- Must visit
Musei Civici del Castello Visconteo
Pavia’s main civic museum in the Visconti Castle, with archaeology, sculpture, painting, and local history collections.
Cheapest price
$122
Average price
$129
Fastest journey
3 h 57 m
Average duration
4 h 1 m
Trains per day
2
Distance
247 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Zurich to Pavia is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Zurich to Pavia will cost around $129 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $122.
Of the 2 trains that leave Zurich for Pavia on Tue, Aug 04, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Tue, Aug 04 the direct trains cover the 247 km distance in an average of 4 h 1 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 3 h 57 m .
On Tue, Aug 04 the slowest trains will take 4 h 4 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.




Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Zurich to Pavia among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $19. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 3h 20m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $19, and a flight costs an average of $102.
Distance: 153 miles (247 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$106 Average price | $33 Average price Cheapest | $191 Average price | $134 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 43m Average total duration 4h 13m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 50m Average total duration Fastest 3h 20m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 13h 48m Average total duration 10h 48m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 3h 52m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Zurich to Pavia:
A bus is $73 (€60) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Zurich to Pavia costing on average $106 (€87).
A bus is $158 (€129) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Zurich to Pavia costing on average $191 (€156).
Other travel options to Pavia take longer:
Train takes on average 4h 13m.
Flight takes on average 10h 48m.
Tickets start at around $106 (€87) compared to roughly $134 (€109) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $28 (€23). The journey takes 4h 13m versus 3h 52m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.
Direct services run with Trenitalia.
Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.
The table below shows live departures for Zurich to Pavia trains for tomorrow, Tuesday, August 4. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 8:33 AM Zurich | 3h57 | 12:30 PM Pavia | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 6:33 PM Zurich | 4h04 | 10:37 PM Pavia | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
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.
Trains from Zurich to Pavia run on average 19 times per day, taking around 4h 13m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $55 (€45) but you can travel from only $19 (€16) by bus.
There are 1 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:09, the last at 19:33. The fastest train covers the 153 miles (247 km) distance in 3h 57m.
Distance 153 miles (247 km) |
Average train duration 4h 13m |
Cheapest ticket price $55 (€45) |
Trains per day 19 |
Direct trains 1 |
Fastest train 3h 57m |
First train 12:09 AM |
Last train 7:33 PM |
Cheapest Month Aug |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Thu |
Best time to book 14 days |
Discover the best of Pavia — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Pavia trip today.
Pavia’s main civic museum in the Visconti Castle, with archaeology, sculpture, painting, and local history collections.
University museum displaying historic scientific instruments that reveal Pavia’s major role in medicine and physics.
Natural history museum famous for Spallanzani collections and one of Italy’s oldest scientific displays.
Scenic riverside promenade along the Ticino, popular for walking, cycling, and postcard views of the bridge.
Central square framed by the cathedral and civic buildings, ideal for orientation, photos, and daily city life.
Large public park around the Visconti Castle, great for walks, shade, and a break between museum visits.
A rich risotto cooked with local pork sausage and red wine from Oltrepò Pavese, reflecting the area’s rice fields and wine culture.
Traditional stuffed fresh pasta from Pavia, filled with braised meat and served in broth or with butter and sage at festive family meals.
Slow-braised beef dish cooked with Bonarda or Barbera wine, a classic of the Pavia area tied to local red wine production.
Refined Michelin-starred restaurant known for creative Italian tasting menus in an elegant contemporary setting.
Historic, traditional restaurant serving classic Pavia and Lombard dishes in a warm, old-school atmosphere.
Well-known local trattoria appreciated for seasonal Lombard cooking, rice dishes, and a relaxed traditional dining room.
Moderate for Italy: stays and dining are usually cheaper than Milan, while trains and local transport remain reasonably priced for visitors.
Service is often included or modest. Round up or leave 5-10% at restaurants for good service; round up taxi fares; small change is enough at cafes.
Official public transport app
Pavia Railway Station -> Piazza della Vittoria, Pavia
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Zurich to Pavia 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 Pavia, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Zurich to Pavia trains use the Zürich HB to Pavia station pair, with some services arriving at Pavia Porta Garibaldi. Use this guide to compare Zurich and Pavia train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Zürich HB is 1 km from Zurich city centre. Public transport options include:
Zürich HB has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Shower, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental, Information Desk, and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: Restaurant Au Premier, Brasserie Federal
Free. ATMs are available in the train station.
Ticket office support is available at Zürich HB. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Zürich HB. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Zürich HB: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Zürich HB: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Zürich HB: Elevators, ramps, restrooms.
Nearby hotels include Hotel Schweizerhof Zürich, Hotel St. Gotthard, Central Plaza Hotel.
Pavia is 1 km from Pavia city centre. Public transport options include:
Pavia has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental, Information Desk, and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: Ristorante Pizzeria Da Giulio, Trattoria Da Lina
Free. ATMs are available in the train station.
Ticket office support is available at Pavia. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Pavia. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Pavia: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Pavia: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Pavia: Elevators, ramps, restrooms.
Nearby hotels include Hotel Moderno, Hotel Excelsior, Hotel Aurora.
Pavia Porta Garibaldi has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, WC, and Bike Parking.
Food and drink options are available at Pavia Porta Garibaldi.
ATMs are available at Pavia Porta Garibaldi.
Available at Pavia Porta Garibaldi: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Pavia Porta Garibaldi: Bike Parking.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need