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Genève / Geneva to Chur by train
Despite the lack of direct trains, travelling west to east across Switzerland by train isn't complicated.
If you will be heading to a resort in Graubünden and can find a cheap deal to Geneve rather than Zurich, don't be put off by the additional distance.
This is a straightforward journey by Swiss express trains.
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Routes
From Genève/Geneva-Cornavin to Chur
Journey Summary
4hr 7 min - 4hr 28min
Daily
Travel Information
There are no direct trains between Geneve and Chur so in order to make this journey across Switzerland, a change of trains is required in Zurich.
When setting off from Geneve, in each hour there are connections available at Zurich HB station from the IC trains on route IC 1 heading to St Gallen and the IC on trains on route IC 5 heading to Rorschach.
These trains commence their journeys at Geneve-Aeroport station, it takes the trains around 5 mins to travel from there to the main station in Geneve before they then head off towards Zurich.
Both of these services arrive at the lower level gleis (platforms/tracks) in Zurich station, while the trains on to Chur will depart from the upper level, which is where the main concourse is located.
Whatever train you take from Geneve, the connecting time between trains in Zurich will be around 10 mins.
1 or 2 x connections per hour
Tickets
Online bookings open: up to 60 days month ahead of the travel date.
Book early and save: Yes
Limited numbers of Supersaver tickets will be made available on most end-to-end journeys.
You may need to search through the departures to find these 'Supersaver' tickets using the ‘earlier’ and ‘later’ buttons.
Using Saver Day Passes:
The discounted Supersaver tickets are train specific, so aren't such a good option if you will be flying into Geneva and commencing a journey to Chur at Geneve-Aeroport station.
So if you will be booking last minute tickets for a train journey to Chur a Saver Day Pass may save you money.
They can be cheaper than tickets for the end-to-end journey, particularly when the discounted Supersaver tickets aren't available; and are usually cheaper if you will be making a day return trip between Geneve and Chur, even if you can book in advance.
They are not train specific, so can still be used in the event of a journey to Switzerland being delayed.
Though as they’re only valid for one day’s travel, the clue is the name, so if you will be travelling back on another date, you’ll need to purchase another Saver Day Pass for your return journey.
Saver Day Passes are also discounted if you book online in advance
Where to book
| Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| SBB | * | |
| Trainline | * | |
| Omio | * | |
| Happyrail | * |
Train 1
Travelling On
Journey Features
Good to Know
These IC trains take two different routes from Geneve to Zurich; route IC 1 via Lausanne and Bern and route IC 5 via Neuchatel and Biel.
Which route the trains take makes little difference to the overall journey time
(1) via Bern:
The brand new LD/Twindexx trains should now be operating on some departures.
All trains on this route are double deck, and it's worth travelling on the upper deck in order to see these views at their best.
(2) via Biel
The tilting trains which used to be known as ICN trains are used on this route
Which route to choose?
It can be fun to travel to Zurich on one route and return on the other, between Lake Geneve and Olten the two routes are very different.
Though if you will be booking tickets in advance online, you save money if you can purchase Supersaver train tickets.
So if you want to be guided by price, rather than the route, the cheaper tickets tend to be more widely available on the trains via Biel.
via Bern
From the right of the train (when facing the direction) of travel there are some incredible views over Lake Geneva when the train departs from Lausanne.
It's worth travelling on the upper deck in order to see these views at their best.
This part of the train ride is so fabulous that it merited a place on the list of the 15 Most Beautiful Swiss Train Journeys.
via Biel
From the right of the train (when facing the direction) of travel there are some wonderful views over the lakes after between Yverdon and Biel/Bienne.
Train 2
Travelling On
Journey Features
Good to Know
Three of the daily departures, those which are usually scheduled to leave Zurich at 10:00 and 14:00 and 18:00, are by ICE4 trains that have travelled from Germany.
Final Destination: Chur
All trains also call at: Landquart
Connect at Landquart into RhB trains towards Klosters and Davos.
Arriving in Chur:
Connect at Chur into RhB trains on towards St Moritz and Arosa.
Also connect at Chur for buses to the Laax-Flims-Falera ski resort
From the left of the train (when facing the direction) of travel, there are fabulous views over Lake Zurich... ~
and then over the Walensee...
...before the train makes its first station call in Sargans
Then between Sargans and Chur there are very pleasant views of distant mountain ranges from both sides of the train.
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