

Trains in Switzerland
Climb on board Swiss trains and travel through the snow-capped Alps, alongside beautiful mountain lakes and across rolling green hills. Visit Switzerland's most famous cities, Bern, Basel, Geneva and Zurich, by rail and enjoy the breathtaking scenery from the train window along the way.
Train types in Switzerland
You can enjoy a large choice of Swiss trains, each type ready to transport you across the country as well as to and from other European countries. Switzerland's national railway company is the SBB (Schweizerische BundesBahn). Use the Interrail train timetable or SBB timetable to check times for trains in Switzerland.
Click here to download a more detailed map of the Swiss train network with all trains included (2 MB).
- Route Map
- Domestic Trains
- High-Speed trains
- Night Trains
- Scenic Trains
- Private trains

Popular connections
- Domestic routes
- International routes
Route | Travel time |
---|---|
Basel to Bern | 55m |
Basel to Interlaken | 2h |
Basel to Lucerne | 1h |
Basel to Zurich | 55m |
Bern to Geneva | 1h 45m |
Bern to Interlaken | 55m |
Bern to Zurich | 55m |
Geneva to Zurich | 2h 45m |
Zurich to Lugano | 1h 55m |
Bern to Brig | 1h 05m |
Reservations
How to make reservations for Swiss trains
Interrail reservation self-service system
Administration costs when booking through Interrail self-service
- € 2,- p.p.per train
- Additional € 9,- per order (for paper tickets)
With railway carriers
- SBB Ticket Shop: Domestic trains
- DB (German railways): International trains to Germany
- ÖBB (Austrian railways): Domestic and international trains
- SNCB (b-europe): Only Eurocity trains to Italy and TGV Lyria to France
- ÖBB Nightjet: Only Nightjet and Euro Night
- ČD (Czech railways): Domestic and international trains
- Bernina Express (Rhatische Bahn): Only Bernina express scenic trains
- Glacier express: Only Glacier Express scenic trains
Other platforms
- Rail Europe: TGV (Lyria), Eurocity to Italy, Bernina Express
By calling the SBB (Swiss railways) booking centre
- +41 0848 44 66 88 (open 24/7).
- You will get a direct connection when calling this booking centre. The Swiss SBB booking centre can deliver your reservations to all European countries. Delivery costs are CHF8 (approx. €6.50). This call centre 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. This call centre can make reservations for the majority of European high-speed and night trains.
Locally at the train station in Switzerland
An explanation of how each booking platform works can be found here: How do I book my reservations
Get your Pass for Switzerland
Interrail Global Pass
Offers you rail travel in Switzerland and 32 more European countries.
Youth, senior and family discounts available.
Prices from € 212
Tips and tricks for Switzerland
Swiss main train stations
Switzerland has several hub stations:
Basel SBB
Bern
Geneva
Lausanne
Luzern
Zürich HB
These stations have excellent facilities:
Lockers
Cash machines and a foreign exchange desk
Restaurants, cafés and shops
Tourist information
Elevators, escalators and access for disabled passengers
Spelling of city names
There might be some minor differences between the local spelling of city names and what you're used to.
- Genève = Geneva
- Luzern = Lucerne
Pass Benefits for Switzerland
Interrail Pass Holders experience boat cruises on Swiss lakes and rivers for free or at a discount.
Scenic routes
The following special scenic train routes are also discounted for Interrailers:
Bernina Express: Chur to Lugano via Tirano (Italy)
Centovalli Railway: Locarno to Domodossola (Italy)
Golden Pass: Lucerne to Interlaken then Montreux
Get inspired
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Across the Alps See the stunningly beautiful Alps with Interrail and cross these mighty mountains by rail.
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