Trains from Zurich Hb to Geneva
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Trains from Zurich to Geneva
For lovers of waterside style, taking the train from Zurich to Geneva is just the ticket. Speed from Lake Zurich to Lake Geneva in less than three hours, and with 27 services a day, you don’t have to cut short your exploration of one of Switzerland’s happiest cities before heading to one of its most beautiful. Switzerland is one of our top European destinations for February, so it's the perfect time to plan a trip!
Trains from Zurich to Geneva are operated by SBB – the main rail operator in Switzerland – who offer plenty of different options to make your journey as comfortable as possible, including one-way, multi-journey and day pass tickets that let you extend your adventure even beyond these two enchanting cities. Don't forget to check out our guide to Geneva station, where your train will arrive.
Want to know the best places to start your Swiss sightseeing adventure? Check out our guide on what to do in Geneva. And if you're looking for somewhere to rest your head after a long day exploring, check out our list of Geneva's best hotels. If you'd like to explore more of Switzerland and Europe, check out our favorite day trips from Geneva by train.
Ready to book? Find train times and tickets in our Journey Planner above, or keep reading for FAQs about the journey from Zurich to Geneva by train.
Zurich Hb to Geneva by train
| First train | 00:02 | |
|---|---|---|
| Last train | 23:05 | |
| Departure station | Zurich Hb | |
| Arrival station | Geneva | |
| Journey time | From 8h 26m | |
| Distance | 139 miles (224 km) | |
| Frequency | 19 trains per day | |
| Changes | 1 change | |
| Train and bus operators |
SBB trains from Zurich Hb to Geneva
The Swiss rail network is operated by SBB. SBB train ticket prices are based on travel and not on the type of trains. You will find available return tickets (standard price, one way or round trip), Multiple journey tickets (for six individual trips on a pre-determined itinerary) and the City-Ticket (including a one-day transportation pass from the city of departure or arrival).
More information
Intercity classes from Zurich Hb to Geneva
Compare the different travel classes offered by Intercity when traveling from Zurich Hb to Geneva.
Economy Class
Take advantage of the dining car which offers a menu made of high-quality produce. Traveling with kids? Choose your seats in the dedicated Family Zone.
- Free WiFi
- Power outlets
- Dining car
- Children's car
- Power outlets at each seat
- Extra baggage
- Fold-down table
- Quiet area
First Class
In First Class, you'll get to travel in comfortable seats, enjoy free WiFi, as well as more space for your luggage and individual power outlets (German + Swiss).
- Free WiFi
- Power outlets
- Dining car
- Children's car
- Power outlets at each seat
- Extra baggage
- Fold-down table
- Quiet area
Onboard services on Intercity
Discover more about the onboard services offered on trains from Zurich Hb to Geneva.
You can take as much baggage as you want on SBB Intercity trains, provided that it fits in the baggage racks provided.
Many SBB Intercity trains will have a restaurant or bistro car so you can buy food and drink throughout your journey. You may be able to sit at a table in the restaurant carriage or take your meal back to your seat.
There are power outlets on SBB trains. You can also enjoy free WiFi on Intercity trains via the SBB FreeSurf portal.
There is stroller storage available on the train, as well as a baby changing toilet onboard. On Intercity trains, there is also a dedicated family car.
You can take your bicycle on board SBB Intercity trains. Between 21st March and 31st October, it's compulsory to reserve a bike space on some Intercity trains. You must also buy a ticket for your bike at a ticket office, ticket machine or online.
Dogs under 30cm in height can travel for free if they're in a carrier and placed under your seat. Larger dogs can travel with you if you buy a Dog Day Pass for CHF 25, which can be purchased at a ticket office, at a ticket machine, online or on the SBB app. The pass is valid for a day on trains, ships, trams and buses in most Swiss cities.
SBB Intercity trains have priority seats for passengers with reduced mobility, as well as a wheelchair-accessible toilet.
There is a Business Zone and a Quiet Zone in First Class on SBB Intercity trains.
Cheap train tickets from Zurich Hb to Geneva
Book in advance
Most of the train companies across Europe release their tickets around three to six months in advance, many of which can be cheaper the earlier you book. If you know the dates you want to travel, you may be able to find some cheaper train tickets from Zurich Hb to Geneva by booking early.§
Be flexible with your travel times
Many of the train services in Europe are also popular commuter services, lots of train companies increase ticket prices during “peak hours” (generally between 06:00 – 10:00 and 15:00 – 19:00 on weekdays). If you can, consider travelling outside of peak hours to find lower priced tickets.
Choose a slower or connecting train
On some of the busier routes, you might also have the option to take a slower or connecting train. It may take a little longer than some high-speed or direct services, but if you have a little extra time on your hands, you might find a cheaper fare. Plus, you'll have more time to enjoy the view of the countryside!
Look out for special deals
Take a look at our handy guides to find out when train operators release their special deals and offers to see if you can find cheap European train tickets for your journey.
For specific information about how to get your hands on cheap tickets, check out our European train tickets hub.
FAQs for Zurich Hb to Geneva
Want to know more about your journey from Zurich Hb to Geneva? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.
How long does the train from Zurich Hb to Geneva take?
The average journey time by train between Zurich Hb and Geneva is 14 hours and 6 minutes, with around 19 trains per day. The journey time may be longer on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner on this page to search for a specific travel date.
What's the fastest journey time between Zurich Hb and Geneva by train?
The fastest journey time by train from Zurich Hb to Geneva is 8 hours and 26 minutes.
Is there a direct train from Zurich Hb to Geneva?
No, there are no direct train services from Zurich Hb to Geneva. Travelling from Zurich Hb to Geneva by train will require a minimum of 1 change.
What time does the first train from Zurich Hb to Geneva leave?
The first train from Zurich Hb to Geneva leaves at 00:02. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.
What time does the last train from Zurich Hb to Geneva leave?
The last train from Zurich Hb to Geneva leaves at 23:05. Trains that depart in the early morning hours or very late evening may be sleeper services, time and services may also vary during weekends and holidays.
What's the distance between Zurich Hb and Geneva by train?
Trains travelling from Zurich Hb to Geneva cover a distance of around 139 miles (224 km) during the journey.
Looking for more information?
If you’re looking for the return train journey, check out trains from Geneva to Zurich Hb.
Tips and tricks from our Trainline team
We love helping our customers find inspiration for their next train journey. Discover some travel stories written based on our employees' experiences.
An enjoyable journey from Zurich to Geneva by train
I recently took the train from Zurich to Geneva with SBB, traveling in Second Class. The journey from Zurich HB to Geneva takes just under three hours.
What I enjoyed about the journey
I was impressed with the onboard facilities on the SBB train I took to Geneva. The train was clean and had comfortable seating and plenty of legroom, as well as enough baggage storage for everyone on board. There were also places to store bicycles, which was great.
I also liked that there was a quiet carriage available on the train for passengers who wanted to travel without noise or distractions.
The train was on time, and I was happy with the fast journey time. I was able to sit back and enjoy the great views of the Swiss countryside before we arrived in Geneva right on time, around three hours after leaving Zurich.
What I didn’t like about the journey
One thing I didn’t like about my journey was the fact that there wasn’t any WiFi available on the train.
Overall, I really enjoyed my trip from Zurich to Geneva by train. The train had good facilities on board and the journey was fast and punctual.
About Shivani
Shivani, a Trainline employee, chose to share their experience of the journey between Zurich and Geneva. The review has been written by one of our travel writers, based on a survey including multiple-choice questions regarding pros and cons of the journey.
* Based on European average monthly visitors to Trainline’s app and website from 1.1.2023 to 10.31.2023 vs other independent retailers.