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Innsbruck to Zürich / Zurich by train
How to take the fabulous rail journey from The Tyrol in Austria to north-east Switzerland
For pretty much every minute of this journey the views from the train are wonderful!
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Routes
From Innsbruck Hbf to Zürich HB / Zurich main station
Journey Summary
3hr 56min
Daily
Travel Information
Final Destination: Zurich
All trains also call at: Buchs (connect for Chur, Landquart and St. Gallen)
6 x Railjet trains per day
1 x EC train per day
Tickets
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings open: 6 months ahead of the travel date
The prices of the tickets are usually cheaper on OBB, particularly as its cheapest 'Sparschiene' tickets can now be booked up until the day of travel (if they haven't sold out); previously Sparscheine tickets had to be booked at least 3 days ahead.
However, it's worth comparing prices with SBB, but remember that the price on SBB will be in Swiss Francs and not euros.
Where to book
| Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| OBB | from €19 | |
| SBB | * | |
| Trainline | from €19 | |
| Omio | from €19 | |
| Happy rail | from €19 |
On this journey
Travelling On
Journey Features
Good to Know
The train which is usually scheduled to depart from Innsbruck at 15:48 is the 'Transalpin' EC express which will be heading from Graz to Zurich.
This train includes a special observation car within is formation, which can be accessed by holders of 1st class tickets or rail passes, without the need to pay a surcharge.
Journey description:
Step on board one of Europe's most epic rail journeys, with a passage through the stunning Arlberg Pass and amazing views of two Swiss lakes.
Sit on the left when facing the direction of travel, on departure from Innsbruck for the best views.
Except where indicated, all of the videos were taken on a train travelling in the opposite direction.
Between Kuftstein and Innsbruck the journey isn't usually as scenic as it once was, as most departures are now diverted into lengthy tunnels.
Though between Kufstein and Worgl the railway runs beside the River Inn.
The only section of the journey in which the best of the views are on the right is to the west of Landeck-Zams station.
Between St.Anton and Feldkirch, the train threads the stunning Arlberg Pass, though in summer the trees can get in the way.
The best views of The Arlberg Pass are on the left, then between Feldkirch and Buchs, the train will travel through Liechtenstein.
After departure from Sargans, the train will travel by a series of beautiful lakes, virtually all the way to Zurich.
The first of which is the stunning Wallensee; and this video was taken from a train heading in this direction, towards Zurich.
...and then 20 mins later, the train will be travelling by the Zurichsee.
The Swiss lakes are on the right, but the train will reverse direction on departure from Buchs.
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This second version of ShowMeTheJourney is exciting and new, so we are genuinely thrilled that you are here and reading this, but we also need your help.
We’re striving not to let anything get in the way of providing the most useful service possible, hence a facility has been set up with DonorBox which can be used to support the running costs and make improvements.
Instead of advertising or paywalls, your financial support will make a positive difference to delivering an enhanced service, as there’s a lot of ideas which we want to make happen.
So if you have found the info provided here to be useful, please consider saying thank you.
See if there’s a unique journey guide for your trip, featuring info on the trains, tickets & stations.
This is one of more than 100 train travel guides available on ShowMeTheJourney, which will make it easier to take the train journeys you want or need to make. As always, all images were captured on trips taken by ShowMeTheJourney.
