Train options Zurich to Venice - May ‘25

The route through Austria and over the Brenner Pass would be a long way to reach Venice, but maybe fine if you want to visit Austria on the way.

My preference is to travel via Switzerland and Italy, and there are two good routes. Our usual route starts in Luzern ( go straight there from Interlaken instead of heading to Zurich—-this is a nice ride on the scenic Golden Pass route), then to Locarno or Lugano ( both in Switzerland) via the scenic Gottard Pass, then to Desenzano on Lago di Garda, and then to Venice from there. Other city choices for overnight are available along the same train route if you prefer. Bellinzona, Brescia, Peschiera del Garda, Vicenza, Padua, Verona, and others.

The other route, and one recommended by many here, is the Bernina Pass route: Luzern to Chur to Pontresina, across the border to to Varenna on Lake Como; then through Milan and on to Venice via Lago di Garda, and Verona.

The fastest routes you can find yourself on Google or DB.

The route we did (and loved) is Zurich > Chur (via SBB train) > Tirano (via Bernina Express or regular Rhaetische Bahn train > Milan (via Trenord train) > Venice (via Trenitalia express train Frecciarossa or Frecciabianco). It requires an overnight in Chur, which we really enjoyed (Swiss wine country).