There are 8 ways to get from Zürich to Cinque Terre 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 • 7h 38m
Cheapest option
Bus • 10h 42m
6 alternative options
Bus, train • 8h 43m
Drive • 5h 50m
Fly to Milan Malpensa, train • 7h 26m
Fly to Florence, train • 7h 14m
Fly to Nice, bus, train • 9h 15m
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Zürich to Cinque Terre is to bus which costs SFr 30 - SFr 45 and takes 10h 42m.
The quickest way to get from Zürich to Cinque Terre is to drive which costs SFr 75 - SFr 120 and takes 5h 50m.
No, there is no direct train from Zürich to Cinque Terre. However, there are services departing from Zuerich Hb and arriving at Corniglia via Milano Centrale and Monterosso. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 7h 38m.
The distance between Zürich and Cinque Terre is 372 km. The road distance is 529.7 km.
The best way to get from Zürich to Cinque Terre without a car is to train which takes 7h 38m and costs SFr 90 - SFr 170.
It takes approximately 7h 38m to get from Zürich to Cinque Terre, including transfers.
Zürich to Cinque Terre train services, operated by Swiss Railways (SBB/CFF/FFS), depart from Zuerich Hb station.
The best way to get from Zürich to Cinque Terre is to train which takes 7h 38m and costs SFr 90 - SFr 170. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs SFr 30 - SFr 45 and takes 10h 42m.
The quickest flight from Zurich Airport to Milan Malpensa Airport is the direct flight which takes 55 min.
Zürich to Cinque Terre train services, operated by Trenitalia Intercity, arrive at Monterosso station.
- Distance: 371.9 km
- Duration: 7h 38m
What companies run services between Zürich, Switzerland and Cinque Terre, Italy?
You can take a train from Zürich to Cinque Terre via Milano Centrale and Monterosso in around 7h 38m. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Zürich to Cinque Terre via Genoa Via Fanti D'Italia, La Spezia Giosue Carducci, La Spezia - Instituto Cardarelli, La Spezia - Stazione FS, and La Spezia Centrale in around 10h 42m.
- Website
- swiss.com
Flights from Zurich to Milan Malpensa
- Ave. Duration
- 55 min
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €80 - €460
Flights from Zurich to Florence
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 13m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €120 - €420
Flights from Zurich to Nice
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 11m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €140 - €460
Flights from Zurich to Bologna
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 10m
- When
- Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- €110 - €300
- Website
- lufthansa.com
Flights from Zurich to Florence via Munich
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 10m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €210 - €750
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 51 220 11 11
- Website
- sbb.ch
Train from Zuerich Hb to Milano Centrale
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 17m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- €75 - €140
- Website
- Swiss Railways (SBB/CFF/FFS)
Trenitalia’s Intercity (IC) trains are slower than the high-speed Frecce trains but are still a good way to travel between major cities and towns, with routes including Rome to Naples, Venice to Bologna and Milan to Genoa. Tickets usually open for booking 90 days ahead of travel, and you’ll need make a seat reservation before boarding. All IC trains have 1st and 2nd class carriages as well as a bar buffet car, air conditioning and power sockets. InterCity trains that run at night are called InterCity Notte (ICN).
Contact Details
- Phone
- +39 06 68475475
- Website
- trenitalia.com
Train from Milano Centrale to Monterosso
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 51m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- €13 - €20
- Website
- Trenitalia Intercity
- 2nd Class
- €13 - €20
Train from Milano Centrale to Levanto
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 45m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- €13 - €19
- Website
- Trenitalia Intercity
- 2nd Class
- €13 - €19
Train from Genova P.Za Principe to La Spezia Centrale
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 35m
- Frequency
- Every 3 hours
- Estimated price
- €6 - €10
- Website
- Trenitalia Intercity
- 2nd Class
- €6 - €10
Train from Bologna Centrale to Firenze S.M.N.
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 18m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- €7 - €10
- Website
- Trenitalia Intercity
- 2nd Class
- €7 - €10
Trenord operates regional and suburban lines throughout Italy’s Lombardy region, including the Malapensa Express from Milan’s Malapensa Airport and local lines around Lake Como and the Italian Lakes. Trenord train tickets can be purchased from machines at any train station and don’t need to be booked in advance.
Contact Details
- Phone
- +39 02 7249 4494
- my-link@trenord.it
- Website
- trenord.it
Train from Chiasso to Milano Centrale
- Ave. Duration
- 46 min
- Frequency
- Every 15 minutes
- Estimated price
- €4 - €6
- Website
- Trenord
Train from Malpensa Aeroporto T.1 to Milano Centrale
- Ave. Duration
- 54 min
- Frequency
- Every 10 minutes
- Estimated price
- €4 - €6
- Website
- Trenord
- Phone
- 02 72 49 49 49
- Website
- malpensaexpress.it
Train from Malpensa Aeroporto T.1 to Milano Centrale
- Ave. Duration
- 54 min
- Frequency
- Every 15 minutes
- Estimated price
- €11 - €16
- Website
- Malpensa Express
- 2nd Class
- €11 - €16
The primary train operator in Italy, Trenitalia was created in the year 2000. Trenitalia offers national rail connections in Italy as well as international connections to Austria, France, Germany and Switzerland. The company operates regional and long-distance trains, as well as high-speed trains called Frecce that travel on specialised tracks on speeds of up to 360km/h. Trenitalia tickets are available online, in stations across the country or from many travel agents that offer bookings.
Contact Details
- Phone
- +39 06 68475475
- Website
- trenitalia.com
Train from Firenze Rifredi to Corniglia
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 27m
- Frequency
- Once a week
- Estimated price
- €11 - €22
- Website
- Trenitalia
- 1st Class
- €20 - €22
Train from Genova P.Za Principe to La Spezia Centrale
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 35m
- Frequency
- 4 times a day
- Estimated price
- €6 - €13
- Website
- Trenitalia
- 1st Class
- €11 - €13
Train from Bologna Centrale to Firenze S.M.N.
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 32m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- €6 - €14
- Website
- Trenitalia
- 1st Class
- €12 - €14
Train from Firenze S.M.N. to Corniglia
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 33m
- Frequency
- Once a week
- Estimated price
- €11 - €23
- Website
- Trenitalia
- 1st Class
- €20 - €23
Frequently asked questions
Trenitalia’s high-speed Frecce trains run on specialised tracks and have a greater level of service and comfort than InterCity and regional trains. There are three types of Frecce trains: Frecciarossa, (the fastest; connects major Italian cities); Frecciargento (mostly connect Rome to other Italian cities); and Frecciabianca (the slowest Frecce trains). Frecciarossa trains offer four classes of service, all with free Wi-Fi: Standard, Premium, Business and Executive. All Frecce tickets include a seat reservation and must be purchased before boarding the train.
Contact Details
- Phone
- +39 06 68475475
- Website
- trenitalia.com
Train from Genova P.Za Principe to La Spezia Centrale
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 1m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- €10 - €45
- Website
- Trenitalia Frecce
- Super Economy
- €10 - €15
- Base Standard
- €24 - €35
- Base Premium
- €30 - €45
Train from Bologna Centrale to Firenze S.M.N.
- Ave. Duration
- 37 min
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- Estimated price
- €11 - €45
- Website
- Trenitalia Frecce
- Super Economy
- €11 - €15
- Base Standard
- €25 - €35
- Base Premium
- €30 - €45
Private train company Italotreno operates high-speed trains in Italy on the same tracks as Trenitalia. The routes service 21 stations across the country, including popular routes Milan-Florence, Rome-Venice and Bologna-Naples. Choose from four classes of service, all with free Wi-Fi: Smart, Comfort, Prima and Club Executive. Italo also operates Italobus – an integrated train-bus service that takes passengers from the main train stations to other Italian cities.
Contact Details
- Phone
- +39 060708
- Website
- italotreno.it
Train from Bologna Centrale Station to Firenze Santa Maria Novella
- Ave. Duration
- 38 min
- Frequency
- 4 times a day
- Estimated price
- €12 - €40
- Website
- Italo Treno
- Smart Economy
- €14 - €21
- Smart Low Cost
- €12 - €17
- Smart Flex
- €26 - €40
- Phone
- 0975 343195
- info@ventrebus.com
- Website
- ventrebus.com
Bus from Zürich to Chiasso
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 30m
- Frequency
- Twice a week
- Estimated price
- €16
- Schedules at
- ventrebus.com
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 Zurich Bus Station to Genoa
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 55m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- €21 - €26
- Website
- flixbus.co.uk
Bus from Genoa to La Spezia
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 30m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- €8 - €10
- Website
- flixbus.co.uk
Bus from Nice Airport to Genoa
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 40m
- Frequency
- 5 times a day
- Estimated price
- €12 - €15
- Website
- flixbus.co.uk
Frequently asked questions
- Phone
- +39 06 88 93 82 32
- Website
- itabus.it
Bus from Genoa Via Fanti D'Italia to La Spezia Giosue Carducci
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 5m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Website
- Itabus
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 Nice - Airport T2 to Genoa - Via Fanti d'Italia
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 45m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- €10 - €13
- Website
- Blablabus
Want to know more about travelling around Italy
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.
Related travel guides
Italy Travel Guides
Travel inspiration and top planning tips for getting around Italy.
Read the travel guideWant to know more about Flixbus?
Rome2rio’s guide has all the details
Read the travel guideHeading to Europe? Read this before you buy a Eurail Pass
We compare the different Eurail types and help you decide if a Eurail Pass is right for you
Read the travel guideGetting to Milan from the airport
Get the details in Rome2rio’s airport-to-city travel guide
Read the travel guideMore Questions & Answers
Yes, the driving distance between Zürich to Cinque Terre is 530 km. It takes approximately 5h 50m to drive from Zürich to Cinque Terre.
Swiss offers flights from Zurich Airport to Milan Malpensa Airport.
There are 534+ hotels available in Cinque Terre. Prices start at €87 per night.
The best way to get from Zürich to Zurich Airport is to train which takes 13 min and costs SFr 3 - SFr 20.