---
title: "Trains from Vienna to Zurich | EveryRail"
description: "ÖBB Railjet Xpress trains link Wien Hauptbahnhof and Zürich HB in about 8 hours, roughly every two hours by day, plus an overnight Nightjet."
image: "https://everyrail.com/api/route-image/vienna-to-zurich/"
---
[Home]()[Europe by train]()[Austria]()Vienna to Zurich by train
[Home]()[Europe by train]()[Austria]()Vienna to Zurich by train
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- [About Vienna to Zurich by train]()
- [Stops]()
- [Where to book]()
- [Find places to stay in Zurich]()
- [Frequently asked questions]()
- [More routes]()
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Last updated November 2026
# Vienna to Zurich by train
ÖBB Railjet Xpress trains link Wien Hauptbahnhof and Zürich HB in about 8 hours, roughly every two hours by day, plus an overnight Nightjet.
![Historic buildings along the Limmat River in Zurich's old town]()
Origin
[Vienna]()
Destination
[Zurich]()
Main stations
Wien Hbf to Zürich HB
Countries
[Austria](), [Switzerland]()
ÖBB Railjet Xpress trains run from Wien Hauptbahnhof to Zürich HB in about 8 hours, and the Nightjet makes the same trip overnight.
## Railjet Xpress by day
From 13 December 2026, five Railjet Xpress trains a day run direct from Wien Hauptbahnhof to Zürich HB, leaving roughly every two hours between early morning and mid-afternoon. The journey takes about 7 hours 52 minutes. Catch the first one and you reach Zürich in the early afternoon.
Stops include Wien Meidling, St. Pölten, [Linz](), [Salzburg](), [Innsbruck](), St. Anton am Arlberg, Feldkirch, Buchs SG and Sargans. Between Salzburg and Kufstein the train crosses a short stretch of Germany without stopping. You keep the same seat the whole way.
## Changes until 12 December 2026
Until 12 December 2026, works between Salzburg and Zürich slow the day trains to about 8 hours 25 minutes. Some Railjets end at Sargans instead of Zürich HB, and a connecting SBB train covers the last hour; others still run through.
From 18 November 2026 the Arlberg line is closed between Ötztal and Bludenz until 22 November, and SBB lists changes, mainly to night trains, until 23 November. Replacement buses run from Ötztal to Sargans, with trains on to Zürich, and the night trains are diverted through Germany. Check your exact connection if you travel between 18 and 23 November.
## Overnight on the Nightjet
The ÖBB Nightjet leaves Wien Hauptbahnhof in the evening and reaches Zürich HB the next morning, calling at Wien Meidling, Linz, Salzburg, Innsbruck and Feldkirch. From 13 December 2026 it takes about 10 hours 40 minutes. Choose a seat, a couchette, a Mini Cabin or a sleeper compartment. The reservation comes with the ticket.
It suits you if you want a full evening in [Vienna]() and a morning arrival without paying for a hotel.
## Works from February to July 2027
The Deutsches Eck line between Freilassing and Rosenheim, the Railjet's shortcut through Germany, closes from 8 February to 9 July 2027. Several direct Railjets keep running on a diversion and take about 9 hours 50 minutes. Other daytime journeys involve a change.
## Tickets and seat reservations
ÖBB sells cheaper Sparschiene tickets for both the Railjet and the Nightjet. They are limited, non-flexible and valid only on the booked train, so the lowest prices go first. Day trains open for booking up to six months ahead, the Nightjet up to 360 days ahead.
A seat reservation on the Railjet is optional. On a ride of almost 8 hours it is worth having, and Interrail pass holders pay €3 for it. The Nightjet is different. Reservation is compulsory, pass holders pay from €4.90 for a seat, and couchettes and sleepers cost more. Bikes travel on the Railjet and the Nightjet only with a bike reservation.
## Stops
[![Map showing the location of Wien Hbf]()© OpenStreetMap contributors![Trenitalia]()![ÖBB]()![Deutsche Bahn]()![Westbahn]()Wien HbfDeparture station]()[![Map showing the location of Zürich HB]()© OpenStreetMap contributors+5![SOB]()![SZU]()![SBB CFF FFS]()Zürich HBArrival station]()
## Where to book
![]()
### Book with Omio
Find times and prices for Vienna → Zurich.
[Check times & prices]()
### Other places to book
Ticket websites
- [Rail Europe]()
- [Trainline]()
These links open the provider’s website. Search for your journey there.
### Train service
- [ÖBB]()
ÖBB is Austria's national railway, with Railjet high-speed and Nightjet sleeper services plus regional trains across Austria and neighbouring countries.
[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 Vienna to Zurich take?
About 7 hours 52 minutes on a direct Railjet Xpress from 13 December 2026. Until 12 December 2026 works stretch the day trains to about 8 hours 25 minutes, and from 8 February to 9 July 2027 the direct Railjets take about 9 hours 50 minutes. The overnight Nightjet takes about 10 hours 40 minutes from 13 December 2026.
### Is there a direct train from Vienna to Zurich?
Yes. From 13 December 2026, five Railjet Xpress trains a day run direct from Wien Hauptbahnhof to Zürich HB, and the Nightjet runs direct overnight. Until 12 December 2026 some Railjets end at Sargans, so on those you change there for the last hour to Zürich.
### Is there a night train from Vienna to Zurich?
Yes, the ÖBB Nightjet. It leaves Wien Hauptbahnhof in the evening and arrives at Zürich HB the next morning, with seats, couchettes, Mini Cabins and sleeper compartments. The reservation is included in the Nightjet ticket. During the Arlberg closure, from 18 to 22 November 2026 (SBB lists changes until 23 November), the night trains are diverted through Germany and run to different times.
### Do I need a seat reservation with an Interrail pass?
Not on the Railjet Xpress, where a reservation is optional and costs pass holders €3. It is still sensible on a journey of almost 8 hours. On the Nightjet you must reserve: seats start from €4.90 for pass holders, and couchettes and sleepers cost more.
### Should I board at Wien Hauptbahnhof or Wien Meidling?
Wien Hauptbahnhof for most travellers, as the direct Railjets and the Nightjet start there. Wien Meidling is the next stop a few minutes later, so board there only if it is closer to where you are staying.
### Can I take a bike on the train from Vienna to Zurich?
Yes, on the Railjet Xpress and the Nightjet, but only with a bike reservation, and spaces are limited. Book the bike place when you buy your ticket.
## More routes
[![Belvedere Palace and gardens in Vienna]()![SNCF Voyageurs]()![ÖBB]()![Deutsche Bahn]()Barcelona to Vienna by trainNo direct Barcelona to Vienna train. Plan two days via Lyon and Zurich, then take a direct Railjet or Nightjet into Vienna.]()[![View of Vienna, Austria]()![ÖBB]()![Deutsche Bahn]()![České dráhy]()Berlin to Vienna by trainDirect railjets from Berlin Hbf to Wien Hbf take about 8h20 to 8h40 via Dresden and Prague. A direct ÖBB Nightjet runs overnight. No direct ICE for now.]()[![Belvedere Palace and gardens in Vienna]()![ÖBB]()Bratislava to Vienna by trainBratislava and Vienna are linked by direct ÖBB REX trains in about an hour, with departures from Bratislava hlavná stanica and Bratislava-Petržalka.]()[![Belvedere Palace and gardens in Vienna]()![ÖBB]()![Deutsche Bahn]()Budapest to Vienna by trainDirect Railjet and EuroCity services take 2 hours 21 minutes to 2 hours 40 minutes between Budapest and Vienna, with about 16 departures daily.]()[![Belvedere Palace and gardens in Vienna]()![Deutsche Bahn]()Copenhagen to Vienna by trainCopenhagen to Vienna has no direct train. Travel via Hamburg and Munich in 14 to 16 hours, via Prague in 16 to 19 hours, or overnight on an ÖBB Nightjet.]()[![Historic buildings along the Limmat River in Zurich's old town]()![SBB CFF FFS]()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 Vienna, Austria]()![ÖBB]()![Deutsche Bahn]()![České dráhy]()Hamburg to Vienna by trainTwo direct trains run Hamburg to Vienna: the daily ÖBB Nightjet overnight and a daytime České dráhy Railjet via Berlin and Prague, a little over 10 hours.]()[![Belvedere Palace and gardens in Vienna]()![ÖBB]()Innsbruck to Vienna by trainDirect ÖBB Railjet Xpress trains run roughly hourly from Innsbruck Hbf to Wien Hbf, with fastest journeys taking about 4 hours 15 minutes.]()
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