Popular Train Trips to Zurich & the Swiss Alps – Where Rail Meets the Road for an Epic Driving Adventure

Most of our guests don’t start their Epic Drive in Zurich.They start on a scenic European train – from Paris, Milan, Munich, Stuttgart or Vienna – arrive relaxed at Zurich, and then take the wheel of a Porsche or other supercar in the Swiss Alps.

This article covers the five direct train routes our travellers use most often to reach Zurich – from Paris, Milan, Munich, Stuttgart and Vienna – plus one unforgettable addition: the legendary Glacier Express.

🧳 Good to know: Whether you arrive by train in Zurich or at Zurich Airport, we meet you with a private transfers and get you to your hotel or straight to your car.

Why Start Your Swiss Alps Road Trip by Train?

Choosing a train-first, drive-later approach gives you:

• A scenic “soft landing” into Europe – lakes, rivers and Alpine foothills from your window

• No airport stress: city-centre to city-centre, minimal check-in

• Lower emissions than short-haul flights

• More energy for the passes – you arrive rested, not frazzled

💡 First Class is available on all the direct train routes featured in this guide — offering extra space, quieter coaches, and better seating. Most include power outlets and luggage racks, and many services also offer onboard dining.

Once you’re in Zurich, the rails end and the real curves begin.

1. Paris → Zurich – High-Speed Gateway to the Alps 🇫🇷🚄🇨🇭

Many long-haul guests fly into Paris, enjoy a couple of days in the city, and then continue on the TGV Lyria.

• Route: Paris Gare de Lyon → Zurich HB (direct)

• Time: about 4 hours

You leave the French capital, glide through countryside and vineyards, and roll into Zurich’s main station in time for an afternoon check-in. From there, we meet you at the platform and get you ready for your first driving day.

2. Milan → Zurich – Lake Como & an Alpine Crossing 🇮🇹🏔️🇨🇭

If there’s one train into Zurich guests keep talking about, it’s this one.

• Train: EC250 Giruno

• Route: Milano Centrale → Zurich HB (direct)

• Time: about 3h17

You’ll pass Lake Como and Lake Lugano, then cross the Alps via the 17 KM long Gotthard tunnel. It’s not just a transfer – it feels like a mini Alpine experience in itself.

💺 Tip: For the best lake views, sit on the right-hand side in the direction of travel.

3. Munich → Zurich – Storybook Europe by EuroCity 🇩🇪🍺🇨🇭

Munich is all beer gardens, old town squares and Bavarian charm – and it connects beautifully to Zurich by direct EuroCity.

• Route: München Hbf → Zurich HB (direct EC)

• Time: roughly 3h30

The journey takes you past villages, fields and small lakes, with the Alps slowly growing larger on the horizon. It’s classic “storybook Europe” and a very easy train to Zurich. We greet you at Zurich HB, handle your luggage and transfer, and the next morning you’re trading train tracks for hairpins on one of our Swiss Alps routes.

4. Stuttgart → Zurich – From Car Museums to Curves 🇩🇪🏁🇨🇭

Stuttgart is home to both the Mercedes-Benz Museum and the Porsche Museum, so it’s a natural starting point for car enthusiasts.

• Route: Stuttgart Hbf → Zurich HB (direct InterCity)

• Time: about 3 hours

The train rolls past vineyards and soft Swabian hills, often with glimpses of Lake Constance, before entering Switzerland. It’s a calm link between museum visits and real-world Alpine driving.

5. Vienna → Zurich – Railjet by Day or Nightjet While You Sleep 🇦🇹🌙🇨🇭

Vienna is another favourite launch pad, with two great direct options:

• Railjet Xpress (RJX) –Wien Hbf → Zurich HB, about 7h50 Modern, comfortable daytime ride with on-board bistro and Wi-Fi.

• Nightjet (NJ) –Wien Hbf → Zurich HB overnight, roughly 10h40 Board after dinner, sleep in a couchette or sleeper, wake up in Zurich ready to drive.

Whichever you choose, you step off the train, we meet you, and your Swiss Alps road trip begins the next day or the sam arriving on the Nightjet.

From Zurich to the Glacier Express – The Rail & Drive Add-On 🇨🇭🚗 🚞🇨🇭

Once you’re in Zurich, many guests add one more legendary rail experience: the Glacier Express. Because the Glacier Express doesn’t pass via Zurich, we built a dedicated itinerary: the Glacier Express Train & Drive Adventure.

1. Drive Zurich → St. Moritz (2–3 days)

   • Supercar or luxury SUV

   • Scenic lakes and passes such as Julier

   • Optional detour via Stelvio into Italy

2. Glacier Express St. Moritz → Andermatt or Zermatt

   • Panoramic windows, deep valleys and the Ruinaulta Gorge

   • The Albula Line and Landwasser Viaduct

   • The Oberalp Pass at 2,033 m

     
     

You can travel in 2nd, 1st or Excellence Class, depending on how luxurious you want your rail day to be.

What These Train Routes Unlock: Your Driving Adventure

No matter which direct train to Zurich you take – Paris, Milan, Munich, Stuttgart or Vienna – we have the rest covered:

• Personal meet & greet at Zurich station

• Private transfers to your hotel or directly to the car

• Supercar or GT with pre-programmed GPS and a custom road book

• Hand-picked hotels and scenic glacier and lake stops

From Zurich, most guests choose one of these core tours:

• Black Forest Loop – a relaxed mix of Autobahn, the Rhine Falls and Germany’s Black Forest.

• Stelvio & 9 Swiss Passes Driving Tour – our classic for keen drivers, including Stelvio, Furka, Grimsel, Susten Pass and more.

• Grand 5-Country Alpine Tour – a longer, deeper journey through many of the best passes and resorts

• The Glacier Express Rail & Drive to combine the most scenic trains with driving the most scenic alpine passes

Recap: The Smart Way to Reach the Alps

1. Pick a scenic direct train into Zurich – from Paris, Milan, Munich, Stuttgart or Vienna.

2. Enjoy a comfortable rail journey with lakes, valleys and mountains outside your window.

3. Step off at Zurich HB, where we meet you and handle the logistics.

4. Take the wheel of a supercar and discover why the Swiss Alps are the world’s greatest driving playground.

This is where rail meets the road – and your Epic Drive truly begins.