Cross the Alps: How to Travel by Train from Switzerland to Italy

Last updated on December 28th, 2025

You’re gliding through pristine Alpine valleys, snow‑capped peaks slipping past your window while you sip Swiss coffee. Within hours, you’ll be admiring Italian lakes and stepping into a bustling European city filled with gelato shops and Renaissance architecture.

This isn’t a dream – it’s exactly what happens when you travel by train from Switzerland to Italy.

We found out for ourselves that the train ride between these two countries is more than just a way to get around. It’s one of Europe’s most spectacular journeys.

If you’re wondering how to travel by train from Switzerland to Italy or want the most scenic route, we’ve got you covered. Here’s everything we picked up during our own Alpine adventure.

Your Train Options: Direct, Scenic, or Overnight?

The beauty of Switzerland-Italy rail travel lies in the choices. After researching every possible route (and yes, there are trains from Switzerland to Italy – lots of them!), we found three distinct experiences waiting for you.

Direct High-Speed Trains

EuroCity trains head to Milan and even farther several times a day. They’re the fastest way to cross the border. SBB (Swiss Federal Railways) and Trenitalia run these sleek, modern trains. You’ll zip through the Gotthard Base Tunnel, an engineering marvel that’s really changed how people get across the Alps.

If you care more about speed than scenery, these direct trains are the way to go. Sure, you’ll catch some glimpses of lakes and mountains, but it’s mostly about getting you to your destination fast.

Expect comfortable seats. There’s onboard Wi-Fi, and the dining cars serve up both Swiss and Italian specialties.

Scenic Panoramic Routes

Now here’s where the magic happens. The Bernina Express is a famous narrow gauge scenic train that runs through the Swiss Alps from Chur or St Moritz to Tirano. It’s absolutely breathtaking. These UNESCO World Heritage routes exist for one reason: to show off the Alps in all their glory.

The panoramic trains come with massive glass windows and open-air observation cars. You’ll wind through valleys that look like they belong in fairy tales. You’ll cross viaducts that almost seem to defy physics. The landscapes make you wonder why anyone wouldn’t write poetry about the Alps.

Overnight Trains

Unfortunately, if you thought you can doze off in the Swiss countryside and wake up in Rome or Venice while saving on a hotel stay, that does not exist as of 2025. You will need to take a normal EuroCity train (even if it is late at night) to at least Milan before switching to an Italian carrier for the rest of the journey.

There are planned direct overnight services scheduled to start in 2026 from Zurich to Milan and Venice, but details have been scarce so far.

Major City-to-City Routes

Let’s talk specifics. When we mapped out our journey, we quickly realized that certain routes are absolute game-changers.

Zurich to Italy

Zurich to Milan really stands out as the crown jewel of Switzerland-Italy rail travel. The fastest train between Zurich and Milan clocks in at just 3 hours and 17 minutes. That makes it super practical for day trips or those spontaneous getaways. EuroCity trains run to Milan Centrale station several times daily, so you’ve got a lot of flexibility.

Once you’re in Milan, the whole Italian rail network is right at your feet. Zurich to Venice? That’s just a simple connection through Milan, but there’s at least one EuroCity service that only pauses in Milan before making its way to Venice. That service takes just over an hour point-to-point.

Heading to Rome from Zurich is also straightforward. You can hop on high-speed connections via Milan to get there in just under 7 hours. If you want to leave Zurich right after a work day, you can reach Milan at night and then take the overnight train, called Intercity Notte, to arrive in Rome at around 6:30 AM.

If Turin’s your goal, that’s another excellent choice. There aren’t any direct trains that run from Zurich to Turin, but a simple transfer in Milan will get you there in about 5.5 hours. It’s perfect for reaching northwestern Italy or even connecting onward to the French Riviera.

Honestly, the route is gorgeous. Explore Zurich for a couple days before you leave the bustle of the city, then suddenly find yourself plunging into the heart of the Alps through the Gotthard Pass. Eventually, the train bursts out into the Italian lake district. Before you know it, you’re rolling into Milan’s grand Centrale station.

Fun fact: The Gotthard Pass was an important trade route since the 13th century and was extended for cross-Alpine travel in the 19th century. See the famous oil painting, “Gotthard Post” by Rudolf Koller, in the Zurich Museum of Art.

Geneva to Italy

Geneva to Milan gives you a totally different vibe. Direct EuroCity trains from Geneva to Milan skirt along Lake Geneva (Lac Léman). Then they wind through the French Alps and eventually roll into Italy. The ride takes about four hours and 20 minutes and really lets you soak in Western Switzerland’s character.

Geneva to Turin? You can pick the same western route, but then you will change to a regional train in Milan. If you’re eyeing Piedmont’s wine country or the Italian Riviera, this line is a solid pick.

Spring and summer crank up the beauty on this route. The lakeside vineyards burst into bloom, and the scenery feels almost cinematic. You’ll glide past Lausanne and Montreux – places that just ooze Swiss elegance and, honestly, a bit of jazz festival magic.

There’s another route that’s a bit shorter where you take a train through the Alps and French Jura over the French border to Chambery – Challes-les-Eaux. From there Trenitalia runs a high-speed service straight to Turin.

Other Swiss Cities to Italy

Zurich is more convenient than Lucerne for quick trips across the border. Lucerne to Milan, Venice, and Florence calls for a few connections, but the trade-off is the stunning pastoral beauty of central Switzerland.

The ride from Lucerne to Milan puts you right in position for just about any Swiss mountain adventure you have in mind.

Take a short train ride from Lucerne to Arth-Goldau, which is a major hub for all Base Gotthard tunnel journeys, and then directly make your way from Arth-Goldau in less than 3 hours to Milan. The train will pause for a few minutes in Lugano if you want experience Switzerland’s Italian-speaking Ticino region.

Already in southern Switzerland? Lugano to Milan is your quickest border hop. From there, you can get to Turin, Florence or Verona without much hassle. There’s even a direct fast service from Lugano to Venice and Lugano to Genoa.

This trip lets you dip into Switzerland’s Italian-speaking region before you even hit Italy. It’s kind of a cultural appetizer.

The Scenic Routes Deep Dive

If you’re going to splurge on one train experience in Europe, make it a scenic route from Switzerland to Italy.

Bernina Express: Switzerland to Italy

The Bernina Express runs from Chur or St. Moritz to Tirano. It’s often called one of the world’s most beautiful train rides. And honestly, that’s not just hype.

This route holds UNESCO World Heritage status for good reason. The journey climbs over the Bernina Pass at 2,253 meters above sea level, which is pretty wild when you think about it.

You’ll spiral through the Brusio Spiral Viaduct. There’s also the Landwasser Viaduct, probably the one you’ve seen in a hundred Swiss tourism photos. Along the way, you get front-row seats to glaciers, Alpine lakes, and forests shifting colors as the seasons change. It’s almost cinematic.

Tirano sits right on the Italian border, which feels like this was a clever tourism idea between Switzerland and Italy. From there, Italian trains can whisk you off to Milan, Lake Como, or wherever else in northern Italy you’ve got in mind.

The Bernina Express is free if you’ve got a Swiss Travel Pass… well, except for the seat reservation fee. If you’re already bouncing around Switzerland, it’s honestly a fantastic deal.

I highly recommend experiencing the difference in scenery from both the Swiss side and the Italian side of the Alps. Cross by train and then connect in Milan to Lake Como for a beautiful 3 day stay! I even help you choose the perfect place to stay in Lake Como.

Glacier Express Connections

While the Glacier Express runs from Zermatt to St. Moritz only in Switzerland, it links up nicely with trains heading into Italy. The route passes the Matterhorn, then winds across the country to St. Moritz and then to Chur.

From there, you can hop on the Bernina Express straight to Italy. It’s one of those journeys that feels like a story unfolding.

This will take you 2 days, so this is how you do it: day one on the Glacier Express through the Western and Central Alps. Spend the night in St. Moritz. Then, on day two, ride the Bernina Express into Italy. Train travel doesn’t get much grander than that.

Costs and Booking

Let’s talk money – because while these journeys are priceless experiences, they do have actual prices.

Ticket Prices by Route Type

Standard day trains between Switzerland and Italy are surprisingly affordable. Travel from Zurich to Milan costs from just CHF 38 in 2nd class, though typical costs range from $48-200 depending on when you book.

Scenic trains command premium prices. Bernina Express tickets start from CHF 66, though this can vary significantly based on season and how far in advance you book. Tack on the cost of a seat reservation and goes up to around CHF 100 for a journey in 2nd class for the full route from Chur to Tirano. Starting from St. Moritz will cost a little bit less.

Overnight trains typically range from €60-200+ depending on your compartment choice. A basic couchette costs much less than a private sleeper, but you’ll pay more for the convenience and romance of waking up in a new country.

Luxury options like occasional Venice Simplon-Orient-Express services can cost €300+ per person, but these are once-in-a-lifetime experiences with white-glove service and vintage elegance.

Factors Affecting Price

Booking early makes a huge difference. We found that advance bookings could save 30-50% compared to last-minute purchases. Peak season (summer and Christmas markets time) drives prices up significantly.

Class of service matters too. First class offers larger seats, better food service, and fewer crowds – sometimes worth it on longer scenic routes. Second class remains comfortable and offers the same spectacular views. Some segments do get crowded in peak season, so I recommend that you buy seat reservations on those.

Where to Buy Tickets

SBB.ch and the SBB Mobile app work perfectly for booking if you’re based in Switzerland and also want to book other Swiss journeys, while Trenitalia can be used to buy tickets in Italy and other routes, like onward connections by Frecciarossa from Milan. For one-stop shopping, Omio combines multiple operators into single bookings.

We recommend booking directly with SBB for Swiss routes if you already have a discount pass. You have the option there to select your pass before the final ticket price that you have to pay is displayed.

The Swiss Travel Pass covers the full ticket price of all SBB journeys by train, bus or boat up to the border with Italy. You can buy your STP pass here. It is great value if you’re traveling with children, as they can travel for free as long as they accompany a STP pass holder. Another good option if you only want to take a few specific journeys is the Swiss Half Fare Card. With this, all individual tickets that you buy come at half price. You can buy the Half Fare Card here.
Note that the Bernina Express and Glacier Express trains require a seat reservation that is on top of any pass you have.

Journey Times and Schedules

Time is precious when you’re exploring Europe, so let’s break down exactly what to expect.

Fastest Routes

The speed champion remains Zurich to Milan at 3 hours 20 minutes for the fastest services. EuroCity trains run to Milan several times a day, giving you morning, afternoon, and evening options.

Geneva to Milan takes about 4 hours 20 minutes, while Zurich to Venice requires 6 hours if it’s a direct service.

Routes between other cities in either country usually involve connections through Milan or Turin, adding 1-3 hours to your journey but opening up Italy’s stunning Riviera coastline or its heart of the renaissance. The key advantage is frequency – on popular routes, you’ll find hourly departures during peak travel times.

Scenic Route Durations

Scenic routes require more time, but that’s entirely the point.

The full Bernina Express route from Chur to Tirano takes about 4 to 4.5 hours, but you’ll want to add connection time to reach your final Italian destination.

The full Glacier Express route that starts in Zermatt and ends in St. Moritz is around 8 hours long.

You don’t necessarily need to start your day in Switzerland to ride the Bernina Express in one day. There are tour operators that help travelers in Milan get the full experience in just one day. You can be picked up and taken by coach (with breakfast and photo breaks) to St. Moritz where you board the train and disembark at Tirano before being returned to Milan by coach at the end of the day.

Here are your full day tour options from Milan by coach to ride the Bernina Express from St. Moritz.

How to Choose the Right Train for You

With so many options, how do you pick? We learned to match train choice with travel priorities.

Prioritize Speed

Choose EuroCity direct services when time really matters. The Zurich-Milan route, in particular, stands out with quick connections and plenty of departures. EuroCity trains zip through the Gotthard Base Tunnel, so you’ll get there faster than ever.

Book 2nd class if you’re watching your budget. Go for 1st class if you want a bit more comfort – especially good during peak summer travel.

Either way, you’ll reach Italy quickly and without much hassle.

Prioritize Scenery

Two distinct Alpine rail experiences wait for travelers in Switzerland.

The Glacier Express offers a long, eight-hour luxury ride connecting Zermatt and St. Moritz. This train moves at a relaxed pace. You’ll see dramatic mountain landscapes, including the famous Matterhorn and the spectacular Rhine Gorge (Switzerland’s Grand Canyon).

Note that the Glacier Express does not go to Italy at all, so you’ll have to switch to either the Bernina Express or a normal service for that option.

The Bernina Express, on the other hand, gives you a more budget-friendly, four-hour trip from Chur to Tirano and you can even shorten it and ride just the most scenic part from St. Moritz to Tirano. It showcases breathtaking Alpine views as it winds down into Italy.

You can even hop on an optional bus to Lugano if you want to extend the adventure. Choosing between these routes? It really comes down to how much time you want to spend on the train, your budget for comfort, and which slice of the Alps you’re most curious about.

For pure visual impact in a short amount of time, nothing beats the Bernina Express route.

Book window seats (preferably on the right side heading south), bring a camera, and prepare for landscapes that redefine your concept of mountain beauty. The circular viaduct at Brusio alone is worth the ticket price.

Prioritize Budget

Regional trains offer the cheapest way to travel, though you’ll need more connections and time. Tickets can be found from $19 (€15) if you book early and choose slower services.

However, the fast Eurocity services can also be had for affordable prices if you consider 2nd class tickets, travel during off-peak times, and book well in advance. The savings can be substantial, and you’ll still see gorgeous scenery.

Prioritize Comfort/Luxury

First-class panoramic coaches on scenic routes really take things up a notch. You get fewer crowds, bigger windows, and a level of service that feels, well, pretty special as you roll across the Alps.

If you’re after true luxury with Venice as your final stop, check out services like the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. The original “Orient Express” started in Paris, wound its way to Venice, and eventually ended in Istanbul. It crossed the Simplon Pass in Switzerland, which is kind of legendary in itself.

Nowadays, the VSOE still travels part of that classic route. You might start in Geneva, glide past Lausanne, cross those Alpine peaks, pause in Innsbruck, and then head south. Before you know it, you’re in Verona and finally, Venice.

These journeys don’t come cheap, but they offer old-world elegance and a shot at making some pretty unforgettable memories.

Practical Travel Tips

Here’s what we wish we’d known before our first Switzerland-Italy train journey.

Booking Strategy

Book 2-3 months ahead if you want the best prices on popular routes. Scenic trains fill up fast in the summer, so booking early isn’t just about saving money; it’s also about snagging a seat at all.

If you’re after the best views on scenic routes, try to grab a seat on the right side when heading south from Switzerland to Italy. The mountain scenery just hits different from that angle.

What to Expect Onboard

Most international trains have dining cars or trolley service. Still, it’s smart to bring your own snacks and water because Swiss train food isn’t cheap. Plus, you might get so caught up in the scenery that you forget to visit the dining car!

Luggage rules are pretty relaxed. There aren’t any weight limits like you find on airlines. Just make sure you can carry your own bags, since stops at the platform can be quick.

Wi-Fi is a bit of a mixed bag. Swiss trains usually have great connectivity. But on scenic routes, the signal might drop out in the mountains. It’s probably a good idea to download your entertainment before your trip.

Seasonal Considerations

Summer, from June to September, brings the clearest mountain views and the warmest weather. Of course, that also means more crowds and steeper prices.

Alpine flowers put on a spectacular show in late spring. It’s honestly hard not to be wowed by the colors.

When winter hits, the whole landscape turns into a wonderland, especially along scenic routes. Still, the weather can cause delays, and some high-altitude routes might only run limited service.

The shoulder seasons (April to May, and October to November) usually strike a nice balance. You get decent weather, reasonable prices, and way fewer crowds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ready to Plan Your Journey?

Taking the train from Switzerland to Italy isn’t just about getting from point A to point B – it’s about experiencing one of Europe’s most spectacular journeys. Whether you prioritize speed, scenery, or budget, there’s a perfect train waiting for you.

We recommend choosing based on what matters most for your trip. Need to maximize time in Italian cities? Take the direct EuroCity services. Want an unforgettable scenic adventure? The Bernina Express delivers landscapes that will stay with you forever. Traveling on a budget? Regional connections and advance booking can make the journey surprisingly affordable.

The key is booking early, especially for scenic routes and peak season travel. Check Omio.com for Swiss routes, consider rail passes (shown below) if you’re taking multiple trains, and don’t forget to sit on the right side for the best mountain views.

Follow us on PinterestFollow