Milan to Zurich train with Trenitalia

Train Milan Zurich

Weekdays and weekends at least 10 trains from Milan to Zurich run the 135-mile (217-km) route between the two cities. Service starts in the pre-dawn hours, with intermittent departures thereafter until the early evening. There are fast trains from Milan to Zurich via EuroCity (EC) train, with some regional transport included on the schedule. Anticipate the journey by EC train to take about 3h 15on average. Travel via regional transport includes some connections and transfers along the way, so anticipate journeys lasting between4h-5h. One provider operates trains to Zurich from Milan from multiple locations to the central station in Zurich.

Milan to Zurich Train Time: daily departures

The schedule of trains from Milan to Zurich calls for 14 departures from Monday to Friday, 13 on Saturday and 10 trips on Sunday for a total of approx. 95 departures each week. Intermittent daily service commences with the 5:25 a.m.train and terminates with the last one at approx. 8 p.m. There areat least two departures during the 7 a.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. hours. The majority of trains Milan to Zurich run express, with durations of about 3h 15min while a few involve connections enroute and extended journey times between 4-5h long. To plan your schedule, simply go to our website and select your preferred travel date, then press "See all trains" at the end of the section to view the complete timetable.

Boarding your train Milan Zurich

Trains from Milan to Zurich depart from two locations in the northern Italian city. Milano Centrale is the departure point for over 80% of the overall daily traffic while the remaining services leave from Milano Lambrate Station. If you’re leaving the city during the hectic tourist season, plan to arrive at either location at least an hour in advance to give yourself time to purchase tickets, run errands or visit the toilet prior to departure. Use the information system screens at both locations to guide you to your platform.

Milan: View of the famous Duomo and Vittorio Emanuele gallery. Source: Shutterstock

Where does the train depart in Milan and arrive in Zurich?

Passengers headed to Milano Centrale terminal should expect a journey of approx. 10min by car, 10min via public transport and approx. 35min by foot coming from Central Milan. On the other hand, if you’re in the downtown area and travelling to Milan Lambrate Station, be advised your journey will take approx. 25min by car, about 30min via public transport and over 1h if you’re considering walking there. When your train from Milan to Zurich arrives at Zurich HB terminal you’ll already be in the heart of the city so no further travel is necessary.

When is the best time to book your train ticket from Milan to Zurich?

Browse the complete schedule on the Omio website to locate the best travel time for your train Milan - Zurich and book your reservation. You will notice there are affordable prices for direct trains throughout the day, but the cheapest train tickets from Milan to Zurich are reserved for early morning departures, which are also among the longest journeys. Making your reservations far in advance also allows you to take advantage of provider discounts and specials on trains from Milan to Zurich.

What to see between Milan and Zurich?

Passengers on trains from Milan to Zurich will be treated to a scenic ride through parts of the Italian and Swiss Alps. Departing trains travel north via Sesto San Giovanni and San Giuseppe to Monza then head northwest to Seregno and on to Como San Giovanni via Como Camerlata. The route travels the perimeter of Parc Regionale Spina Verde where it crosses the Swiss boundary towards Chiasso which is a key transfer point. Continuing north past Mendrisio passengers can enjoy extended views of Lake Lugano and several peaks come into view near Rivera. Trains travel within close proximity to Castell di Montebello and run parallel to Fiume Ticino up to Personico and across the Swiss Alps on approach to Zurich HB.

Information on Zurich HB

Zurich Hauptbahnhof terminal is the largest railway station in Switzerland and boasts a convenient location at the heart of the city centre. The terminal has been operating service since 1847 and now boasts 15 platforms along with a host of essential facilities and services for passengers arriving on trains from Milan to Zurich. These include ticketing office, left luggage facilities, shops, restaurants, toilets and cash-point machines. Car hire providers are located nearby and a taxi rank is located outside the station. Bus, tram and metro links are also available for your onward travel convenience.

Night trains Milan Zurich

Trains to Zurich from Milan only operate until 8 p.m. each day, so unfortunately you cannot ride a night train to Zurich from Milan.

Trenitalia Milan to Zurich

Trenitalia is the state-owned operator and largest provider of high-speed intercity, regional and commuter train services in Italy. The daily schedule of Trenitalia Milan to Zurich trains outlines 14 daily trains and a minimum of 90 departures each week. The earliest one occurs around 5:30 a.m. and the latest train leaves approx. 8 p.m. Milan to Zurich train speeds approach 90 km/h (60 mph) aboard express EC trains, with additional service via Trenitalia regional trains. Such journeys involve a connection at Milano Porta Garibaldi Station and a few others also require transfers at Chiasso Railway Station. The fastest travel time to Zurich from Milan is about 3h 15min while the slowest travel time is nearly 5h long.

Trains Milan to Zurich: Sustainable Travel

Trenitalia proposes to implement energy efficient technologies such as the "Pop and Rock" trains with enhanced air conditioning systems which consume 20% less energy than their predecessors while the Frecciarossa 1000 Series is 35% more efficient thanks to innovative aerodynamic designs. Overall, Trenitalia expects to be carbon neutral with zero CO2 emissions by the year 2040, thus increasing the advantages buses and trains already enjoy as the most sustainable means of mass transport.

Train Milan to Zurich: Services on Board

Passengers travelling with Trenitalia can go First or Economy Class on EuroCity trains and Economy Class only via regional train transport. Economy Class compartments on Milan-Zurich trains are outfitted with comfortable seats offering extra legroom, power outlets and temperature controls and some include a refreshments car. First Class upgrades include ergonomic seating with headrest, folding tables and complimentary refreshments service. Toilets with accessible features are standard and Wi-Fi is available for your entertainment choices. Additional onboard policies include:

• There is no specific luggage allowance on Trenitalia trains, but you should travel with the standard two cases and one personal luggage on board.
• Representatives at Sale Blu are available to assist persons with reduced mobility plan their train travel and can answer questions regarding onboard wheelchairs and scooters. Priority seating is standard and assistance animals are always welcomed on board.
• One pet per customer is approved for onboard travel. Small pets must be transported in appropriate carriers while larger dogs must be kept on the lead and fitted with a muzzle for the entirely of the trip.
• One bike per customer is allowed on this route, subject to space availability, therefore include a reservation for yours at the time of booking your tickets.
• Reserved seating is not generally available in Economy Class, but may be permitted upon request, at the station or online, when you make your reservations.

When to book your train tickets from Milan to Zurich?

If you want to take advantage of the least expensive train tickets to Zurich from Milan, book your travel plans at least a month or more in advance whenever possible. There are a few other ways you can save money on travel expenses. For example, it is standard practise that almost all providers issue discounted fares for young children, senior citizens and persons with reduced mobility while many others routinely offer special rates for students, groups and families. Keep your travel plans fluid to consider trips on early-morning, mid-afternoon and late-evening trains. These tend to be longer journeys, but are generally less expensive than those during peak travel hours. You can also take advantage of weekender specials, as well as reduced fare plans for business and frequent travellers as additional ways to save cash on train travel to Zurich from Milan.

To Zurich by Train: Travel Tips

Zurich is one of the world’s great financial and banking centres, with a host of art galleries and museums such as Kunsthaus and Swiss National Museum. The capital city of Switzerland situated high in the alpine region is a favourite destination for winter activities and a premier location for major sporting events. Important governing bodies such as FIFA and International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) are based there as well.

The official language in Zurich is German and the city is divided into 12 districts or Kreis. Public transport is hugely popular among residents and visitors owing to the extensive network managed by ZVV, the state-owned authority. It includes Zurich trams, ZSG ferry boats across Lake Zurich, as well as EuroCity and SBB CFF FFS high-speed transport from Zurich Hauptbahnhof terminal. Zurich Cards are available at the airport for unlimited travel on all public transport and discounts to many key city attractions. Zurich Airport is the country’s largest and the main international gateway to the city.

Zurich HB is a short distance from Swiss National Museum, which is a perfect starting point for your city explorations, with nearby Platzpitz offering views overlooking the Sihl and Limmat. Ride the tram across Bahnhofbrucke for the Polybahn cable car and take a moment to browse our Window Seat Magazine Zurich Edition for exciting tips and helpful hints on gastronomy, leisure activities and nightlife in Zurich. Five other bridges cross River Limmat providing access to many important landmarks. Around Munsterbrucke you can find Fraumunster Church, Wuhrer an der Limmat, Helmhaus Museum and iconic Grossmunster Cathedral. Meanwhile Zurich Opera House is within walking distance from Qualbrucke.

When visiting Zurich, a promenade along Bahnhofstrasse is absolutely essential. This is the city’s main thoroughfare and teems with high-end boutiques and fashion shops, winding through the financial district and down to Burkiplatz ferry terminal at the edge of Lake Zurich. Add to that a ride up to Uetliberg for sumptuous views in every direction and see if you can spot some of the following attractions on the way up:

• Zurichhorn Park
• Paradeplatz
• Lindenhof
• The Rathaus
• Museum Rietberg/Rieter Park
• FIFA Museum
• Bellerive Museum
• Belvoir Park

Zurich: panoramic view of the historic city center. Source: Shutterstock

What are some other cities you can go to from Zurich?

Booking travel plans at least a month or more in advance not only gives you the advantage of cheaper fares, it also gives you time to consider some short trips through Northern Italy before departing for Zurich. For example, Bergamo is short trip via regional transport for a stroll through the city’s Upper (medieval fortifications and Bergamo Cathedral) and Lower sections (Accademia Carrara). Freccia trains take less than 2h to Verona, an UNESCO World Heritage Site and famous setting for two Shakespearean plays. Verona Arena, Verona Cathedral and Castel San Pietro are other major highlights for some good selfies. Just east of Verona, Padua is famed for its academic institutions and iconic Orto Botanico. Prato della Valle is a famous downtown walkabout and Pallazzo della Regione is the oldest market.Pisa is a few hours via high-speed train from Milan and you can spend the day exploring Piazza dei Miracoli, which houses Pisa Cathedral, Baptistry of St. John and the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa. Cantieri delle Navi di Pisa (Museum of Ancient Ships) is also highly recommended.