The cheapest and fastest trains from Milan Centrale to Zurich HB
Cheapest price on Sep 01
$119
Average ticket price on Sep 01
$119
Fastest journey on Sep 01
3 h 17 m
Average journey duration on Sep 01
3 h 17 m
Trains on Sep 01
11
Distance
216 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Milan Centrale to Zurich HB is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Milan Centrale to Zurich HB will cost around $119 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $119.
On Tue, Sep 01, we found 11 trains from Milan Centrale to Zurich HB, including 11 direct services.
On Tue, Sep 01 the direct trains cover the 216 km distance in an average of 3 h 17 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 3 h 17 m .
On Tue, Sep 01 the slowest trains will take 3 h 17 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
EuroCity 15011:10 AM3h17Milan Centrale2:27 PMZurich HB$1191One-way0 transfers
EuroCity 245:10 PM3h17Milan Centrale8:27 PMZurich HB$1191One-way0 transfers
EuroCity 366:10 PM3h17Milan Centrale9:27 PMZurich HB$1191One-way0 transfers
EuroCity 149:10 AM3h17Milan Centrale12:27 PMZurich HB$1191One-way0 transfers
EuroCity 161:10 PM3h17Milan Centrale4:27 PMZurich HB$1191One-way0 transfers
EuroCity 15011:10 AM3h17Milan Centrale2:27 PMZurich HB$1191One-way0 transfers
EuroCity 245:10 PM3h17Milan Centrale8:27 PMZurich HB$1191One-way0 transfers
EuroCity 366:10 PM3h17Milan Centrale9:27 PMZurich HB$1191One-way0 transfers
EuroCity 149:10 AM3h17Milan Centrale12:27 PMZurich HB$1191One-way0 transfers
EuroCity 161:10 PM3h17Milan Centrale4:27 PMZurich HB$1191One-way0 transfers
Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Milan Centrale to Zurich HB
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Milan Centrale to Zurich HB among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $28 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 3h 42m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $28, while a flight costs an average of $173.
Distance: 134 miles (216 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$101 Average price | $28 Average price Cheapest | $173 Average price | $123 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 1m Average total duration 3h 31m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 57m Average total duration 4h 27m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 42m Average total duration Fastest 1h 42m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 3h 44m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Milan Centrale to Zurich HB:
A bus is $74 (€60) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Milan Centrale to Zurich HB costing on average $101 (€82).
A bus is $145 (€117) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Milan Centrale to Zurich HB costing on average $173 (€140).
Other travel options to Zurich HB take longer:
Train takes on average 3h 31m.
Bus takes on average 4h 27m.
The journey is about 13m faster (3h 31m by train vs 3h 44m by car) and roughly $22 (€18) cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls ($101 (€82) vs $123 (€100)). You'll also arrive in the city centre rather than hunting for parking, and you can work, read, or watch the landscape go by instead of concentrating on the road.
Direct services run with Trenitalia, DSB, EuroCity, Trenitalia EuroCity.
Driving is still worth considering if you want to stop along the way or need a car once you arrive.
Live departures
Milan Centrale to Zurich HB train times
The table below shows live departures for Milan Centrale to Zurich HB trains for today, Monday, August 31. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EuroCity 24 | 5:10 PM Milan Centrale | 3h17 | 8:27 PM Zurich HB | 0 transfersDirect | |
EuroCity 36 | 6:10 PM Milan Centrale | 3h17 | 9:27 PM Zurich HB | 0 transfersDirect | |
EuroCity 26 | 7:10 PM Milan Centrale | 3h17 | 10:27 PM Zurich HB | 0 transfersDirect | |
EuroCity 28 | 8:10 PM Milan Centrale | 3h17 | 11:27 PM Zurich HB | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Tuesday, September 1 | |||||
EuroCity 10 | 7:10 AM Milan Centrale | 3h17 | 10:27 AM Zurich HB | 0 transfersDirect | |
EuroCity 12 | 8:10 AM Milan Centrale | 3h17 | 11:27 AM Zurich HB | 0 transfersDirect | |
EuroCity 14 | 9:10 AM Milan Centrale | 3h17 | 12:27 PM Zurich HB | 0 transfersDirect | |
EuroCity 150 | 11:10 AM Milan Centrale | 3h17 | 2:27 PM Zurich HB | 0 transfersDirect | |
EuroCity 16 | 1:10 PM Milan Centrale | 3h17 | 4:27 PM Zurich HB | 0 transfersDirect | |
EuroCity 20 | 3:10 PM Milan Centrale | 3h17 | 6:27 PM Zurich HB | 0 transfersDirect | |
EuroCity 22 | 4:10 PM Milan Centrale | 3h17 | 7:27 PM Zurich HB | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Milan Centrale to Zurich HB by train, bus, or flight
Compare train, bus, 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.
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Why should you book Milan Centrale to Zurich HB trains with Omio?
Why book with Omio vs Trenitalia?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for Trenitalia, but also compare tickets for the likes of DSB, EuroCity, SBB or Trenitalia EuroCity to find the best option for your trip from Milan Centrale to Zurich HB.
- Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
- Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare Trenitalia with all available travel options, which are train, bus and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Milan Centrale to Zurich HB.
Why book with Omio over Wanderu, Raileurope or Rome2rio?
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train, bus and flight to find the ideal travel option from Milan Centrale to Zurich HB.
Milan Centrale to Zurich HB by trainFrom Milan Centrale to Zürich HB: I Crossed the Alps by Train for a Lovely Concert
By Sara Mastellone

I went to Zurich for a concert I had been waiting for a long time and the choice of train turned out to be really optimal. Somewhere after leaving the Italian Pianura Padana behind, the scenery completely changes: you’ll find that lakes, mountains, tunnels and tiny villages transform themselves and suddenly the journey itself becomes the highlight of your trip.

View of the lovely lake in Zurich's city center.
Route overview
The train from Milano Centrale to Zürich HB takes approximately 3 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours, covering around 280 kilometers (174 miles). A really nice way to get to Switzerland without any hassle! Direct EuroCity trains connect the two cities multiple times per day.
Transportation experience
I booked my ticket on Omio because I wanted an easy way to compare departure times and ticket prices without navigating multiple rail websites. Since this is such a popular international route, I found it helpful to immediately see which departures were direct and which offered better prices.
Departure station
Milano Centrale always feels busy and dramatic, but don’t be afraid: once onboard, the atmosphere shifts almost immediately into something calmer. I arrived early enough to grab coffee and settle in without rushing, preparing for my big night out.
Arrival station
Zürich HB station is incredibly organized and efficient. Even arriving from another country, everything felt smooth, quiet, and easy to navigate. Exactly as I expected!
Schedule & frequency
There are several direct departures from Milan to Zurich daily, spread comfortably throughout the morning and afternoon. I chose a morning one to get half a day to visit the city before the concert.
Onboard experience & services
This was easily one of the most beautiful train rides I’ve taken in Europe. During the ride lakes appeared between mountains, villages flashed past the windows, and every hour seemed to bring completely different landscapes. Truly an enjoyable experience.
Ticketing advice & budget breakdown
Since the concert date was already set, it was easy to book in advance and save money: I paid around €55 for my ticket, while prices generally range between €35 and €120 depending on booking time and class.
| Item | Cost (eur) |
|---|---|
| Ticket price | €55 |
| Food & drinks | €8 |
| Travel to departure station | €2.2 |
| Travel from arrival station | €3 |
| Total | € 68.2 |
Top tips & recommendations
- Sit on the left side leaving Milan for better lake views. A true highlight of this trip.
- Bring snacks for the journey, on the train water and food are far less convenient.
- Book early during holiday periods to save money.
Conclusion
And to think that it was a trip for a concert and it turned out to be a beautiful crossing too! The Milan to Zürich train is one of those rare routes where the scenery becomes part of the destination itself. Totally worth it!
How far in advance should I book train tickets from Milan Centrale to Zurich HB?
Journey information
Overview: Train from Milan Centrale to Zurich HB
Trains from Milan Centrale to Zurich HB run on average 10 times per day, taking around 3h 31m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $48 (€39) but you can travel from only $12 (€10) by bus.
There are 10 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 05:06, the last at 18:10. The fastest train covers the 134 miles (216 km) distance in 3h 17m.
Distance 134 miles (216 km) |
Average train duration 3h 31m |
Cheapest ticket price $48 (€39) |
Trains per day 10 |
Direct trains 10 |
Fastest train 3h 17m |
First train 5:06 AM |
Last train 6:10 PM |
Cheapest Month May |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 91 days |
Train companies: Trenitalia, DSB, EuroCity, SBB, Trenitalia EuroCity, Trenord from Milan Centrale to Zurich HB trainsTrenitalia, DSB, EuroCity, SBB, Trenitalia EuroCity, Trenord trains will get you between Milan Centrale and Zurich HB from $12 (€10). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Trenitalia
EuroCity
SBB
DSB
Trenitalia EuroCity
Trenord
FAQs: Trains from Milan Centrale to Zurich HB
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Milan Centrale to Zurich HB 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 Zurich HB, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most popular train connections from Milan Centrale
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