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Taking the train from Zürich to Bologna in 4 hours 29 minutes
Thinking about taking the train from Zürich to Bologna? We’ve got you covered.
It usually takes around 5 hours 48 minutes to travel the 241 miles (387 km) from Zürich to Bologna by train, although you can get there in as little as 4 hours 29 minutes on the fastest services. You’ll normally find around 27 trains per day running on this route. You won’t need to worry about making any changes along the way either as direct trains are available. You can travel with Trenitalia trains during your journey, as they are the main operator of services on this route.
Train tickets from Zürich to Bologna start from £51.09 when you book in advance, which can be cheaper than buying them on the day. Start a search in our Journey Planner to check out the latest prices.
Keen to book your train tickets to Bologna? No need to wait, start a search with us today! If you want to find out a bit more about the journey first, you can find our train timetable below, tips on booking cheap tickets and our FAQs, including first and last train times.
Zürich to Bologna by train
It takes an average of 5h 48m to travel from Zürich to Bologna by train, over a distance of around 241 miles (387 km). There are normally 27 trains per day travelling from Zürich to Bologna and tickets for this journey start from £51.09 when you book in advance.
| First train | 06:05 | |
|---|---|---|
| Last train | 23:05 | |
| Departure station | Zürich | |
| Arrival station | Bologna | |
| Journey time | From 4h 29m | |
| Distance | 241 miles (387 km) | |
| Frequency | 27 trains per day | |
| Changes | Direct trains available | |
| Price | From £51.09 | |
| Train and bus operators | Trenitalia, Flixbus, Marino, Onebus |
Trenitalia trains from Zürich to Bologna
Trenitalia is the national railway company of Italy, with a fleet including high-speed trains (Frecciarossa, Frecciargento and Frecciabianca), Intercity and Intercity night trains and regional trains. Trenitalia offers discounts and special promotions on selected routes, two types of discounted tickets for young people under 30 and people over 60.
More information
Trenitalia Eurocity classes from Zürich to Bologna
Compare the different travel classes offered by Trenitalia Eurocity when travelling from Zürich to Bologna.
Second Class
From spacious armchairs to at-seat power sockets and reading lights, you’ve got everything you need to enjoy your journey in EuroCity's Second Class.
- Seat reservation
- Power sockets
- Clothes hanger
- Reading light
- Luggage storage
- Free WiFi
- Bar/restaurant carriage
- More legroom
First Class
In addition to all the services available in Second Class, you’ll get to enjoy extra-wide and comfier seats, more legroom, and an at-seat catering service in EuroCity’s First Class:
- Seat reservation
- Power sockets
- Clothes hanger
- Reading light
- Luggage storage
- Free WiFi
- Bar/restaurant carriage
- More legroom
Onboard services on Trenitalia Eurocity
Discover more about the onboard services offered on trains from Zürich to Bologna.
- You can take your bags on board Trenitalia's Eurocity trains free of charge.
- In most cases, there are no luggage size limits – you can even travel with musical instruments and sports equipment. You’ll just need to make sure that your luggage is compatible with the space available on board.
- You’ll find a Bar-Bistrò on Eurocity trains that are travelling between Italy, Switzerland and Germany.
- A minibar trolley service is also available – you can choose from a wide range of snacks and drinks.
Free WiFi is available on Eurocity Giruno trains.
Children under 4 can travel for free if they're accompanied by an adult and don't occupy a seat.
Not all Eurocity trains allow you to take your bike on board – you’ll need to check in advance if you can travel with your bike. If that’s the case, you’ll need to buy a ticket and book your bike space before departure at the ticket office.
Guide and assistance dogs can travel for free and don't need a ticket.
All of Trenitalia’s Eurocity trains offer dedicated spaces to passengers with disabilities.
A quiet area (or Area Silenzio) is available on all Eurocity Giruno trains.
Cheap train tickets from Zürich to Bologna
Book in advance
Most of the train companies across Europe release their tickets around three to six months in advance, many of which can be cheaper the earlier you book. If you know the dates you want to travel, you may be able to find some cheaper train tickets from Zürich to Bologna by booking early.§
Be flexible with your travel times
Many of the train services in Europe are also popular commuter services, lots of train companies increase ticket prices during “peak hours” (generally between 06:00 – 10:00 and 15:00 – 19:00 on weekdays). If you can, consider travelling outside of peak hours to find lower priced tickets.
Choose a slower or connecting train
On some of the busier routes, you might also have the option to take a slower or connecting train. It may take a little longer than some high-speed or direct services, but if you have a little extra time on your hands, you might find a cheaper fare. Plus, you'll have more time to enjoy the view of the countryside!
Look out for special deals
Take a look at our handy guides to find out when train operators release their special deals and offers to see if you can find cheap European train tickets for your journey.
For specific information about how to get your hands on cheap tickets, check out our European train tickets hub.
Journey details
Want to know more about your journey from Zürich to Bologna? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.
How long does the train from Zürich to Bologna take?
The average journey time by train between Zürich and Bologna is 5 hours and 48 minutes, with around 27 trains per day. The journey time may be longer on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner on this page to search for a specific travel date.
What's the fastest journey time between Zürich and Bologna by train?
The fastest journey time by train from Zürich to Bologna is 4 hours and 29 minutes.
How much does the train from Zürich to Bologna cost?
Train ticket prices from Zürich to Bologna can start from as little as £51.09 when you book in advance. The cost of tickets can vary depending on the time of day, route and class you book and are usually more expensive if you book on the day.
Is there a direct train from Zürich to Bologna?
Yes, it is possible to travel from Zürich to Bologna without having to change trains. There is 1 direct train from Zürich to Bologna each day. Though there may be fewer direct services available depending on your exact departure date.
What time does the first train from Zürich to Bologna leave?
The first train from Zürich to Bologna leaves at 06:05. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.
What time does the last train from Zürich to Bologna leave?
The last train from Zürich to Bologna leaves at 23:05. Trains that depart in the early morning hours or very late evening may be sleeper services, time and services may also vary during weekends and holidays.
What's the distance between Zürich and Bologna by train?
Trains travelling from Zürich to Bologna cover a distance of around 241 miles (387 km) during the journey.
Looking for more information?
If you’re looking for the return train journey, check out trains from Bologna to Zürich.