6 best night train routes to and from Switzerland

Situated in the middle of Europe, Switzerland is a great place to base yourself if you want to travel across the continent by rail. But instead of flying out of Swiss airports, many people are ditching cabin classes for couchettes and sleeper cars. If you’re interested in travelling by night train to or from Switzerland, read on for our selection of the best routes! 

Top night trains in Europe that pass through Switzerland

The night train network has expanded dramatically in recent years, thanks to the cooperation of rail operators across Europe. The increasing awareness of how flying impacts the planet has convinced many people to choose the slower, but greener way to travel: public transport.

As of 2025, Switzerland is served by eight sleeper train routes, all of which are run by Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB), either under its Nightjet brand, or in cooperation with other partner railways under the EuroNight brand. 

The extended network means that you can go to sleep in Zurich or Basel and wake up in one of Europe’s capitals. From Amsterdam and Berlin to Budapest and Vienna, here are the six best night trains in Europe that pass through Switzerland.

1. Zurich to Amsterdam

One of the newest routes on the Nightjet network, the night train between Zurich, Basel and Amsterdam makes it possible to visit the Dutch capital greenly and cheaply. The Netherlands has many wonderful historical sites and attractions to admire during your stay, and Amsterdam is well known for its party atmosphere and culture.

The daily night train departs Zurich every evening, passing through Basel before beginning the 12-hour journey to the Dutch capital. Major cities like Frankfurt, Bonn, Cologne, Eindhoven and Utrecht are also served along the route. 

2. Zurich & Basel to Berlin

Known for its exciting bohemian atmosphere and turbulent yet fascinating history, Berlin is a must-see destination. Visitors can sample some of the city's best historical sites, from the Berlin Wall to Museum Island. Germany's capital is also well known for its clubbing scene, with the city partying well into the early hours.

Departing daily from Zurich at 7:59pm and Basel at 9:13pm, the night train from Switzerland to Berlin reaches the German capital in 10 hours. The Nightjet service also passes through Frankfurt, Leipzig and Halle, among others.

If you'd like to go further afield, there's also a Nightjet train between Zurich and Hamburg, departing from Zurich HB at 8.59pm each day and arriving into Hamburg Hbf at 7.56am. It also passes through Bremen on the way.

3. Zurich to Vienna

Perhaps the most well-known service in Switzerland, the night train from Zurich to Vienna travels along a stunning route through the Swiss Alps, connecting the largest Swiss city with the cultural jewel of Europe. Among some of the best sights in Vienna are the art history museum, the Schönbrunn Palace and the historic city centre. 

The Nightjet service departs daily from Zurich at 9:40pm, arriving in Vienna just before 8 in the morning, passing through Innsbruck, Salzburg and Linz along the way.

4. Zurich to Budapest

Operated by Hungarian Railways MAV under the EuroNight brand, the night train from Zurich to Budapest is an adventure in itself. Departing from Zurich HB at 9.40pm, the trip takes almost 12 hours to complete, passing through eastern Switzerland and Austria before hitting Hungary in the early hours of the morning.

You’ll arrive, well-rested, at Budapest-Keleti station just before 9.30am, ready to start exploring the streets, seeing the sights, and sampling some great Hungarian food!

5. Zurich to Prague

Another top long weekend destination, the Czech capital is only one sleep away from Zurich. The city of a hundred spires is included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites and is a captivating destination for all ages. Known for its architecture, museums and extensive shopping areas, Prague is a good fit for anyone who wants their annual dose of culture.

Another route covered by the EuroNight brand, this time operated by Czech Railways CD, the daily night train from Zurich to Prague departs Zurich HB at 7.59pm, passing through central and eastern Germany to reach Prague at 9.23am the following morning. 

6. Zurich to Zagreb

Yes, that’s right! You can get all the way from Zurich to Zagreb by sleeper train. The longest journey on this list, clocking in at 13 hours, the train from Zurich to the Croatian capital departs Zurich HB at 8.40pm and makes its way through Austria and Slovenia before reaching Zagreb a little after 11.30am the following day. The service is run by Croatian Railways HZ under the EuroNight brand. 

Zagreb is home to cathedrals, churches and quirky museums, most notably the Museum of Broken Relationships - dedicated to failed love affairs. As well as having its own historical sites, Zagreb is also only two hours away from the Adriatic coast. From Zagreb, you can easily take a train onwards to the beach town of Split. 

Booking a night train in Switzerland: What you need to know

Want to book a night train to or from Switzerland but not sure about something? Here are some answers to some frequently asked questions. 

How do I book a night train ticket to/from Switzerland?

All of the night trains that serve Switzerland are operated by Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB), either independently or in partnership with other railway companies across Europe. The easiest way to book is directly with ÖBB - they have an easy-to-use website in English - or through one of their partner railway companies, if you are travelling on a EuroNight service. 

How far in advance can you book a Nightjet or EuroNight train?

Ticket sales usually start:

• 180 days before departure for Nightjet trains
• 60 to 180 days before departure for EuroNight trains

Note that night train schedules are usually adjusted in the timetable change in mid-December, so the booking window may be shorter around this period, or if there is other scheduled maintenance work. 

Typically, you should book as far ahead as possible to get the best prices. 

What’s the difference between a couchette and a sleeper?

Ticket prices on night trains vary according to the travel category (from cheapest to most expensive):

• Seat cars: A seat in a six-person compartment or a regular train carriage.
• Couchette: A bed in a compartment with four to six people.
• Mini cabin: A private bed in its own “cocoon”, intended for lone travellers or couples.
• Sleeping car: A bed in a compartment (can be booked for one, two or three people).

There are toilets in each coach, and some sleeping cars offer public, and in some cases private, bathroom and shower facilities. 

How much luggage are you allowed?

Luggage is one of the major pros of travelling by night train: there is no weight or size limit for luggage (and no liquid restrictions like you’ll find at the airport!) but do note that luggage will need to be stored in a rack above or below your seat, so shouldn’t be too bulky. 

Is food provided?

Passengers in the seat cars can purchase drinks and snacks from train attendants.

In couchette cabins, a small breakfast consisting of a coffee or tea, and a bread roll with butter and jam is served. In the sleeper cars, you can order breakfast from the menu, and the cost is included in your ticket.

Do Nightjet trains have WiFi?

Not all Nightjet trains have WiFi, but most of the new generation trains do have it. If you need to access the internet while travelling, you should be able to see what generation of train you are on at the time of booking. If you are unsure, double-check with Nightjet customer service. 

Ditch the flight for a sleeper train in Switzerland!

Sleeper trains allow you to see Europe at a slower pace. Not only are they more environmentally friendly than flying, but they also make the travelling part an adventure in itself. Book one of these night trains for your next European getaway, and see what all the buzz is about! Happy exploring.