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TOURISM

10 international cities within easy reach of Switzerland by train

One of the best things about living in Switzerland is its proximity to so many other countries, and you don’t even need to get on a plane – all these great cities can be easily reached by train.

Published: 7 September 2017 10:01 CEST
Updated: 16 February 2024 10:55 CET
10 international cities within easy reach of Switzerland by train
This photograph shows the Rhone river, in Lyon, eastern France, on June 1, 2023. (Photo by OLIVIER CHASSIGNOLE / AFP)

Milan

Why?

The northern Italian city has fantastic shopping, wonderful restaurants and the magnificent Duomo (cathedral). Watch some opera at the famous La Scala, see da Vinci’s The Last Supper (book ahead for tickets), eat in the arty Brera district and do some people-watching at the popular flea market on the last Sunday of the month in the city’s canal district, Navigli.

When?

Milan Cathedral. Photo by Ouael Ben Salah on Unsplash

The city is buzzing at most times of the year, but especially during Milan Fashion Week and the festive season.

How?
 
The journey from Zurich to Milan is around 4 hours 20 minutes these days because of the closure of the Gotthard Tunnel after a landslide which had reduced travel time to around 3 hours. The tunnel is not expected to reopen full to passenger trains until Autumn 2024.

It’s possible to reach Milan from Geneva and from Lausanne but journey times are also slightly longer because trains cannot use the Gotthard tunnel until it’s repaired.

Turin

Why?

The Piedmont city is known as an industrial place, but there’s a lot more to it than that. Its tree-lined boulevards, elegant squares and grand, historic buildings quickly impress visitors.

Sip Torinese hot chocolate on the vast Piazza Castello, visit the 17th century Savoy palace, Palazzo Reale, and find out about the history of the Fiat at the former car factory just outside the city. For a great viewpoint head up the 167m high spire of the city’s landmark, Mole Antonelliana, which also houses the cinema museum.

A view of Turin. Photo by Fabio Fistarol on Unsplash

Don’t forget to pick up some chocolate to take home – chocolate-making has been a tradition in the city for centuries, and it’s even the birthplace of Nutella.

When?
 
Turin’s cultural offerings in autumn include contemporary art fair Artissima and the Turin International Film Festival.

How?

Travel by train via Milan. Again journey times are longer in 2024 due to the closure of the Gotthard Tunnel, but the journay is still possible.
  
Lyon
 
Why?
 
Straddling two rivers, the Saône and the Rhône, France’s third biggest city is a beautiful place that’s packed with culture, fascinating architecture and sublime restaurants. Indulge in some serious shopping on the Presque île, wander the cobbled streets and traboules (secret passageways) of Vieux Lyon, take the funicular up to the Fourvière basilica for a wonderful panorama over the city, and have an apéro on one of the bar boats along the Rhône. Food fans will be in their element at Les Halles Paul Bocuse indoor market, named after the city’s most famous son who has several prestigious restaurants in town.

When?

Lyon is well worth a visit. Photo by Fabio Fistarol on Unsplash

With the turning leaves on the trees along the rivers and in the Tête d’Or park, Lyon is beautiful in autumn. If you don’t mind crowds, head there in early December for the Fête des Lumières, when the city is lit up by incredible light installations and projections.

How?

Lyon is just under two hours from Geneva. Zurich residents can either go via Geneva or via Mulhouse.

Paris

Why?

Do you really need to ask that question? Packed with world-famous museums, iconic sights, beautifully landscaped gardens and majestic squares, you’ll need more than a weekend in the French capital. The Louvre, the arty district of Montmartre and the Eiffel Tower should be on any Paris virgin’s to-do list, while second-timers may prefer to wander along the charming Canal St-Martin, browse in famous English bookstore Shakespeare & Co and people-watch in the bars and restaurants of Rue Mouffetard.

A resident runs on the snow-covered bridge of Grenelle in Paris, with the Eiffel Tower seen in the background, on January 18, 2024. (Photo by Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP)

When?

Avoiding the peak tourist season is wise. With the turning leaves, cooler temperatures but hopefully still blue skies, autumn can be a lovely time to visit. If you’re there in June, take advantage of Nuit Blanche, when museums and galleries open through the night or the Fête de la Musique, held every year on June 21st when the city is transformed into a massive live music venue.

How?

Whizz up to Paris on the TGV in 3h20 from Geneva or just over four hours from Zurich, via Basel.

Strasbourg

Why?

This beautiful city in France’s Alsace region has plenty to entertain you for a weekend break and is small enough to explore on foot. Gasp at the mind-blowingly intricate facade of the gothic cathedral, take a boat trip down the river, visit the European Parliament, and drink local pinot gris at one of the canal-side bars amid the half-timbered buildings of the picturesque Petite France district.

Strasbourg. Photo by Patrick Robert Doyle on Unsplash

When?

Visit for the Jazzdor music festival in November, or during the festive season onwards when Strasbourg stages one of the oldest Christmas markets in France. 

How?

Strasbourg is under two hours by train from Basel. Change there if you’re coming from Zurich, Geneva or Lausanne.

Dijon

Why?

There’s much more to Dijon than its famous mustard. The French city is also known for its well-preserved medieval centre, the sensational Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy, the covered market Les Halles (designed by Monsieur Eiffel, who was born in Dijon before going on to do something rather well known in Paris) and the Place de la Liberation, considered one of the most beautiful squares in France. Sample the local Burgundy wines in its many excellent restaurants or on a wine tour in the surrounding vineyards.

Dijon, well worth a visit by train from Switzerland. Photo by Peter Herrmann on Unsplash

When?

Thousands of visitors flock to Dijon in autumn for the Foire de Dijon, a gastronomic exhibition focusing on local food and drink.

How?

Dijon is only two hours away from Lausanne and 2hr24 from Zurich, both direct services on the TGV.

Colmar

Why?

A smaller, even more picturesque version of Strasbourg, Colmar is a stunning little Alsace town known for its beautiful canals and half-timbered buildings. Visit the ornately decorated 16th century Pfister house, buy local goodies in the covered market, photograph the storks nesting on top of the cathedral and wander through the picture-perfect Little Venice district with its old merchant houses. Excellent restaurants are plentiful.

Colmar, within reach of Switzerland by train. Photo by Aswathy N on Unsplash

When?

Colmar is the perfect setting for a lovely Christmas market.

How?

Colmar is only 45 minutes from Basel on the train. Easy!
 
Munich

Why?

It may be the third biggest (and the richest) city in Germany, but with its very walkable centre, it’s easy to explore the historical sights, world-class museums and beer halls of the Bavarian capital. Visit the Augustiner brewery and the Hofbräukeller beer garden, explore the many museums in the arty Kunstareal area, see the treasures of the Residenzmuseum – the palace of Bavaria’s rulers for several centuries – chill out in the English garden and climb the 299 steps to the top of the St Peter’s church tower for a great view of the city.

Beautiful Munich. Photo by ian kelsall on Unsplash

When?

If you can bear the crowds, visiting during the iconic beer festival Oktoberfest is bound to be an experience.

How?

Munich is a five-hour train ride from Zurich.  

Freiburg

Why?

No, not Fribourg/Freiburg in Switzerland; this Freiburg is a university town in Germany’s Black Forest. Visitors will find a beautiful medieval old town with an impressive cathedral (Freiburg Minster), the remains of the old city gates, and water channels (Bächle) running through the streets – according to local legend, if you accidentally step in one it means you’re going to come back to Freiburg again someday. Hike up the nearby Schlossberg tower for a far-reaching view of the city and Black Forest, and then regain your strength in one of the city’s pubs and restaurants serving the Badisch food and wine of the region.

Freiburg.Photo by Nicolas Wurzer on Unsplash

When?

The Christmas market is considered one of the most beautiful in Germany.

How?

Freiburg is less than an hour from Basel – change there from Zurich and Geneva. 
 
Stuttgart

Why?

One of the most beautiful cities in Germany, the capital of Baden-Württemberg is packed with culture, impressive architecture, history… and cars. Visit its many palaces including the lavish 18th century Solitude Palace, spot the okapis at the Wilhelma city zoo and botanical gardens, eat Black Forest cake in a cafe in the medieval Bohnenviertel district, shop for gourmet treats in the art nouveau Markthalle indoor market, and discover the history of Porsche and Mercedes-Benz – each carmaker has its own dedicated museum here.

Stuttgart. Photo by Jan Böttinger on Unsplash

When?

Stuttgart’s Cannstatter Volksfest is an autumn fair that dates back more than 200 years.

How?

Stuttgart is around 4h30 from Zurich and 3hr45 from St Gallen.
 

Member comments

  1. Loved the article. So well written with beautiful descriptions that make me want to get my bag and just go to visit these amazing places. I have done a few, but this article made them feel just like brand new!

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For members

TRAVEL NEWS

What will Europe’s EES passport checks mean for dual nationals?

The EU's Entry & Exit System (EES) of enhanced passport checks will usher in big changes for travellers - here we answer readers' questions on the position for dual nationals.

Published: 22 April 2024 17:10 CEST
What will Europe's EES passport checks mean for dual nationals?

The EU is preparing, after many delays, to introduce the EES system for travel in and out of Europe.

You can find a full explanation of how it works HERE, but in essence it is an enhanced passport check – registering biometric details such as fingerprints and facial scans and introducing an automatic calculation of how long you have stayed within the EU/Schengen zone in order to detect ‘over-stayers’.

And it’s already causing stress for travellers. We asked readers of The Local to share their questions here – and one of the biggest worries was how the system will work for dual nationals ie people who have a passport for both an EU country and a non-EU country.

EES: Your questions answered

EU passports 

One of the main purposes of EES is to detect ‘over-stayers’ – people who have either stayed in the EU longer than their visa allows or non-EU nationals who have over-stayed their allowance of 90 days in every 180.

As this does not apply to EU nationals, people travelling on an EU passport are not required to do EES pre-registration and will continue to travel in the same way once EES is introduced – going to the ‘EU passports queue’ at airports, ports and stations and having their passports scanned as normal.

Non-EU 

Non-EU travellers will, once EES is up and running, be required to complete EES pre-registration.

This means that the first time they cross an EU/Schengen zone external border they will have to go to a special zone of the airport/port/terminal and supply extra passport information including fingerprints and a facial scan.

This only needs to be done once and then lasts for three years.

Non-EU residents of the EU/Schengen zone

This does not apply to non-EU citizens who are permanent residents of an EU country or who have a long-stay visa for an EU/Schengen zone country – click HERE for full details.

Schengen zone passports/Irish passports 

EES applies within the Schengen zone, so people with Swiss, Norwegian and Icelandic passports are treated in the same way as citizens of EU countries.

Ireland and Cyprus are in the EU but not the Schengen zone – these countries will not be using the EES system at their borders, but their citizens are still EU citizens so can continue to use EU passport gates at airports and will be treated the same as all other EU citizens (ie they don’t have to do EES pre-registration).

OK, so what if you have both an EU and a non-EU passport?

They key thing to remember about EES is that it doesn’t actually change any of the rules on immigration – it’s just a way of better enforcing the rules that are already in place. 

Therefore the rules for dual nationals remain as they are – for most people which passport to travel on is a matter of personal choice, although Americans should be aware that if you have a US passport and you are entering the USA, you must use your American passport. 

But it’s also important to remember that the passports of dual nationals are not ‘linked’ – therefore if you present an American passport at the Italian border, you will be treated exactly the same as every other American, there is no way for the border guard to know that you are also Italian.

Likewise if you are a UK-Germany dual national and you travel back to the UK on your German passport, you can expect to be treated the same as every other German at the border, and might be asked for proof of where you are staying in UK, how long you intend to stay etc – the system has no way of knowing that you are also British. 

Therefore whether you have to complete EES pre-registration or not is entirely a matter of which passport you are travelling on – if you use your EU passport you won’t have to do it, if you use your non-EU passport you will.

It’s also possible to use two passports for the same trip – so let’s say you’re travelling from Spain to Canada – you enter Canada on your Canadian passport, and show your Canadian passport again when you leave. However, once you re-enter Spain you show your Spanish passport in order to benefit from the unlimited length of stay.

If you’re travelling between France and the UK via the Eurostar, Channel Tunnel or cross-Channel ferry, you need to remember that the Le Touquet agreement means that French passport checks take place in the UK and vice versa. You can still use both passports, but you just need to keep your wits about you and remember to hand the French one to the French border guards and the British one to British guards.

In terms of avoiding immigration formalities using two passports is the most efficient way for dual nationals to travel, but some people prefer to stick to one passport for simplicity, or don’t want to keep both passports together in case of theft.

Basically it’s a personal choice, but you just need to remember that you will be treated according to the passport that you show – which includes completing EES pre-registration if you’re showing a non-EU passport.

It’s also worth remembering that if the changes do cause border delays (and there are fears that they might especially at the UK-France border), then these will affect all travellers – regardless of their passport. 

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