French cheese and Swiss chocolate.
You need no other reasons to take a day trip from Paris to Zürich.
Sure, we could go deeper into why the many attractions, landmarks, and elements of culture in both of these cosmopolitan cities make them a perfect pair… but, let’s be real: no amount of words we string together will make a better case for taking a day trip from Paris to Zürich than the chance to treat your taste buds.
Here’s everything you need to know about catching the train between Paris and Zürich.
Image Credit: Getty Images, IanZ. Image Location: Zürich, Switzerland
At a glance: train from Paris to Zürich
- Paris’s station: Paris Gare de l’Est | Paris Gare de Lyon
- Zürich’s station: Zurich HB
- How far is Paris to Zürich by train: 303 miles
- Fastest duration for high-speed trains: 4h 4m
- Average duration for general trains:5h 27m
- Number of trains per day: 19
- Ticket prices: As low as $40.92 when you book in advance
- Earliest departure: 07:22 AM
- Latest departure: 21:00 PM
Is a day trip to Zürich from Paris worth it?
Yes, if you want a taste of Switzerland’s cosmopolitan city without buying the full airport-sized Toblerone bar. The decision on taking a day trip to Zürich from Paris rests on whichever side of the money/time debate you’re on. Switzerland is an expensive destination, so getting an opportunity to see Zürich on a $40 train ticket is a great deal. On the other hand, Switzerland’s landscape and villages deserve days and days of exploration. You can see plenty of awesome sites in Zürich on a day trip, but Switzerland is much more than a single city.
How far is Zürich from Paris by train?
Paris and Zürich are split between 303 miles of Western European cities, mountains, and rivers. That’s not far for a high speed train, so don’t let the triple-digit distance shy you from a Swiss day trip. Once you get to Zürich, you’ll find 303 reasons why the four-hour train ride was well worth it.
Image Credit: Getty Images, zorazhuang. Image Location: Zürich, Switzerland
How long is the journey from Paris to Zürich by train?
You can get from Paris to Zürich by train in as fast as four hours. Trains leave as early as 7:22 AM — so get ready for a raclette (cheese dish) or Zürcher geschnetzeltes (sliced meats) lunch after a pain au chocolat and a café for breakfast.
How often is the train from Paris to Zürich?
Trains say au revoir to Paris and hallo to Zürich around 20 times per day. While you don't want to rush, we wouldn’t recommend rowing a boat from the Eiffel Tower down the Seine to Gare de Lyon. Know where the nearest Paris metro station is in relation to your hotel and how long getting to the train station will take. We’d hate for you to miss a train and wait another hour to depart.
How much is a train ticket from Paris to Zürich?
Train tickets from Paris to Zürich can start at $40 when you book in advance. And we mean “can” as in “once upon a time we’ve seen prices this low”. That’s why it’s important to download the Trainline app and check prices right now: a little pricier, huh? Buying tickets day-of will always be way more expensive than purchasing in advance.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Julian Elliott Photography. Image Location: Gare de Lyon, Paris, France
Which train station is best from Paris to Zürich?
Paris Gare de Lyon is your best bet for a direct train ride to Zürich. That doesn’t mean you should ignore Paris Gare de l’Est; it will get you to Zürich as well, with just a little extra time added on for quick stops in Strasbourg and Basel. Fair warning: when you see Strasbourg’s pretty city, you may want to stay awhile.
Is the train from Paris to Zürich scenic?
The train ride from Paris to Zürich leads you through the scenic French countryside. France’s Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region is such a delight, as seen beyond the train window when passing through cities like Dijon.
Is Zürich a walkable city?
Zürich is a walkable city but some sites will make your calves burn. Let’s say you’re starting at Zurich HB and want to catch a ZSC Lions hockey game at the Swiss Life Arena after you visit the FIFA museum. You’ll start your athletic stroll with a 2.5 mile round trip from the train station to the museum then still have a 3 mile one-way walk to the arena. Stick to the historic area on foot then use the S-bahn to get around other areas of the city without making your soles sad.
Image Credit: Getty Images, @ Didier Marti. Image Location: Zürich, Switzerland
What is Zürich best known for?
Zürich is best known for American tourists thinking it’s the capital of Switzerland. Kidding! Only some tourists mistake Zürich for Bern. Zürich is known to everyone else as Switzerland's financial hub and the expensive city where travelers get sticker shock when they realize they should have purchased Swiss train tickets in advance. The city does have a pricey profile, but many museums do offer free admission so a budget-friendly day trip from Paris is possible.
What are the top places to visit in Zürich?
The Kunsthaus is a fantastic art gallery with works by Warhol, Picasso, and Van Gogh. Window shopping the uber-expensive Bahnhofstrasse is a good pastime that will keep your credit card sweating. For some me-time, the Thermalbad & Spa Zürich is a delight. And if you’re looking for things to do in Zürich during December, we recommend Christmas market hopping (keep your ears open for the singing Christmas “tree”).
What’s the best place to stay in Zürich?
The best hotels are concentrated around Zürich’s city center — especially when you’re taking a quick day trip that includes an overnight stay and hasty exit. Hotel St. Gotthard is a modest abode right beside Zürich HB train station and offers hammams in some rooms. Widder Hotel is a few steps farther but this five-star stunner has the Gault&Millau 2024 Sommelier of the Year pouring alongside the 2021 Chef of the Year in its restaurant. For a cheaper option, the Royal Hotel is close by and provides a local breakfast buffet.
Header Image Credit: Getty Images, Pol Albarrán. Image Location: Zürich, Switzerland
