, former imperial residence of the Habsburgs, and St. Stephen's Cathedral, Vienna's Gothic landmark. At lunchtime, dine in a Beisl or Café Central before visiting the Vienna Opera House and strolling along the Ring to admire the neoclassical buildings. Dine in the charming and lively Spittelberg district. Don't hesitate to book a show for the evening (there are many little kiosks offering them in the city).

The next day, start with a visit to the Belvedere Palace and a stroll through its gardens, before dining in the Landstrasse district or at Naschmarkt. Spend the afternoon at the Leopold Museum or the Museum of Art History, before taking a break with a Sachertorte. In the evening, if you have time, head for the Prater.

Train from Switzerland to Barcelona

From Geneva, take a high-speed train to Barcelona. It will take you 7 hours to reach this sunny city, which combines urban excitement with Mediterranean relaxation. Stroll along Las Ramblas, visit the Sagrada Familia and stroll along the beaches. A change of scenery guaranteed, even in winter!

Where to take the train to Barcelona?

• The easiest way is from Geneva, with a journey time of around 9 to 10 hours. This is the main station with connections to Barcelona. 
• You can also take the train from Lausanne, Berne, Zurich or Basel, with connections in Geneva, Lyon or Valencia. Allow 11h to 14h for the journey.

You'll arrive at Barcelona Sants station with TGV Lyria, TGV Inoui, TER and sometimes AVE.

Please note: book your train tickets on SNCF Connect, the Lyria website or the SBB website. You may want to consider an overnight trip with a stopover to optimize your time on site.

Ideas for a weekend in Barcelona

To see the essential of Barcelona in a few days, here's an idea for your schedule:

In the morning, visit the Sagrada Familia (book your time slot online in advance), stroll along Passeig de Gràcia and admire Casa Batlló and Casa Milà. Eat at a local restaurant before heading to the Gothic Quarter, down La Rambla and stopping for a snack at La Boqueria. In the evening, dine in El Born.

The next morning, a visit to Parc Güell and the charming Gràcia district is a must. See the sea in Barceloneta and visit the Picasso Museum or the Museum of Contemporary Art. Dine in Poble Sec.

Train from Switzerland to Munich

Opt for a rail journey to Munich. Known for its Bavarian tradition, great beer and Baroque architecture, Munich is an excellent destination for a cultural city break. Visit the Marienplatz, discover the English gardens, and feast on German specialties in a local brewery.

Where to take the train to Munich?

From Switzerland, it's easy to get to Munich by train from the following stations:

• Zurich: direct connections, journey time approx. 4h-4h30, up to 7 trains a day
• Basel SBB: with connections, often in Zurich or Lindau, journey time 5h30 to 6h30
• Berne, Lausanne, Geneva: with connections, minimum journey time 7h30.

Please note: book your tickets on the SBB or Trainline website. Eurocity trains are quite comfortable and offer on-board catering. Keep your eyes peeled for stunning scenery between the Alps and Lake Constance.
 

Ideas for a weekend in Munich

First morning: head to the heart of the city to see Marienplatz and the Neues Rathaus, visit the Frauenkirche and stroll the shopping streets around Kaufingerstrasse. At lunchtime, enjoy a meal in a traditional brasserie. In the afternoon, visit the Munich Residence, former palace of the Bavarian kings, then stroll through Hofgarten and Odeonsplatz. In the evening, dine in a typical brasserie.

The next day, visit the German Museum or the Alte Pinakothek, then dine in the Museum Quarter or at the Viktualienmarkt. In the afternoon, stroll through the English Garden, then take a short break at the Chinesischer Turm. Visit the Nymphenburg Palace and dine in the Schwabing district.

Night trains from Switzerland

In 2025, night trains from Switzerland are undergoing a dynamic revival, with a rapidly expanding offer supported by SBB and its European partners. Thanks to the EuroNight and Nightjet services, it is now possible to travel comfortably by night to many major European cities without changing trains. From Zurich, there are direct connections to Vienna, Berlin, Hamburg, Amsterdam, Prague, Budapest, Zagreb, Ljubljana and Graz.

These trains offer several levels of comfort: seats, couchettes or sleeping cars with breakfast included.

Departures are mainly from Zurich HB, but connections are also possible from other Swiss cities such as Geneva, Lausanne, Basel and Bern. SBB aims to offer up to 25 night-time destinations by the end of 2025, in cooperation with DB (Germany), ÖBB (Austria), SNCF (France) and Trenitalia (Italy).

This mode of transport is winning over more and more carbon-conscious travellers, while offering the advantage of saving a night's hotel accommodation and arriving rested in the heart of the city. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for sleeper cars, and Interrail and Eurail pass holders can also take advantage of this service at extra cost.

Some tips for your train journey from Switzerland

- If possible, book your train tickets in advance to take advantage of the best fares. On the SBB website, you'll find a number of interesting special offers.
- Take an interest in the options that offer Panoramic trains: Switzerland is famous for its panoramic trains that offer spectacular views. Take a look at routes like the Glacier Express or the Bernina Express, which guarantee a picturesque experience! Fares can be high, but special deals are available if you book in advance.
- Check your connections to reduce waiting time between trains, but always keep a safety margin.
- Pay attention to timetables: they can vary, especially if you're crossing borders. Be sure to check the timetable and take into account any time zone changes.
- Find out about the different Rail Pass options. You'll find more information on the SBB website. It's a great way to save money and benefit from certain advantages.

Make sure you're insured before you go
 

Whichever means of transport you use, make sure you're properly insured before setting off on your train journey, especially in the event of cancellation if you can't leave after all: your expenses will be reimbursed if your case is covered. 
In addition to cancellation, our travel insurance covers you in the event of a problem with your luggage, if you need 24-hour assistance, if you have medical expenses, etc.