If you are based in Zurich and fancy a weekend trip abroad, there is no need for you to use the airport. There are so many places you can reach from the Hauptbanhof, without generating a sky-high carbon footprint, even for a short break.
Central France, Western Germany, Austria and most of northern Italy are within your reach by train in under 6 hours. In addition, Zurich is exceptionally well served by night trains, so you can board your service on Friday evening and wake up in Berlin, Amsterdam, Prague, Budapest, and many more!
Swap the time you would spend travelling to Zurich airport, flying out, landing, and exiting the airport at your destination, for a scenic and mindful train trip. You'll be spending that time admiring some wonderful Swiss panoramas, the French countryside, the charms of Italy, the Austrian Alps, or some stunning Dutch scenery from the comfort of your seat!
20 European weekend train trips starting in Zurich
Ready to plan a train getaway somewhere in Europe? Research your options.
The Trainline and SBB are great places to start. Mase sure to browse the websites of the national rail operators of Germany, France, Austria, and Italy as well as Italian and Austrian private operators Italo and Railjet, if you need more flexibility in designing your break, or want to benefit from some special offers.
To get you started, here is a list of 20 of the best destinations you can reach from Zurich by train, even for a long weekend:
1. Milan
Milan's Duomo © Sophia Karageorgiou/Unsplash
The direct train from Zurich to Milano takes 4 hours and 20 minutes. making the trip very feasible even as an overnight - you can have a late lunch in Milan and time for a stroll around Piazza del Duomo or for visiting a museum or art gallery, followed by the Milanese ritual of aperitivo by the Navigli.
Speaking of the Duomo, Milan's majestic cathedral, which took five centuries to complete, make sure you step inside, and get yourself a ticket to the rooftop terrace, from where you can catch an incredible view of the city and beyond, with the Alps in the distance.
You can admire the Duomo itself from the Museo del Novecento (while walking through the Kandinskijs, Modiglianis and Picassos, or from the top floor of the Rinascente department store.
If you are into Italian fashion, be it as a buyer or as a window shopper, the 19th-century Galleria Vittorio Emanuele is a must, as are Via Montenapoleone and Via della Spiga.
Milano's Navigli , popular for aperitivo © Cristina Gottardi/Unsplash
 Milan is famous in Italy and beyond for its opera, and the La Scala theatre is one of the temples of the genre. together with the Arena of Verona. Amongst my personal highlights are the Basilica di Sant'Ambrogio, built when the city was the capital of the Western Roman empire, and the Pinacoteca di Brera, a fantastic art ciollection in one of Milan's most bohemian districts. With a bit of planning, you can also book yourself to see Leonardo's Last Supper at Santa Maria delle Grazie. Keep an eye on their website, as bookings are only open on specific days every three months and and are snapped up immediately.
Milano's Brera district © Simone Daino/Unsplash
2. Salzburg
The city of Salzburg © Alain Roullier/Unsplash
There are direct Railjet trains between Zurich and the stunning Austrian city of Salzburg - and many more services if you allow for a swift change in Munich. The direct service takes 5 and a half hours, and 40-50 minutes more if you change in Munich.
Salzburg's city centre is compact, yet there is so much to see. The city's baroque churches and palaces, the might Hohensalzburg Fortress, built in 1077, and never taken by foreign troops, the houses in the Getreidegasse, decorated with important dates in their history, the names of former owners, including, at no, 9, the birthplace of Mozart, Salzburg's immortal wunderkind...
3. Paris
Quintessential Paris © Joe De Sousa/Unsplash
Getting to Paris from Zurich by train is easy. The journey is direct, and you can get into Paris Gare de Lyon in just over 4 hours.
It is the perfect short break. There is no time difference so you can maximise your time. Explore a world-famous museum, stroll along the Seine from the Eiffel Tower to the Latin Quarter (one of my favourite activities in Paris), hop into stunning churches and elegant palaces.
If you are not visiting large museums, even an overnight can get you a pretty good feel for the centre. It is very easy to explore Paris on foot, using the Seine as your beacon. You can still fit in one or two famous attractions, or explore smaller museums not so crowded but equally fascinating. And of course if you have time to stay longer, you can explore in depth. To maximise your time in Paris, you can book tickets to the top attractions on line at Paris Je t'aime.
4. Lyon
"The Weight of Oneself" Sculpture on the banks of Saone River © Alps2Coast
You can travel by train from Zurich to Lyon with a single change in either Geneva or Mulhouse. Either way, the journey will be roughly 5 hours and 20 minutes.
Lyon is a stunning city which deserves to be better known. Check out my post on a long weekend in Lyon for ideas on what to do.
5. Luxembourg City
Unique Luxembourg city © Cedric Letsch/Unsplash
Luxembourg City does not seem to rank high on most people's bucket lists,. Its reputation as a financial hub almost shields the unique charm of the city. I first saw it on a business trip, with no expectations, and was so positively surprised that I had to go back as a tourist.
What really struck me was that Luxembourg City is built on several levels. The upper part, known as the "Ville Haute" is situated on cliffs, and from the cliffs you have stunning panoramic views of the lower part of the city "Ville Basses", situated in two valleys at the bottom of the cliffs. The two parts of the city are connected by several bridges and viaducts, including the iconic Adolphe Bridge and the Grand Duchess Charlotte Bridge.
The contrast between the historic and medieval architecture in the Upper Town and the modern town at the bottom of the cliffs make the city as unique as it is picturesque.
This charming and vibrant capital lies about 4 hours from Zurich, with a change in Mulhouse.
Some routes allow you a stopover in the stunning city of Trier, with its glorious medieval and Roman history - during the last centuries of the Roman empire it was one of its four capitals. Make sure to include it if you can, it is a real gem!
The Roman theatre of Trier © Alexander Schimmeck/Unsplash
6. Versailles
Versailles, the formal gardens and the Apollo basin © Jann Zinnbauer/Unsplash
You get off your Zurich-Paris high speed train at at Gare de Lyon, catch the line A of the RER, the local suburban network for 13 minutes to La Defense, where you change for a local SNCF train to Versailles Rive Droite (20 minutes). You will be at the court of the Sun King in just under one hour from your arrival in Paris! The total journey from Zurich to Versailles will take you roughly 5 hours.
Versailles is an extremely beautiful city. The city centre was designed by the same architect that designed the royal palace, and is filled with quirky antique shops, lovely restaurants and at week ends a mouth-watering farmers' market.
The formal gardens are free at sunset in the summer months, so you can go and watch the sun go down and drop into the magnificent fountain at the bottom of the formal gardens. Staying for the week end also means you can visit the palace one day and the gardens and the Trianon the next, without rushing. And there are other beautiful buildings and museums in the city centre which I did not have time to visit.
It is also worth mentioning that beyond the formal markets there is a vast park where you can sit down for a picnic by the lake or go for a hike in the woods to round off your sightseeing!
7. Nuremberg
The magic of Nuremberg © Ram Lanka/Unsplash
You can get from Zurich to the medieval wonders of Nuremberg in 5 and a half hours, with a change in Stuttgart.
Nuremberg is one of my favourite cities in Europe, so much so that when I visited I ended up extending my stay!
Of course, there is its tragic 20th-century history and the Nuremberg trials, all thoughtfully documented, and with lessons for us all. But the city has so much more to teach and deserves to be explored in all its cultural and natural richness and beauty.
Not too small and not too large, crossed by the beautiful Peignitz river, crisscrossed by canals, the birthplace of bratwurst and Albrecht Durer, and one of the great capitals of the Holy Roman empire, with stunning gothic churches and a medieval imperial palace...Nuremberg will blow you away.
You can read more about my Nuremberg short break here.
Nuremberg skyline ©Markus Spiske/Unsplash
8. Dijon & Burgundy
Dijon © Fred Clery/Unsplash
Fancy a gourmet weekend in Burgundy? Direct high speed trains connect Zurich to Dijon in just 2 hours!
Burgundy is one of France's most fascinating historical regions, a former duchy and before that an independent kingdom! And Dijon is its worthy capital. The distinctive polychrome roofs, toits bourguignons, add character to the architecture of a city brimming with building ranging from medieval Gothic to art deco.
Visit the Palais des Ducs, home of one of France's great museums, the Musée de Beaux Arts. Admire the stunningly elegant Notre Dame de Dijon with its slender gothic columns, or step inside to admire Notre-Dame de Bon-Espoir (Our Lady of Good Hope), one of the most ancient French statues of the Virgin Mary. Visit the cathedral of Saint Bénigne, walk through the ancient streets to soak in the atmosphere, or if you are feeling more epicurean visit the Cité Internationale de la Gastronomie et du Vin.
Surrounded by vineyards, Dijon is the starting point of the the "route des Grands Crus", where eight of the world's top ten most expensive wines are produced.
An example of toit bourguignon © Gerard Avril/Unsplash
Alternatively, catch another train for 20-25 minutes and head for the stunning city of Beaune, the epitome of Burgundian charm. The 'route des grand crus' actually ends there. Wander through the half-timbered houses of the Old Town, admire the Hospices de Beaune (Hôtel-Dieu), and hike or cycle the Chemin des Grand Crus to visit wine cellars the active way.
If you have 3-4 days, make the most of SNCF and combine Dijon and Beaune, or rent a bicycle and explore the culinary and cultural delights of smalltown Burgundy,
9. Bologna
With a quick change in Milano Centrale, you can get from Zurich to Bologna in just under 6 hours.
The capital of Emilia Romagna, the seat of the oldest university in Europe, boasts a beautifully preserved medieval centre, a rich creative scene, excellent museums, and considered by the Italian themselves as the pinnacle of Italian food.
Typical bolognese pasta store © Nik F/Unsplash
The heart of the centre runs from Piazza Maggiore, with its medieval cathedral of San Petronio and medieval palaces such as Palazzo di Re Enzo, to the Due Torri (medieval 'two towers') that you can climb for incredible views, Between them is a grid of characterful tiny medieval roads brimming with artisan food stores, leather and fashion boutiques. The unmissable late Roman/Lombard/early medieval complex of Santo Stefano boasts a 2000 year old late Roman Christian church.
The extraordinary Bologna Porticos, now on the UNESCO World Heritage list. were built as an extension to city dwellings throughout the middle ages and the Renaissance, and they are a journey (literally as well as symbolically) through the city's creativity. They also make sure you do not get wet when going out and about in the city. I studied in Bologna and can attest that if you confine yourself to the centre you can easily get by without an umbrella.
San Petronio seen from one of Bologna's UNESCO Heritage portici © Bianca Ackermann/Unsplash
If it rains, you can visit some of the very interesting city museums - many are free with the Bologna card . And if you are feeling active the steep uphill climb up to the Sanctuary of San Luca - on a hill outside the centre - will reward you with fantastic views. No need for umbrella, a portico with steps will shelter you all the way.
You can scratch the surface in a couple of days or, if you have one extra day, combine it with a day trip to Ravenna or Ferrara. These two cities, both one hour away from Bologna, will dazzle you with their Byzantine mosaics (Ravenna) and Renaissance art (Ferrara).
For my in-depth guide to Bologna, check my blog post.
10. Heidelberg
A view of Heidelberg © Maria Lopez Jorge/Unsplash
Germany is one of the most underrated tourist destinations in Europe. There is so much to see along its western side, which is very well connected with Switzerland by train.
Picturesque Heidelberg, roughly 4 hours from Zurich (changing in Karlsruhe or Singen) is a case point. The seat of Germany's most ancient university, Heidelberg is a lively city on the Neckar river, with stunning architecture, an imposing castle, lovely town squares and surrounded by lush forests,
A walk on the Philosophenweg, a path on the sun-bathed hills facing the old town beloved of poets and philosophers, will give you a feel for a city where nature and culture seem to fuse,
Heidelberg is a great winter escape too, as its Christmas market is one of the most celebrated in Germany. I cover it in more detail in my post on the best German Christmas markets.
Basing yourself in Heidelberg, you can also visit the elegant spa town of Baden Baden, whose waters have been popular since the days of the Romans, or the stunning 11th-century UNESCO-listed medieval cathedral of Speyer (51 minutes by train).
11. Villefranche-sur-Saone and the Beaujolais villages
The Église Notre-Dame des Marais of Villefranche sur Saone © George Elermann
The pretty Villefranche sur Saone is the capital of the Beaujolais region and a great base for exploring the area's picturesque villages and landscape. It is 6 hours from Zurich, with swift changes in Geneva and Lyon. The area's stunning villages and delicious wines are the ingredients for a wonderful break to recharge your batteries. Once there, the Tuscany-like Val d'Oingt, and the delightful Beaujolais historical heart of Beaujeu are both reachable by bus, as are many other Beaujolais villages.
12. Torino
Torino is the kind of gem the Italians keep to themselves, and the perfect size to visit over a long weekend, although you will end up wishing you could stay a week!
It will take you just under 6 hours to get there from Zurich, depending on which type of train you choose, and all you need is a change in Milan.
The former capital of Italy, criss-crossed by two rivers, saw light as a Roman city, and the centre has preserved the typical Roman grid ('Quadrilatero') layout, so it is almost impossible to get lost!
Torino's famous harbour © Alps2Coast
Stroll around the elegant Piazza Castello and Piazza San Carlo, follow Via Po through to the river, with its beautiful bridges and green banks. Walk under an authentic Roman gate ('Porta Palatina'), visit the Cathedral, where the Holy Shroud is guarded, and the incredible Baroque Church of the Consolata, with its early medieval belltower, and admire the details of the many baroque and art nouveau palaces.
Pause for an aperitivo, or for a glass of bicerin in one of the historic cafes, and indulge in the amazing food scene (Torino is part of Piedmont and the first large city to embrace the slow food movement.
If it rains or snow, like when I last visited, enjoy the Baroque interiors of Palazzo Madama, which also boasts an art and design collection comparable to London's V&A, or the world-famous Museo Egizio (Egyptian Museum) - to be booked in advance.
The Mole Antonelliana, from the Roman tower of Palazzo Madama © Alps2Coast
And if you are into cinema, Torino is the birthplace of Italian cinema, and museum dedicated to it is housed inside the Mole Antonelliana (above), which also happened to be the tallest building on earth when it was built in in 1889.
For more ideas of what to do in Torino, check out my blog post.
The Lux is one of Torino's historic cinemas © Alps2Coast
13. Reims,Épernay,and the Champagne region
Reims Cathedral © Pascal Bernardon/Unsplash
From Zurich you can get to Reims, the historical capital of the Champagne region, in just over 6 hours. You will need to change train and station in Paris - you will arrive at Gare de Lyon and need to catch a train from Gare de l'Est.
Reims is a spectacular destination for a long weekend, and you can easily spend your weekend there, enjoying the sights and sipping its celebrated bubbles.
It is in this cathedral city that the kings of France used to be crowned, so there is so much history to discover.
Alternatively, change train and continue onwards to Épernay, the main centre in the legendary Champagne producing area of La Montagne de Reims. The jouney from Reims to Épernay is only 20 minutes, so you can easily visit both in the same trip.
If you need inspiration, check my post on a long weekend to Champagne by train.
14. Budapest
The night train service run by Hungarische Bahn, part of the ÖBB Nightjet network, is the ideal way to travel between the centre of Zurich and the Hungarian capital.
Bastions © Henry Leester/Pixabay
Budapest is one of my favourite capital city break destinations because it can be as busy or as relaxing as you make it. Split into two parts by the Blue Danube it is a city defined by earth and water.
The sights of Buda, such as the UNESCO World Heritage palace complex, and the deeply moving Matthias church, are incredible, and the views of the city from the Fisherman's Bastion simply unforgettable. A wander through the charming cobbled and paved streets of Castle Hill, lined with beautiful old houses, shops, and restaurants, can be magical.
The Pest side, although less dramatic, is incredibly vibrant, with opera houses, food markets, and the iconic neo-gothic domed Hungarian parliament.
The Hungarian Parliament on the Pest riverside Seth Fogelman/Unsplash
I mentioned water. Not many cities give you the opportunity to combine sightseeing along a majestic river and relax in a thermal bath! Széchenyi is the largest and most famous, but a favourite of mine is Gellért, with its stunning Art Nouveau architecture.
Széchenyi Baths © Linda Gerbec/Unsplash
I also love Margaret Island, a peaceful park in the middle of the Danube River, with gardens crisscrossed by walking paths.
15. Munich
The Munich city centre is very compact, and you could squeeze in a decent amount of sightseeing even in a day: Marienplatz, the Frauenkirche, the elegant Konigsplatz, with its green expanse surrounded by neo-classical buildings. If it is relaxation you are after, you can lunch in a historic brewery, go for a stroll and a nap in the vast Englischer Garten, watch the surfers catch a wave on the Eisbach river, and then stock up for Bavarian delicacies and relax in the beer garden at the Viktualienmarkt.
Marienplatz © Ian Kelsall /Unsplash
You will definitely need more than a day if you plan to visit any of its grand buildings and museums. I enjoyed the sprawling Residenz, the former royal palace gradually developed by the kings of Bavaria from the Renaissance to, and the nineteenth-century, and the delightful Nymphenburg, the king's summer residence surrounded by a delightful formal garden. There are 18 museums in the art district alone, and if you are into science and technology the Deutsches Museum is a must! And you do not need to be a car lover to enjoy the BMW Welt.
Direct trains takes you from Zurich to Munich in just over 3 hours.
16. Vienna
You will not need a long time in Vienna to understand why it is constantly ranked as one of the top cities in the world to live, and often as number #1.
An incredible historical centre, packed with museums, palaces and churches, one of the most beautiful and romantic European rivers running through it....And yet the city is green, has been promoting cycling and sustainability for at least 3 decades, Vienna is that perfect balance, a blend of old world culture and innovation, a metropolis that remains human, also in size.
Vienna at night © Jacek Dylag/Unsplash
Visit Saint Stephen's Cathedral or the great imperial palaces of Hofburg and Schönbrunn, enjoy Sacher Tarte and hot chocolate, discover the Haugsburg dynasty's art collection at the Kunsthistorische Museum or catch a glimpse of Klimt at the Belvedere. Step into the houses of Beethoven, Mozart, Johann Strauss, stroll or cycle along the River Wien or one of the canals flowing from the Blue Danube...
There are daily overnight services between Zurich and Vienna, thanks to the Austrian Railways' Nightjet service. Ready to eat Sachertorte for breakfast?
The one and only Sacher Torte © Tim Photoguy/Unsplash
Fancy taking a look at the Brandenburg Gate this weekend? It is now possible, thanks to the direct night daily train services between Zurich and Berlin offered by ÖBB.
Reichstag © Jannick Kress/Unsplash
Berlin is a sprawling city so it will take you more than a weekend to explore it properly. But you can easily fit in the most famous sights and some of the great museums in a couple of days.
Start with a walk through the vast Tiergarten, then head to the iconic Brandenburg Gate and the nearby Reichstag, the German parliament building, famous for its glass dome.
Face 20th century history in all its horror at the Holocaust Memorial, and the Topography of Terror, an outdoor/indoor museum on the site of the former Gestapo building, documenting the Nazi regime's atrocities.
Discover postwar tragedy at Checkpoint Charlie, which will really bring home the trauma of the divided city. Surviving portions of the Berlin wall are visible throughout the city and specialised tours take you many of the most interesting parts.
Checkpoint Charlie © Michael Fousert/Unsplash
After the tragedies of history, discover the incredible beauty and culture of Berlin, starting with Museum Island, home to some of the world's most important museums. A day pass will let you into the Neues Museum (Nefertiti's bust), the Altes Museum (Excellent Graeco-Roman and Etruscan collection, the Bode Museum (Grand Masters), and the currently closed Pergamon Museum (home of the most incredible Hellenistic art on earth and the Ishtar Gate of Babylon)
When you feel overwhelmed by culture, go shopping at Alexanderplatz (known for the TV Tower) and elegant Kurfürstendamm; take a boat tour on the Spree - or a walk on its bridges, and discover the delights of its neighbourhoods, with parks, rivers and even lakes!
18. Amsterdam
Amsterdam canal © Jace and Afsoon/Unsplash
The daytime journey between Zurich and Amsterdam is around 8 hours with a change in Paris, so if you are going for a long weekend the Nighjet is the most convenient option. You will wake up in Centraal, fresh and ready to explore Amsterdam's cultural highlights.
Amsterdam may feel a bit swamped with tourists in summer. I love going in spring or even winter, when it is quieter. The roads along the picturesque canals become very peaceful, and you can wonder around the Rijksmuseum or the Van Gogh Museum without the crowds.
If you arrive during a particular cold spell, you may catch the locals ice-skating on the frozen canals! Book a boat day or night tour on the canals to admire the grand houses in all their splendour - the city looks so different from the water level. Utterly magical.
19. Prague
Charles's Bridge © Martin Krchnacek/Unsplash
The splendid capital of Czechia is one of these cities where charm is everywhere. There is the iconic Charles Bridge, the Astronomical Clock of Old Town Square, the wonderful gothic Cathedral of Saint Vitus and the Romanesque Basilica of Saint George, both part of the magnificent Castle complex, but you will discover the charm of Prague in minute details - the beauty of a doorway, a courtyard, the pastel coloured buildings lining a cobbled street.
Other recommended highlights are the Jewish Quarter - with its synagogues and the Old Jewish Cemetery, the inspiration of one of Umberto Eco's books, and the Jewish Museum-, and the Lennon Wall, a symbol of peace since the 80's.
You can work out your appetite before a hearty Czech meal by climbing up PetÅ™Ãn Hill for panoramic views of the city, or take a different perspective, on and go on a river cruise on the Vltava.
You can travel overnight between Zurich and Prague with ÖBB.
20. Genova
Nervi's harbour © Francesco Petringa/Unsplash
When I was a child someone sent to my mum a postcard from Nervi, a shot of lush palm-fringed hills sloping into the Ligurian sea, dotted by magnificent villas. In my child's imagination, nothing could be more beautiful!
When I finally visited, I also discovered a stunning fishing village with colourful houses like Portofino and Cinqueterre, and had a chance to explore the beautiful town Nervi is an extension of: Genova.
Genova, the capital of Liguria, and birthplace of Christopher Columbus, in the middle ages and early modern era used to be a political and trading power, vying with Venice and Barcelona for domination in the Mediterranean trade with the East.
This rich history has left plenty of traces in its beautiful UNESCO-World-Heritage historical centre, with its maze of carrugi (tiny medieval alleys), lively squares, and magnificent palaces and churches such as the 11th-century cathedral of San Lorenzo.
Genova's Centro storico © Steffan Lemmerzahl/Unsplash
The city also gave us the now ubiquitous pesto alla Genovese, which deserves to be tried fresh in its birthplace!
Like Barcelona on the opposite side of the Tyrrhenian sea, Genova is a city defined by the sea, as much as by its architecture and its art,
You can reach Nervi from Genova by train (20 minutes) but the best way is the to walk. Follow the coast, stopping in the delightful fishing villages of Vernazzola and Boccadasse, and keep smelling the sea and the fragrant Ligurian flora along the Via Aurelia. When you reach Nervi, follow the signs for the Passeggiata Anita Garibaldi, the enchanting promenade that winds along the cliff.
You can go on train rides all along the coast, it is hard to find a stretch that is not magnificent. Check Trenitalia for local trains. Boat trips are also widely available.
Genova is just over 6 hours from Zurich by train.
From the heart of Zurich to the heart of Europe
The suggestions above are just the beginning. Zurich's geographical position, in the centre of Europe, means you have plenty of possibilities. I actually considered stretchign the list to 30!
Just define what kind of trips and destinations you love, what inspires you, make a list, and before browsing flights, check if there is a train that can take you there!
Over the next couple of years new train lines will be added and many more destinations that seem a bit distant today will become possible thanks to fast trains and/or better connections.
For more inspiration on how to travel by train from anywhere in Europe by train, sign up to my blog.
Also, if you are planning to discover more of Switzerland, rather than travel abroad from Zurich, check out my post on Switzerland's most scenic train rides.
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