How to take the rail journey from Italian cities to the south of Milan to northern Switzerland

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Bologna to Zurich by train

This service is the only direct train from a string of beautiful Italian cities; Piacenza, Parma, Reggio d'Emilia, Modena and Bologna to Switzerland.

Routes you can take to go from Bologna to Zürich / Zurich

When travelling between most cities by train there is only one logical option, though on other journeys there is a choice between different trains or alternative routes. If different options are available you can use the info to decide which is best for you.

Choose one of the following options:

Looking for connections?

Journey guides for travel to Bologna Journey guides for travel from Zürich / Zurich

Route Information

Station Guides

The main departure hall is to the right, the Ovest entrance is on the far left

Bologna Centrale Rail Station Guide

The frontage of Zurich Hb station by the Bahnhofplatz tram stops

Zürich HB / Zurich main station Rail Station Guide

Travel Time (approx)

6hr 1min

Frequency

Daily

Travel Info

1 x train per day

Travel Information

Final Destination: Zurich HB

This train is typically scheduled to depart shortly after 09:00 and arrive into Zurich before 15:30 - in time for connections on to swathe of destinations including Koln/Cologne, St Gallen, Stuttgart

The train also calls at*

Como-San Giovanni, Lugano, Bellinzona, Arth-Goldau and Zug.
Connect in Arth-Goldau for Luzern and Basel

This is a direct journey

You will be travelling on one of these trains...

A Giruno train awaits departure from Zurich HB station

Giruno (Switzerland / Italy / Germany) Train Guide

Journey Features

Scenic - YesLandscape (Hills / Mountains)Lake views

The first half of this journey is unexceptional, but things become a tad more fabulous once the train has passed through Chiasso and crossed the border into Switzerland.

Once you're in Switzerland, look out for these highlights:

The views from the left over Lake Lugano, as the train nears Lugano.

The crossing over Lake Lugano - with great views from both sides of the train.

South of Lugano station, the views over the lake switch to the right.

After departure from Lugano, the train will now travel through the new Ceneri Base Tunnel.
After departure from Bellinzona the train will enter the world's longest railway tunnel, The Gotthard Base Tunnel - so long that it takes the train around 14mins to pass through it.

Despite the fact that this train now travels through The Gotthard Base Tunnel this is still a scenic journey through the Alps.
After the train has exited the tunnel and travelled through Schwyz, there are views on the left over Lake Luzern, which aren’t available when heading south on these trains.

Then shortly afterwards, before Arth-Goldau, also on the left there are views over the Lauerzersee.

After departure from Arth-Goldau there are some beautiful views over Lake Zug - also on the left.

(All of the videos were taken from a train travelling in the opposite direction)

Travelling through Lugano

Between Bellinzona and the Gotthard Tunnel

To the north of the Gotthard Basel Tunnel

Look out for the glimpses of Lake Luzern

Passing the Lauerzersee

The spectacular view of the Zugersee between Zug and Arth-Goldau

Passing by the Zugersee between Arth-Goldau and Zug

Looking down over Lake Zurich to the south of the city

Image coming soon...

Tickets

When looking up journeys on Trenitalia enter Zuerich (city) as the Arrival station.

Book early and save: Yes

Online bookings open: Up to 180 days / 6 months ahead of the travel date - though booking periods will be shorter when travelling after the second Sunday in December.

Three types of ticket will typically be made available, Standard, Saver Flex and Saver - all types of ticket are only valid on the specific departure selected when booking.

The very cheapest type of ticket, Saver tickets, are taken off sale 7 days prior to departure.

The mid-price type of ticket, Saver Flex, are taken off sale 3 days prior to departure.

Exchanges

Up until departure, the most expensive type of ticket, Standard tickets, can be for exchanged for another day of travel or travel time on the exact same route without paying any additional fees.
Up until departure, the mid priced type of ticket, Saver Flex tickets, can be for exchanged for another day of travel or travel time on the exact same route, but the price difference with Standard tickets, at the time of exchange, will need to be paid.
The cheapest type of tickets, Saver tickets, cannot be exchanged.

Additional information is available on the SBB website.

Refunds

Up until departure, the most expensive type of ticket, Standard tickets, tickets can be returned and purchasers will receive 80% of the price paid.
The mid priced type of ticket, Saver Flex tickets, cannot be refunded.
The cheapest type of tickets, Saver tickets, cannot be refunded.

Seat reservations

Reservations are mandatory on the Italian section of the journey, so seats are assigned when booking all types of tickets.

Rail pass users

If you will be travelling with valid Eurail or Interrail passes, you will need to pay a rail pass reservation fee when boarding these direct trains for a journey to Italy.
Though avoid paying for these reservation fees at a station in Switzerland, because if you do so you, will also have to pay a 11CHF booking fee.
The fees can be avoided when taking journey options 2 and 3!

Travelling with Children

Limited numbers of Bimbi-Gratis tickets are available on the EC trains between Switzerland and Italy, so it can pay off to book ahead - They become available 180 days before departure and include the mandatory seat reservations.

They can be used when a group of up to 5 people includes at least one Adult and one child under the age of 15.
So it applies to groups of:

1 Adult + up to 4 children
1 or 2 Adults + up to 3 children
Up to 3 Adults + 1 or 2 children
4 Adults + 1 child

The ticket is a significant money saver as Adults receive a 40% discount on the normal fare and there is no charge for the children!

The ticket is only valid for the booked day and train, but exchange for another day or time possible free of charge, subject to availability.
Refund possible before departure for a fee. No refund after departure.

Bike tickets

When travelling with a non-folding bike, spaces must be reserved, but you need to make a simultaneous purchase of your travel ticket + the bike reservation on the Trenitalia website.

Dog tickets

Dog tickets seemingly aren't available for this end-to-end international journey, a dog pass will need to be purchased for the Swiss part of the trip and a dog ticket is required for the Italian section of the journey, see the dogs on trains guide.

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