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4.6The most popular way to travel from Switzerland to Italy
Traveling from Switzerland to Italy by train is the most popular way to get between these two countries. It’s an affordable way to travel and is also a relatively fast method for getting from Switzerland to Italy.
Train from Switzerland to Italy
Trains from Switzerland to Italy are fast and affordable. You can take a train from Zurich to Rome in as little as 3 hours and 30 minutes. That’s not much slower than taking a plane once you factor in the time it takes to go through security and wait to board. What’s more, train tickets from Switzerland to Italy typically cost much less than flight tickets.
Trains from Switzerland to Italy can be slightly more expensive than buses. However, taking a train instead of a bus can cut several hours or more from your trip time. This is why train tickets are a good place to start if you want to travel from Switzerland to Italy.
Cheapest tickets to travel from Switzerland to Italy
The cheapest train tickets from Switzerland to Italy are typically available between major train stations during non-peak travel seasons. For example, you would likely find some of the lowest-priced tickets if you went from Zurich HBF to Milan Centrale during the winter months.
It’s also worth mentioning that you may be able to reduce the cost of tickets by purchasing them in advance. The earlier you buy your train tickets, the less you may have to pay for them. This is another way to save money while traveling between these two countries.
How many hours do I need to travel from Switzerland to Italy?
The fastest train route connecting major cities in Switzerland and Italy is between Zurich and Milan. There’s a high-speed railway on this route, which only takes around 3 hours and 30 minutes to complete the trip.
However, the average train travel time between major Swiss and Italian cities can be anywhere from 5 to 8 hours. It depends on your points of departure and arrival, as well as the railway company that you use.
A warm day at the Piazza del Nettuno. Source: Shutterstock
What companies run services between Switzerland and Italy?
Train providers
There are three major companies that you can choose from when purchasing train tickets from Switzerland to Italy: SBB, Trenitalia, and Italo.
Swiss Federal Railways, or SBB, is the national railway company of Switzerland. It operates the most routes within the country and has many international options to choose from as well.
Trenitalia is the main railway provider in Italy and is owned by the Italian government. The company operates both high-speed and regional trains and is divided into a few distinct services, such as Frecciarossa, Frecciargento, and Frecciabianca, all of which offer different routes.
Italo is another train company you may wish to use on your travels, but only after you arrive in Italy. Italo operates routes from Milan to Salerno and Turin to Venice, with stops in major cities like Rome and Florence along the way.
The most popular routes from Switzerland to Italy
You’ll be able to choose from many different routes when traveling from Switzerland to Italy by train. The fastest and most affordable routes are between the major cities that we’ve highlighted below. Just keep in mind that most of these routes also make stops in the Swiss and Italian countryside between major cities, so you can always get out and explore if you see somewhere you like.
- Zurich to Milan is the easiest route between Switzerland and Italy by train. The journey only takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes to complete.
- Zurich to Venice is another route with plenty of trains to choose from. The journey typically takes between 6 and 8 hours to complete, depending on the train company you choose and when you travel.
- Zurich to Rome takes you from capital to capital in around 7 hours and 30 minutes by train. This route is quite scenic as well, so be sure to grab a window seat.
- Zurich to Florence is another relatively fast route when traveling from Switzerland to Italy by train. It takes around 5 hours and 30 minutes to complete the trip, regardless of when you leave.
- Zurich to Naples is the last route on our list, with an average train travel time of approximately 8 hours. This relatively long travel time is a result of Zurich and Naples being farther apart than the other arrival destinations on our list.
The sun shines in downtown Perugia. Source: Shutterstock
The most popular stations for departure in Switzerland and arrival in Italy
When planning for a rail journey between Switzerland and Italy, it can sometimes be easiest to look at arrivals and departures from major stations. With that in mind, here are the top train stations to look at when planning your next trip.
- Zurich Hauptbahnhof (HBF) is the main railway station in Zurich, Switzerland’s most populous city. It offers the most international rail travel options in the country and has many trains departing for Italy on a daily basis. If you can make it work for your travel plans, this is the best place to leave Switzerland for Italy by train.
- Milan Centrale is a major point of arrival for Swiss trains, given its proximity to the country. There are high-speed trains between various Swiss cities and Milan, which makes this one of the quickest options for arriving in Italy by rail.
- Rome Termini is the biggest train station in Italy’s capital city. It takes longer to get here than Milan and other Italian cities, given Rome’s location. But there are plenty of trains to choose from, and the journey is a beautiful one.
- Santa Maria Novella is the central train station in Florence, Italy, (which the Italians call Firenze). If you want to travel from Switzerland to Florence by rail, then this is where you’ll find the most options for arrival.
- Naples Centrale is the last station on our list but is another great point of arrival for rail travel from Switzerland. It’s the southernmost Italian train station on our list, so it may be your best option if you want to travel to that part of the country.
Best destinations & highlights in Italy
Italy is an incredibly beautiful country with some of the world’s best historical sites, museums, restaurants, and shops. There’s something to enjoy in every part of the country. But here are the top five destinations and their highlights to get you started.
- Milan is the easiest major Italian city to get to by rail from Switzerland. It’s home to the famous Duomo di Milano, several stunning castles, and enough art galleries and shopping opportunities to keep you busy for weeks. It is only around an hour from Lake Como as well, which is a scenic Italian town that’s popular with tourists.
- Florence is a place you have to visit if you’re an art lover. It's home to the Uffizi Gallery and the Palazzo Pitti, which are two of the most visited destinations in all of Italy. Florence is also a relatively short trip away from Zurich and has an impressive dining scene that food lovers are sure to appreciate.
- Venice is a truly unique Italian city, featuring a series of canals and bridges running through its cobblestone streets and carless walkways. Venice doesn’t boast as many major galleries as other Italian cities, but it’s worth visiting all the same, simply for how special of a place it is.
- Rome is Italy’s capital and home to its most impressive historical monuments, including the Colosseum, Pantheon, and Trevi Fountain. It’s also got tons of dining, shopping, and nature to explore nearby, so you can spend weeks here without ever getting bored.
- Finally, we round off our list with Naples, the farthest city from Switzerland. It’s situated on a beautiful coastline and is full of open-air cafes and restaurants that take full advantage of this. You’ll also find some fun museums and architecture in Naples, such as the Museo Cappella Sansevero and Ovo Castle.
Best time to travel from Switzerland to Italy
The best times to visit Italy are between May and June and September and October. However, these are the times of year when everyone wants to visit Italy. As a result, train tickets and accommodation will typically cost more during this time.
A better option may be to travel in the early spring or late fall. The weather will still be okay during this part of the year, but your train tickets, hotels, and other travel expenses could be more affordable.