Day Trips from Zurich: 6 Easy Train Trips by Time (2026)

Zurich is a city you can know well in two days, and then want a break from. Good news: the train network makes almost everything within an hour or so easy to reach, so you can be swimming in a lake, standing at a waterfall or soaking in a thermal bath before lunch.

Here are the best day trips, ordered by how far they are from Zurich HB.

Our quick picks

• Spa day, 20 to 40 minutes: Baden, for the FORTYSEVEN thermal bath.
• Lakes and old town, about 45 minutes: Lucerne.
• Half-day waterfall, 45–60 minutes: Rhine Falls.
• Small lake town, under 30 minutes: Zug.
• Capital city, 55 minutes: Bern.

Baden: a thermal spa day

Baden is one of Switzerland's oldest thermal towns, 20 to 40 minutes from Zurich by train depending on the connection. The modern FORTYSEVEN thermal bath, designed by the architect Mario Botta, sits on the Limmat river, and it's the easiest way to spend a relaxed afternoon without leaving the region.

Prices at FORTYSEVEN are dynamic, so booking earlier is usually cheaper. Check the official site for the day's rate.

Zug: the lake town close by

Zug is the quickest of the trips from Zurich, under 30 minutes by train. The old town has a medieval tower and a lakefront promenade, and on clear days you can see across the water toward the Rigi.

It makes a good half day rather than a full one. Pair it with a lake swim in summer or a coffee on the waterfront in autumn.

Lucerne: lake and old town

Lucerne is about 45 minutes from Zurich HB by direct train, with trains running several times an hour. The Chapel Bridge and the old town walls are the main sights, and the lake is a short walk from the station.

If you have a full day, take a boat on Lake Lucerne. The views of Mount Pilatus and the Rigi from the water are the reason many people come. For the other side of the lake, read our guide to Interlaken or Lucerne.

Rhine Falls: a waterfall near Schaffhausen

The Rhine Falls are one of Europe's largest waterfalls by volume of water, and they're about 45 to 60 minutes from Zurich by train. You can reach the falls from either bank: take the train to Neuhausen Rheinfall for the north bank viewpoints, or to Schloss Laufen am Rheinfall for the south bank and the boats that run close to the falls in summer.

Fares change, so check the SBB app for the day you travel. A Half Fare Card reduces the price for its holders.

Bern: the capital in under an hour

Bern is about 55 minutes from Zurich HB, with trains running every 30 minutes or so. The old town sits in a loop of the Aare river, with arcaded streets and the clock tower, and the Rose Garden gives you a view over the rooftops.

Bern is an easy day trip if you want city sights without the mountains. If you're thinking of going up into the Bernese Oberland instead, the Jungfraujoch guide covers the trains from Interlaken.

Hikes from Zurich by train

Zurich's own hills are the easiest day outing of all. The Uetliberg Planet Trail starts from the Uetliberg station and takes you past the city view, and our hikes near Zurich page lists the other walks within an hour of the station.

Our honest take

For a first day trip, pick Lucerne. It's the most rewarding without being exhausting, and the trains are frequent enough that you can change your plans on the day. If you have only half a day, Zug or Baden fits neatly. The Rhine Falls are worth it, but allow the whole afternoon: the train, the viewpoints and the walk back take longer than you'd think.