Even if you don’t have a car, you can still access lots of great day hikes from Zürich with public transportation. Train travel in Switzerland is punctual, reliable, clean, and well connected – a great way to travel.
However Swiss train travel can take much longer than driving and be stressful if you have lots of connections with short transfer times.
So below is a list of the best hikes near Zurich that are close and easy to reach by train.
Contents
What does “easy by train” mean?
Traveling by public transport can be stressful when you have short and frequent transfers between trains and buses. This can be especially difficult with small children that walk slow or when traveling with a stroller that must be carried on stairs.
So I’ve picked locations with:
- minimal transfers, ideally no more than one
- easy connections, i.e. transfer on same track or bus just outside train station
- minimal walking distance from the public transportation to the mountain transport or trail head.
- ideally less than 2 hours travel time to mountain transport
I’ve estimated Make sure to double check the bus schedules, since many local buses run very infrequently, like once an hour or only a couple times a day.
** Since this post includes info tables, it looks best on a larger screen, not so great on phones
Suggested hikes near Zurich by train
This table shows mountains near Zurich and travel times from Zurich HB main station. If you are traveling from Zurich airport, add about 15 mins to each journey.
The travel times below are the fastest times with the least transfers. Your journey may vary based on which connections you choose and your starting point.
Below this table are the detailed directions and more info about each resort.
| Destination | Travel Time | Transfers | Hikes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Zugerberg | 45 mins | 1 train, 1 bus | kids theme trail |
| 2. Mt Rigi | 50 mins | 1 train | panorama trail |
| 3. Flumserberg | 1 hr | 1 train | short flower trail • 7 Peak Tour |
| 4. Walensee | 1 hr | 1 train, 1 bus | short hike to waterfall • mountain hike along lake |
| 5. Stanserhorn | 1 hr 10 | 2 trains | short panorama loop |
| 6. Sattel Hochstuckli | 1 hr 15 | 1 train, walk | playland • goat trail for kids • panorama loop |
| 7. Pizol | 1 hr 20 | 1 train, 1 bus | 5 lake trail • Heidi theme trail |
| 8. Pilatus | 1 hr 20 | 1 train, 1 bus | cliff walk to peak viewpoint |
| 9. Stoos | 1 hr 25 | 1 train, 1 bus | popular ridge trail • easy panorama loop |
| 10. Braunwald | 1 hr 30 | 1 train | mountain panorama loop • kids theme trail • alpine lake |
| 11. Hoch Ybrig | 1 hr 30 | 2 trains, 1 bus | easy panorama ridge trail |
| 12. Toggenburg | 1 hr 50 | 1 train, 1 bus | kids musical theme trail • panorama loop |
| 13. Elm | 1 hr 50 | 2 trains, 1 bus | kids theme trail |
| 14. Engelberg | 1 hr 50 | 2 trains, 1 bus | barefoot path • treasure hunt trail • alpine lake |
| 15. Ebenalp | 2 hr 5 | 2 trains | famous cliff restaurant • alpine lake • ridge trail |
See more hikes near Zurich.
Popular destinations farther afield
This list shows popular Swiss destinations that are far from Zurich but still possible as a day trip. I’ve quoted the times to a central point in each region. You may more travel time to reach your specific hike.
If you buy your train ticket in advance, you can save even more with a Saver Day Pass, which in 2023 costs CHF 52 to 119 depending on how far in advance you purchase it (less with a Half Fare Travelcard).
If you have a Half Fare Travelcard, it’s usually cheaper to buy a SBB Day Pass (Tageskarte), than a full price round trip ticket.
| Destination | Travel Time | Transfers | Cost Round Trip (2023) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interlaken | 2 hr | 1 train | CHF 140 |
| Grindelwald | 2 hr 40 | 2 trains | CHF 163 |
| Lugano | 2 hr | 1 train | CHF 130 |
| Montreux | 2 hr 40 | 2 trains | CHF 160 |
| Geneva | 2 hr 45 | 1 train | CHF 176 |
| Zermatt | 3 hr 15 | 2 trains | CHF 250 |
| St Moritz | 3 hr 25 | 2 trains | CHF 152 |
8 Responses
Did Crap Sogn Gion to Alp Nagels today (Laax). Beautiful and might fit into your manageable with public transport list.
Thanks for the tip! I’ll definitely look into it.
Would the week 16th to 23rd May next year be suitable for some of rhe longer circular day walks you describe out of Zurich or is there usually still too much sbnow cover at that time
Thank you
Sol Davidson
There should be lots of good walks ready by then, but maybe not high in the mountains. Check out my spring posts for some ideas: https://swissfamilyfun.com/?s=spring
This blog is amazing. Thank you so much for putting all this information together. I don’t even have kids and still use your blog as a go-to guide when planning hikes, especially when visitors are coming or my husband and I are looking for a quick way to get out of the city.
Thanks so much! It’s so nice to get feedback like yours. So glad I could help. Wishing your lots of fun adventures this summer.
thank you for putting this guide together, absolutely helpful.
Very helpful summary. Thanks for putting this together Tanya.