There aren't any direct trains between Amsterdam and Zurich, so the simplest of the many options available is what SMTJ has singled out here, as it involves only making one straightforward connection.
Look up the Amsterdam to Zurich train journey and you will see a multitude of options, but this daily opportunity to make the connection at Basel SBB station is by far the most stress-free.
If the ICE from Amsterdam does arrive in Basel too late to make the advertised connection, then tickets can be used on the next train on to Zurich/Zeurich, irrespective of which train it is.
Be wary of booking the (much) cheaper options that you will see on DB Bahn, which involve making connections between trains at Koln/Cologne; those connections can be particularly tightly timed.
**1 x optimum connection per day
Change trains in: Basel**
Book in advance and save: YES
Online bookings usually open: 6 months ahead of the travel date
Look for the connection that departs from Amsterdam at around 08:02.
Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
---|---|---|
DB Bahn | * | |
NS International | * |
Final Destination: Basel SBB
Also calls at: Utrecht Central; Arnhem
Final Destination: Basel SBB
Also calls at: Utrecht Central; Arnhem; Mannheim; Karlsruhe; Freiburg; Offenburg
Take the train to Basel Bad Bf if you are heading to Basel city centre.
Remain on the train (and book tickets to) Basel SBB if you will be connecting into trains to other destinations in Switzerland.
The journey is high speed between Seigburg/Bonn - Frankfurt Airport and between Karlsruhe and Offenburg.
Final Destination: Zurich or Chur
The DAYTIME train service between Basel and Zurich is unusual because along with the Swiss IC trains, OTHER international trains share this route.
Those international trains tend to be incorporated into the regular timetable, so an ICE or Lyria train takes the place of the usual Swiss IC train
What's also unusual is that it doesn't particularly matter what of these trains you travel by, the ticketing terms and conditions are generally the same; reservations aren't compulsory on the Lyria services when travelling between Basel and Zurich.
By Swiss standards the journey between Basel and Zurich is unexceptional, but there are some fleeting views over the landscape to be enjoyed, which anywhere else in Europe would be exceptional; particularly around 20 minutes into the journey when the train has passed through Sissach.
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This is one of more than 1000 journey guides available on ShowMeTheJourney, which will make it easier to take the train journeys you want or need to make. As always, all images were captured on trips taken by ShowMeTheJourney.