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# Vienna to Zurich Train — Railjet & Nightjet times, tickets & classes

Across the Alps in about 8h 25m by day on the ÖBB Railjet, or overnight on the Nightjet. The Vienna to Zurich train runs city centre to city centre over the Arlberg, with around 11 departures a day.

## The Vienna to Zurich train route
One line climbs the length of the eastern Alps. The train leaves Vienna Hauptbahnhof, runs west via Salzburg and Innsbruck, climbs to the Arlberg (the ~1,300 m high point of the route), then descends through Feldkirch and Buchs into Switzerland to Zürich Hauptbahnhof.

- Journey: fastest direct ~8h 25m by day; overnight Nightjet direct ~12h 41m
- Distance: ~750 km, over the Arlberg Pass
- Frequency: ~11 departures a day (direct and one-change options)

## The Vienna to Zurich train by day or overnight
ÖBB runs the route two ways:

- **Daytime Railjet** — ride through the Alps in daylight, direct in about 8h 25m, with Economy and First Class seats and a restaurant car. Economy from about $125.
- **Overnight Nightjet** — board around 21:39, sleep in a seat, couchette or private sleeper, and arrive next morning (~10:20). Direct, saves a hotel night, and the cheapest fare on the route, from about $68.

Both are covered by the live search and run Vienna Hauptbahnhof to Zürich Hauptbahnhof.

## Classes on the Vienna to Zurich train
Daytime Railjet, each class sold as a cheaper Saver or a changeable Flexible fare:

### Economy (2nd class)
Reserved reclining 2+2 seats, large windows, power sockets, Wi-Fi and a restaurant car. From about $125 (Saver).

### First Class
Roomier 2+1 leather seats, a quieter carriage and more service. From about $300 (Saver).

### Nightjet (overnight)
Ordinary seats (cheapest), 4–6-berth couchettes with bedding, and private sleeper cabins (including new mini-cabins and rooms with a washbasin). Fares rise with privacy.

## Where the Vienna to Zurich train starts and ends
**Vienna (departure):** Wien Hauptbahnhof, central, with U-Bahn, tram and airport links.

**Zurich (arrival):** Zürich Hauptbahnhof, in the heart of the city by the Limmat and old town, with onward Swiss trains to Lucerne, Interlaken, Geneva and the airport.

## Riding the Vienna to Zurich train
1. Book Saver fares early — cheapest Economy (~$125) and Nightjet (~$68) tickets are limited.
2. Sit on the right heading west for the best Arlberg scenery.
3. Direct or one easy change (usually Innsbruck or Feldkirch).
4. Consider the Nightjet — saves a hotel night and is the cheapest fare.
5. Search before you go — times and fares shift with date and train.

## Vienna to Zurich by train, plane or car
| Mode | City-to-city time | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train (Railjet, day) | ~8h 25m | from ~$125 | Scenic Alpine crossing, Economy & First Class |
| Train (Nightjet) | ~12h 41m overnight | from ~$68 | Direct, saves a hotel night; seats, couchettes, sleepers |
| Flight | ~3h+ door to door | varies | ~1h 20m in the air, plus airports and transfers |
| Car | ~7–8h | fuel + tolls + vignettes | ~680 km over Alpine passes, parking in Zurich |

For most travellers the Vienna to Zurich train is the nicest and most sensible way across — city centre to city centre, with the Alps out the window.

## Vienna to Zurich train — frequently asked questions
**How long is it?** Fastest direct ~8h 25m by day; Nightjet ~12h 41m overnight.

**Who operates it?** ÖBB (Railjet by day, Nightjet overnight), with SBB.

**Is there a direct train?** Yes — direct daytime Railjets and the direct overnight Nightjet; ~11 departures a day in total.

**What classes?** Economy and First Class by day (Saver/Flexible); seats, couchettes and sleepers on the Nightjet.

**How much?** Economy from ~$125, First from ~$300, Nightjet from ~$68. Search live prices before you travel.

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Book tickets: https://highspeedtrains.com