Train from Munich to Zurich

Trains from Munich to Zurich

It is easy to travel by train from Munich to Zurich! Over 40 trains travel the 149 miles (241 km) between the two cities every day, including six direct routes and one overnight train. The direct routes will get you to your destination as quickly as 4h 2min, while routes requiring one or more transfers can take anywhere from about 5h 30min to over 10h. Zurich is a bustling city. Known for its high-end shopping and luxury accommodations, this financial capital offers a variety of activities from picnicking along the banks of Lake Zurich and taking in the wonder of the city’s architecture and museums to experiencing the city’s vibrant nightlife.

Which train companies travel from Munich to Zurich?

The train company that operates most of the train routes from Munich to Zurich is Deutsche Bahn (DB), which is Germany’s main train provider. DB operates several daily direct-route trains in addition to the routes with one or more stops that depart just about every hour of the day and every few hours overnight. ӦBB, Austria’s national railway company, also runs a limited number of trains between these two cities. ӦBB offers at least two daily departures: one morning train and one night train, which is equipped with sleeper compartments. The ӦBB routes require at least one transfer.

Deutsche Bahn trains from Munich to Zurich

Deutsche Bahn (DB) trains depart from Munich to Zurich regularly; one or more depart per hour every day, including holidays. Most of these routes require two or more transfers along the journey, but about six trains are scheduled to run direct routes every day, plus a few daily routes that require only one transfer. The trains running a direct route complete the journey in just over 4h. Trains running a route with one or more transfers can expect take at least 5h 30min, with the slowest routes completing the journey in 10h or more. DB operates one of three train types on most of these routes: EuroCity, InterCity, and InterCity Express. The direct routes use the EuroCity trains, while the routes requiring transfers often use more than one train type per trip. The InterCity Express trains are DB’s high-speed trains; the other trains are long-haul trains that stop at major cities in the regions they serve. Deutsche Bahn ticket policy provides three levels of pricing and services. Super Saver tickets are the least expensive option; they are purchased for a specific departure date and time and they cannot be refunded or exchanged. Saver tickets are also purchased for a specific departure date and time, but they can be exchanged for a small fee until the day before the departure date. Saver tickets are nonrefundable and they cannot be exchanged on the scheduled departure date. The most adaptable ticket option is the Flexible ticket, which can be used for any train departing on a specific departure date. These tickets can be refunded or exchanged for free until the day before the departure date; on the departure date, the tickets can be refunded or exchanged for a small fee.

ӦBB trains from Munich to Zurich

ӦBB has two daily train routes that run from Munich to Zurich, and there are two train types that service these routes: The high-speed Railjet departs in the morning and completes the trip in about 5h 37min. The Nightjet train departs around midnight and arrives in Zurich in about 8h 30min. The Nightjet trains offer sleeper cars for a comfortable overnight journey. Both of the ӦBB routes require one transfer. ӦBB’s ticket policy includes three types of tickets. The Sparschiene ticket (and Sparschiene Nightjet ticket) is the least expensive option; they are only valid for the chosen train and cannot be refunded or exchanged. The Sparschiene Comfort ticket (and Sparschiene Comfort Nightjet ticket) is fully refundable when requested more than 15 days before the train departs; it is refundable for a fee between 15 days and 24h before the train departs. The Standard ticket is fully refundable anytime up to 24h before the train departs. (This ticket is not available for Nightjet trains.) Both the Sparschiene Comfort and the Standard tickets are nonrefundable once they are downloaded from the confirmation email. For round-trip journeys, only the complete journey is refundable.

Train Munich to Zurich: Services on board

Both Deutsche Bahn (DB) and ӦBB trains from Munich to Zurich provide the same umbrella of travel policies, services and facilities on their trains. Most of the routes (including all of DB’s direct routes and all of ӦBB’s routes) offer first- and second-class seating. There is no size or weight limit for luggage as long as it can be carried by a single person. Luggage can be stored under the seat, in the bin above the seat, or in the designated racks of the train car. Fully assembled bikes that cannot be folded and stored with the regular luggage are permitted on ӦBB trains, but they are permitted only on certain long-haul DB trains. For both train companies, passengers must purchase a bicycle reservation in advance, and bikes must be stored in specially marked areas of the train. Dogs and other small pets are allowed on the trains for free as long as they are kept in a travel carrier that can fit under the seat. Dogs that are too large for a carrier may be brought on board, but they must have their own ticket and they must be leashed and muzzled while on board the train. Service dogs are not required to have a ticket or wear a muzzle. For passengers with disabilities, special accommodations can be arranged as needed. Simply contact the railway prior to the trip to make these arrangements. Passengers using a wheelchair should note that wheelchairs longer than 47 in (120 cm) or wider than 27.5 in (70 cm) may have difficulty navigating the elevators, doors and aisles of the train and train stations. Also note that some parts of Deutsche Bahn’s routes with two or more transfers may provide more limited services.

Munich to Zurich Train Time: Daily Departures

Over 40 trains are scheduled to depart from Munich to Zurich daily, including holidays. The most frequent train services are provided between about 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. Fewer trains are on the timetable in the late evening and overnight, but you won’t have to wait more than a few hours for a train time even in these off hours. The ӦBB overnight train is equipped with sleeper compartments; this train departs around midnight seven days a week. Most of the trains running between these two cities require two or more transfers, but at least six trains run a direct route every day, departing nearly every 2h from about 7:00 a.m. to about 7:00 p.m.

How long is the journey by train from Munich to Zurich?

Trains running a direct route from Munich to Zurich arrive at their destination in about 4h 2min; with one transfer, the duration is as short as 5h 36min. ӦBB’s overnight train completes the journey in about 8h 30min and requires one transfer. The travel times for the rest of the daily routes vary widely from about 5h to over 10h total. Passengers traveling in July or August may want to book a ticket early, as these are the peak travel months in Europe.

What are the departure and arrival stations for trains from Munich to Zurich?

Departure train station: All trains from Munich to Zurich depart from München Hauptbahnhof (which translates to Main Station of Munich), or Munich Hbf. The station is just under a mile (1.5 km) from the center of the city, ewhich is an easy 16min walk along the pedestrian-friendly roadways. If you prefer public transportation, simply hop on one of the city’s local trams, subway trains (U-Bahn), suburban trains (S-Bahn), or buses, all of which make regular stops at the main station. Lines 4 and 5 of the U-Bahn are only two stops away from the Odeonsplatz station in the center of Munich; this is about a 2min ride. There is also plenty of parking if you are driving to the station. Most travelers can arrive at the station about 10min before departure; if you are traveling with bulky luggage or need special arrangements for a disability, you may want to arrive a little earlier. Munich’s main train station has all the facilities travelers would expect to find, such as luggage lockers, restrooms, traveler assistance, bicycle parking, a first-class lounge, shops and dining.

Arrival train station: Zürich Hauptbahnhof (which translates to Main Station of Zurich), or Zurich HB, is the arrival point for all trains traveling from Munich to Zurich. The station is located in the city’s center, only about 1.2 miles (2 km) from the famed Paradeplatz. It is a quick 10min walk to the Swiss National Museum and other sights of old town. It is easy to get from the station to anywhere in the city by bus, cable car (tram), or commuter rail. You can pick up the #7, #10 or #13 tram at the station and travel two stops to the Paradeplatz stop in about 4min. Facilities at the station include restrooms, free Wi-Fi, luggage lockers, currency exchange, retail stores and restaurants.

How to find cheap train tickets from Munich to Zurich?

Savvy travelers know that being flexible with your travel dates and times is one of the best ways to find cheap train tickets. Catching a train with an early morning departure or a direct route will often yield the cheapest train tickets from Munich to Zurich. Booking your ticket in advance is another great low-cost option. For families, children under six travel for free, and children up to age 14 travel for free on Deutsche Bahn (DB) and at a reduced rate on ӦBB. Passengers planning to do a lot of travelingcan purchase a discount card, which is available from both train companies servicing the route from Munich to Zurich.