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How to get from Strasbourg to Zurich
The usual route is by train with a change in Basel: about 2 h 15 to 2 h 45 in total, roughly €40–80 depending on booking. Driving takes about 2 h 15 via Mulhouse and Basel and needs a Swiss motorway vignette; buses are cheaper but slower.
Best option: Train. Trains with an easy change at Basel are frequent and avoid border traffic and Zurich parking.
All the ways to make the trip
| How | Time | How often | Price* | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| train SNCF TER or TGV from Strasbourg to Basel SBB, then SBB InterCity or InterRegio to Zürich HB | about 2 h 15 – 2 h 45 including the change | roughly hourly | about €40–80 | In Basel the French and Swiss platforms are in the same station; allow 10–15 minutes to change. Check current timetables. |
| car A35 south via Colmar and Mulhouse to Basel, then the A3 motorway to Zurich | about 2 h 15 | fuel plus the Swiss vignette (CHF 40, valid for the calendar year) | French A35 is mostly toll-free. Parking in central Zurich is expensive; use park-and-ride. | |
| bus Long-distance buses (e.g. FlixBus) | about 2 h 30 – 3 h 30 | a few a day | about €15–35 | Cheapest option; check where the bus stops in Zurich. |
*Approximate prices and times for 2026. Timetables change by season: check with the operator before you travel.
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Tips
- Book the French leg in advance for cheaper fares; Swiss fares are cheaper with Supersaver tickets.
- Basel is worth a stop on the way.
- Drivers must display a Swiss vignette from the border; you can buy an e-vignette online.
- Prices in Zurich are high; budget accordingly.
Common questions
Is there a direct train from Strasbourg to Zurich?
Most journeys need one change in Basel: an SNCF TER or TGV from Strasbourg to Basel SBB, then a Swiss train to Zürich HB. The total takes about 2 hours 15 to 2 hours 45. Connections are frequent and both trains use the same Basel station, so the change is simple. Check current timetables for any direct services.
How long is the drive from Strasbourg to Zurich?
About 2 hours 15 minutes for roughly 220 km, via the A35 past Colmar and Mulhouse to Basel, then the Swiss A3 to Zurich. You need a Swiss motorway vignette, which costs CHF 40 and is valid for the calendar year. Allow extra time for border and Basel traffic at rush hour.
What is the cheapest way from Strasbourg to Zurich?
Long-distance buses such as FlixBus are usually cheapest, from about €15–35 if booked ahead. Trains booked early, with an SNCF advance fare to Basel and an SBB Supersaver ticket onward, can also be good value. Driving alone costs fuel plus the Swiss vignette and expensive Zurich parking.
Can I visit Zurich as a day trip from Strasbourg?
Yes, but it is a long day with about five hours of travel. Take an early train, spend the day around the old town, the Bahnhofstrasse and the lake, and return in the evening. Staying a night, or combining Zurich with Basel, makes a more relaxed trip.
Compiled by TonyPlan from operator and transport information and travel knowledge; updated 2026-10-05. Anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.