How to take the train from Zurich to Florence / Firenze

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Zurich to Firenze / Florence by train

On the new timetable for 2026 a direct train has been added between Switzerland's largest city and a destination south of Bologna - the beautiful city that is the jewel of the Italian Renaissance.

Routes you can take to go from Zürich / Zurich to Firenze / Florence

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 Firenze / Florence

Route Information

Station Guides

The frontage of Zurich Hb station by the Bahnhofplatz tram stops

Zürich HB / Zurich main station Rail Station Guide

Looking towards Firenze S.M.Novella station from the city centre

Firenze S. M. Novella Rail Station Guide

Travel Time (approx)

6hr 57min

Frequency

Daily

Travel Info

1 x direct train per day

Travel Information

This train will typically be due to depart shortly after14:30, so target that time when looking up this journey.

Final Destination: Florenz / Firenze / Florence

The train also calls at: Piacenza; Parma; Reggio Emilia and Modena and Bologna

This is a direct journey

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

A Giruno train awaits departure from Zurich HB station

Giruno (Switzerland / Italy / Germany) Train Guide

Journey Features

Scenic - YesLandscape (Hills / Mountains)Lake views

Good to Know

The train is typically due to arrive in Firenze S.M. Novella station at 21:30, prior to the scheduled departures of trains on to Assisi, Empoli, Pisa and Perugia, but these connections cannot be guaranteed.

However, as this trains does not travel on the high speed line between Milano and Bologna, a quicker option for a Zurich to Rome / Roma journey is typically available by departing Zurich an hour later at 15:30 and making a connection in Milano Centrale into an onward non-stop Frecce train to the Italian capital.

From Zurich to Florence

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.

The train will reverse direction on departure from Milano Centrale station

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

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.

On the train from Rome and Naples to Sicily

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

Limited numbers of Bimbi-Gratis tickets are available on the EC trains between Switzerland and Italy, so it can pay off to book ahead - They become available 180 days before departure and include the mandatory seat reservations.

They can be used when a group of up to 5 people includes at least one Adult and one child under the age of 15.
So it applies to groups of:

1 Adult + up to 4 children
1 or 2 Adults + up to 3 children
Up to 3 Adults + 1 or 2 children
4 Adults + 1 child

The ticket is a significant money saver as Adults receive a 40% discount on the normal fare and there is no charge for the children!

The ticket is only valid for the booked day and train, but exchange for another day or time possible free of charge, subject to availability.
Refund possible before departure for a fee. No refund after departure.

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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