SHARE
COPY LINK

TRAIN TRAVEL

Travel: This interactive map shows direct trains from every Swiss city

This free interactive tool shows you how far you can travel from every Swiss city via direct train. How far can you get from where you live?

A train weaves its way through Albula, Bergün/Bravuogn, in Switzerland. Photo by Xavier von Erlach on Unsplash
A train weaves its way through Albula, Bergün/Bravuogn, in Switzerland. Photo by Xavier von Erlach on Unsplash

Demand for train travel has experienced a resurgence in recent years – a phenomenon that was accelerated by the pandemic. 

As a result, overnight lines – long cut or stopped due to air travel – have become more popular, for business commuters and holiday makers alike. 

EXPLAINED: How to find cheap train tickets in Switzerland

Standard trips have also bounced back in popularity. 

The following tool, developed by German computer programmer Julius Tens, shows you how far you can get from each Swiss city. 

Travel: What compensation you are entitled to if your train is cancelled in Switzerland?

There are of course more direct connections from larger cities, but the map does illustrate how well connected Switzerland actually is. 

Simply enter the main train station of the city in which you live and you will be presented with a map of your options. 

Unfortunately, anyone wanting to emulate the orient express and head all the way to Istanbul will be unable to do so direct from Switzerland (other than expensive private options). 

You can access the tool here. 

Zurich

Zurich offers by far the most destinations of any Swiss city, which makes sense when you consider its size and its location. 

Connections to the east are particularly prevalent in Zurich, with direct trains to Prague, Budapest, as well as several cities in Austria, Croatia and Slovenia. 

Zurich

Basel

Basel might not be Switzerland’s largest city, but its central location means there are plenty of far away destinations on offer. 

RANKED: Where are Switzerland’s best and worst train stations?

You can travel as far as Amsterdam, while Paris, Berlin and Kiel are also available via a direct trip. In fact, it appears that there are more direct trains to German cities from Basel than from Zurich. 

Basel trains

Geneva

Geneva, with its western location, doesn’t offer as many trips north or east as Basel and Zurich. 

While you can get direct to Paris and Lyon, even getting to Germany direct is impossible from Geneva. 

MAP: Return of night trains across Europe comes a step closer

There are however a number of Italian destinations you can get to from Geneva (but strangely not Italian-speaking Switzerland – for that you’ll have to change). 

Geneva

Lugano

Lugano doesn’t offer as many direct trains as the other Swiss cities. In fact, other than Switzerland, the only other places you can travel to direct area in Italy. 

Venice, Milan, Genoa and Verona are some of your options in Italy, while you can also travel to Zurich, Basel and a handful of other Swiss cities. 

To get to Geneva however, you’ll need to change trains. 

Member comments

Log in here to leave a comment.
Become a Member to leave a comment.

TRAVEL NEWS

How Geneva plans to expand public transport services

Geneva's bus and tram network covers not only the Swiss city and canton, but some parts of the neighbouring French communities as well.

How Geneva plans to expand public transport services

The Geneva parliament approved on Friday the action plan launched by the local government, which calls for a 29-percent increase in public transport services (TPG) throughout the Swiss canton — and beyond.

Specifically, it provides for more trams, including cross-border ones, as well as further electrification of buses.

The capacity of the Léman Express train will also be strengthened.

Expansion of this particular link is important to the region, as it connects the Geneva area with neighbouring France.

The route comprises 45 stations and 230 kilometres of track — extending beyond the Geneva canton borders into Vaud as well as France. 

This news comes just days after Geneva officials announced they will use the canton’s 1.4-million-franc budget surplus to offer free transport for people up to 24 years of age, in addition to lowering taxes.

READ ALSO: Geneva to cut taxes and make public transport free for young people 

All-party agreement

The public network expansion project met with some opposition during the debate period.

While some MPs, like those from the centre-right Liberal-Radical (PLR) party believed that this ambitious plan was necessary to accommodate growing population growth, the right-wing Swiss People’s Party (SVP) was against the project because it would impact the automobile industry.

In the end, however, resolution approving this action plan was unanimously accepted.

SHOW COMMENTS