Travel Guide: Switzerland To Austria

Switzerland and Austria are two beautiful European countries that are relatively easy to travel between. The distance between the two countries is approximately 398 miles, and there are several ways to travel from one to the other. You can travel by plane, train, bus, or car, and each method has its own advantages and disadvantages in terms of cost, duration, and convenience. The best option for you will depend on your preferences, budget, and starting/ending destinations.

Travel by train

The best way to travel between Switzerland and Austria is by train. There are no direct trains from Austria to Swiss cities other than Zurich, so you will have to change trains in Zurich if you want to travel between Austria and Lucerne, Basel, Geneva, or other Swiss towns.

The Zurich hub offers excellent onward connections to all Swiss regions, with trains departing at half-hour intervals in all directions.

The Zurich–Vienna route is served by Railjet Xpress trains, which offer connections to Budapest, Munich, and Prague. The Zurich–Vienna journey takes just under eight hours.

There are also direct day and night trains between Zurich in Switzerland and Vienna, Salzburg, and other cities in Austria. The night train is the ÖBB Nightjet, which runs between Vienna or Graz and Zurich. The journey from Vienna and Graz to Zurich takes about 10 hours and 40 minutes.

The Railjet Xpress trains offer second (economy) class, first class, and business class seats. Onboard amenities include Wi-Fi, a restaurant, quiet zones, and a children's cinema. Power outlets are available near all seats. Travellers in first and business class can have dishes served at their seats.

The route via Innsbruck is recommended as it is more scenic than the route through Munich, and you don't have to change trains. From Innsbruck, the train follows the banks of the Inn River, then passes the beautiful Austrian region of Arlberg before crossing into Switzerland in Sargans.

If you want to make scenic detours in Switzerland, you can travel via Chur and Andermatt. From Andermatt, you can head north to Göschenen, Lake Lucerne, and Zurich; west to Oberwald and Brig in the Valais; or south into the Ticino.

Tickets

You can buy tickets to Austria online at SBB.ch and in the SBB Mobile app. Tickets for the Railjet Xpress from Vienna to Zurich can cost as little as CHF 60 if booked well in advance.

Many rail passes allow free or discounted travel on the Swiss leg of your trip. Some international rail passes even allow free travel in both Switzerland and Austria (excluding seat reservations).

Travel by bus

Travelling by bus is a cost-effective way to get from Switzerland to Austria. The journey takes between 7 hours 9 minutes and 12 hours 56 minutes, and tickets cost between $30 and $85.

Bus Routes

There are several bus routes from Switzerland to Austria. Buses depart from Zurich, Zurich Limmatstrasse, and Zurich Central Station Südtiroler Platz, and arrive in Vienna at Vienna International Busterminal (VIB), Vienna Central Station Südtiroler Platz, and Vienna, Central Station.

Bus Companies

Turancar and Union Ivkoni - Unibus are two of the bus companies that operate this route.

Luggage

If you are travelling with large pieces of luggage, it is not recommended to take the bus as it is better suited for day trips with light backpacks.

Alternatives to the Bus

While the bus is the cheapest way to travel between the two countries, it is not the fastest. Direct flights between the two countries take around 4 hours, and travelling by train takes between 7 and 9 hours.

Travel by plane

Flying is the fastest way to travel from Switzerland to Austria, with the journey taking between 4 hours 3 minutes and 4 hours 26 minutes. There are no direct flights from Zurich to Austria, so you will have to change planes in a German airport such as Munich, Hamburg, Cologne, or Frankfurt. This adds a significant amount of time to the journey, with total travel time ranging from 3 hours 50 minutes to 11 hours.

Airlines and Airports

Austrian Airlines and Lufthansa fly from Vienna to Basel four times a day.

You can fly from Vienna to Basel, Altenrhein, Zurich, Geneva, Milan Malpensa, or Milan Bergamo.

Before You Fly

Before you fly, be sure to check the entry and visa requirements for Austria. You can check in online or via the SWISS app. If you have problems checking in online, check your device settings.

Luggage

The amount of checked baggage you are allowed to bring depends on your flight class, route, and frequent flyer status. If you are travelling without checked baggage, note that space on the aircraft is limited and some items are not permitted on board.

On the Flight

On all long-haul flights, you will have unlimited access to the free "Messaging" Wi-Fi package, which includes the most common messenger apps. For more internet access, you can purchase the "Wi-Fi 4 Hours" or "Wi-Fi Premium" packages.

Enjoy fresh, high-quality meals on board, with a diverse selection of culinary delights depending on your travel class and flight duration. Menus for special dietary requirements are available upon request, and you can create a custom meal up to 36 hours before departure.

Travel by car

If you're travelling by car from Switzerland to Austria, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Firstly, make sure you have the necessary toll stickers for the roads: a motorway vignette ("Autobahnvignette") for Switzerland and an Austrian toll sticker ("Vignette") for Austria. If you're passing through Munich, you'll also need an environmental badge ("Umweltplakette") as it's a low-emission zone. Rental cars usually include the vignettes required for the country you rent them in, but it's always good to double-check.

There are a few different routes you can take when driving between the two countries. The route via Innsbruck is recommended as it's more scenic and takes about 8 hours and 10 minutes, excluding breaks and delays. You'll drive through Feldkirch in Austria, Vaduz in Liechtenstein, Sargans in Switzerland, along the Walensee ("Lake Walen") and the Zürichsee ("Lake Zurich").

Another option is to drive through Munich, which takes about 7 hours and 30 minutes. You'll head south from Munich to Bregenz on the Bodensee ("Lake Constance") and then on to St. Gallen.

If you're starting your journey from Salzburg, you can either drive south via Innsbruck or avoid German highways by driving directly south towards Bischofshofen, then west to Sankt Johann and Innsbruck. The former is quicker, taking around 4 hours and 55 minutes, while the latter takes roughly 6 hours and 40 minutes.

It's worth noting that while driving gives you more flexibility and freedom to stop for photos, it can also be more expensive, especially with parking fees and fuel costs. Additionally, some people prefer the comfort and convenience of trains, especially for shorter trips or when wanting to avoid the stress of driving in a new place.

Whichever route you choose, remember to follow the local driving rules and regulations, and always plan your trip in detail before setting off.

Travel by night train

Night trains are a great way to travel from Switzerland to Austria. The ÖBB Nightjet is a direct overnight train that takes you from Zurich to Vienna, Austria's capital, and Graz, its second-largest city. The train offers sleeping cars, couchette cars, and seating cars, and you can book tickets online or through the SBB Mobile app.

The journey from Zurich to Vienna takes about 10 hours and 40 minutes, and you can also board the Nightjet in Innsbruck, Salzburg, or Graz, although the timings might not be as convenient. The Nightjet is a comfortable and affordable option for travelling between Switzerland and Austria, and you can enjoy the beautiful scenery as you pass through Liechtenstein and enter Switzerland in Sargans.

When planning your trip, keep in mind that seat reservations are required for the Nightjet trains, and it is recommended to book your tickets in advance, especially during peak travel periods. Additionally, check the timetable and fares for the Sparschiene Switzerland option, which offers affordable and environmentally friendly travel between the two countries.

Travelling by night train is a convenient and scenic way to get from Switzerland to Austria, allowing you to relax and enjoy the journey as you are transported to your destination.

Frequently asked questions