Traveling from various countries to Switzerland by train

By train
Train, Deutsche Bahn/DB, Winter, Eastern Switzerland / Liechtenstein

Hint

Intro

It is possible to reach Switzerland by train from various European countries – even from those that are not bordering Switzerland. Be it from Budapest, Prague, Malmö or Copenhagen – here is all you need to plan your train trip.

It comes to no surprise that Switzerland can be easily reached by train from directly bordering countries. But did you know that you can also travel to Switzerland comfortably by train from more distant European cities?

In addition to major cities in Germany, France and Italy, trains from cities such as Budapest, Prague or Zagreb also travel directly to Switzerland. These are frequently night train connections, starting their journeys to Switzerland at the same time every day at the main stations.

Take Prague: the daily train connection from the Prague main station to Zurich takes 14 hours and 35 minutes. More information, timetables and tickets can be found on the websites of Czech Railways and Swiss Federal Railways (SBB).

Or Malmö and Copenhagen: From spring 2026, a night train will run from Malmö via Copenhagen to Basel SBB. The journey time is approximately 15 hours and 30 minutes. Stops: Malmö C–Kobenhavns Lufthavn Kastrup–Høje Taastrup–Odense–Kolding–Padborg–Hamburg Hbf–Frankfurt/M Süd–Mannheim–Karlsruhe Hbf–Freiburg (Brsg)–Basel Bad Bf–Basel SBB. More infos here. 

Facilities on overnight trains to Switzerland

As we all know, air travel often involves unplanned waiting times, and luggage restrictions are common. But when you travel by train, you will have a more upscale experience: plenty of leg room, beds, luggage racks, numerous catering options, and a wide selection of onboard amenities.

 

Arriving in Switzerland by train

  • Swiss train stations are located in the city centres. This is another benefit, as it saves you lots of time compared to air travel. Simply step off the train, store your luggage in a locker, and start exploring.

  • If your journey continues within Switzerland, rest assured that trains here run like clockwork. In fact, trains depart at half-hour intervals in all directions. Consult the official Swiss public transport timetable for exact times.

 

Have a look at all the European cities with train connections to Switzerland:

 

Arrival by train from other countries