🛤️ Route Guides 9 min read · Updated 2025-11-25

Zurich to Milan by Train: Through the Gotthard Tunnel

The world's longest railway tunnel cuts this Alpine crossing to just 3h15.

Under the Alps: The Gotthard Base Tunnel

The train journey from Zurich to Milan is one of the most dramatic in Europe. At its core is the Gotthard Base Tunnel — at 57.1 kilometres, the world's longest railway tunnel. Opened in December 2016 after 17 years of construction, it burrows through the heart of the Swiss Alps at a depth of up to 2,450 metres, reducing the Zurich–Milan rail journey from 3h40 to 3h15 and allowing trains to run at full speed rather than crawling up the old mountain route.

Services are jointly operated by SBB (Swiss Federal Railways) and Trenitalia under the EuroCity (EC) brand. Trains depart from Zürich Hauptbahnhof (HB) and arrive at Milano Centrale, one of Italy's most imposing fascist-era railway palaces.

Through the World's Longest Railway Tunnel

The Gotthard Base Tunnel runs between Erstfeld in the canton of Uri and Bodio in Ticino. The journey through the tunnel takes approximately 20 minutes, during which the train maintains speeds of around 200–250 km/h. There is nothing to see — passengers experience 20 minutes of complete darkness, slightly pressurised air, and a sense of passing through something genuinely extraordinary. The tunnel handles approximately 65 freight trains per day alongside passenger services.

Emerging from the southern portal near Biasca, the landscape transforms immediately: the Mediterranean vegetation of Ticino replaces the Germanic character of Uri, and the light takes on the warmer quality of southern Europe even though you are still in Switzerland. The Ticino valley and Lake Maggiore follow as the train descends towards the Italian border.

The Old Panoramic Route: Still Available

Before the Base Tunnel opened, trains crossed the Alps via the original Gotthard Route, climbing to 1,151 metres through a series of spiral tunnels at Wassen and Airolo. This historic line, opened in 1882, is still served by regional trains and is one of the great panoramic railway experiences in Switzerland — passengers at Wassen watch the same church spire appear three times as the train circles upward through the spirals.

This route is not served by the EC express trains but by slower regional services. Travellers with time to spare can take the old line in one direction and the Base Tunnel in the other.

The Lugano Option

The EC trains stop at Lugano** (approximately 2h15 from Zurich) before crossing into Italy. Lugano is Switzerland's Italian-speaking financial hub, beautifully situated on a lake of the same name. Alighting here and spending a night before continuing to Milan adds a leisurely dimension to the journey — the lake promenade, Monte San Salvatore, and the old town repay several hours of wandering.

Ticket Prices and Supersaver Fares

SBB's Supersaver tickets offer the cheapest prices on this route, starting from CHF 29 in second class for advance bookings. Standard prices without Supersaver are CHF 68–92 (second class) and CHF 118–150 (first class). Supersaver fares must be booked at least 3 days in advance and are non-exchangeable.

Eurail and Interrail passes cover this journey with a reservation fee of approximately CHF 5–10. The Swiss Travel Pass covers the Swiss portion only; a separate Trenitalia ticket is needed for the Italian section (Chiasso to Milano Centrale, approximately €15–25).

Onboard Experience

EC trains on this route use modern double-deck SBB rolling stock (IC 200 push-pull sets) and Trenitalia ETR 610 / EIC tilting trains, which allow higher speeds on the curves south of Lugano. First class is notably comfortable on the ETR 610, with wide leather seats and panoramic windows. A bistro car offers meals, snacks, and Swiss/Italian beverages.

Milano Centrale: A Grand Arrival

Milano Centrale is one of the most theatrical railway stations in the world. Opened in 1931, its vast stone facade, enormous booking halls, and dramatic steel-and-glass roof are deliberately monumental. Arriving here by train, after emerging from the Alps, feels genuinely cinematic. The station is also a hub for Italian high-speed services: Frecciarossa trains to Rome depart from here in as little as 3 hours.

The Gotthard Base Tunnel: Engineering Marvel

Since December 2016, trains between Zurich and Milan pass through the Gotthard Base Tunnel — at 57.1 kilometres, the world's longest and deepest traffic tunnel of any kind. Running up to 2,300 metres beneath the peaks of the Swiss Alps, the tunnel was 17 years in construction and cost approximately CHF 12.2 billion. It replaced the winding old Gotthard route over the mountain pass, reducing the Zurich–Milan journey time by around 30 minutes.

Passengers may not notice the transit — the tunnel takes approximately 20 minutes to traverse, during which mobile signal is intermittent. The engineering achievement is invisible but extraordinary: the tunnel descends to 550 metres above sea level at its lowest point, maintaining a gentle gradient that allows trains to run at speeds up to 250 km/h.

The Old Panoramic Route: Still Worth Taking

For travellers who prioritise scenery over speed, the old Gotthard panoramic route via Göschenen and Airolo remains operational. This route crosses the St. Gotthard Pass through the original 15-kilometre tunnel (opened in 1882) and features dramatic spiral tunnels, the Wassen church (visible three times from different elevations as the train climbs), and sweeping Alpine views. Regional trains run this route several times daily. It takes approximately 1 hour longer but offers an incomparably more scenic experience.

SBB Supersaver Fares

SBB (Swiss Federal Railways) offers Supersaver tickets from approximately CHF 29 (around €30) for the Zurich–Milan journey. These are train-specific, non-refundable fares available online at sbb.ch or the SBB Mobile app. Standard flexible fares are around CHF 76. The Supersaver tickets go on sale 60 days before departure and the cheapest fares sell out quickly for popular morning and evening services. SBB also offers a Half Fare Card (CHF 185/year) which halves the price of all tickets — worthwhile if you plan multiple Swiss rail journeys.

Luggage, Bikes, and Practical Tips

SBB trains on the Zurich–Milan route have generous luggage storage compared to many European operators. Large suitcases fit in the overhead racks or designated luggage areas at the end of each carriage. Bicycles can be transported on most EC trains for a reservation fee of CHF 20 (international) — reserve a bike space when booking as capacity is limited, particularly on summer weekend services through the Alps.

The Zurich–Milan corridor crosses a national and linguistic border: announcements switch from German to Italian as you enter Ticino, and the ambiance shifts noticeably. The Swiss franc is used on both sides of the border (Ticino is Swiss), but once you reach Milan, euros apply. Currency exchange at Milano Centrale is available but rates are poor — use a travel card with no foreign transaction fees instead. WiFi is available on SBB trains within Switzerland but cuts out in the Gotthard Base Tunnel and can be patchy on the Italian side. Download entertainment before departure. For food, the SBB minibar trolley serves coffee, drinks, and light snacks, though experienced travellers stock up at the excellent Zurich HB station shops or grab a panino from Luini's bakery upon arrival in Milan.

Connecting Onwards from Milan

Milano Centrale is a springboard to all of Italy by high-speed rail. Frecciarossa services run to Rome (2h55), Florence (1h45), Naples (4h30), Venice (2h25), and Bologna (1h05). Connecting to these services from the Zurich arrival is straightforward — allow at least 30 minutes for the transfer. The same station also offers Trenitalia and Italo departures to Turin (50 minutes by Frecciarossa), making the Zurich–Milan–Turin corridor a viable day journey.

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Data last updated: 2026-02-27