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Trip Summary
You can pick from 66 daily train trips between Zurich and Aachen. The average train journey from Zurich to Aachen takes 7 hours and 32 minutes, but some Deutsche Bahn train trips are as short as 5 hours and 42 minutes.
| Distance | 260 mi (418 km) |
| Fastest train | 5h 42m |
| Lowest price | €56.86 |
| Most frequent service | Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company |
| Train lines | 3 |
Which train should you take from Zurich to Aachen?
There are 3 train lines with service from Zurich to Aachen. Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 37 trains each day.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| DB Intercity-Express | 3 | 6h 21m | €130.15 |
| Deutsche Bahn | 31 | 7h 54m | €106.97 |
| Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company | 37 | 7h 28m | €108.56 |
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 Aachen start from €57, and on average cost . Daily there are 37 Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company schedules to Aachen. Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company in Zurich leaves from Zürich HB . And in Aachen trains arrive at Aachen Schanz and 4 other train stations.
From Zurich to Aachen train travel on Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company takes 7 hours and 28 minutes. If you are looking to get to Aachen faster, Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 5 hours and 42 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Zurich and Aachen is approximately 260 miles, or 418 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 7 hours and 32 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 5 hours and 42 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.
Trains departing from Zurich to Aachen tend to have the most passengers on Wednesday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Wednesday. If you are trying to snag a cheap train tickets or just want an emptier train you'll have better luck by booking travel departing on Wednesday as the least number of people tend to travel then.
The earliest train departs Zurich at 12:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 9:00pm. 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 66 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 Aachen 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 kilometers from the city center. Several train carriers, including the German Deutsche Bahn network, operate routes to Zurich from across Europe. Long-distance buses also make it easy to reach Zurich from cities like Bern, Stuttgart, Munich, and Milan.
Aachen
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Pixabay
Image credit: Unsplash
Positioned near the Dutch and Belgian borders in the west of Germany, Aachen is a true hidden gem. Once a Roman spa town, this historic city dates back to the 1st-century and later became a favorite residence of the Frankish king, Charlemagne. A royal experience surely awaits you as well on your visit to Aachen.
The most striking building in this city is undoubtedly Aachen Cathedral. This cathedral is the first place in Europe to receive the prestigious status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in part because it is one of the oldest cathedrals in Europe. The cathedral is also the final resting place of Charlemange, though the exact whereabouts of his remains are unknown.
After a day spent walking around the city, visit the Carolus Thermen, or thermal baths, to soak in the hot mineral spring waters once loved by the Romans. Choose between a range of indoor or outdoor pools, saunas, and spa treatments to enjoy what the Romans called "salus per aquam," or "health by water."
Because of its border location, Aachen is easy to reach from Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium. Frequent international and national trains run through the train stations, while the international airport is served by many major airlines. Bus lines including FlixBus and Sindbad provide affordable ground travel from many destinations. Some of the more popular routes to Aachen depart from Berlin, Amsterdam, and Brussels.
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 center 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 Aachen?
Main arrival station: Train Station
There are more train stations and stops in Aachen than most cities. Most trains from Zurich will stop at one (or more) of the 5 following stations in Aachen:
All train stations in Aachen:
Train Station
Eilendorf
Aachen West
Aachen Schanz
Aachen-Rothe Erde
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Need a return trip from Aachen to Zurich?
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