Travel Guide: Austria To Switzerland

There are several ways to travel from Austria to Switzerland, including by plane, train, bus, night train, or car. The fastest way to travel between the two countries is by plane, which takes around 4 hours and costs between $100 and $350. However, the best way to travel between Austria and Switzerland is by train, which offers comfortable and scenic journeys through the Alps.

Travel by plane

Flying is the fastest way to travel from Austria to Switzerland. The flight duration is around 1 hour and 25 minutes, but you should also factor in the time taken for check-in, check-out, and travelling to and from the airport. The total journey time is around 4 hours.

Airlines

Austrian Airlines, Swiss, and Lufthansa operate flights from Vienna International Airport (VIE) to Zurich Airport (ZRH) every 3 hours.

Alternatives

You can also fly from Vienna to Basel, Geneva, Malpensa, or Bergamo.

There are no direct flights from Vienna to Zurich, so you will have to transfer at a German airport, such as Munich, Hamburg, Cologne, or Frankfurt. This will add a significant amount of time to your journey.

Travel by train

The best way to travel between Austria and Switzerland is by train. There are no direct trains from Austria to Swiss cities other than Zurich, so for most Swiss destinations, you will need to change trains in Zurich.

Railjet Xpress

High-speed Railjet Xpress trains connect Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck, and several other Austrian towns to Zurich. These trains also offer connections to other European cities like Budapest, Munich, and Prague. The journey from Vienna to Zurich takes just under 8 hours, and from Innsbruck, it takes 3 hours and 30 minutes.

There are two main routes:

• A direct route via Innsbruck, which is recommended as you don't have to change trains and it's more scenic than the alternative.
• A route via Munich, where you change to an EC train to Switzerland. This option takes about 10 minutes longer than the Innsbruck route.

Railjet Xpress trains offer 2nd (economy) class, 1st class, and business class seats. Onboard, there is a restaurant, quiet zones, and family/toddler zones. Power outlets are available near all seats, and WiFi is provided. If you travel in business class, you can order meals to your seat.

Nightjet

There is also a night train option: the ÖBB Nightjet. Nightjet trains run each night between Vienna or Graz (Austria) and Zurich (Switzerland). You can choose between sleeping cars, couchette cars, and seating cars. A journey from Vienna and Graz to Zurich takes about 10 hours and 40 minutes.

Tickets

A 2nd class Railjet Xpress ticket from Vienna to Zurich can cost about CHF 45 if booked well in advance. The price depends on your route, how early you book, the class, and the type of ticket you choose.

Tickets can be purchased online at SBB.ch, in the SBB Mobile app, or at any ÖBB ticket counter, train station travel agency, or with the ÖBB customer service.

Travel by bus

Travelling by bus is the cheapest way to get from Austria to Switzerland, with tickets costing between €30-€60/£35-$65. However, it is also the slowest option, with the journey taking between 10-12 hours.

You can take a bus from Vienna, International Busterminal (VIB) to Zurich Bus Station. Tickets can be booked through Flixbus or Union Ivkoni.

Travel by car

If you want to travel by car from Austria to Switzerland, there are a few things you should know. Firstly, note that you will need a motorway vignette ("Autobahnvignette") to use the Swiss highways and motorways, and an Austrian toll sticker ("Vignette") for the highways in Austria. If you plan to pass through Munich, you will also need an environmental badge ("Umweltplakette") as it is a low-emission zone.

Rental cars usually include vignettes or badges required for the country you rent them in, but not always for surrounding countries, so always check what is included in your rental car.

The journey from Vienna to Zurich takes about 8 hours by car, and the road distance is approximately 726 kilometres. There are two main routes:

• Via Innsbruck: This route takes about 8 hours and 10 minutes, excluding breaks and delays. You will drive through Feldkirch (Austria), Vaduz (Liechtenstein), Sargans (Switzerland), Walensee ("Lake Walen"), and finally, Zürichsee ("Lake Zurich"). This route is recommended as it is more scenic than the alternative.
• Via Munich: This route takes about 7 hours and 30 minutes, again excluding breaks and delays. You will drive to Munich and then head south to Bregenz on Lake Constance ("Bodensee") and St. Gallen.

If you are travelling from Salzburg, you can either go via Innsbruck (about 4 hours and 55 minutes) or avoid German highways by driving directly south towards Bischofshofen, then west to Sankt Johann and Innsbruck (about 6 hours and 40 minutes).

For those travelling between southwestern Austria and Switzerland, you can drive via Landeck-Zams – Nauders (Austria) and Martina – Scuol-Tarasp (Engadine, Switzerland). This route takes about 8 hours and 25 minutes from Vienna to Chur, and about 5 hours and 30 minutes from Salzburg.

Other Transport Options

While driving is a good option, there are also other ways to travel between Austria and Switzerland. You can take a direct train, which takes about 8 hours, or a bus, which takes about 10 to 12 hours. Flying is also possible, but it is not recommended due to the environmental impact of short flights and the additional time required for airport procedures.

Travel by night train

If you're looking for a scenic and comfortable journey from Austria to Switzerland, then the night train is a great option. The ÖBB Nightjet offers a direct connection between Vienna and Graz in Austria, and Zurich in Switzerland. This overnight journey takes approximately 10 hours and 40 minutes, and you can choose between sleeping cars, couchette cars, or seating cars, depending on your preference.

The night train is a convenient option if you want to travel while you sleep and make the most of your time during the day. It's also environmentally friendly, so you can feel good about your travel choice.

When planning your trip, you can book tickets for the ÖBB Nightjet online through the SBB website or their mobile app. Tickets for this journey typically start at around $38, but prices may vary depending on the date and time of your travel. It's recommended to book in advance to secure the best prices.

The night train from Vienna and Graz to Zurich is not the only option, as you can theoretically board the Nightjet in other Austrian cities like Salzburg and Innsbruck. However, the departure times from these locations might be less convenient, as they may require boarding in the middle of the night.

So, if you're looking for a relaxing and scenic way to travel between Austria and Switzerland, the ÖBB Nightjet is a great choice, offering flexibility and comfort for your journey.

Frequently asked questions