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From Geneva to Zurich By Train: Duration, Prices, Schedules

Are you heading from Geneva to Zurich by train? What may sound like a complicated journey is actually a breeze - with some proper planning.

Our blog post addresses the most commonly asked questions about how to reach Zurich from Geneva by train. You have asked us over the years whether flying into GVA makes sense. And whether it is challenging to plan the onward journey to Zurich.

We are here to tell you: no.

Getting from Geneva to Zurich by train is easy, even for first-timers to Switzerland. This blog post explores all your options, including travel times, ticket prices, and train schedules.

Intercity IC 1 train passing vineyards in the Lavaux region
Intercity IC 1 train passing vineyards in the Lavaux region

Taking the train from Geneva to Zurich Main Station

After a long trip from your home country to Geneva, the last thing you would want is a complicated onward journey.

Now, if you've read any of our posts about train travel in Switzerland, you will know that railways are our preferred option. The Swiss railway network runs like, well, clockwork.

Trains operated by Swiss Federal Railways depart from Geneva to Zurich twice an hour. From the wee hours in the AM to nearly midnight, these perfect train connections are a straight shot to the Zurich main station.

You can get onto the trains at Geneva Airport or the downtown Geneva main station in Geneva.

The Intercity trains IC 1 and IC 5 are the best connections to travel from Geneva to Zurich. Without any transfers, the trip takes just short of three hours:

  • IC 1 destined for St. Gallen: 2 hrs 57 min
  • IC 5 destined for Rorschach: 2 hrs 54 min

Insider tip: your train ticket lets you get off anywhere between Geneva and Zurich within a 24-hour window. Think of cities like Lausanne, Bern, or Neuchâtel.

With all this flexibility, deposit your luggage in a train station locker and do some sightseeing. Then, once you are ready to move on, reclaim your bags and hop onto the next connection destined for the Zurich main station.

Train providers: SBB from Geneva to Zurich trains

Swiss Federal Railway (SBB) is the primary train provider on the Geneva to Zurich tracks. The train compositions of IC 1 and IC 5 feature first-class and second-class cars, plus a designated restaurant, business, and family coach.

Read our expert guide to train travel in Switzerland for information on ticket discounts for students, seniors, and groups. As you can tell, several options exist for different budgets and travel styles.

Geneva to Zurich train times: twice hourly departures

Between 4:47 AM and 8:32 PM, SBB trains depart from the Geneva Airport and Geneva Cornavin stations twice an hour.

Half the trains are routed through Bern (IC 1), while the other half pass through Neuchâtel (IC 5). But both pull into the Zurich main station before continuing to Zurich Airport.

Neither the IC 1 nor the IC 5 train lines involve a transfer. That way, you can store your luggage, sit back, and relax. There are many additional Geneva to Zurich train times, but they all involve one or two transfers.

Geneva Train Station Entrance
Geneva train station entrance

Geneva to Zurich trains: services on board

Before you depart from Geneva, you can reserve a seat in either first or second-class cabins.

Seat reservations on this stretch are really only needed on weekends during peak season. Unless you are traveling as a group or have chosen rush hour, these trains have plenty of available seats.

That's especially true in first class: enjoy extended legroom, armrests, power sockets, and a quieter environment.

Second-class passengers still have relatively comfortable seats and are privy to the restaurant car. In either travel class, there is space for suitcases. But even with this being Switzerland, make sure to keep an eye on your luggage at all times. Especially during stops when someone might grab a suitcase right before the doors close.

In either travel class, small pets that can fit in a bag, or guide dogs, can travel free of charge. Larger dogs will have to pay half the fare of an adult ticket. But the point here is that larger dogs do need their ticket.


From Zurich HB/Zurich Main Station to Geneva/Geneva-Cornavin

All the above advice applies to return trips as well. From the Zurich main station or Zurich Airport, you can take the same IC 1 and IC 5 trains to Geneva or Geneva Airport.

Without any transfers, the trip takes a bit less than three hours:

  • IC 1 destined for Geneva Airport: 2 hrs 55 min
  • IC 5 destined for Geneva Airport: 2 hrs 52 min

Between 5:19 AM and 6:32 PM, non-stop trains depart from the Zurich main station to Geneva twice an hour.

Either of these hourly connections provides a smooth transfer between the two cities and their major airports: ZRH and GVA.

With a staggering 34 trains connecting Zurich with Geneva daily, there is hardly a reason not to travel by railway.

Please note that there are later connections, but these involve one or two transfers. The last train to depart from Zurich to Geneva is at 9:02 PM.

Insider tip: maybe we can someday zip from Geneva to Zurich in just 15 minutes. If the innovative Swissloop project ever lifts off, we could save lots of time someday. But then again, we'd be missing out on the beautiful scenery.


Frequently Asked Questions


Is the train from Geneva to Zurich scenic?

Yes, the train ride from Geneva to Zurich is most definitely scenic. The views of the mountains, valleys, and lakes will take your breath away:

  • For the best views on IC 1, try to find a window seat on the upper deck on the right-hand side of the train. You will see the sparkling Lake Geneva, the vineyards, and the old town of Bern.
  • For the best views on IC 5, grab a window seat on the right-hand side of the train. This composition does not offer an upper deck. A long stretch of the journey will take you along Lake Neuchâtel and Lake Biel, both located on the right-hand side.

Conclusion

Getting from Geneva to Zurich by train is the most convenient way. Intercity trains operate frequently and are a comfortable and efficient way to cover the distance.

Book train tickets from Geneva to Zurich online at least a day before departure for the best fares. An all-inclusive Swiss Travel Pass takes the guesswork out of ticketing, providing you peace of mind as you travel from Geneva to Zurich - and onward.

Enjoy the ride!


Additional Switzerland train resources

Dimitri Burkhard

As the founder, editor, and community manager of Newly Swissed, Dimitri owns the strategic vision. He is passionate about storytelling and is a member of Swiss Travel Communicators.

Dimitri loves discovering new trends and covers architecture, design, start-ups and tourism.

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Dimitri Burkhard

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