🇨🇭

Train Stations

Switzerland's rail network is widely regarded as the world's best in terms of punctuality, integration, and coverage relative to the country's size. SBB (Swiss Federal Railways) operates the national network with clockwork-precise hourly and half-hourly departures on all main routes. The Intercity and Intercity Express trains connect Zurich, Geneva, Basel, Bern, and Lausanne in 1.5-3 hours, while regional networks serve every valley and mountain community. Switzerland's geography demands extraordinary engineering: the Gotthard Base Tunnel (opened 2016) at 57 km is the world's longest railway tunnel. Switzerland has no domestic high-speed rail in the TGV/ICE sense -- trains reach around 200 km/h -- but journey times are competitive due to the dense network and direct routing. International connections are excellent: TGV and ICE trains connect to Paris (3h), Frankfurt (3h), and Milan (3.5h). The Swiss Travel System offers tourists the Swiss Travel Pass, which covers unlimited travel on SBB, PostBus, and most lake steamers. The Half-Fare Card (Halbtax) gives 50% off all fares for residents and frequent visitors. Mountain railways, rack railways, and cable cars form an integral part of the Swiss transport system and are included in many pass types. The Glacier Express (St. Moritz to Zermatt), Bernina Express (Chur to Lugano), and Golden Pass Line (Montreux to Lucerne) are iconic scenic journeys. The Swiss public transport app SBB Mobile provides real-time departures, ticket purchasing, and connection details across all modes.

22,002

Stations

208

Main Stations

Operators

High-Speed Rail

Rail Infrastructure

Track Gauge

1435 mm

Electrification

15 kV AC

Operators

SBB

National · 200 km/h

Popular Routes

145 km

79 km

64 km

34 km

25 km

Stations

Station	City	Type	Connections
Zürich HB	—	Major	770
Sierre/Siders	—	Major	777
Bern Hbf	—	Major	776
Neuchâtel	—	Major	778
Geneva	—	Major	777
Basel SBB	—	Major	774
Sion	—	Major	778
Martigny	—	Major	778
Lausanne	—	Major	777
Aigle	—	Major	776
Frutigen	—	Major	778
Göschenen	—	Major	777
Kerzers	—	Major	777
Mendrisio	—	Major	778
Disentis/Muster	—	Major	778
Altdorf	—	Major	776
Bellinzona	—	Major	778
Visp	—	Major	777
Liestal	—	Major	775
Locarno	—	Major	778
Thusis	—	Major	778
Samedan	—	Major	775
Andermatt	—	Major	776
Brunnen	—	Major	777
St-Maurice	—	Major	777
Thalwil	—	Major	773
Flüelen	—	Major	776
Konolfingen	—	Major	777
Leuk	—	Major	776
Renens VD	—	Major	776
Interlaken Ost	—	Major	777
Vevey	—	Major	778
Pontresina	—	Major	775
Rotkreuz	—	Major	775
Bex	—	Major	776
Frick	—	Major	776
Uznach	—	Major	777
Erstfeld	—	Major	776
Landquart	—	Major	776
Morges	—	Major	777
Romont	—	Major	778
Sargans	—	Major	776
Sissach	—	Major	777
Sursee	—	Major	778
Buchs SG	—	Major	778
Grindelwald	—	Major	778
Gstaad	—	Major	774
Turgi	—	Major	775
Tiefencastel	—	Major	777
Flums	—	Major	775

Frequently Asked Questions

The Swiss Travel Pass covers unlimited travel on all SBB trains, PostBus, lake steamers, and most urban transit for 3-15 consecutive days, plus free admission to 500+ museums. For tourists planning extensive travel (5+ journeys including mountain railways), it typically saves money. A 3-day pass costs around CHF 244 (2nd class).

Extremely punctual. SBB consistently achieves 92-93% punctuality (trains within 3 minutes of schedule). The integrated takt (interval-based timetable) design means connections are timed to the minute. If a connection is missed due to a delayed incoming train, SBB staff will rebook you on the next service.

Seat reservations are not required on most SBB domestic trains -- simply board with a valid ticket and find an available seat. Reservations are mandatory on some panoramic trains (Glacier Express, Bernina Express) and international ICE/TGV services. The Glacier Express reservation costs around CHF 13-33 depending on class and season.

The Gotthard Base Tunnel, opened in 2016, is the world's longest railway tunnel at 57.09 km, running through the Alps between Erstfeld and Bodio. It reduced Zurich-Lugano journey time by about 45 minutes and operates at speeds up to 200 km/h on a flat gradient, unlike the older mountain pass route.

Zermatt is car-free -- you must arrive by train. Take any SBB train to Visp or Brig, then the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn (MGB) rack railway to Zermatt. The journey from Brig takes about 80 minutes. The Glacier Express scenic tourist train also terminates at Zermatt, running from St. Moritz via the dramatic Oberalp Pass.