This post may contain affiliate links. Please check my privacy and Cookies policy for more information. Central France, Western Germany, Austria and most of northern Italy are within your reach by train in under 6 hours.
In addition, Zurich is exceptionally well served by night trains, so you can board your service on Friday evening and wake up in Berlin, Amsterdam, Prague, Budapest, and many more! Swap the time you would spend travelling to Zurich airport, flying out, landing, and exiting the airport at your destination, for a scenic and mindful train trip. Ready to plan a train getaway somewhere in Europe?
Research your options. The Trainline and SBB websites are great places to start. Make sure to browse the websites of the national rail operators of Germany , France , Austria , and Italy as well as Italian private operator Italo , if you need more flexibility in designing your break, or want to benefit from some special offers. To get you started, here is a list of 20 of the best destinations you can reach from Zurich by train, even for a long weekend:.
The direct train from Zurich to Milano takes 4 hours and 20 minutes. You can admire the Duomo itself from the Museo del Novecento while walking through the Kandinskijs, Modiglianis and Picassos, or from the top floor of the Rinascente department store. If you are into Italian fashion, be it as a buyer or as a window shopper, the 19th-century Galleria Vittorio Emanuele is a must, as are Via Montenapoleone and Via della Spiga.
Milan is famous in Italy and beyond for its opera, and the La Scala theatre is one of the temples of the genre. Keep an eye on their website , as bookings are only open on specific days every three months and and are snapped up immediately. There are direct Railjet trains between Zurich and the stunning Austrian city of Salzburg β and many more services if you allow for a swift change in Munich.
