How to take the rail journey from northern Switzerland to Italian cities to the south of Milan

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Zurich to Bologna by train

This recently introduced service is the only direct train from Switzerland to a string of beautiful Italian cities; Piacenza, Parma, Reggio d'Emilia, Modena and Bologna.

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

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 Bologna

Route Information

Station Guides

The frontage of Zurich Hb station by the Bahnhofplatz tram stops

Zürich HB / Zurich main station Rail Station Guide

The main departure hall is to the right, the Ovest entrance is on the far left

Bologna Centrale Rail Station Guide

Travel Time (approx)

5hr 55min (approx)

Frequency

Daily

Travel Info

1 x train per day

Travel Information

Final Destination: Bologna Cle.

This train is typically due to depart shortly after 06:30, so target that time when looking up this journey.

The train also calls at: Lugano (departs at 08:32) and at Piacenza (arrives 10:59); Parma (arrives 11:31); Reggio Emilia (arrives 11:49) and Modena (arrives 12:07).

This is a direct journey

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

Giruno Train Guide

Good to Know

If you will be travelling by train from Zurich and Lugano to destinations south of Bologna including Firenze/Florence, Roma and Napoli, the journey will be easier and likely faster if you take one of the other trains from Zurich to Milano Centrale and make the connection between trains at that station instead of Bologna Centrale.

At Milano Centrale station making the transfer simply involves walking from one train to the other, but at Bologna Centrale, this train from Zurich will arrive at a different part of the station to that used by the high speed trains on to the destinations beyond Bologna.

As this EC train doesn't use the high speed line between Bologna, therefore the Frecce trains which do so, can travel from Milan to Bologna twice as quickly, so making the connection at Milano into those trains can be a time saver too.

Journey description:

From the LEFT of the train (when facing the direction of travel) the first highlight to look out for is the view over Lake Zurich, as the train ascends up from the shore.

Then, if the weather is behaving itself, after departure from Zug station comes what is now the highlight of the journey, the view over the Zugersee.
This lake with its mountain peaks on the far shore can be seen on the right for more than 15 mins between Zug and Arth-Goldau station.

The next beautiful vista to look out for comes after departure from Arth-Goldau station, when on the right, the train will pass by the Lauerzersee.

Then just to the south of here, also look out on the right for glimpses of the Luzernsee.

Now that the trains on this route use the Ceneri Base Tunnel the next scenic highlights on the journey
come shortly after departure from Lugano, where there are views over the lake, initially over on the LEFT.

and then the train will cross the lake, which is quite the wow moment!

After the trains have crossed the lake, the best of the views switch to the right.
The Italian section of the journey south of Chiasso is more mundane, despite the trains passing through Como, its namesake lake can't be seen from these trains; and there isn't anything particularly special about the final part of the journey from Milano on to Bologna where the train will travel across flat farm land between the numerous towns.

Looking down over Lake Zurich to the south of the city

Passing by the Zugersee between Arth-Goldau and Zug

The spectacular view of the Zugersee between Zug and Arth-Goldau

Passing the Lauerzersee north of Schwyz

Look out for the glimpses of Lake Luzern

To the north of the Gotthard Base Tunnel

Heading towards Bellinzona

Travelling through Lugano

New Schedules for EC Trains between Switzerland and Italy The EC trains on the 'Gottardo' route between Zurich and Italian cities which travel via Lugano are being revised, with multiple new opportunities for connections.

New Schedules for EC Trains between Switzerland and Italy The EC trains on the 'Gottardo' route between Zurich and Italian cities which travel via Lugano are ...

The general guide to Swiss rail travel Discover what's good to know about riding the trains, taking popular journeys, using the major stations, booking tickets and travelling with rail passes.

From Paris to Milan by Italian high speed trains

The general guide to Italian rail travel Discover what's good to know about using the major stations, taking popular journeys, booking tickets and travelling with Eurail and InterRail passes.

Tickets

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

Up until departure, the most expensive type of ticket, Standard tickets, can be for exchanged for another day of travel or travel time on the exact same route without paying any additional fees.
Up until departure, the mid priced type of ticket, Saver Flex tickets, can be for exchanged for another day of travel or travel time on the exact same route, but the price difference with Standard tickets, at the time of exchange, will need to be paid.
The cheapest type of tickets, Saver tickets, cannot be exchanged.

Additional information is available on the SBB website.

Refunds

Up until departure, the most expensive type of ticket, Standard tickets, tickets can be returned and purchasers will receive 80% of the price paid.
The mid priced type of ticket, Saver Flex tickets, cannot be refunded.
The cheapest type of tickets, Saver tickets, cannot be refunded.

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.

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.

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