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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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EES PASSPORT CHECKS

EES border checks could undergo ‘soft launch’, UK says as app concerns mount

The UK government is preparing for a "soft launch" of the new EU border system – the Entry/Exit (EES) system - in October but authorities are still waiting for European Commission to confirm the start date, amid concerns over the delay of a new app.

Published: 4 May 2024 09:30 CEST
EES border checks could undergo 'soft launch', UK says as app concerns mount

The UK government is preparing for a soft launch of the new EU border system – the entry/exit (EES) system – on the assumption that it will go live on October 6th, ministers told a hearing at the House of Commons European scrutiny committee this week.

But the European Commission is expected to confirm the exact launch date of the new biometric checks for non-EU travellers entering the Schengen area at some point this summer, they added.

“We are very much working on a basis whereby this policy will go live on the 6th of October. It is important that we plan for that eventuality. We are expecting to hear definitively from the European Union that ‘go live’ arrangement in the summer,” Tom Pursglove, UK Minister for Legal Migration and the Border told the committee.

The parliamentary committee is conducting an inquiry on the disruptions the system will cause in the UK.

Pursglove also said that “precautionary measures” have been agreed by the EU, that will be put in place in certain circumstances after the start of EES, for example if delays at the borders exceeded a certain length of time.

Guy Opperman, Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Transport, said that in practice this meant a “soft launch” of EES for 6 months before “a full go live”. During that soft launch EU member states and the UK could deploy flexibility measures should problems occur.

“The likelihood is, after multiple delays, that the 6th of October will proceed” and the implementation looks “very different” compared to previous scenarios considering the flexibility allowed in the first 6 months, he argued.

No details were given on what these “flexible” measures would involve however. 

READ ALSO: Your questions answered about Europe’s EES passport checks

He conceded that “a lot of work” still needs to be done but the UK “should be as ready as everybody” and “better be at front of the queue”.

App not ready

During the meeting, it also emerged that a much-anticipated app that would allow remote pre-registration of non-EU citizens subject to the checks will not be available for testing until August “at best”, prompting concerns about the EES launch date.

“You don’t need to be a sceptic about future projects to think that the provision of the app in August for going live in October is optimistic,” Opperman said.

Ministers confirmed that the app will not be ready in time for October and the committee previously stated it might be delayed until summer 2025.

The app will facilitate pre-registration, but photo and fingerprints will still have to be taken at the border in front of a guard, the committee heard.

READ ALSO: How do the EU’s new EES passport checks affect the 90-day rule?

Several MPs asked whether the entry into operation of the EES should be delayed again if technology is not ready. But Under-Secretary Opperman said the app “is not going to be a panacea to fix all problems”.

The main aim of EES is to increase security and to ensure that non-EU nationals visiting the Schengen area for a short-term do not stay more than 90 days in any 180-day period.

The entry into operation of the system has already been delayed several times and there have been calls from certain travel companies and national authorities to delay it again.

Under the new scheme, non-EU/EFTA travellers who do not need a visa will have to register their biometric data (finger prints and facial images) in a database that will also record each time they enter and exit the Schengen area.

Instead of having passports manually stamped, travellers will have to scan them at self-service kiosks before crossing the border. However, fingerprints and a photo will have to be registered in front of a guard at the first crossing and there are concerns the extra time needed will generate long queues, especially in Dover, Folkestone and St. Pancras station in London, where there are juxtaposed French and UK border checks.

Progress in preparations

Minister Pursglove also updated MPs on ongoing preparations. He said some testing of the system will take place within days, 5 kiosks have been installed at St. Pancras station and are available for testing. “You are beginning to see the physical infrastructure appear,” he said.

Kiosks and extra lanes are also being created at the port Dover and it was agreed with the EU passengers travelling by coach will be checked away from the Eastern dock, where controls usually take place, allowing to gain space. The vehicles will then sealed and drive on the ferries.

MPs also discussed the infrastructure cost linked to the introduction of the EES. Opperman said all EU countries will have to make “huge investments” in their ports. In the UK, he argued, this will help “address problems that have existed for some time”. Because of this “massive investment”, in a few years time “Dover will be totally transformed,” he said.

This article is published in cooperation with Europe Street News.

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