The fastest journeys by train from Milano to Zurich exploit both the new trains which have been introduced to the route and the recently opened Ceneri Base Tunnel, which has enabled the quickest ever journey time between the two cities.
This route taken by the direct trains, which also includes travelling through Europe's longest rail tunnel - the Gotthard Base Tunnel, remains a journey which showcases the best of European rail travel.
The smart new trains have restaurant cars, the engineering achievements to enable the journey time are phenomenal and despite the epic, recently opened rail tunnels, most of the journey is still fantastically beautiful!
Though the Gotthard Base Tunnel does take the trains away from the most scenic section of the older Gotthard Route, and making the most of those scenic highlights is still easily done - with only one connection between trains required.
However, for those who have time on their side, it's also possible to ride what is arguably Europe's most scenic rail route between two cities!
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.
3hr 17min
Daily
8 x trains per day from Milano Centrale
Is the journey from Milano to Zurich direct?
Yes, there is no need to make a connection when taking this route.
Is the journey scenic?
Yes - See the Journey Information below for images and videos captured by ShowMeTheJourney on this route.
What other tourist locations are along the route from Milano to Zurich?
Lugano and Bellinzona
When is the usual approximate earliest arrival at Zurich from Milano Centrale on this journey option?
Before 11:30 daily
Source = European Rail Timetable
How easy is it to travel on from the station in Zurich?
The station is located by the heart of the city centre,
See the Station Guide for more info, plus easy access to booking accommodation in its neighbourhood.
When is the usual approximate latest departure from Milano Centrale to Zurich on this journey option
Around 19:20 daily
Source = European Rail Timetable
How easy is it to get to the station in Milano?
Milano Centrale is served by two Metro lines, the M2 and the M3.
There are also typically 2 x trains per hour from Malpensa Airport.
See the Station Guide above for more info, plus easy access to multiple options for booking somewhere to stay by Milano Centrale.
Are tickets cheaper if booked in advance for these Milano to Zurich trains?
Yes, and they can be purchased from a choice of booking agents - see below.
Click on the 'Good to know info' to access a guide to how rail tickets are managed in France, plus step-by-step guides on how to make a booking.
How soon ahead of travel are tickets typically placed on sale for these Milano to Zurich trains?
Typically up to 4 months ahead of the travel date; though this period of time can be shorter, particularly when searching for journeys more than three months ahead during October and March.
What are the child ticket terms for these Milano to Zurich trains?
Children aged 6 -15 receive a 20% discount, those aged 5 and under aren't charged for a ticket.
Note that these terms are different to the national child ticket policies in Italy and Switzerland.
Does the ticket for these Milano to Zurich trains include assigned seats?
Yes - See the Train Guide in the Journey Information for insights on how to board the train.
Do rail pass users need to book reservations for these Milano to Zurich trains?
Yes - See the rail pass reservation guide for info on the multiple booking options.
Is catering available on the Milano to Zurich trains on this journey option?
Yes, there is a bar/bistro car and a restaurant.
See the Train Guide in the Journey Information.
What else is good to know about Italian rail travel?
Check out the guide to travelling by train in Italy.
What else is good to know about Swiss rail travel?
Check out the guide to travelling by train in Switzerland.
ShowMeTheJourney earns a small commission on Trainline ticket sales. It can be a particularly good option for: Comparing different train services; Booking international journeys with connections; Travelling between the UK to destinations beyond Amsterdam, Brussels and Paris - and for international travellers who don't reside in western Europe.
Exclusive for New Customers: Receive a 10% discount by using the code 24NOV on any purchase with a maximum total price of £100, until 28 November 2024 (11:59 pm CET). Limit one coupon per qualifying booking. Cannot be combined, transferred or exchanged.
Omio is an online ticket agency which offers tickets for rail journeys in France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy and Spain.
The three key advantages of using Omio are
The disadvantage of booking with Omio is that it often adds a booking fee to the final price; therefore when it does so without offering a price advantage, SMTJ doesn't tend to offer Omio as a booking option.
ShowMeTheJourney earns a small commission on Rail Europe ticket sales. It can be a particularly good option when booking international journeys with connections and for travellers who don't reside in western Europe. Use the easy options on its home page if you will be booking tickets with a railcard: Or purchasing rail pass reservations.
Italiarail lives up to its name by selling tickets for rail journeys within Italy and the core feature of its service is that it is primarily designed to be used by international visitors to Italy.
So the English translations of place names are used when looking up journeys and the terms and conditions for using each type of ticket are clearly explained.
It also clearly points out the additional costs of upgrading to other classes and types of tickets while spelling out the additional benefits of doing so.
Though Italiarail will charge a booking fee, typically of around €3.
The Early Bird service
Italiarail has launched an 'early bird' pre-booking service for journeys by Frecce trains.
Tickets can be booked up to a year ahead of travel at a flat-rate price per route, before the tickets have been released for sale by Trenitalia.
If when they are placed on sale, the price is cheaper than what you have already paid to Italiarail, it will automatically refund the price difference.
Conversely, if the price is more expensive, you won't be charged the price difference.
You can also have the peace of mind of securing your seat(s) on the Frecce train(s) when you are first planning a trip.
If before the tickets are placed on sale, you decide to change your plans, you can request a refund; but once the tickets are released for sale, you will then be bound by the terms and conditions of the ticket(s) you have booked.
Trenitlalia is the national rail operator in Italy and in addition to its cheaper types of ticket; it also typically offers other discounts available to non-Italians, which include:
Final Destination: Zurich or Frankfurt (Main)
Connect in Zurich for destinations without direct trains from Milan including Chur, Munich, St Gallen and Stuttgart
These trains also call at: Arth -Goldau (change for Luzern) and Zug
An additional two daily trains including the final departure of the day from Milano to Zurich, now leave from Milano Rogoredo station.
The first hour 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)
Trains departing at different times can be cheaper than others leaving on the same day, so you may need to look through the day's departures to find the cheapest fares.
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
Additional information is available on the SBB website.
Refunds
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!
Child tickets
Children aged 6 -15 receive a 20% discount, those aged 5 and under aren't charged for a ticket.
Note that these terms are different to the national child ticket policies in Italy and Switzerland.
And the terms are also different for Swiss children travelling with a Junior Travelcard.
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.
5hr 10min approx
Daily
1 x connection every other hour
ShowMeTheJourney earns a small commission on Trainline ticket sales. It can be a particularly good option for: Comparing different train services; Booking international journeys with connections; Travelling between the UK to destinations beyond Amsterdam, Brussels and Paris - and for international travellers who don't reside in western Europe.
SBB is the main national rail operator in Switzerland, but tickets for journeys by the other significant operators including BLS and SOB can be be booked on the SBB website.
SBB also sells tickets for journeys to many destinations which involve a combination of SBB trains and services provided by the many independent operators who serve the Alpine resort towns.
However, if you will be making a long-distance return day trip, look out for he possibility of SaverDay passes being cheaper than tickets.
Though if you download the SBB app, booking tickets on SBB's mobile services can be simper than using the website.
Also watch out for the fact that booking international tickets can be comparatively quirky.
The faster EC trains use the epic Gotthard Base Tunnel which takes them away from was the most scenic part of the older route, that the EC trains used* to take.
*= They've had to revert back to it while repair work is being carried out on the tunnel.
But there are Swiss regional trains to Zurich which still use the full length of the older route - including the section from Bellinzona to Zug via Goschenen; no.5 on SMTJ's list of Switzerland's most beautiful rail journeys.
There are also regional trains from Milano, which enable a connection to be made into the trains which travel through Switzerland.
So this is a more scenic option than taking the direct trains.
Also because seat reservations aren't available on the trains on this route, users of Eurail and InterRail passes can avoid paying the comparatively expensive reservation fees, that are payable when using rail passes to make the direct international journey on the EC trains (option 1).
A faster option for rail pass users
Users of Eurail and InterRail passes can arrive in Zurich around 90 minutes faster by taking the same 'Ticino' trains from Milano Centrale, but connecting in Lugano for Swiss IC trains on to Zurich - which take the same faster route through the Gotthard Base Tunnel as the EC trains.
The optimum connections on to Zurich are typical available when departing Milano Centrale in even hours.
Final destination Locarno
These trains are operated by the public transport authority in Ticino, which is the region of Switzerland in which Cadenazzo is located - hence the branding which can typically be seen on the trains on this route.
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 three highlights (the video was taken from a train travelling in the opposite direction)
(1) The views from the left over Lake Lugano, as the train nears Lugano.
(2) The crossing over Lake Lugano - with great views from both sides of the train.
(3) South of Lugano station, the views over the lake switch to the right.
The train will travel through a spectacular valley north of Bellinzona.
The railway will loop around in order to ascend the mountain between Biasca and Faido, which are on this older Gotthard route - and are by-passed by the trains which use the Gotthard Base Tunnel.
The views looking down the valley with the railway tracks below are breathtaking!
Due to the multiple sets of loops, between Bellinzona and and the older Gotthard Tunnel there are fabulous views from both sides of the train.
On exiting the tunnel the train will arrive in Goschenen - and the railway then uses yet another series of loops in order to descend from the highest point on the journey.
But it doesn't matter which side of the train you are seated on, in order to enjoy the incredible views over the village of Wassen with its white church on a hilltop - the village can be seen from both sides of the train.
Between Wassen and Erstfeld the best of the views are on the right; this video was filmed from a train heading north.
Shortly after departing Erstfeld the the railway through the Gotthard Base Tunnel, rejoins this older route.
After Flüelen look out on the right for glimpses of the Luzernsee.
The train then travels through a dramatic landscape to the south of Schwyz (this video was filmed on train travelling in the opposite direction)
Then shortly afterwards, before Arth-Goldau, 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.
The final scenic highlight of the journey are the views on the right after Zug, over the Zurichsee,
(All of the videos were taken from a train travelling in the opposite direction)
Separate bookings are required for each of the two journeys.
8hr 5min (approx)
Daily
up to 8 x connections per day
ShowMeTheJourney earns a small commission on Trainline ticket sales. It can be a particularly good option for: Comparing different train services; Booking international journeys with connections; Travelling between the UK to destinations beyond Amsterdam, Brussels and Paris - and for international travellers who don't reside in western Europe.
Trenitlalia is the national rail operator in Italy and in addition to its cheaper types of ticket; it also typically offers other discounts available to non-Italians, which include:
SBB is the main national rail operator in Switzerland, but tickets for journeys by the other significant operators including BLS and SOB can be be booked on the SBB website.
SBB also sells tickets for journeys to many destinations which involve a combination of SBB trains and services provided by the many independent operators who serve the Alpine resort towns.
However, if you will be making a long-distance return day trip, look out for he possibility of SaverDay passes being cheaper than tickets.
Though if you download the SBB app, booking tickets on SBB's mobile services can be simper than using the website.
Also watch out for the fact that booking international tickets can be comparatively quirky.
This journey is one that is most often queried by users of ShowMeTheJourney's trip planning service.
So what these clients are told will be shared here, which is, *Don't be put off by the need to make four connections, none of them are complicated and you efforts will be rewarded by the greatest day of rail travel, which can be experienced in Europe!"
The timetable is usually arranged so that on the Swiss part of the journey, all that's required at each station is to step off one train to board the next, which will be leaving from the opposite side of the platform / track.
In Tirano, the train on to Switzerland will leave from a station which is merely steps away from that used by the trains which head there from Milano.
If you will be spending time in Milan while using a Eurail or InterRail pass, you can ride this entire route to Zurich without incurring additional charges - and can hop on a fast train back to Milano for the ultimate day trip by train!
There is also the option to ride the most scenic part of the route on the Bernina Express.
Heading to Austria
There are trains from Chur on to Buchs, which is a station call on the route taken by trains from Zurich to Innsbruck and to Salzburg.
The end-to-end journey to both cities is usually most easily managed by departing at 06:20; 08:20 or 10:20.
Final Destination: Tirano
These trains also depart from: Monza
When the usual timetable is available, to reach Zurich by the end of the day, the final connecting train departs at 14:20, but leaving Milano Centrale at 13:20 allows for some contingency time.
When connecting into the afternoon Bernina Express the typical departure time from Milano Centrale is 10:20.
When making a day trip to Zurich with a return by an EC train from Zurich, departing Milano Centrale at 09:20 allows some contingency time to make the connections.
Sit on the left of the train (when facing the direction of travel) for views over Lake Como, all of the images were taken from the left of the train.
The railway line travels by the shore of the lake for more than 30 minutes between Lecco and Colico.
Then after Colico the foothills of The Alps can also be seen on the left
Final Destination: St Moritz.
Set off from Milano Centrale no later than 12:20 and there will be an option to break the journey in St Moritz, though the timetable is arranged so that travelling with connections in Pontresina and Samedan is the faster option.
The first highlight of this fantastic train ride occurs within 10 minutes of departing Tirano when the railway uses the uniquely fabulous Brusio Spiral Viaduct to make a transfer between two valleys.
As can be seen in the video, thanks to the twist, there are spectacular views from both sides of the train - but the view from the left when heading north enables the viaduct to be in view
Between the viaduct and Miralago the railway follows a valley and here the best of the views are also on the left.
The highlight of the fifth phase of the journey between Miralago station, and Poschiavo are the beautiful views of the lake, the Lago di Poschiavo, along with the river to the south Poschiavo station.
They are both on the right when heading north.
The next stunning phase of a north bound journey commences at Poschiavo station.
Because the railway zig zags across the mountain side, so that the trains can ascend towards Cavaglia, there are incredible views back down the valley, from both sides of the train.
Either side of Cavaglia station come the absolute highlights of the journey.
As the train reaches the ascent of the climb from Poschiavo, there are bird's eye views to revel in, which stretch back down the mountain pass to Tirano.
Then shortly after departure from Cavaglia, with a few turns in the track the train will enter the Bernina Pass.
As the train traverses the Bernina Pass, it passes by some small lakes, these can be seen on the left when travelling north from Tirano; the snowy scenes were captured by SMTJ on the second weekend in May!
The next phase of the journey comes when the train exits the pass just to the north of Alp-Grum station the on-board commentary available on all of the trains which follow this route, will point out the view of the glacier on the other side of Lago Palu.
Final Destination Scuol-Tarasp
This train in effect by-passes St Moritz, because the resort town isn't on the direct route
This part of the route takes less than 10 minutes.
Final Destination Chur
The Bernina Express which typically departs Tirano year round at 14:24 is direct from Tirano to Chur.
It is usually schedules to arrive in Chur at 18:22, with the connecting train on to Zurich usually scheduled to arrive there at around 19:55.
Some of the many wow moments on this journey are a result of the railway using spiraling loops cut into the mountain side to gain height, so as the trains ascend or descend there are spectacular views looking back down the valley.
When heading north the first of these comes between Preda station and Bergun station - to the north of the Albula Tunnel.
The second of these sets of spirals are located just to the south of Filisur station
Shortly after departure from Filisur the train will enter a short tunnel, on the other side of which is the highlight of the journey - the crossing off the iconic Landwasser Viaduct!
When travelling north towards St Moritz for the best views of the journey out of the tunnel and over the viaduct, when boarding try to find seats on the left when facing the direction of travel, but occupy backwards facing seats.
Although the blink and you'll miss it view down the valley, is eclipsed by some of the other incredible views that can be seen when travelling along this Albula Railway north of the viaduct - all of which can be best appreciated on the left, when facing the direction of travel.
They are;
Final Destination Zurich or Basel SBB
The new 'Twindexx' trains are now used for most departures
This route from Chur to Zurich is a contender for the most stunning end-to-end journey taken by frequent (1 or 2 x departures per hour) InterCity express trains anywhere in Europe.
It lasts for 1hr 15mins, too short for our Most Epic Journeys list, but aside from the seven minutes of the journey closest to Zurich station, where the railway line is mainly in tunnel, the entire journey is delightful!
Between Landquart and Sargans there are very pleasant views of distant mountain ranges from both sides of the train.
Though the highlights of the journey are the views over the Walensee...
...which can be seen on the right from around five minutes after departure from Sargans station
Then less than fifteen minutes later the Zurichsee comes into view
The train will travel along the southern shore of the lake for around twenty minutes!
Aside from the final section of the journey on from Chur to Zurich, this isn't a route on which you can save by booking in advance, but booking ahead saves having to book tickets against the clock, when making the tightly timed connections between trains in Tirano and Chur.
Though separate bookings are required, the journey from Milano to Tirano and the end-to-end journey from Tirano to Zurich.
Booking the Bernina Express
On the Bernina Express website, click the hard to miss 'Book now' button, be aware that a ticket + a reservation are required to travel in the Panoramic cars/coaches and these can be booked separately.
Or if you have a valid rail pass, including Eurail, InterRail and Swiss Travel Passes, you will only need a reservation
Booking more than two months ahead
Note that when:
1: This is the price of the reservation.
2: Note that you are made aware that you will need to book tickets at a later date, they're available from two months ahead.
3: You can specify the number of travellers, the maximum per booking is nine.
4: It can be worth checking the specific seat availability on each departure.
5: These green buttons indicate the seat availability in the class you wish to travel by; one button = few seats left; 4 = very high availability.
If you will be using a valid rail pass...
... you can use the reductions options to select it, so that your pass will be on the reservation - you will need to travel with your pass and the reservation.
To book the tickets, return to the website
and book an 'Ordinary ticket'
Have your reservation to hand, as most of the options available will be for trains other than the Bernina Express departures and you need to book a ticket for the same train that you have reserved.
They're called Ordinary tickets, because these are what you can book if you don't want to travel in the panoramic cars/coaches; the additional cost to ride in the panoramic coaches is the reservation fee, which you will have already booked.
Booking up two months ahead
Note that...
... because the tickets are already on sale, that the cost of the reservation has already been included.
The total cost at top right is for the ticket + reservation.
However, if you will be using a valid rail pass you can click on the reductions to select your rail pass, as above.
You will then see:
1: The pass you will be using.
2: The ticket cost will be 0.
3: The price will have dropped to that which is charged solely for the seat reservation in the Panoramic coaches.
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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.
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