Zurich to Geneva by train

Direct SBB IC1 trains run from Zürich HB to Genève every hour, taking just under 3 hours via Bern, Fribourg and Lausanne.

The direct IC1

Take the IC1. It is the only direct train on this route, it runs once an hour through the day, and it takes about 2 hours 53 minutes from Zürich HB to Genève (Geneva Cornavin). On the way it stops at Bern, Fribourg/Freiburg and Lausanne.

The train comes from St. Gallen and calls at Zürich Airport (Zürich Flughafen) a little over 20 minutes before it reaches Zürich HB. Landing in Zurich? Board at the airport station rather than riding into the city first.

Geneva Cornavin or Geneva Airport

Get off at Genève for the city centre and the lake. The IC1 carries on to Genève-Aéroport, about 10 minutes further, which makes the full trip to the airport about 3 hours 5 minutes. Stay on only if you are flying out.

If you miss the IC1

You will not wait an hour. Between the direct trains there are connections with one change, and they take about 3 hours, close to the direct time. One changes at Bern onto the IR15 to Genève-Aéroport. Another runs via Biel/Bienne and Neuchâtel, with a change at Renens VD just outside Lausanne.

Tickets and prices

Fares are in CHF. A standard point-to-point ticket is the flexible choice: it covers any train on the day you pick, until 5am the next morning, and you can buy it right up to departure.

Supersaver tickets cost up to 50% less, but they only work on the train you booked. Miss it for your own reasons and you need a new ticket. They can be cancelled only within 30 minutes of buying, and only if you bought them while logged in. For a day trip there and back, look at a Saver Day Pass. It covers a full day of travel across Switzerland and starts from CHF 52 in second class, or CHF 29 with a Half Fare Travelcard, but it is sold only in advance, and buying early gives the best chance of a low price.

Visitors who live outside Switzerland have two more options. The Swiss Half Fare Card costs CHF 150 and gives up to 50% off for a month. A Swiss Travel Pass covers the IC1 outright.

Seat reservations

You do not need one. Like most Swiss trains, the IC1 has no compulsory reservation, so a valid ticket bought before you board is enough. A reservation costs CHF 5 if you want a guaranteed seat. It is never included in Supersaver tickets.

This pattern holds for the 2026 timetable, which runs until 12 December 2026. For later dates, look up your exact train.