How to get from Zurich to Paris by train, bus or flight.
The best way to travel from Zurich to Paris is by taking a train because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .
Distance | 303 miles (489 km) | |
Available travel modes | Bus, flight or train | |
Ticket price range | $44 - $204 | |
Cheapest mode | Bus • $44 (€38) • 16 h 35 min | |
Fastest mode | Flight • $204 (€177) • 1 h 20 min | |
Popular travel companies | BlaBlaCar Bus, Air France or SNCF | TGV Lyria |
Take a bus, flight or train to travel 303 miles (489 km) between Zurich and Paris. If speed is a priority, then a flight is the best option with an average duration of 1 h 20 min; whereas, if saving money is more important, then a bus is the best option with prices starting as low as $44 (€38). The most popular travel companies which serve this trip are BlaBlaCar Bus, Air France or SNCF | TGV Lyria among others. Travelers can even take a direct bus, flight or train from Zurich to Paris.
Flying is the fast and convenient method for traveling from Zurich to Paris, with direct flights taking just over 1 hour. Travelers can make the journey in just over 4 hours on high-speed TGV Lyria trains from Zurich's main rail station. Those looking for an affordable alternative might consider bus or car share services which can take from 7 to 11 hours.
Return trips from Paris to Zurich are also available.
Flixbus operates a nightly direct buses from Zurich to Paris. An average journey takes between 10 and 11 hours and arrives in Paris for early morning. Eurolines also run buses each evening from Zurich to Paris Gallieni Port Bagnolet station. Bla Bla Car puts drivers in touch with passengers going the same way. The service is available from Zurich daily and the journey should take about 7 hours.
High-speed TGV Lyria trains from Zurich to Paris take just over 4 hours to reach the center of Paris. A direct service leaves from Zurich HB early each morning for Paris Gare de Lyon and other services are available throughout the week. The fast early train calls at Basel, Mulhouse, and Belfort while later services may also stop at Dijon and take slightly longer. An alternative service bound for Paris Gare de l'Est also calls at Vesoul, Chaumont, and Troyes.
Flights from Zurich to Paris are the easiest and fastest way to travel between the two cities. There are almost 70 flights per week from Zurich to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport and the average direct journey time is 1 hour and 15 minutes. Passengers can fly direct with Swiss Air or choose flights with Niki with one stop at Vienna. Alternatively, Air Berlin offers flights to Paris Orly airport with one stop at Berlin Tegel Airport.
Paris is a lovely city of quiet beauty paired with scenic, breathtaking views. To experience everything that the 'City of Lights' has to offer, walking is a great way to explore. Start your walk in the city center at Place de la Concorde then proceed right into the heart of Paris, in the 8th arrondissement. The walk will then take you to the Louvre Museum. After you enjoy world famous art in the museum, you can get a dose of Paris culture and history in the surrounding gardens. Strolling along the banks of the Seine will leave you feeling refreshed and lead you to the historical Invalides. If you walk for about twenty minutes, you will reach the awe-inspiring Eiffel Tower, and can then proceed to the Parisian market. Here you can buy just about anything, from fresh vegetables to the best cheese Paris has to offer. A walk through the Le Marais will let you enjoy the vintage boutiques lining the streets. You can end the walk at the Pompidou and appreciate the contemporary art of Paris.
Coffee drinking is a timeless Parisian way of life, which has seen famous artists and writers such as Picasso and Guy de Maupassant taking their coffee breaks in traditional cafes. Contrary to modern practice, historic cafes such as Le Select, Café de la Paix and Café de Flore in Paris had cigarette smoke wafting through the air, as customers were served hot espresso and fresh baguettes. The emergence of third-wave coffee shops such as the famous Ob-La-Di Café, the charming Boot Café, and Fragments in the Marais neighborhood have since seen cigarette smoking being banned indoors, however the traditional atmosphere remains. Third-wave coffee shops incorporate a striking contemporary setting and offer a wide array of iconic pastries and desserts, including crepes, crème brulee, cake, macarons, profiterole, and the highly favored Parisian croissants. These are designed to satisfy different appetites, particularly for those who have a sweet tooth. Most third-wave coffee shops in Paris have in-house bakeries. The most significant similarity between traditional and third-wave coffee shops in Paris is that they incorporate both indoor and outdoor seating areas. Newspapers, journals, and magazines are provided to customers with outdoor sitting areas, allowing coffee enthusiasts to take in the sights and sounds of Paris as they enjoy their chosen delights.
The city of Paris is famous for being one of the top foodie destinations in the world. Paris is home to over one hundred Michelin star restaurants that produce some of the best dishes in the world. Food is an important part of the culture of Paris and great care is taken to make sure that every bite is savored and every meal celebrated. Eat like a local and pick up a croissant or any freshly baked pastry for breakfast, all of which can be enjoyed while walking through the streets of Paris. One of the best places to pick up a delicious pastry is from Angelina's, a small bakery on the Rue de Rivoli which has been in operation since 1903. The Parisians like to have a long lunch at one of the city's famous and authentic bistros, such as Le Patruche in the 9th arrondissement, or La Rotisserie in the 5th arrondissement. Book in advance for a dinner at L'Astrance where Chef Pascal Barbot creates unique dishes that are popular with both locals and international visitors. Try the buttermilk and burnt toast crumb soup for a taste sensation. Vegetarians and those with food allergies are well-catered for in Paris as well.
Paris is a cosmopolitan city, boasting a booming economy, proud cultural heritage, and numerous sights. Something interesting is always happening in Paris, the city of lights. For the avid traveler, there are many things to see all year round, but the best time to tour Paris is from June to August. The weather is perfect for exploring the outdoors, and the different colors in the squares and gardens of Paris are breathtaking during this time. Vacationers can always relax and have fun by the River Seine. Other summer activities include outdoor concerts and festivals. Spring is also a good time to visit Paris, when tourists can enjoy the blossoming flowers in many parks around the city. Spring stretches from March to May. The offseason, which is during fall and winter, is a rather quiet time of year to visit Paris. Some travelers take advantage of these months as there are thinner crowds. Travelers have a great opportunity to stroll around the Eiffel Tower without any rush or can peacefully admire the painting of Mona Lisa without waiting in a long queue. Whatever time of year you visit the city of lights, there are highlights that you should be sure to see during your trip.
Paris is one of the most visited European cities, and has countless attractions. Therefore, any visitor to Paris needs to be able to make the best of the opportunity and see as much of the city as possible. Getting around Paris is easiest via the city's intricate public transport system, the RATP. The city's public transport comprises of buses, the metro, RER lines, and Commuter Rails, though the metro is by far the most efficient mode of transportation in Paris. It operates from Monday to Sunday and has a total of 380 stations, allowing easy access to all Paris has to offer. The bus system in Paris is fantastic as well, as you can actually see the city while you ride and get accustomed to its layout. With 58 lines, Paris' bus services can take you anywhere in the city at a reasonable rate. Maps indicating bus routes are available at bus stations, as well as at the Metro stations. Buses generally function from 6:30 a.m. up to 8:30 p.m., with a few extending their services till after midnight. The RER lines and Commuter Rails are like the metro only with fewer dedicated lines. These are more useful for short journeys through the city center.
You can travel by train, bus or flight for as low as $43 (€38). When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best route.
SBB is the national railway company of Switzerland which operates trains between Zurich and Paris. It operates a wide range of trains, including InterCity, InterRegio, RegioExpress, Regio, S-Bahn, and InterCityExpress. InterCity trains are the fastest, with speeds of up to 200 km/h, while Regio trains are the slowest, with speeds of up to 120 km/h. SBB also offers a variety of ticket types, such as the Swiss Travel Pass, Half-Fare Card, and Super Saver tickets. Onboard facilities include Wi-Fi, power outlets, and a restaurant car. The most popular routes for SBB are from Zurich to Geneva, Basel to Bern, and Geneva to Lausanne.
FlixBus is one of Europe's leading low-cost travel companies, founded in Germany and offering long-distance travel services in Europe and the U. S. FlixBus also operates overnight travel on select routes throughout Europe. Standard amenities on FlixBus include free Wi-Fi, power outlets to charge your phone, tablet or laptop during long travel journeys, extra legroom, luggage space and toilets. You can even purchase snacks and drinks onboard. FlixBus offers only the Standard ticket for all its routes, which allows you to bring one carry-on luggage and one checked bag per person. Additional fees apply for extra luggage and specific seat reservations, such as if you want to book an Extra Seat, Table Seat or the Panorama Seat.
There are 3 ways to get from Zurich to Paris: bus, flight or train.
The cheapest way to get from Zurich to Paris is by taking a bus with average ticket prices of $44 (€38) compared to other travel options to Paris:
Taking a bus costs $160 (€139) less than taking a flight, which costs on average $204 (€177) for the same trip.
Taking a bus costs $76 (€66) less than taking a train, which costs on average $120 (€104) for the same trip.
The quickest way to travel to Paris from Zurich is by flight, which takes on average 1 h 20 min compared to other travel options that take longer:
Bus takes 16 h 35 min on average.
Taking a train requires on average 4 h 4 min of travel time.
The distance from Zurich to Paris is approximately 303 miles (489 km).
The average frequency per day from Zurich to Paris is:
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Zurich and Paris as scheduled services by bus, flight or train can vary by season or day of the week.
These are the most popular departure and arrival points when traveling from Zurich to Paris:
Omio works with many trusted partners that can help you travel the best way from Zurich to Paris:
Yes, there are direct services available from Zurich to Paris with the following travel companies:
Direct services tend to save you time and add more convenience in getting you to Paris as you won't need to transfer at another stop in between, so it's worth paying attention to before booking your tickets between Zurich and Paris.
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