MySwissAlps.com includes Best train route from Geneva to Zurich for scenic views and stops
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Hi Guys,
I have taken a look at your page and I just wanted to ask. What is the best option to travel from Geneva to Zurich via train? I am staying a few days in each city. Of course, with the best views, stops along the way.
The date is May 30th.
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Hi jah_wat,
Welcome to MySwissAlps.
There is a direct train service from Geneva to Zurich that runs hourly. The total journey time is roughly 3 hours.
If you are in no hurry and prefer a scenic route, I recommend travelling on the GoldenPass panorama trains from Montreux to Zweisimmen. In Zweisimmen change to the local train to Bern, and from Bern continue to Zurich.
You can find further information about the GoldenPass trains here: https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/goldenpass/
Regards,
Anna
Hello jah_wat
First of all thank you for giving us the exact date of your journey; Saturday 30th May
I see from http://www.sbb.ch that there is some railway engineering work taking place on that date. That will make journey time slightly longer than usual
If you have not much luggage I would certainly seriously consider Anna’s route via Montreux and Zweisimmen. The journey will take nearly seven hours, and it will involve changes at Montreux, Zweisimmen and SPIEZ. The section between Zweisimmen and Spiez will be a rail replacement bus (timed to connect with the trains).
The Quick Route
A direct fast train to Zurich leaves Geneva Cornavin (city centre) station at 35 minutes past each hour. On May 30 it will take three hours and eleven minutes to reach Zurich Hauptbahnhof (in the city centre). (Usually it takes just under three hours.)
This train goes via Lausanne and Bern. Climbing up out of Lausanne there is about seven minutes of spectacular views of the Unesco world heritage Lavaux vineyards, Lake Geneva, and the French alps on the other side of the lake. Sit on the right hand side in the direction of travel.
https://www.myswissalps.com/town/lausanne/
Best wishesRoger
Hello again
Here is another scenic route from Geneva to Zurich. (Timings given are those in force on 30 May.)
Catch 08 24 IR 95 train from Geneva to Brig, arriving there at 11 02. Sit on the right hand side of the train in the direction of travel.Catch the 11 36 RE1 train to Bern VIA KANDERSTEG. Sit on the left hand side of the train on leaving Brig. If possible switch to the right hand side at Frutigen. Train arrives Bern 13 22.
https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/lotschberg-mountain-railway/
From Bern catch the 13 31 IC train bound for Zurich, arriving there at 14 46. This train will take the old line between Bern and Olten. Some absolutely wonderful farm buildings between Burgdorf and Langenthal!
(This pattern of trains will repeat itself every hour.)
Best wishes for your detailed planning
Roger
Hi Roger,
Many thanks for this and all of the wonderful feedback from all. We will have a checked bag as well as a carry-on, as we will be in Paris first. For post #2796158, will the Swiss Pass Flex be applicable on this route?
Hello again
For post #2796158, will the Swiss Pass Flex be applicable on this route?
The Swiss Travel Pass Flex is valid on all Swiss public transport except lines which simply go up mountains. It is therefore valid on all three routes discussed by Anna and myself.
https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/swiss-travel-pass-flex/
Kind regards
Roger
Perfect. The Swiss Travel Pass Flex it is. I am now onto planning what things to do in Zurich. I have Geneva mapped out already. Any fantastic suggestions?
Are you wanting to travel some distance from Zurich (say journeys of three hours there and three hours back) or do you only want short trips from Zurich?
How many days will you have left on your Swiss Travel Pass Flex?
Do boat trips interest you?
Do you want to go up high mountains?Kind regards
Roger
Hi Roger,
Since we will be in Zurich from the May 30th to June 2nd (leaving Zurich), please see below.
I will be purchasing the Flex pass for 4 days @CHF 309.
30th- Nice casual Dinner in Zurich. Very local
31st – Day trip in the mountains with a nice light lunch- Casual dinner in Zurich
1st- Explore Zurich- Thinking of a walking food tour with Cheeses and Chocolates (maybe 4 hours) – Then a fancy dinner on the night of the 1st.Any suggestions would be perfect. I will be staying at the Hotel Glockenhof in Zurich.
Hello again
31st May Here are two alternative suggestions. Both will be FREE if you use a day on your Swiss Travel Pass Flex.
Long Trip to St Moritz
Catch an IC train from Zurich to Chur. Sit on the left hand side in the direction of travel. At Chur, change to an IR38 train going to St Moritz via Filisur. Sit on the right hand side.
At St Moritz have a packed lunch sitting by the lake. (The lake is next to the station.)
Return on a RE3 train bound for Landquart via Klosters. At Landquart change to an IC train back to Zurich.Shorter Trip to Mount Rigi and Lucerne
(Note the German name for Lucerne is Luzern.)
Catch a train to Arth-Goldau via Zug.
Go up Mount Rigi on the cog-wheel railway. Have a packed lunch at the top.
Go down on the other railway to Vitznau. From there take the boat to Luzern.
Return to Zurich by train. Sit on the right in the direction of travel.June 1st Buy a Zurich Card to get around on the (excellent) local public transport.
https://www.myswissalps.com/town/zurich/#travel
Kind regards
Roger
Hi Roger,
Thank you very much, and I have chosen this option. However, when trying to book the tickets, it’s asking for me to buy the tickets. Or, since I’ve already purchased the Swiss Pass Flex, how would I go about booking the trains?
Hello again
If you buy a Swiss Travel Pass Flex, then (except for very few trains which have compulsory seat reservation) you do not need separate tickets for individual trains.
For how the Swiss Travel Pass Flex works: https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/swiss-travel-pass-flex/
Then, from the menu which now appears. Click on ‘How does the Swiss Travel Pass Flex Work?’
Kind regards
Roger
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