Making the rail journey from Verona to northern Switzerland has been improved for the better on the new timetable, as the departure time has been moved forward by four hours to just after 14:30.
Aside from arriving in Switzerland in time for an evening meal, the two particular positives are:
Though if the timings of this direct train don't suit, the other option is to take a train to Milano Centrale and connect there for a train on to Zurich.
Taking an overnight journey isn't a feasible option on this route.
Final Destination: Zuerich/Zurich
This train also calls at: Bellinzona and Arth-Goldau (connect for Luzern and Basel) and Zug
1 x direct train per day
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings open: 4 months* ahead of the travel date
This direct train departs from Verona daily at 14:32; so target that time when looking up this journey.
When looking up tickets on Trenitalia select 'Zuerich Hb' as the arrival station.
When looking up this journey you will see other options which involve:
(1) taking a train from Verona to Milan, and then connecting there into a...
(2) another train from Milan to Zurich
But if you do opt to change trains in Milan instead, then pay particular attention to the time allowed to change trains.
It's not particularly uncommon for the Frecce trains from Venice to arrive in Milan 20 - 30 mins late; and any ticket you have booked will only be valid on a specific train on to Zurich
This is a route on which having to swap tickets to a later connecting train, in the event of a delay, is definitely a scenario to avoid if possible.
Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
---|---|---|
SBB | from 32CHF | |
Trenitalia | from €39 | |
Italia Rail | from €39 | |
Trainline | from €39 | |
Omio | from €39 |
This train will reverse direction on departure from Milano Centrale.
Aside from the views on the right over Lake Garda, as the train leaves Desenzano, the Italian section 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 18mins 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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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.