--- title: "Trains from Milan to Zurich | EveryRail" description: "Direct EuroCity trains take about 3h11 from Milano Centrale to Zürich HB via the Gotthard Base Tunnel. A seat reservation is compulsory." image: "https://everyrail.com/api/route-image/milan-to-zurich/" --- [Home]()[Europe by train]()[Italy]()Milan to Zurich by train [Home]()[Europe by train]()[Italy]()Milan to Zurich by train **Share** - - [Share on WhatsApp]() - [Share on X]() - [Share on Facebook]() - [Share by email]() **On this page** - [About Milan to Zurich by train]() - [Stops]() - [Where to book]() - [Find places to stay in Zurich]() - [Frequently asked questions]() - [More routes]() [Book now]() Last updated October 2026 # Milan to Zurich by train Direct EuroCity trains take about 3h11 from Milano Centrale to Zürich HB via the Gotthard Base Tunnel. A seat reservation is compulsory. Origin [Milan]() Destination [Zurich]() Main stations Milano Centrale to Zürich HB Countries [Italy](), [Switzerland]() [Milan]() to [Zurich]() is a direct EuroCity journey of a little over 3 hours, with no change. Trains leave Milano Centrale, run through [Como](), Chiasso, Lugano and Arth-Goldau, pass under the Alps through the Gotthard Base Tunnel and arrive at Zürich HB in the city centre. A reserved seat is compulsory on every train. Several direct trains run each day, so you can usually fit one around your plans. ## Direct EuroCity trains take about 3 hours 10 minutes to 3 hours 25 minutes The fastest direct trains from Milan to Zurich take about 3 hours 11 minutes, and the average is a little over 3 hours 20 minutes. The Gotthard Base Tunnel, opened in 2016, is 57 kilometres long and cut about an hour from the old mountain route. About a dozen or more direct EuroCity trains run each day, spread through the day rather than on a fixed hourly pattern. Departure times change by date, so search your travel day and pick the train that suits you. ## You leave from Milano Centrale and arrive at Zürich HB The train leaves from Milano Centrale, Milan's main station, which has metro lines, trams and buses outside. There is no check-in. You board the train and sit in the seat on your ticket. The train arrives at Zürich HB, the main station beside the old town. From there, Swiss trains, trams and buses run in every direction, and the lake is a short walk away. If you have a connection onwards in Switzerland, leave a margin after your scheduled arrival, because delays on the Italian side can carry through to Zurich. ## SBB and Trenitalia run the trains The EuroCity trains on this route are run by SBB and [Trenitalia]() together. You buy one ticket for the whole journey, from either railway or from a booking site, and the same train is sold by both. From Milan the train runs to Como and the Swiss border at Chiasso, then through Lugano, with Lake Lugano on the way, and on to the Gotthard Base Tunnel. After the tunnel the train comes out in German-speaking Switzerland and continues to Zurich, usually via Arth-Goldau. ## A seat reservation is compulsory On international EuroCity journeys to and from Italy a seat reservation is compulsory, and your international ticket includes a reserved seat. You do not buy the reservation as a separate item. Buy your ticket before you board. Ticket prices, reservation fees and supplements are different things. The ticket price depends on the day, the class and how early you book, and early sales are limited and cheaper. Prices are normally shown in the currency of the site where you buy, so compare the total on the page you book from, and read the change and refund rules before you choose a cheap fare. If you travel with an Interrail or Eurail pass, the pass covers the train but not the seat. The compulsory reservation fee for EuroCity trains between Italy and Switzerland is €13 to €17, in both classes. Book your reservation before the day you travel, because passholder places on each train are limited. ## Border and customs checks at Chiasso Italy and Switzerland are both in the Schengen area, so there are no routine passport checks at the border. Even so, Italian and Swiss border officers can check selected trains at Chiasso or on board. Carry your passport or national ID card. Chiasso is still a customs border for people arriving from Italy, so Swiss customs officers may carry out checks. Declare anything that exceeds the allowances for goods such as food, alcohol or tobacco. ## Check works before you travel Maintenance on the Milan to Chiasso line can cancel EuroCity trains or replace them with buses at short notice, as it did on some weekday mornings in June 2026. Check your travel date on SBB or Trenitalia shortly before you go. ## Stops [![Map showing the location of Milano Centrale]()© OpenStreetMap contributorsMilano Centraleorigin in Milan]()[![Map showing the location of Zürich HB]()© OpenStreetMap contributorsZürich HBdestination in Zurich]() ## Where to book ### Train tickets - Omio Omio connects you with over 1,000 transport providers - trains, buses, flights, and more - to simplify your travel planning. [Check times & prices]() - Rail Europe Rail Europe is a leading travel tech company specializing in European train bookings for over 15,000 travel professionals worldwide. - Trainline Trainline sells rail and coach tickets worldwide on behalf of major UK and European transport companies. ### Train service - [SBB CFF FFS]() SBB is Switzerland's national railway, connecting cities, towns and mountain villages. InterCity trains generally do not require reservations. [Official website]() [Check times & prices]() - [Trenitalia]() Trenitalia runs Italy's Frecce high-speed, Intercity and regional trains; Super Economy fares are cheapest but allow no changes or refunds. [Official website]() [Check times & prices]() ## Find places to stay in Zurich [![Bright bedroom with white bedding and a breakfast tray on the bed]()**Browse stays in Zurich**Hotels and apartments via Booking.com]() ## Frequently asked questions ### How long does the train from Milan to Zurich take? The fastest direct EuroCity takes about 3 hours 11 minutes, and the average is a little over 3 hours 20 minutes. Most of the time saved comes from the Gotthard Base Tunnel. ### Is there a direct train from Milan to Zurich? Yes. Direct EuroCity trains run from Milano Centrale to Zürich HB through Como, Chiasso, Lugano and Arth-Goldau, with no change. SBB and Trenitalia run them, and around a dozen run each day. ### Which station does the train leave from in Milan? It leaves from Milano Centrale, Milan's main station, and arrives at Zürich HB. There is no check-in, so you just board with your ticket. ### How much does a Milan to Zurich train ticket cost? The price depends on the date, the class and how early you book, and cheaper tickets sell out. Your ticket includes a reserved seat, so compare the total on the page you book from. ### Do I need to reserve a seat from Milan to Zurich? Yes. A seat reservation is compulsory on EuroCity trains between Italy and Switzerland, and an ordinary ticket includes it. Pass holders pay a separate reservation fee, of €13 to €17. ### Are there border checks between Milan and Zurich? There are no routine passport checks, but Italian and Swiss officers can check selected trains at Chiasso or on board. Swiss customs may also check passengers arriving from Italy, so carry your passport or ID. ## More routes [![Milan Cathedral in Piazza del Duomo]()Berlin to Milan by trainBerlin to Milan has no direct train; expect at least one change via Switzerland or Austria, from Berlin Hauptbahnhof to Milano Centrale.]()[![Glass roof and mural inside Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan]()Como to Milan by trainDirect Trenord trains from Como San Giovanni to Milano Centrale take about 40 minutes, with roughly hourly departures.]()[![Milan Cathedral in Piazza del Duomo]()Florence to Milan by trainDirect high-speed trains from Florence to Milan take around 1 hour 40 minutes, with Frecciarossa and Italo services. Advance fares start at about €17.90.]()[![Milan Cathedral in Piazza del Duomo]()Geneva to Milan by trainDirect EuroCity from Genève to Milano Centrale in about 4h20, up to four a day. Second class from CHF 41, seat reservation included.]()[![Historic buildings along the Limmat River in Zurich's old town]()Geneva to Zurich by trainDirect SBB IC1 trains leave Genève hourly for Zürich HB, calling at Lausanne and Bern, in just under 3 hours. No seat reservation needed.]()[![View of the old town in Zurich, Switzerland]()Interlaken to Zurich by trainTrains from Interlaken to Zurich take about 2 hours, direct or with one change at Bern. Services run at least hourly; a second-class ticket costs about CHF 76.]()[![Lakeside villa on Lake Como with mountains in the background]()Milan to Como by trainTrains from Milan to Como take as little as 37 minutes, with up to 69 daily departures and fares from €5.20 on Trenitalia and Trenord.]()[![Florence Cathedral dome and bell tower rising above the rooftops]()Milan to Florence by trainDirect high-speed trains from Milan to Florence take around 1 hour 40 minutes, with Trenitalia and Italo services. 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