Holidays To Switzerland By Train From The UK

• Shorter check in time
• Simplified passport and custom checks
• Relaxed travel with more room to move around
• No weight limit for your suitcases
• Comfortable seats with plenty of legroom
• Countryside views across the continent

As well as all of the above, travel by rail is naturally the more sustainable option. In fact, Eurostar calculates that their rail journeys have a 96% lower carbon footprint that the equivalent journeys by air. By 2030, all their trains will run on electricity from renewable sources.

London's St. Pancras International is exceptionally well connected with direct links to Kings Cross and close proximity to Euston station. Should you wish to stay overnight, the St. Pancras and Kings Cross area has undergone significant redevelopment and now offers a wide selection of attractive restaurants and bars. We are happy to assist with hotel reservations both nearby and across London.

Travel with minimal hassle thanks to Eurostar’s efficient check-in process, which opens 90 minutes prior to departure. During check in, passengers complete security screening as well as both UK and Europe's passport controls, allowing you to simply walk off the train with your luggage upon arrival. This streamlined procedure also applies on the return journey from Paris, Brussels, or Lille.

Eurostar offers three classes

• Eurostar Standard
• Eurostar Plus with more spacious seating and a meal appropriate to the time of day
• Eurostar Premier with an enhanced dining option and access to the exclusive lounges in London, Paris and Brussels.

Luggage allowance is two suitcases per person (three in Premier) plus one item of hand luggage. 

Your route to Switzerland benefits from a full daily schedule of 19 trains each way, with early departures allowing travel from London to Switzerland in a day. All Eurostar trains arrive at Paris Gare du Nord, and you will need to transfer to another Paris station for onward travel to Switzerland.

Paris Gare de Lyon – regular direct high-speed trains to Switzerland

Paris Gare de l’Est – trains to Switzerland via a change in Strasbourg

Your transfer between stations in Paris

Gare du Nord-Gare de Lyon station. We allow at least 2 hours for the transfer.

You may wish to travel by public transport which is just 2 stops on the RER line with escalators and lifts at both stations. Tickets can be purchased in advance from the Eurostar onboard café and added to your phone.

If you are travelling with a lot of luggage, taxi transfers are recommended, as the RER can become very busy at peak times. An official taxi rank is located outside each station for easy access.

Gare du Nord-Gare de l’Est is a simple walk of around 500m and takes under 10 minutes. We will provide a map. 

Alternative Eurostar connections exist via Brussels and Lille. Each has a selection of train times to choose from and their main benefit is that you do not have to change stations when you arrive in the city: the onward trains depart from the same station as the Eurostar arrival point. 

From Brussels you will need to change in Frankfurt before travelling on to Zurich. From Lille you will need to change in Lyon before travelling on to Geneva.

Due to arrival time, there may be limited same day onward travel to your resort, depending where you are staying.

We can arrange hotel bookings at the start or end of your holiday, giving you time to explore one of the great cities of Europe. A couple of nights in Paris or Brussels is always a lovely experience and this allows you to travel on Eurostar at a time that suits you.

We can also arrange overnight stays in any of the Swiss cities to make the most of your holiday.

Different routes can be used for travel to and from Switzerland, offering flexibility and variety.

Another option to consider is Eurostar to Amsterdam followed by the Nightjet train - you'll depart at 20:15 and arrive in Zurich at 08:05, refreshed and ready for the day.

Sleeping arrangements

Couchettes - shared cabins for 4 or 6 people, with blankets, sheets and pillows and continental breakfast included.

Mini cabins - a cocoon concept for single travellers or couples featuring storage for personal items, coat hooks, reading lamp, sliding folding table for breakfast and mirror. Lockers for hand luggage and shoes next to each mini cabin. Included with this option is a welcome drink and snack and an à la carte breakfast with a hot drink.

Washrooms and toilets are available in each coach.

We strongly recommend booking early. While Eurostar services can be reserved up to 6 months in advance, onward rail services to Switzerland can be booked 4 months prior to travel. Once you confirm your booking with us, we immediately register your reservation requests to ensure the best possible chance of securing your preferred seats and connections.

Rail strikes in France, Belgium and Germany are infrequent, but railways are not covered by the same rules as airlines and there is no obligation on the railways to cover additional expenses caused by strike action. It is therefore essential that you have travel insurance to cover the costs of delayed or cancelled trains.

A Memorandum Of Understanding was signed in May 2025 between the UK and Swiss governments which lays the groundwork to establish a direct rail service and Eurostar have announced they will establish a London-Geneva service by the early 2030s. This long hoped for direct train may still be some years away, but we welcome this active step towards achieving it. In the meantime, we are happy to advise on the current rail connection possibilities.