Austria and Switzerland share a border in two parts, separated by Liechtenstein, landlocked by its two neighbours. The Swiss-Austrian border follows the Alpine Rhine(which also forms the Swiss-Liechtenstein border), passing east of Diepoldsau and reaching Lake Constance at Rheineck. There are many trains between Austria and Switzerland – regional and long-distance trains. All regular trains are operated by Austrian Railways and Swiss Railways.
There is an only one direct railway border crossing between Austria and Switzerland: Lustenau Markt ÖBB – St Margrethen SBB. Trains from Feldkirch to Buchs pass Liechtenstein.
The International Rhein Regulation Railway crossed the Rhein on a combined road/railway steel bridge between Wiesenrain and Widnau, and continued southwards on the Swiss side as far as Kriessern. The bridge was closed to rail traffic on 26 October 2023. There are no plans to reinstate rail link.
Trains between Austria and Switzerland – useful websites
Austrian Railways – online shop (tickets to Switzerland are available)
Train travel in Austria – a comprehensive guide
Train travel in Switzerland – a comprehensive guide
Vienna – Zurich trains
There are 5 daily Railjet Xpress trains from Vienna, and there are also 6 daily trains to Zurich from Salzburg, Innsbruck and Vorarlberg. Journey time between Vienna and Zurich is approximately eight hours. Railjet trainsets consist three classes – Economy class, First class and Business class.
Trains between Vienna and Zurich stop at main railway stations in Austria: St.Pölten Hbf, Linz Hbf, Salzburg Hbf, Kufstein, Wörgl, Innsbruck Hbf, Bludenz and Feldkirch.
The cheapest tickets from Vienna to Zurich I found were 39.90 EUR.
There is a direct overnight Nightjet train between Vienna and Zurich comprised of seating carriage with compartmens, couchette cars and sleeping car.
There are promotional Sparschiene Tickets for daytime and overnight trains. Promotional tickets are much cheaper than regular-price tickets and can be booked max. 6 months (180 days) before journey. Tickets are bound to a specific time and train. These tickets are non-refundable and non-changeable. No other discounts apply when booking a Sparschiene ticket. Sparschiene tickets to Vienna-Zurich train sell very quickly, so book your ticket several months in advance.
Ticket prices for Nightjet train start at:
seating carriage – 29.90 EUR
6-berth couchette – 49.90 EUR
4-berth couchette – 59.90 EUR
3-bed sleeping car – 89.90 EUR
2-bed sleeping car – 109.90 EUR
1-bed sleeping car – 159.90 EUR
3-bed sleeping car with shower – 99.90 EUR
2-bed sleeping car with shower – 139.90 EUR
1-bed sleeping car with shower – 189.90 EUR
In fact, available tickets are much expensive. Book well in advance for the cheapest prices.
Graz – Zurich train
A daytime Eurocity Transalpin train from Graz to Zurich is famous for stunning views along the route. Journey time between stations is approximately 10 hours. Train is comprised of 2nd class seating carriages with compartments (Austrian carriage), 2nd class open-plan carriages (Swiss carriages), 1st class open-plan carriage (Austrian or Swiss), 1st class panoramic carriage (Swiss) and Austrian dining car. There are designated spaces for bicycles and wheelchairs.
The train is very popular among tourists. Sparschiene tickets are available. The cheapest tickets from Graz to Zurich I found were 39.90 EUR.
Train has 25 intermediate stops, for example in Zell am See, Wörgl, Innsbruck and Bludenz.
An overnight Nightjet train runs daily from Graz to Vienna. Promotional tickets are the same as between Vienna and Zurich.
Regional trains between Austria and Switzerland
Two regional cross-border trains connect Austria and Switzerland.
The first one pass through Liechtenstein. Trains from Feldkirch, Austria to Buchs, Switzerland, are operated by ÖBB as a part of the Vorarlberg S-Bahn (Line S2). In Liechtenstein trains stop at three stations: Schaan-Vaduz, Forst FL and Nendeln. Journey time is about 25 minutes. Regional Voralberg tariff applied. Currently trains run only on workdays, but it can change in the future. There were plans to upgrade the line under the project name “S-Bahn Liechtenstein”.
Long-distance trains pass through Liechtenstein without stops.
Regional trains Bregenz – St. Margrethen also are operated by ÖBB as a part of the Vorarlberg S-Bahn (Line S3). Trains run run every half an hour, with some hourly services in the mornings and evenings. Journey time is about 25 minutes. Regional Voralberg tariff applied – tickets are relatively cheap.
Tickets for regional trains between Austria and Switzerland are available on shop.oebbtickets.at website.
From Buchs and St. Margrethen passengers can continue their journey to many destations in Switzerland, for example Zurich, St. Gallen, Winterthur and Chur.
Eurocity train Zurich – Munich
Eurocity trains from Zurich to Munich pass through Austrian territory, stopping in Bregenz. The route is served by SBB ETR 610 (Astoro) trainsets. There are first and second class carriages, restaurant car, family zone, wheelchair-accessible toilet, baby-changing table, cycle storage spaces, pram storage spaces and luggage storage space. Trains are air-conditioned.
Euronight train Zurich – Zagreb
Euronight train from Zurich to Zagreb pass through Austria with many stops. The train is comprised of Croatian passenger cars – 2nd class seating carriages with compartments, couchette cars and sleeping cars. I definitely recommend to travel in sleeping car. Couchette cars, especially lower berth, are uncomfortable.
Boden-See Ticket
If you want to travel around Lake Constance, you can consider to buy Boden-See ticket. It is a attractive cross-border network ticket that allows you to visit the countries bordering Lake Constance: Austria, Germany and Switzerland. It is a joint offer from the regional authorities of Austria, Germany, and Switzerland located around Lake Constance.
With the Bodensee Ticket, you are free to travel for a whole day or three days within all the designated zones – wherever you want and as often as you like. There are three zones: East, West and South. You can buy ticket valid in one zone, in two zones or in all three zones. There are discounts for children and small groups and discount card holders.
In Germany, the ticket is valid only on regional trains (IRE, RE, RB), while in Austria and Switzerland, it is also valid on EC and IC trains within the ticket’s area of validity. The Bodensee Ticket also offers discounts on entry tickets to selected tourist attractions. Children under the age of 6 travel free.
Ticket is not cheap, but is a perfect option for those, who want to visit beautiful towns and cities around Lake Constance, for example Lindau, chaffhausen, Stein am Rhein, Constance, Lindau, St. Gallen, Feldkirch and Bregenz. The railway routes along the lake are scenic.
Boden-See Ticket – official website
