- Must visit
Muzeul Național de Artă al României
Leading Romanian art museum in the former royal palace, with European and national collections across several elegant galleries.
Cheapest price on 13 Sept
£324
Average ticket price on 13 Sept
£334
Fastest journey on 13 Sept
1 d 10 h
Average journey duration on 13 Sept
1 d 10 h 3 m
Trains on 13 Sept
2
Distance
1394 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Zurich to Bucharest is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Zurich to Bucharest will cost around £334 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £324.
To travel from Zurich to Bucharest you need to make at least 2 changes.
EC 191 · RJX 261 · IC 73
IC 488 · ICE 567 · RJX 261 · IC 73
IC 488 · ICE 567 · RJX 261 · IC 73
EC 191 · RJX 261 · IC 73Omio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from Zurich to Bucharest among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the flight, with an average ticket price of £87 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 5h 20m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the coach is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 1.4 - 3.5kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a flight costs an average of £87, while a train costs an average of £315.
Distance: 1394 km
| Train | Most popular Flight | Coach | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
£315 Average Price | £87 Average Price Cheapest | £100 Average Price | £356 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
28h 32m Average total duration 28h 2m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 20m Average total duration Fastest 3h 20m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 32h 33m Average total duration 32h 3m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 19h 26m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
- CO2 emissions | 4.2 - 8.4kg CO2 emissions | 1.4 - 3.5kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Zurich to Bucharest:
A flight is £13 less than a coach for this route with tickets for a coach from Zurich to Bucharest costing on average £100.
A flight is £227 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Zurich to Bucharest costing on average £315.
Other travel options to Bucharest take longer:
Train takes on average 28h 2m.
Coach takes on average 32h 3m.
Tickets start at around £315 compared to roughly £356 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £41. The journey takes 28h 2m versus 19h 26m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.
Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.
The table below shows live departures for Zurich to Bucharest trains for today, Saturday 12 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EC 191 · RJX 261 · IC 73 | On time 11:32 Zurich HB | 34h05 | 22:37 Bucharest | 2 changes | |
IC 488 · ICE 567 · RJX 261 · IC 73 | On time 11:37 Zurich HB | 34h00 | 22:37 Bucharest | 3 changes | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train, coach and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Trains from Zurich to Bucharest run on average 1 times per day, taking around 28h 2m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £305 but you can travel from only £24 by flight.
The earliest train runs at 03:35, the last at 03:35. The fastest train covers the 1394 km distance in 28h 2m.
Distance 1394 km |
Average train duration 28h 2m |
Cheapest ticket price £305 |
Trains per day 1 |
Fastest train 28h 2m |
First train 3:35 |
Last train 3:35 |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Mon |
Discover the best of Bucharest — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Bucharest trip today.
Leading Romanian art museum in the former royal palace, with European and national collections across several elegant galleries.
Open-air museum with traditional houses, churches and farm buildings moved from across Romania, ideal for architecture and folklore.
Museum in Ceaușescu’s former residence, showing preserved private rooms, décor and daily life inside the late communist elite.
Atmospheric historic quarter with churches, inns, small lanes and restored buildings, ideal for walking and seeing old Bucharest.
Elegant central avenue linking major squares, theatres and historic buildings; one of the city’s best walks for architecture and atmosphere.
Large landscaped park around Herăstrău Lake with promenades, boat rentals and green space for a relaxed break from central traffic.
Sarmale are cabbage rolls stuffed with minced pork and rice, slowly cooked and often served with polenta. They are a festive Romanian staple.
Mici are skinless grilled minced meat rolls seasoned with garlic and spices. They are a beloved street and barbecue classic in Bucharest.
Ciorbă de burtă is a rich sour tripe soup with garlic, vinegar and cream. It is one of Romania’s most iconic traditional soups.
Elegant dining room showcasing modern Romanian cooking and tasting menus in a polished central setting.
Historic beer hall serving Romanian classics, grilled meats and local beer in a lively old-town setting.
Stylish restaurant focused on Romanian cuisine with refined plating and a more contemporary dining room.
Budget-friendly for a European capital: hotels, meals and public transport are generally cheaper than in Western and Central European city breaks.
Service is not always included. Tip 10% in restaurants for good service, round up or add 5-10% for taxis, and small change at cafés is appreciated.
Official public transport app
Henri Coandă Airport Railway Station -> Gara de Nord, Bucharest
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Zurich to Bucharest by train. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Bucharest, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Zurich to Bucharest trains use the Zürich HB to Bucharest station pair. Use this guide to compare Zurich and Bucharest train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Zürich HB is 1 km from Zurich city centre. Public transport options include:
Zürich HB has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Shower, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental, Information Desk and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: Restaurant Au Premier, Brasserie Federal
Free. ATMs are available in the train station.
Ticket office support is available at Zürich HB. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Zürich HB. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Zürich HB: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Zürich HB: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Zürich HB: Elevators, ramps, restrooms.
Nearby hotels include Hotel Schweizerhof Zürich, Hotel St. Gotthard, Central Plaza Hotel.
Bucharest is 3 km from Bucharest city centre. Public transport options include:
Bucharest has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Bike Parking and Car Rental.
Food and drink options are available at Bucharest.
Wi-Fi is available at Bucharest. ATMs are available at Bucharest.
Available at Bucharest: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Bucharest: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Bucharest.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need