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Genève / Geneva to Zürich / Zurich by train
An easy and occasionally spectacular journey on smart trains, what's not to like!
The trains from Geneve to Zurich take different routes, so be guided by the price and timings which suit, each route has a similar journey time.
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Routes
From Genève/Geneva-Cornavin to Zürich HB / Zurich main station
Journey Summary
2hr 42min - 2hr 46min
Daily
Travel Information
These trains commence their journeys at Geneve-Aeroport station; it takes the trains around 5 mins to travel from there to the main station in Geneve before they then head off towards Zurich.
These IC trains take two different routes from Geneve to Zurich; route IC 1 via Lausanne and Bern and route IC 5 via Neuchatel and Biel.
Both train services call at the station at Zurich Airport around 15 mins after they depart from the main station in the city; and the trains on the IC 1 route now also call at Zurich Oerlikon.
2 x trains per hour
Tickets
Online bookings open: up to 60 days ahead of the travel date
Book early and save: Yes
If you book Supersaver tickets, you may need to search through the departures to find these 'Supersaver' tickets using the ‘earlier’ and ‘later’ buttons.
The train service between Genéve and Zurich is split between:
1: Double deck IC trains that travel via Lausanne and Bern
2: Tilting ICN trains that travel via Biel (these trains are slightly faster)
So try and be flexible with your departure and arrival times and don't be overly concerned whether you will be taking an IC or ICN train; though the Supersaver tickets are much MORE likely to be available on the ICN trains.
If you will be making a day trip to Zurich from Geneve, be open to the possibility that Saver Day Passes may be a cheaper option than booking return tickets
Seat reservations:
Seat reservations are optional on Swiss IC trains, so seats won't be assigned when booking online.
You can book reservations online for journeys by these IC trains, AFTER you have booked a ticket, by using the SBB (Swiss national railways) seat reservation service - OR request a reservation when booking at a station ticket office.
Travelling with a rail pass:
Rail pass users can jump on any train, without having to make reservations.
Where to book
| Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| SBB | * | |
| Trainline | * | |
| Omio | * | |
| Happy rail | * |
On this journey
Travelling On
Journey Features
Good to Know
via Lausanne Bern:
The brand new LD/Twindexx trains are now operating on most departures.
Final destination = St Gallen
via Biel
The tilting ICN trains are used on this route
Final destination = Rorschach
Which route to choose?
It can be fun to travel to Zurich on one route and return on the other, between Lake Geneve and Olten the two routes are very different.
Though if you will be booking tickets in advance online, you save money if you can purchase Supersaver train tickets.
So be guided by price, rather than the route; the cheaper tickets tend to be more widely available on the trains via Biel.
Journey description:
via Bern
From the right of the train (when facing the direction) of travel there are some incredible views over Lake Geneva when the train departs from Lausanne.
It's worth travelling on the upper deck in order to see these views at their best.
This part of the train ride is so fabulous that it merited a place on the list of the 15 Most Beautiful Swiss Train Journeys.
via Biel
From the right of the train (when facing the direction) of travel there are some wonderful views over the lakes after between Yverdon and Biel/Bienne; these videos were taken from trains travelling in the opposite direction
...before Neuchatel the lake which takes its name from the city...
over Lake Bienne after Neuchatel
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