How to get from Milan to Zurich via train and what ticket?
Tracy is planning a trip to Zurich this February from Milan and is trying to understand her train options. She’s unsure about the best train to take, how ticketing works, and if a Swiss Saver Day Pass can be used for her journey. Tracy is looking for clarity on these points to make her travel easier.
- Book an EC (Eurocity) train for a direct, quick journey from Milan to Zurich, but expect it to be crowded and reserve seats in advance.
- For a scenic option, take the RE80 to Locarno and then the Treno Gottardo to Zurich, allowing for a leisurely experience and the possibility to explore.
- The Swiss Travel Pass is only valid from the border station of Chiasso, so purchase separate tickets for the Italian portion to Chiasso, then use the pass for the rest of the Swiss journey.
AI-generated summary-
Hello,
We need to get to Zurich this February from Milan and I am confused by the train options. I see some options for the Giruno and other options for Trenitalia’s high-speed Alta Velocità (AV) trains and yet other places say take the EC train.
What I am wondering is who should I be booking with and why (is one more scenic, less expensive, more comfortable, etc).
Does one ticket cover the entire Swiss and Italian portion? Can we use a Swiss Saver Day Pass?
I see there are direct routes. On these can you still get off and get back on later at the listed stops?
Sorry, but I am really confused by the options!
Tracy
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Hello again Tracy
First note that where I refer to train times, I am referring to the 2025 schedules. Schedules in 2026 may be slightly different. But that cannot affect the fundamental points I am making in this reply.
In practical reality you have two main options.
Take an EC ‘Eurocity’ Train if you want a quick journey.
The term ‘Eurocity’. abbreviation ‘EC’ is in widespread use for international express trains. All Milan to Zurich fast trains are Eurocity (EC).
I see some options for the Giruno and other options for Trenitalia’s high-speed Alta Velocità (AV)
Giruno (SBB owned) and ‘Alte Velocite’ are the types of rolling stock used on the Milan to Zurich EuroCity trains.
On the current timetable there are EC trains from Milan to Zurich at 07 10, 08 10, 09 10, 11 10, 13 10, 15 10, 17 10, 1810, 19 10.
These trains all take three hours and 17 minutes. They all go through the decidedly unscenic Gotthard base tunnel , at 57 kms currently the longest railway tunnel in the world.
Seat reservation is compulsory on the EC trains.
https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-guide/italy-switzerland/
RE80 to Locarno; Treno Gottardo to Zurich via the old Panorama line through Airolo
Assuming I had all day to make the journey, this is the route I would take.
Every hour, at 43 minutes past the hour an ‘RE80 train’, leaves Milano Centrale bound for Locarno via Como, Chiasso and Lugano. The journey takes one hour and fifty-five minutes. This relatively new ‘Regional Express’ service, promoted by the Italian province of Lombardia and the Swiss canton of Ticino has been an enormous success. 12-carriage trains of the [Swiss-built] FLIRT type are in use all-day!
Take a break when you get to Locarno.
Every hour at 33 minutes past the hour, a ‘Treno Gottardo’ leaves Locarno.
After Bellinzona the Treno Gottardo does NOT go through the BASE tunnel. It takes the old line (opened in 1882). It is (of course) a rather slow train. it takes three hours and 22 minutes to get to Zurich.
Trains leaving Locarno at 08 33, 10 33, 12 33 , 14 33 etc are numbered IR46 and go through to Zurich. Trains leaving at 09 33, 11 33, 13 33, 15 33 etc are numbered IR26 and are bound for Basel via Luzern. For Zurich, you change at ARTH-GOLDAU. The change is a level walk – no subway to go through.
Ticketing
Swiss ‘go anywhere’ tickets such as the Saver Day Pass or the fabulous Swiss Travel Pass are only valid from the frontier station of CHIASSO. But note that you could, for the Eurocity option, get an Italian ticket Milan to Chiasso, use an SDP (or STP) Chiasso to Zurich. You will also need a seat reservation for the whole journey.
If you decide on the scenic route via Locarno and the old ‘Panoramic’ railway, I would suggest you get a Milan to Chiasso ticket, and then use Saver Day Passes for the rest of your travels.
Kind Regards
Roger
Hi Tracy,
You can find useful information about travel and ticket options from Italy to Switzerland here: https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-guide/italy-switzerland/
If you are travelling by train in multiple European countries, consider getting the Eurail Global Pass (https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/eurail-global-pass/). The Swiss Travel Pass (https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/swiss-travel-pass/) is only valid in Switzerland.
Regards,
Anna
Roger, your explanation is most helpful! If I am understanding correctly I the these options:
1. Book a EC ticket from a platfom such as trainline and do directly from Milan to Zurich in 3:17. As part of this I would also received a seat reservation. No getting off on this route.
2. Book a EC train from Milan to to Locarno and then a regional train from Locarno to Zurich for a scenic route totally about 5 1/2 hours. I would need a different ticket for each part and the route from Locarno to Zurich would include a reservation. Locarno would be where we could get off if we wanted to.
3. Book a regional train from Milan to Chiasso (or a EC ticket further into Switzerland) and then use the swiss train network to get to Zurich choosing any route we liked and getting off and on at stops as we pleased. No reservations would be part of this route.
If we go the route of making reservations how far in advance do we need to do this? There are 7 of us and it will be during the Milan Olympics so I expect it will be busy.
Trying to balance flexibility with time and money to figure out our return trip so your help is much appreciated. We do have our trip from Zurich to Milan booked (Zurich to Chur for a stay and then the Bernina Express to Tirano and on to Milan) so at least one end is figured out!
Anna,
Thanks for your reply. I had looked at the guide which had great info, but still left me with some questions. Because we only have 2 days with travel between countries it seems to work out best to use the saver day passes, but thank you for that suggestion!
Tracy
Hello Tracy.
Option one is obviously possible. The MIlan to Zurich EC trains are ALWAYS crowded, so I would reserve seats several weeks in advance.
Now option 2 is what I recommend: RE80 to Locarno; Treno Gottardo to Zurich via the old Panorama line through Airolo.
Now the RE80 is a ‘Regional Express train, not a Eurocity. Reservations are not possible on the RE80. Just get to Milano Centrale by about 30 past the hour!
The Treno Gottardo is a Swiss train on which reservation is possible but not compulsory. My experience using the Treno Gottardo is that very few passengers have seat reservations. Also on the southern end of this route the train is a lot less busy than at its northern end.Option three is really a variant on option two. But do NOT use a Eurocity Milan to Chiasso.. Use the RE80 (or some other Italian regional train).
On both options two and three I would suggest you get ordinary Italian tickets for the 51 kms to Chiasso, and get Saver Day Passes (which will allow you to take any route you like north of Chiasso!) I would stress that if (as I would) you leave MIlan on an RE80 you simply stay on the train when it gets to Chiasso. This new service has created a market for cross boarder travel between Milan and the Italian-speaking part of Swtizerland!
KInd regards
Roger
Roger you have been most helpful!
One final question (I hope). When you say just stay on the regional train from Chiasso I understand this to mean I should have a day saver or other Swiss rail pass, but where will I end up if I just stay on the train? I see that in Chiasso I can switch to trains that would take me places such as Lugano or Luzern (before heading onto Zurich), but I’m assuming those aren’t “stay on the train” locations.
Thanks again,
Tracy
Hi Tracy,
The regional train from Milan (RE80) continues to Lugano and Locarno, so there’s no need to get off in Chiasso if you go there. If you have a Saver Day Pass, it covers everything beyond Chiasso. Click on the train in the timetable to see it’s entire route and all the stops.
Hello Tracy
Further to Arno’s reply, there is absolutely no point in getting off at Chiasso. If you want to be transported to central/northern Switzerland as quickly as possible, get off at Lugano and change there to a Swiss Intercity train. (A lot of Swiss Intercity trains start from Lugano.) But that IC train will go through the Gotthard BASE tunnel, and you miss lots of magnificent scenery. (The civil engineering of the old 1882 railway is also amazing!)
If you want to visit Luzern on a slowish relaxed journey from Milan to Zurich, catch the 13 33 Treno Gottardo from Locarno and stay on that train until it reaches Luzern at 16 41. When you come out of the station at Luzern the lake is straight in front of you. The iconic wooden Chappel Bridge is about 300 metres to your left. Trains from Luzern to Zurich are twice an hour, and take 41-50 minutes.
Note that all larger Swiss stations have left-luggage lockers.
Best wishes for your detailed planning.
Roger
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