How to take the rail journey from Zurich to Geneva/Genève

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Zürich / Zurich to Genève / Geneva by train

What is unusual is that the IC trains from Zurich to Geneva/Genève take two different routes, one of the hourly trains travels via Bern and by the shore of Lake Geneva, while the other hourly train travels via Neuchatel and along the shore of Lake Biel.

Routes you can take to go from Zürich / Zurich to Genève / Geneva

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 Journey guides for travel from Genève / Geneva

Route Information

Station Guides

The frontage of Zurich Hb station by the Bahnhofplatz tram stops

Zürich HB / Zurich main station Rail Station Guide

Genève/Geneva-Cornavin Rail Station Guide

Travel Time (approx)

2hr 42min - 2hr 46min

Frequency

Daily

Travel Info

2 x trains per hour

Is this journey from Zurich to Geneva direct?
Yes, there is no need to make a connection when taking this route.

Is the journey scenic?
Both routes, via Bern and via Biel/Bienne have scenic highlights - see the Journey Information for images and videos and tips for making the most of the views.

What other tourist locations are along the route from Zurich to Geneva?
Bern and Lausanne

When is the usual approximate earliest arrival at the main station in Geneva from Zurich?
Before 08:20 daily (this train takes the route via Bern)
Source = European Rail Timetable

When is the usual approximate earliest arrival at Geneva Airport / Aeroport from Zurich?
Before 08:30 daily (this train takes the route via Bern)
Source = European Rail Timetable

How easy is it to travel on from the station in Geneva?
Genève-Cornavin is very conveniently located - see the Station Guide above for more info, plus easy access to multiple options for booking somewhere to stay in the neighborhood.

When is the usual approximate latest departure from Zurich HB station to the main station in Geneva and Geneva Aeroport / Airport by direct train?

Before 18:35 on Monday to Thursday and Sunday
Before 20:35 on Friday and Saturday
It's possible to depart later by making a connections in Lausanne
Source = European Rail Timetable

When is the usual approximate latest departure from Zurich Flughafen /Airport to the main station in Geneva by direct train?

Before 18:10 on Monday to Thursday and Sunday
Before 20:310on Friday and Saturday
It's possible to depart later by making connections in Zurich HB and Lausanne
Source = European Rail Timetable

How easy is it to get to the station in Zurich?
Zurich HB is at the northern edge of the heart of the city, the old town area is within a 10min walk and more than a dozen routes / lines use the two sets of tram stops.
See the Station Guide for more info, plus easy access to booking accommodation in its neighbourhood.

Are tickets cheaper if booked in advance for these Zurich to Geneva trains?
Yes

How soon ahead of travel are tickets typically placed on sale for these Zurich to Geneva trains?
Typically up to 6 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 Zurich to Geneva trains?

Children aged 5 or younger travel free of charge
Children aged 6-15 and travelling with a person aged 16 and over, pay 50% of the adult rate per journey - see the Ticket Guide for more info.

Does the ticket for these Zurich to Geneva trains include assigned seats?
No, reservations are available, but are not mandatory.
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 Zurich to Geneva trains?
No

Is catering available on the Zurich to Geneva trains?
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 Swiss rail travel?
Check out the guide to travelling by train in Switzerland.

Travel Information

There are two different IC express train services available between Zurich and Geneva.

(1) Route IC 1 via Bern

The brand new LD/Twindexx trains are now operating on most departures, but regardless of whether you will be travelling on an older or newer train, double-deck trains are used on this route.

This train will usually depart from the lower level platforms/tracks in Zurich HB station (gleis 31 or 32)
It will normally arrive 5 mins before it is due to depart, so keep an eye on the departure time, you many not have to rush to board by the nearest door.

Final Destination: Genéve-Aeroport

All trains also call at: Lausanne

(2) Route IC 5 via Biel

The tilting ICN trains are used on this route.

At Zurich HB these trains will depart either from the platforms/tracks (gleis 3 - 18) which can be accessed from the street level concourse, OR from gleis 31-32 in the lower level of the station.

What may not be obvious is that two ICN trains can be joined together on departure from Zurich, so on some departures only the front train will travel on to Geneve, the rear train will be terminating in Biel.
Though when that is occurring multi-lingual announcements are made on the train and you will also be asked to move seats if need be by the train conductor.

All trains also call at: Biel and Neuchatel

From Zurich Flughafen/Airport:

The trains on route IC 1 via Bern all call at at Zurich Flughafen/Airport station 16 mins before they depart from the city centre station, Zurich HB and 50% of the trains on route IC 5 via Biel also call at the airport station.

So there are one OR two direct trains per hour between Zurich Airport and Geneve.

This is a direct journey

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

IC (Switzerland) Train Guide

Journey Features

Scenic - YesLake views

Good to Know

Which route should you choose?

The trains on route via IC 1 via Bern usually depart from Zurich at 32 mins past each hour and those on route IC 5 via Biel usually depart at 04 mins past each hour.

So if you will be buying tickets at the station or using a rail pass, simply take the next to depart, regardless of which route the train is taking.

It can be fun to travel from Zurich on one route and return on the other, between Olten and Lake Geneva 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.
Be guided by price, rather than the route - though the cheaper tickets tend to be more widely available on the trains via Biel.

Journey description:

via Bern

From the left of the train (when facing the direction) of travel there are some incredible views over Lake Geneva, as the train approaches Lausanne.
It's worth travelling on the upper deck in order to see these views at their best; these two videos below were filmed from a train travelling in the opposite direction.

This part of the journey is so fabulous that it merited a place on the list of the 15 Most Beautiful Swiss Train Journeys.

via Biel

From the left of the train (when facing the direction) of travel there are some wonderful views over the lakes...

over Lake Bienne after departure from Biel/Bienne station...

...and after Neuchatel the lake which takes its name from the city...

The stunning view of Lake Geneva from the trains on route IC 1

The best of the views on the IC 1 route are when the train approaches Lausanne

Sit on the left of the trains if you take the IC 1 route

The sun rises over the countryside near Fribourg from an IC 1 train

Lake Biel comes into view on the left if you take the IC 5 route

The IC 5 route spends more than 10 mins right by the Lake Biel shore

Shortly after departure from Neuchatel station look for the stunning view over the town

Passing through the vineyards between Neuchatel and Yverdon on route IC 5

A final view of the lakes as the train heads south on route IC 5

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