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Bologna to Zurich by train
How to take the rail journey from Italian cities to the south of Milan to northern Switzerland
This recently introduced service is the only direct train from a string of beautiful Italian cities; Piacenza, Parma, Reggio d'Emilia, Modena and Bologna to Switzerland.
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Routes
From Bologna to Zurich by direct train
Journey Summary
6hr 1min
Daily
Travel Information
Final Destination: Zurich HB
This train is typically scheduled to depart at 13:30 and arrive into Zurich at 19:27.
The train also calls at: Modena (departs at 13;50); Reggio Emilia (14:08); Parma (14:26) and Piacenza (14:59)
It arrives in Lugano at 17:28 and Arth-Goldau at 18:42; connect at Arth-Goldau for Luzern and Basel.
1 x train per day
Tickets
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings open: 4 months ahead of the travel date
When looking up journeys on Trenitalia enter Zuerich (city) as the Arrival station.
Where to book
| Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Trenitalia | from €45 | |
| Save A Train | from €45 |
On this journey
Travelling On
Journey Features
Good to Know
Connections will be available in Bologna Centrale from these trains:
- the 17:00 arrival of an IC train, which departs Lecce (08:20), Bari (09:55), Pescara (13:02) and Rimini (15:47).
- the 16:53 arrival of a Frecciarossa 1000 train from Roma Termini (14:50)
- the 16:33 arrival of a Frecciarossa train from Napoli Centrale (12:40) Roma Termini (14:10) and Firenze S.M.Novella (15:55)
- the 16:15 arrival of a Frecciarossa train from Bari (10:30) Pescara (13:10) and Rimini (15:15).
Though if you'll want or need to be in Switzerland earlier in the day when travelling from any of these locations, take trains to Milano Centrale station and take a train from there into Switzerland.
The end-to-end journey won't be any more complicated because at Milano Centrale making the connection simply involves walking from one train to another.
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)
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