How to take the rail journey by direct train from Zurich to Bratislava

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Zürich / Zurich to Bratislava by train

Despite the distance it's possible to take a direct train when travelling from Zurich to the Slovakian capital.
It's not quick, but the spectacular scenery on the first half of the journey more than makes up for that!

Routes you can take to go from Zürich / Zurich to Bratislava

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.

Choose one of the following options:

Looking for connections?

Journey guides for travel to Zürich / Zurich

Route Information

Station Guides

The frontage of Zurich Hb station by the Bahnhofplatz tram stops

Zürich HB / Zurich main station Rail Station Guide

Bratislava hl.st. Guide Coming soon...

Travel Time (approx)

8hr 46min

Frequency

Daily

Travel Info

1 x train per day

Travel Information

This relatively new direct train service from Switzerland and Slovakia is usually scheduled to depart from Zurich at 12:40 and arrive in Bratislava hl.st station at 21:51

Final Destination: Bratislava

This train also calls at: Sargans, Buchs and Wien Hbf

This is a direct journey

You will be travelling on one of these trains...

A side view of a Railjet train - the top tier OBB trains

ÖBB Railjet (RJ/RJX) (Austria/International) Train Guide

Journey Features

Scenic - YesLandscape (Hills / Mountains)Lake views

Good to Know

Journey description:

It is fortunate that this train departs from Zurich in the early afternoon, as the first third of the journey is the most spectacular - from Zurich as far as St.Anton.
Sit on the left (when facing the direction) of travel) on departure from Zurich for the best views.

Within 10 minutes of departing from Zurich there are a series of stunning views of not one, but two lakes, the Zurichsee...

...and then the Wallensee.

...can both be seen from the left of the train.

The best of the views as the train travels through the Arlberg pass will be over on the right, but the train will reverse direction on departure from Buchs.

Between Buchs and Feldkirch the train will travel through Liechtenstein, then after departure from Bludenz, the train threads through the stunning Arlberg Pass - though in summer the trees can get in the way.

In the pass, the best and most spectacular views of the entire journey are over on the right; even on a grey day.

But after St.Anton the best of the views are over on the left...

... with a particular highlight of the journey being the descent to Landeck station.

These trains used to take a more scenic route after departure from Innsbruck, but now between there and Worgl, they take a faster route which is mainly in tunnels.
Though by Kufstein they travel right by the River Inn.

The final third of the journey on from Salzburg is pleasant, but not particularly scenic, though east of Linz is the fastest part of the route.

The scenic highlights of the journey are over once the train has departed from Kufstein; but unless you will be travelling at the height of the summer, the journey on from here will be at dusk or in darkness.

Within 15 mins of departing, you will be travelling along the shore of Lake Zurich

The lake will be on the left of the train for around 20 minutes

The train will begin to leave Lake Zurich behind and head for the Wallensee

The spectacular Wallensee is also on the left of the train

Both lakes are passed before the train has reached Sargans

The scenery begins to become more spectacular near Buchs

The best of the views after Buchs are over to the right

The train will travel through the Arlberg Pass for more than 45 mins

You will have to glimpse the views through the trees as the train approaches St Anton

Tickets

Book early and save: No

Booking tickets for this journey by direct train from Zurich to Bratislava is an exception to how tickets can usually be booked for European train services.

The OBB ticket booking service, provided by Austria's national rail company (it provides the trains on this route) sells this journey online in the conventional manner.
Meaning that you can search for the journey, see the price and then proceed to book it, should you wish to do so.

However, because both Zurich AND Bratislava are outside of Austria, OBB DOESN'T offer its usual discounted 'Sparschiene' tickets, between these two destinations.

Hence if you want to take this direct train, the comparatively expensive price will be the same, irrespective of how far ahead you will be booking.

To book tickets on SBB you can submit a booking request on its ticketing service, but prior to doing so, you won't know the price of the journey.

The money saving option:

If you look up this journey on OBB, you will also see alternative options which involve taking a Railjet from Zurich to Wien - and then connecting there for another train on to Bratislava.

Those options with a change of train in Wien/Vienna can be more than 60% cheaper than taking this direct train from Zurich to Bratislava.

That's because OBB will offer its discounted 'Sparschiene' tickets on the train between Zurich and Wien.

Making the connection in Wien Hbf station should be comparatively straightforward and your ticket will be valid on any train on from Wien to Bratislava - though ,if you'll be heading to the city centre, take care to board a train heading for Bratislava hl.st. station and Bratislava-Petrzalka station.

Booking for this direct train:

Online bookings open: 180 days ahead of the travel date

This train is usually scheduled to depart from Zurich at 12:40, so target that departure time when looking up this journey..

Seat reservations:

Seat reservations aren't automatically assigned when booking tickets for journeys by Railjet trains.

So you will need to be proactive and add the seat reservation when booking with OBB. the step-by-step guide you can access below will show you how.

If you want the peace of mind of being able to remain in the same seat all the way from Zurich to Bratislava, you'll have to reserve, but they only cost €3 per seat.

Travelling with a rail pass:

You won't have to reserve on this journey if you will be travelling with an InterRail or Eurail pass.

However, if you want to be sure of remaining in the same seat for the duration of the journey, particularly in 2nd class, you will need to pay a €3 reservation fee prior to boarding.

Though don't book them at a station in Switzerland, if you do, you will have to pay an €11 booking fee.

To avoid this fee, you can book these reservations as 'seat only tickets' online on the OBB website; we show you how HERE.

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