Traveling from Italy to Switzerland: A Guide

The most popular way to travel from Italy to Switzerland

The most popular way to travel from Italy to Switzerland is by train. You can complete the journey in as little as 2 to 3 hours, depending on your destination. Our users cite the comfort and convenience of traveling by train as additional reasons for preferring this mode of transit.

Flights from Italy to Switzerland

A flight from Italy to Switzerland can take as little as one hour to complete, making this mode of travel the fastest option for people who wish to depart near major airports in Italy.

However, while an Italy to Switzerland flight is the fastest way to travel between these two countries, it’s also the most expensive. Flight tickets from Italy to Switzerland can cost several hundred dollars or more.

Buses from Italy to Switzerland

If you’re trying to find the cheapest tickets from Italy to Switzerland, then taking a bus is your best option. Bus tickets from Italy to Switzerland are cheaper than tickets for planes and trains. That being said, buses also take the longest amount of time to get between Italy and Switzerland.

Trains from Italy to Switzerland

Train tickets from Italy to Switzerland aren’t much more expensive than bus tickets, but traveling by train can be more comfortable and much faster than taking a bus. That’s why it’s the preferred method of travel between Italy and Switzerland.

Cheapest tickets to travel from Switzerland to Italy

For the cheapest Italy to Switzerland tickets, a bus is your best option. International tickets between Switzerland and Italy are typically available for under $100. But the exact cost of your travel from Italy to Switzerland will vary based on your departure and arrival locations.

Even if finding the cheapest tickets from Italy to Switzerland is your priority, you should still take a look at your options for traveling by train. Train tickets are often not significantly more expensive than bus tickets, but you’ll have more freedom of movement throughout your trip on a train and may be more comfortable.

How many hours do I need to travel from Italy to Switzerland?

The time it takes to travel between Italy and Switzerland varies based on the mode of transport you use and the two cities you want to travel between. For example, you can fly from Milan to Zurich in under an hour or take as long as 18 hours to travel by bus between Naples and Zurich.

If you want to travel between Rome and Zurich, it will take you about 7 hours and 30 minutes by train or as long as 13 hours by bus. You can also consider taking a non-stop flight between these two major cities, which will usually take about 1 hour and 30 minutes to complete.

Every traveler has to make their own trade-off regarding price and speed. Flying is the fastest way to get between Italy and Switzerland, but it costs the most. Busses will add hours to your trip but reduce the cost of traveling. Trains are a nice option in the middle, offering affordable rides that don’t take too long.

Geese swim near downtown Geneva, Switzerland. Source: Shutterstock

What companies run services between Italy and Switzerland?

Train providers

Trenitalia is the most popular rail provider for routes originating in Italy and arriving in Switzerland. It offers plenty of options to choose from, which makes it easy to find a time and a route that works for your travel goals.

Trenitalia also lets you customize your comfort and price during the journey by offering base tickets, economy tickets, and super economy tickets.

Bus providers

Marino is the best bus company to use when traveling from Italy to Switzerland. It offers international routes for under $100 and constantly has buses traveling between major cities, so you can always get a ride when you need one.

Airlines

There are many different airlines you can use to fly quickly between Italy and Switzerland. Vueling, Austrian Airlines, and SWISS are some of the most popular and affordable options for these routes.

That being said, there are plenty of companies that fly between Italy and Switzerland. The best option for your travel goals will vary based on a variety of factors, including the time of year that you travel.

A Swiss Alpine lake and meadow. Source: Shutterstock

The most popular routes from Italy to Switzerland

• Milan to Zurich: The distance between Milan and Zurich is only 217 kilometers (135 miles). A train can complete the journey in around 3 hours and 30 minutes, while buses take 5 hours and 30 minutes to travel between Milan and Zurich. SWISS and other airlines offer non-stop flights between these destinations that take less than an hour.
• Milan to Geneva: Milan and Geneva are about 250 kilometers apart from one another. Trains take about 3 hours and 20 minutes to complete this journey, whereas buses can take around 5-6 hours. Flights take under an hour between these two cities.
• Rome to Zurich: Rome and Zurich are about 683 kilometers apart. Trains take around 7 hours and 30 minutes to complete this trip, while buses may take as long as 13 hours. You can also look into non-stop flights between these two cities, which typically take around 1 hour and 30 minutes.
• Rome to Bern: Rome and Bern are about 700 kilometers apart. Flying takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes, and the fastest trains take about 6 hours and 34 minutes to finish the trip. Taking a bus may make the trip last as long as 16 hours.
• Florence to Zurich: Florence and Zurich are approximately 450 kilometers apart. It takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes to fly this distance or 5 hours and 20 minutes by train. Buses can complete the trip in about 9 hours.

The most popular stations for departure in Italy and arrival in Switzerland

• Zurich Hauptbahnhof: Zurich HBF is the main train station in the most populous Swiss city. It’s where you’ll likely arrive if you travel from Italy to Switzerland by train.
• Zurich Airport: Zurich airport is the busiest airport in Switzerland. This makes it a common port of arrival for travelers who fly into the country from Italy and elsewhere.
• Milan Centrale: Milan Centrale is the city of Milan’s main train station. If you want to leave for Switzerland from Milan, this is where you’ll find the most route options.
• Rome Airport Fiumicino: Rome Fiumicino Airport is the main commercial airport in Rome. Flights from here are the best way to get to Switzerland from the Italian capital.
• Rome Termini: Rome Termini is the central train station in downtown Rome. It’s a convenient place of departure if you want to go to Switzerland by train.

Destinations & highlights in Switzerland

Switzerland is a beautiful country with some truly unique landscapes and cities to explore. Here are some of the most popular cities that people visit when arriving from Italy. As you review them, keep in mind that there’s a lot to be seen on the roads between these major cities as well.

• Zurich is the most populous city in Switzerland. It’s home to the Swiss National Museum, the Zurich Opera House, and some of the best restaurants and shopping experiences in all of Europe.
• Geneva is home to some of the world’s largest organizations, including the World Health Organization, the World Trade Organization, and, of course, the United Nations. These all make tremendous sightseeing opportunities. But there are plenty of other landmarks to explore as well, including the Geneva Water Fountain and St. Pierre Cathedral.
• Bern is the capital of Switzerland and home to numerous weekly markets and events spread throughout Parliament Square. You can stroll through Old Town and check out beautiful natural spaces like BarenPark while you’re here as well.
• Lausanne is home to The Olympic Museum and some excellent historical landmarks, as The Romans established a trading colony here all the way back in the first century BC. Modern Lausanne also has plenty of eating and shopping opportunities to enjoy.

Best time to travel from Italy to Switzerland

The best time to visit Switzerland is typically either in the late spring and early summer (April to June) or the early fall (September and October). This is when the country’s weather is still pleasant, but you miss the tourist crowds of the peak summer season.

That being said, Switzerland is also a popular destination for ski holidays. If you want to visit the country’s mountains to go skiing or snowboarding, then your best bet is to visit between December and February, which is when Switzerland’s highest altitudes receive the most snowfall.