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Trip Summary
There are 41 daily trains from Zurich to Erfurt. Traveling by train from Zurich to Erfurt usually takes around 7 hours and 40 minutes, but the fastest Deutsche Bahn train can make the trip in 6 hours and 31 minutes.
| Distance | 273 mi (440 km) |
| Fastest train | 6h 31m |
| Lowest price | £42.46 |
| Most frequent service | Deutsche Bahn |
| Train lines | 4 |
Which train should you take from Zurich to Erfurt?
There are 4 train lines with service from Zurich to Erfurt. Deutsche Bahn is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 39 trains each day.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| DB Intercity | 2 | 9h 29m | £75.66 |
| DB Intercity-Express | 6 | 7h 19m | £103.51 |
| Deutsche Bahn | 39 | 7h 43m | £105.46 |
| Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company | 1 | 7h 34m | £103.57 |
Deutsche Bahn IC is the German railway's long-distance train service provider with service across Germany and neighboring countries, including the Netherlands, Denmark, Switzerland, and Poland. Onboard amenities include restrooms, power outlets, and a restaurant car where passengers can purchase drinks, snacks, and meals.
The most popular Deutsche Bahn ICE routes travel to Berlin, Cologne, Paris, and Munich. Seating is spacious with a good amount of legroom, and onboard amenities include complimentary WiFi, restrooms, and a restaurant car selling beverages, snacks, sandwiches, and hot meals. Unlike the rest of the Deutsche Bahn network, ticket prices on Deutsche Bahn ICE services are not based on a per-kilometer rate but on specific station-to-station links.
Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company train tickets from Zurich to Erfurt start from £82, and on average cost . Daily there are 1 Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company schedules to Erfurt. Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company in Zurich leaves from Zürich HB . And in Erfurt trains arrive at Erfurt-Bischleben .
From Zurich to Erfurt train travel on Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company takes 7 hours and 34 minutes. If you are looking to get to Erfurt faster, Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 6 hours and 31 minutes.
If you're considering a weeked trip, Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company offers 4 schedules for you to choose from. You can expect to pay for a one-way train ticket to Erfurt.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Zurich and Erfurt is approximately 273 miles, or 440 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 7 hours and 40 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 6 hours and 31 minutes.
Looking for ways to pass the time? Most trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, which means you can stream music, browse social media or get some work done during your ride. That said, in case your train has a spotty signal, or is among the few without Wi-Fi, we also recommend downloading TV shows and movies to your mobile device in advance of your trip. That way the ride will fly by whatever the Wi-Fi situation.
Monday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking trains from Zurich to Erfurt. Ticket price also tend to be more expensive on Monday than other days. If you are hoping to have more room on the train and even save some change check out travel options on Sunday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.
The earliest train departs Zurich at 01:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 21:00. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
There are 41 scheduled trains on most days. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train during your journey. Don't forget to bring your carry-on luggage when you switch trains. In some instances, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Erfurt to Zurich.
City Information
Zurich
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Located in the heart of Europe, the Swiss capital lies at the northwestern tip of the eponymous Lake Zurich. This cosmopolitan city is buzzing year-round with vibrant city life, while the relaxing and peaceful Alps are less than an hour away.
Lake Zurich provides an elegant focal point of the city, with daily cruises available to explore this vast lake. Many chic cafes and restaurants are dotted along the banks, epitomizing Zurich's urban and cosmopolitan vibe.
The Old Town, or Altstadt, is arguably one of the city's most beautiful areas, characterized by winding cobblestone streets and medieval-style architecture. Here, you'll discover some of Zurich's most iconic landmarks, such as St Peter's church with its impossibly large clock face, the largest clock in Europe.
If the weather isn't suited to wandering, there are over 50 museums within Zurich to explore. Go traditional with the Swiss National Museum, or opt for something a bit more exhilarating at the FIFA Museum.
Zurich's airport is the largest in Switzerland, and it is just 10 kilometres from the city centre. Several train carriers, including the German Deutsche Bahn network, operate routes to Zurich from across Europe. Long-distance coaches also make it easy to reach Zurich from cities like Bern, Stuttgart, Munich, and Milan.
Erfurt
Image credit: Pixabay
Image credit: Pixabay
Image credit: Pixabay
Erfurt is the capital and largest city in the German state of Thuringia. Most of the city was built and designed in the Middle Ages, so prepare to be charmed by narrow pedestrian streets, quaint bridges, and gorgeous green spaces like the Egapark. As you stroll around the city centre, keep your eyes peeled for as many as 25 churches of different architectural styles. A unique sight in Erfurt is the Krämerbrücke, or merchants' bridge, arguably the most popular attraction in the city. This 15th-century arched bridge has houses built on either side, in a design that was common in medieval Europe.
Fitting for a large city, Erfurt does not disappoint when it comes to dining options. The most popular local restaurants you should consider visiting are EAT Erfurt and Gasthaus Feuerkugel. Or simply stop at any of the many stalls offering Thüringer Bratwurst, a regional delicacy!
Although there is a small airport for Erfurt, the route options are very limited. Most air passengers will travel through the Frankfurt airport and connect to Erfurt via coach or train. Erfurt's train station is actually one of the central hubs of Germany's Deutsche Bahn rail system. Much of the train service to and from Erfurt is on high-speed trains, so journeys to Munich, Berlin, and Nuremberg take hardly any time. FlixBus connects Erfurt to many additional destinations via affordable coach trips.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Zurich?
Image credit: Jun Seita
Link to image attributionMain departure station: Zürich HB
Zurich HB is Zurich's central railway station and is the largest and most major transport hub in Switzerland, seeing up to 3,000 trains pass through daily. It's been regularly featured as the busiest station in Europe and one of the best for efficiency and facilities-- mostly since it has an entire underground shopping mall! It also hosts seasonal events such as Christmas markets and open-air cinemas in the large main hall. Trains include S-Bahn services traveling within Zurich and neighboring cities, plus international services to cities including Hamburg, Paris, Venice, Amsterdam and Zagreb, among others. The station sits in the centre of Zurich, meaning the surrounding area is home to countless shops, restaurants, attractions, and other transport connections such as buses and trams.
All train stations in Zurich:
Zürich HB
Where is the train station in Erfurt?
Main arrival station: Erfurt-Bischleben
There are more train stations and stops in Erfurt than most cities. Most trains from Zurich will stop at one (or more) of the 6 following stations in Erfurt:
Train stations in Erfurt:
Erfurt-Bischleben
Erfurt Ost
Vieselbach
Stotternheim
Erfurt-Gispersleben
Kühnhausen
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Need a return trip from Erfurt to Zurich?
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