Zürich / Zurich to Berlin by train

Final Destination: Berlin Ostbahnhof

This train also calls at: Berlin Sudkreuz

The only direct train from Zurich to Berlin is this overnight train, it is usually scheduled to depart from Zurich HB station at 19:59 and arrive in Berlin Hbf shortly after 07:30.

Making the daytime journey:

Look up this journey on DB and hone in on the journeys which involve only one change of train.

Do so and you will have a choice of two routes:

(1) Depart Zurich in even hours and the routing will involve taking an ICE train to Hannover (the train will be heading to Hamburg) and making a 14 min connection into another ICE train on to Berlin.

(2) Depart Zurich in the odd hours and the journey will involve takin a train from Zurich to Basel and making a 20 min connection there into an ICE train on to Berlin.
Our preference would be this second option,
The overall journey time will be slightly longer, but you'll be more likely to make the connection in Basel rather than Hannover, because it's more likely that the train from Zurich to Hannover will be delayed during its journey.

This is the only direct train from Zurich to Berlin and it is usually scheduled to depart from Zurich HB station at 19:59 - so target that departure time when looking up this journey.

Book early and save: Yes

Online bookings open:
6 months ahead of the travel date on OBB*
3 months ahead of the travel date on DB Bahn

*This train doesn't travel through Austria, but OBB manages the Nightjet trains used on this route.

The first price you will see on the OBB ticketing site will be for the compartment seats.

The train conveys:

- Compartment Seats (Sitzwagen)
- Couchettes (Liegewagen); 4 berths AND 6 berths
- Standard sleeping cars (Schlafwagen) with 3 bed, 2 bed and 1 cabins
- Deluxe sleeping cars with sleeping cabins (Schlafwagen) with 3 bed, 2 bed and 1 cabins

Click the train details for more info including the rail pass reservation fees:

Using rail passes:

Rail pass users must reserve before boarding this train.

However, these rail pass reservations can NO longer be booked online the DB website, but you can now book rail pass reservations without paying booking fees on the OBB website (OBB operates these trains).
Though the process for doing so isn't particularly obvious, hence this step-by-step guide.

Avoid booking the reservation at a Swiss station, not only will you have to pay a booking fee, but your first choice of accommodation may have sold out, if you book last minute.