There are 9 ways to get from France to Central Switzerland by train, bus, car or plane
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner.
Recommended option
Train via Luzern • 7h 11m
Cheapest option
Bus • 13h 29m
7 alternative options
Train • 8h 11m
Train via Freiburg im Breisgau • 9h 15m
Drive • 6h 52m
France to Central Switzerland by train and bus
Travel safe during COVID-19
International entry into Switzerland from France
- Entry is unrestricted for citizens and permanent residents of France
Conditions of entry into Switzerland from France
- There are no current restrictions
Rules to follow in Switzerland
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Regional advice
Considerations leaving from France
The official advice is to avoid non-essential international travel to high risk countries
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, entry into Switzerland is currently allowed from France.
Explore travel optionsDomestic travel is not restricted, but some conditions may apply
- Face masks are recommended
- Regional restriction measures in place
- Health pass is required for long-distance travel by plane, train or coach, as well as in some public venues
- Observe COVID-19 safety rules
The national COVID-19 helpline number in Central Switzerland is 0041 58 463 00 00.
Wearing a face mask on public transport in Central Switzerland is subject to regional advice.
Make yourself known to an official member of staff and/or call the national coronavirus helpline number on 0041 58 463 00 00.
No, returning to France from Switzerland is currently allowed.
See options for return travel.
Last updated: 22 Mar 2023
Exceptions may apply, for full details: Swiss Federal Office of Public Health.
We're working around the clock to bring you the latest COVID-19 travel updates.
This information is compiled from official sources. To the best of our knowledge, it is correct as of the last update.
Visit Rome2rio travel advice for general help.
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from France to Central Switzerland is to bus which costs €65 - €120 and takes 13h 29m.
The quickest way to get from France to Central Switzerland is to fly and train and line 502 bus which costs €90 - €320 and takes 5h 48m.
It is 505 km from France to Central Switzerland. It is approximately 717.2 km to drive.
The best way to get from France to Central Switzerland without a car is to train via Luzern which takes 7h 11m and costs €120 - €190.
It takes approximately 7h 11m to get from France to Central Switzerland, including transfers.
The best way to get from France to Central Switzerland is to train via Luzern which takes 7h 11m and costs €120 - €190. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs €65 - €120 and takes 13h 29m.
The quickest flight from Nice Airport to Zurich Airport is the direct flight which takes 1h 10m.
Yes, the driving distance between France to Central Switzerland is 717 km. It takes approximately 6h 52m to drive from France to Central Switzerland.
Swiss offers flights from Nice Airport to Zurich Airport.
There are 150+ hotels available in Central Switzerland. Prices start at SFr 87 per night.
- Distance: 505 km
- Duration: 7h 11m
What companies run services between France and Central Switzerland?
You can take a train from Paris to Central Switzerland via Gare de Lyon, Paris Gare De Lyon, Basel SBB, Luzern, Küssnacht am Rigi, and Küssnacht am Rigi, Bahnhof in around 7h 11m. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Paris to Central Switzerland via Quai de la Gare, Paris, Metz, Luzern, Luzern, Küssnacht am Rigi, and Küssnacht am Rigi, Bahnhof in around 13h 29m.
- Website
- swiss.com
Flights from Nice to Zurich
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 13m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- SFr 150 - SFr 460
Flights from Paris Charles de Gaulle to Zurich
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 16m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- SFr 75 - SFr 360
Flights from Paris Charles de Gaulle to Zurich via Geneva
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 7m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- SFr 75 - SFr 390
- Website
- airfrance.com
Flights from Paris Charles de Gaulle to Zurich
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 16m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- SFr 75 - SFr 390
Flights from Paris Charles de Gaulle to Basel
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 5m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- SFr 65 - SFr 330
- Website
- easyjet.com
Flights from Nice to Basel
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 10m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- SFr 30 - SFr 180
- Website
- lufthansa.com
Flights from Paris Charles de Gaulle to Zurich via Frankfurt
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 55m
- When
- Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- SFr 95 - SFr 420
Flights from Nice to Basel via Munich
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 10m
- When
- Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- SFr 130 - SFr 700
Flights from Nice to Basel via Frankfurt
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 15m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- SFr 130 - SFr 700
France’s high-speed TGV train network runs at speeds of up to 320km/h connecting major cities across France and into neighbouring countries. All TGV tickets include a seat reservation; seating is 1+2 in 1st class, 2+2 in 2nd class. Popular routes include Paris to Marseille and Paris to Strasbourg. Most TGVs have a cafe area, power points at each seat and WiFi.
Contact Details
- Phone
- +33 1 84 94 36 35
- Website
- en.oui.sncf
Train from Paris Gare De Lyon to Basel Sbb
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 5m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- SFr 80 - SFr 110
- Website
- https://www.sncf-connect.com/en-en/
- 2nd Class
- SFr 80 - SFr 95
- 1st Class
- SFr 90 - SFr 110
Train from Paris l'Est to Freiburg(Breisgau) Hbf
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 2m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- SFr 80 - SFr 110
- Website
- https://www.sncf-connect.com/en-en/
- 2nd Class
- SFr 80 - SFr 100
- 1st Class
- SFr 90 - SFr 110
The national railway company of Switzerland, Swiss Railways operates trains throughout the country and adjacent European nations including Germany, France, Italy and Austria. Tickets are sold in two classes - First and Second - with most long-distance trains offering a bistro car serving beverages and snacks. Individual tickets can be bought easily at stands, while a variety of travel passes are on offer to suit different travel needs.
Contact Details
- Phone
- +41 848 44 66 88
- Website
- sbb.ch
Train from Basel SBB to Luzern
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 14m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- SFr 30 - SFr 60
- Website
- https://www.sbb.ch/en/home.html
Train from Basel SBB to Arth-Goldau
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 42m
- Frequency
- Every 2 hours
- Estimated price
- SFr 40 - SFr 75
- Website
- https://www.sbb.ch/en/home.html
Train from Zuerich Hb to Arth-Goldau
- Ave. Duration
- 43 min
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- SFr 20 - SFr 35
- Website
- https://www.sbb.ch/en/home.html
Train from Arth-Goldau to Brunnen
- Ave. Duration
- 11 min
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- Estimated price
- SFr 3 - SFr 6
- Website
- https://www.sbb.ch/en/home.html
Train from Luzern to Küssnacht am Rigi
- Ave. Duration
- 19 min
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- SFr 3 - SFr 7
- Website
- https://www.sbb.ch/en/home.html
- Phone
- +41 58 580 70 70
- info@sob.ch
- Website
- sob.ch
Train from Basel SBB to Luzern
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 2m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Website
- Südostbahn
- Schedules at
- fahrplan.sbb.ch
Train from Basel SBB to Arth-Goldau
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 42m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Website
- Südostbahn
- Schedules at
- fahrplan.sbb.ch
Train from Zürich HB to Arth-Goldau
- Ave. Duration
- 40 min
- Frequency
- Every 3 hours
- Website
- Südostbahn
- Schedules at
- fahrplan.sbb.ch
Train from Arth-Goldau to Brunnen
- Ave. Duration
- 11 min
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Website
- Südostbahn
- Schedules at
- fahrplan.sbb.ch
Train from Luzern to Küssnacht am Rigi
- Ave. Duration
- 19 min
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Website
- Südostbahn
- Schedules at
- fahrplan.sbb.ch
German rail company Deutsche Bahn is known for its efficient and comfortable service. It offers many different types of rail transportation, including ICE or Intercity-Express for high-speed services between major cities and regions, IC (InterCity) for long-distance trains, RE (Regional Express) trains that connect regions and cities, and the S-Bahn rapid transit service. There are two main tickets on offer: the Flexpreis that has full flexibility, and the Sparpreis which is the cheaper, advanced fare (bookings usually open 6 months in advance for domestic tickets).
Contact Details
- Phone
- +49 0180 6 99 66 33
- Website
- bahn.com
Train from Freiburg Hauptbahnhof to Basel SBB
- Ave. Duration
- 41 min
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- SFr 22 - SFr 35
- Website
- https://www.bahn.com/en
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Deutsche Bahn’s regional network is made up of IRE (Interregio-Express), RE (Regional-Express), RB (Regionalbahn) and S-Bahn trains. Ticket prices are fixed and there’s no seat reservations – just turn up, buy a ticket and jump on the next train. All regional trains depart regularly and connect to local and long-distance services.
Contact Details
- Phone
- +49 30 2970
- Website
- bahn.com
Train from Freiburg Hauptbahnhof to Basel SBB
- Ave. Duration
- 1h
- Frequency
- 4 times a day
- Estimated price
- SFr 11 - SFr 16
- Website
- https://www.bahn.com/en
- Phone
- +420 221 111 122
- info@cd.cz
- Website
- cd.cz
Train from Freiburg(Breisgau) Hbf to Basel Sbb
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 1m
- Frequency
- Once a week
- Estimated price
- SFr 3 - SFr 6
- Website
- https://www.cd.cz/en/default.htm
- 2nd Class
- SFr 3 - SFr 5
- Business
- SFr 4 - SFr 6
- 1st Class
- SFr 4 - SFr 6
One of Europe’s leading bus companies, Flixbus serves 2000+ destinations in 29 countries, including Germany, France, Italy, Austria, the Netherlands and Croatia and into Scandinavia and eastern Europe, as well as some US cities. Coaches have toilets, free WiFi and power outlets, plus snacks and drinks for purchase on board. Flixbus is a good choice for the budget-conscious traveller; purchase tickets in advance for the cheapest fares (note: there is no option to reserve a seat in advance).
Rome2rio's guide to FlixBus
Contact Details
- Phone
- +49 30 300 137 300
- service@flixbus.com
- Website
- flixbus.de
Bus from Paris to Metz
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 10m
- Frequency
- 4 times a day
- Estimated price
- SFr 26 - SFr 40
- Website
- https://www.flixbus.co.uk
- Book at
- https://shop.global.flixbus.com/
Bus from Metz to Luzern
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 30m
- Frequency
- 5 times a week
- Estimated price
- SFr 29 - SFr 40
- Website
- https://www.flixbus.co.uk
- Book at
- https://shop.global.flixbus.com/
Frequently asked questions
As the bus subsidiary of French railway SNCF, Ouibus offers eco-friendly coaches serving 35 French cities and 10 European cities at affordable fares. Ouibus journeys are safe and comfortable, with the four-star coaches offering power outlets, restrooms and WiFi. All Ouibus stations are located close to town centres for easy access to public transport. Getting on one of the 130 daily journeys is easy - electronic travel documents include your ticket and a personalised mini-guide with handy information.
Contact Details
- Phone
- +33 1 71 53 01 80
- Website
- blablacar.fr
Bus from Paris - Bercy Seine to Metz
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 15m
- Frequency
- 4 times a day
- Estimated price
- SFr 21 - SFr 35
- Website
- https://www.blablacar.co.uk/
- Phone
- 041 817 75 00
- info@aags.ch
- Website
- aags.ch
Bus from Brunnen, Bahnhof to Gersau, Förstli
- Ave. Duration
- 15 min
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- Estimated price
- SFr 4 - SFr 6
- Website
- Auto AG Schwyz
Bus from Küssnacht am Rigi, Bahnhof to Gersau, Förstli
- Ave. Duration
- 34 min
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- Estimated price
- SFr 6 - SFr 8
- Website
- Auto AG Schwyz
Want to know more about travelling around Switzerland
Rome2rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.
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