Though taking the train to Switzerland from other European countries may take more time than flying, it offers a more scenic and leisurely way to get there. If you're traveling from London, the best plan is to take a Eurostar train to Paris and then switch to a French TGV. The trip lasts about 9 hours and tickets cost between $220 and $300. Though trains run from Paris to Lausanne, Geneva, and Bern, Zurich is the transportation hub of Switzerland. Most trains from Munich, Vienna, and points east will come into Zurich.
The Swiss train network is an mixture of private and public rail systems. It is abbreviated as CFF in French, CBB in German, and FFS in Italian. All trains run from 6 a.m. to midnight and all stations are connected by hourly departures. Most trains have a dining car and smoking is forbidden on all trains.
Train fares are relatively expensive in Switzerland, costing about $30 per 60 miles. To save money you should buy a Eurail pass before you visit. It is also important to note that first-class fares are 50% to 65% more than the normal published fares. For monolingual travelers, all travel kiosks at Switzerland train stations can give advice in English.
The Swiss Federal Railways change their schedule every December, so it is important that you have the most up-to-date times and fares. On station platforms announcements are made in German, French, and English. It is important that you know where to meet your train, as some platforms are long and confusing.
If you are going to take a long journey, advanced reservations are recommended. If you are taking a smaller, rural train, you must buy your ticket ahead of time. If you are caught without a ticket, you will be fined.
