Can I do a day trip from Milan to Switzerland?

Milan to St. Moritz, a high Alpine resort town in Switzerland, on a full-day trip from Milan, Italy with private car transfers and tickets for Bernina Express, one of the most beautiful train routes in the world. Enjoy a Swiss-style adventure!



Absolutely! A day trip from Milan to Switzerland is very feasible and popular due to the high-speed rail links. The most common destination is Lugano, which is only about 1 hour and 15 minutes away via direct EuroCity (EC) trains from Milano Centrale. For a more scenic "Alpine" experience, many travelers take a train to Tirano and board the world-famous Bernina Express, which reaches the high mountain passes of St. Moritz. Another option is a trip to Lucerne, which takes about 3 to 4 hours each way, though this makes for a very long day. In 2026, it is essential to carry your passport, as you will be crossing an international border, and although Switzerland is in the Schengen Area, random customs checks are common.

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Yes, there is a direct train from Milan to Zurich. We usually find around 21 direct trains on the route from Milan to Zurich every weekday. There are typically fewer trains leaving at weekends, when we found around 20 departures.

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Small enough to traverse end-to-end in a few hours and with excellent public transport, Switzerland can be explored in as little as three days, specifically if you stick to one or two key regions. A five to seven-day trip will let you see a broader mix of city and countryside attractions.

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By Train. For our day trip from Como, Italy to Lugano, Switzerland, we took the train from Como San Giovanni station to Lugano station. We bought tickets from vending machines (multiple language options) at each station just before the train departed. Our 2nd class tickets cost €20 per person one way.

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The southern shore of Lake Como is just 32 miles (51 km) from Milan. This iconic Italian lake draws visitors from around the world, and with good reason.

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The distance between historical Zurich and breathtaking Milan is 256 km (159 mi), and the fastest way to cover it is via an express train.

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This legendary, eight-hour ride slowly weaves more than 150 miles across 291 bridges and through 92 tunnels in the picturesque Swiss Alps from the foot of the Matterhorn in Zermatt to St. Moritz.

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Switzerland is within easy reach from Italy. The EuroCity train line has numerous daily connections from Milan to major Swiss cities such as Basel, Berne, Geneva, Lausanne, Lucerne, Lugano and Zurich.

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The Bernina Express train route takes you through incredible alpine landscapes and a UNESCO World Heritage Site - it's that amazing. Think of all the clichés about the beauty of scenic train travel and multiply them by 1000. You'll end up on this journey through Switzerland.

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Lugano is the closest city to Milan that is easily accessible by train. You can take a direct train from Milan to Lugano, Switzerland in about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

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Our most recommended things to do in Switzerland
  • Zurich: Lindt Home of Chocolate Museum Entry Ticket. ...
  • Geneva: 50-Minute Lake Geneva Cruise. ...
  • From Zurich: Day Trip to Grindelwald & Interlaken. ...
  • From Milan: Lake Como Cruise, St. ...
  • Z?rich: City Tour, Cruise, and Lindt Home of Chocolate Visit. ...
  • From Zurich: Mount Titlis Day Tour.


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Ticino is the region of Switzerland that is Italian-speaking and -influenced. It's where the Alps spill into Lake Maggiore, which is shared with Italy. The valleys hold the magic, and traveling up them will leave you breathless and completely enchanted!

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Train tickets from Rome to Zurich Hb can start from as little as $49.33 when you book in advance and are usually more expensive when purchased on the day. Prices can also vary depending the time of day, route and class you book.

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