- Must visit
Palazzo Borromeo Museum
Museum spaces inside Palazzo Borromeo display period interiors, paintings, tapestries, and collections in one of Lake Maggiore’s grandest residences.
Cheapest price
$73
Average price
$99
Fastest journey
5 h 3 m
Average duration
5 h 3 m
Trains per day
2
Distance
165 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Zurich to Stresa is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Zurich to Stresa will cost around $99 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $73.
Of the 2 trains that leave Zurich for Stresa on Wed, Aug 05, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Wed, Aug 05 the direct trains cover the 165 km distance in an average of 5 h 3 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 5 h 3 m .
On Wed, Aug 05 the slowest trains will take 5 h 3 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 Stresa among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $44. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 2h 40m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $44, and a flight costs an average of $120.
Distance: 102 miles (165 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$113 Average price | $47 Average price Cheapest | $227 Average price | $110 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 57m Average total duration 4h 27m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 10m Average total duration Fastest 2h 40m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 12h 55m Average total duration 9h 55m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 3h 42m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Zurich to Stresa:
A bus is $66 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Zurich to Stresa costing on average $113.
A bus is $180 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Zurich to Stresa costing on average $227.
Other travel options to Stresa take longer:
Train takes on average 4h 27m.
Flight takes on average 9h 55m.
Tickets start at around $113 compared to roughly $110 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $-2.76. The journey takes 4h 27m versus 3h 42m 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.
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 Stresa trains for tomorrow, Wednesday, August 5. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 11:33 AM Zurich | 5h03 | 4:36 PM Stresa | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 1:33 PM Zurich | 5h03 | 6:36 PM Stresa | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare bus, train, 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 Stresa run on average 7 times per day, taking around 4h 27m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $71 but you can travel from only $44 by bus.
The earliest train runs at 04:39, the last at 23:39. The fastest train covers the 102 miles (165 km) distance in 2h 30m.
Distance 102 miles (165 km) |
Average train duration 4h 27m |
Cheapest ticket price $71 |
Trains per day 7 |
Fastest train 2h 30m |
First train 4:39 AM |
Last train 11:39 PM |
Cheapest Month Apr |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Sun |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 3 days |
Discover the best of Stresa — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Stresa trip today.
Museum spaces inside Palazzo Borromeo display period interiors, paintings, tapestries, and collections in one of Lake Maggiore’s grandest residences.
Historic house museum preserving philosopher Antonio Rosmini’s rooms, library, and manuscripts, important for Italian religious and intellectual history.
Gallery route within Isola Madre’s palace showing seventeenth-century furnishings, portraits, and domestic collections in an intimate island setting.
Stresa’s scenic waterfront promenade offers lake views, island panoramas, hotels, gardens, and easy walking between the ferry area and parks.
Lakeside park and zoological garden estate with mature trees, viewpoints, and broad lawns, popular for families and relaxed walks.
Garden terraces on Isola Bella showcase Baroque design, statues, and dramatic lake views; among the area’s most photographed outdoor spaces.
A rich baked dish of local chestnuts, milk, cocoa, sugar and rosemary. It is a historic Lake Maggiore dessert tied to mountain chestnut culture.
Delicate fresh pasta stuffed with braised meat, vegetables and cheese, common across Piedmont and often served with roast juices or butter and sage.
Traditional Novara and Lake Maggiore risotto cooked with Arborio rice, often enriched with local butter, wine and seasonal ingredients from Piedmont.
Elegant Michelin-starred dining inside Villa E Palazzo Aminta, known for refined Italian tasting menus and a formal lakeside setting.
Historic fine dining restaurant on Isola Bella, celebrated for classic Piedmont and lake fish dishes in a romantic, long-established setting.
Well-known traditional restaurant in Stresa serving Piedmont specialties, pasta and lake fish in a polished but approachable atmosphere.
Moderate for Lake Maggiore: hotels often cost more in peak season, while dining is mid-range and ferries and trains are reasonably priced.
Service is often included. Rounding up or leaving 5-10% is appreciated in restaurants. Round up for taxis; small change is enough in cafés.
Official public transport app
Stresa Railway Station -> Piazza Cadorna, Stresa
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Zurich to Stresa 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 Stresa, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Zurich to Stresa trains use the Zürich HB to Stresa station pair. Use this guide to compare Zurich and Stresa 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.
Zürich Oerlikon is 5 km from Zurich city centre. Public transport options include:
Zürich Oerlikon 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: Negishi Sushi Bar, Le Muh
Free. ATMs are available in the train station.
Ticket office support is available at Zürich Oerlikon. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Zürich Oerlikon. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Zürich Oerlikon: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Zürich Oerlikon: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Zürich Oerlikon: Elevators, ramps, restrooms.
Nearby hotels include Courtyard Zurich North, Swissotel Zurich, Hotel Sternen Oerlikon.
Zürich Altstetten is 5 km from Zurich city centre. Public transport options include:
Zürich Altstetten 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: Restaurant Markthalle, Restaurant LaSalle
Free. ATMs are available in the train station.
Ticket office support is available at Zürich Altstetten. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Zürich Altstetten. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Zürich Altstetten: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Zürich Altstetten: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Zürich Altstetten: Elevators.
Nearby hotels include Placid Hotel Zurich, Best Western Hotel Spirgarten, H+ Hotel Zürich.
Stresa has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Information Desk, and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: Ristorante LaStresa, Osteria Mercato
Free.
Ticket office support is available at Stresa. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Stresa. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Stresa: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Stresa: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Stresa: Ramps, restrooms.
Nearby hotels include Grand Hotel des Iles Borromees, Hotel La Palma, Regina Palace Hotel.
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