The cheapest and fastest trains from Zurich to Mechelen
Cheapest price
$250
Average price
$250
Fastest journey
7 h 48 m
Average duration
7 h 48 m
Trains per day
1
Distance
503 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Zurich to Mechelen is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Zurich to Mechelen will cost around $250 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $250.
Of the 1 trains that leave Zurich for Mechelen on Tue, Jun 02, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Tue, Jun 02 the direct trains cover the 503 km distance in an average of 7 h 48 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 7 h 48 m .
On Tue, Jun 02 the slowest trains will take 7 h 48 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.
7:59 AM7h48Zurich3:47 PMMechelen$2501One-way0 transfers
7:59 AM7h48Zurich3:47 PMMechelen$2501One-way0 transfers
Travel Information
Compare train, flight, and bus for Zurich to Mechelen
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Zurich to Mechelen among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $92. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 7h 7m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.2 - 0.5kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $92, and a flight costs an average of $187.
Distance: 312 miles (503 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$250 Average price | $131 Average price Cheapest | $371 Average price | $144 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
7h 37m Average total duration Fastest 7h 7m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 14h 20m Average total duration 13h 50m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 12h 56m Average total duration 9h 56m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 7h 29m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.2 - 0.5kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions | 1.5 - 3.0kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Zurich to Mechelen:
A bus is $119 (€96) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Zurich to Mechelen costing on average $250 (€202).
A bus is $240 (€193) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Zurich to Mechelen costing on average $371 (€299).
Other travel options to Mechelen take longer:
Flight takes on average 9h 56m.
Bus takes on average 13h 50m.
You'll arrive about 22m sooner (7h 7m by train vs 7h 29m by car). Tickets start at around $250 (€202) compared to roughly $144 (€116) in fuel and tolls — so you're paying a bit more, but getting hours of your day back, a city-centre arrival, and the freedom to work or relax instead of drive.
Driving makes more sense if you're travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), want to stop along the way, or need a car once you arrive.
Live departures
Zurich to Mechelen train times
The table below shows live departures for Zurich to Mechelen trains for tomorrow, Tuesday, June 2. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 7:59 AM Zurich | 7h48 | 3:47 PM Mechelen | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Zurich to Mechelen by train, flight, or bus
Compare train, flight, and bus 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.
Jun 02
Jun 03
Jun 04
Jun 05
Jun 06
Jun 07
Jun 08
Why should you book Zurich to Mechelen trains with Omio?
Why book with Omio vs Deutsche Bahn?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for Deutsche Bahn, but also compare tickets for the likes of SBB or Swiss Federal Railways (SBB CFF FFS) to find the best option for your trip from Zurich to Mechelen.
- 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 Deutsche Bahn with all available travel options, which are train, flight and bus to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Zurich to Mechelen.
Why book with Omio over Trainline or Wanderu?
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train, flight and bus to find the ideal travel option from Zurich to Mechelen.
Journey information
Overview: Train from Zurich to Mechelen
Trains from Zurich to Mechelen run on average 2 times per day, taking around 7h 7m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $191 (€154) but you can travel from only $92 (€74) by bus.
The earliest train runs at 00:08, the last at 16:03. The fastest train covers the 312 miles (503 km) distance in 7h 48m.
Distance 312 miles (503 km) |
Average train duration 7h 7m |
Cheapest ticket price $191 (€154) |
Trains per day 2 |
Fastest train 7h 48m |
First train 12:08 AM |
Last train 4:03 PM |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Train companies: Deutsche Bahn, SBB, Swiss Federal Railways (SBB CFF FFS) from Zurich to Mechelen trainsDeutsche Bahn, SBB, Swiss Federal Railways (SBB CFF FFS) trains will get you between Zurich and Mechelen from $92 (€74). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Deutsche Bahn
A Bordrestaurant (restaurant car) where you can sit and eat.
A Bordbistro (bistro bar) with snacks, hot meals, and drinks to-go.
At-seat service in 1st class: staff will take your order and serve food/drinks directly to your seat.
Regional trains (RE / RB / S-Bahn):
No onboard catering.
You’re welcome to bring your own food and drinks.
Not included by default.
You can add a seat reservation when booking (recommended for busy routes).
Costs around €4.90 per seat (or €5.90 if booked separately later).
First Class:
Yes, always included in the ticket price.
Allowed for free if they can fit in a transport box (max. size: hand luggage).
Must stay in the box for the entire journey.
Large dogs:
Require a separate (paid) ticket — typically half the price of a regular second-class ticket.
Must be leashed and wear a muzzle while on the train.
Cannot sit on seats.
Assistance dogs:
Travel free of charge.
Do not need a muzzle or leash if medically not required.
Allowed to accompany the passenger at all times.
SBB
Swiss Federal Railways (SBB CFF FFS)
FAQs: Trains from Zurich to Mechelen
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Zurich to Mechelen 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 Mechelen, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Popular train stations from Zurich to Mechelen
- 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- The car park is open 24/7. Access via Gessnerallee and Sihlquai.
- Restaurant Au Premier
- Brasserie Federal
- Outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps, restrooms.
- CHF 2
- Hotel Schweizerhof Zürich
- Hotel St. Gotthard
- Central Plaza Hotel
- Cost CHF 12
- Located in the main hall
- Located in the main hall
- 1,300 places, mostly covered
- Avis
- Europcar
- Hertz
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, platforms 3-18 for long-distance trains
- Hall 2: S-Bahn platforms 21-24
- Hall 3: underground S-Bahn platforms 41-44
- Tram: Lines 3, 4, 6, 7, 10, 13, 14
- Bus: Several lines available
- S-Bahn: Lines S2, S3, S5, S6, S7, S8, S9, S11, S12, S15, S16, S24
- 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- The car park is open 7 days a week. Access is available from Mühlebachstrasse.
- Outback Lodge
- Tibits
- Outside the main entrance.
- Ramps, restrooms.
- CHF 2
- Hotel Opera Zurich
- Small Luxury Hotel Ambassador Zurich
- Hotel Seehof
- Located in the main hall
- 1000 places, covered
- Europcar
- Hertz
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, platform 1-3 for S-Bahn trains
- Hall 2: platform 4 for regional trains
- Tram: Line 11, Line 15
- Bus: Several lines available
- S-Bahn: Lines S3, S5, S6, S7, S9, S12, S16
- 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- The car park is open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Access via Stationsstraat.
- Restaurant De Graspoort
- Il Cardinale
- Outside the main entrance.
- Ramps.
- €0.50
- NH Mechelen
- Hotel Elisabeth
- Martin's Patershof
- Located in the main hall
- Avis
- Europcar
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, platform 1-10 for trains to Brussels, Antwerp, and regional destinations
- Train: IC, S-train
- Bus: Several lines available
More options for your journey from Zurich to Mechelen
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
