By Train to Zurich via Germany: A New and Exciting Rail Connection
By Train to Zurich - New Connection Through Germany
Discover a new way to travel with the new direct connection from Prague to Zurich via Germany. Unlike the long-standing connection via Austria, this night train offers both sleeper and couchette cars, as well as seating carriages. The connection is operated in cooperation with ÖBB and is operated as NightJet.
The wider range of carriages and services also affected the price, which is usual for other NightJets - i.e. higher than for the connection via Austria. The timetable is very similar to the connection in the southern direction and the use of the connection is offered if you continue further west to France or to the Benelux countries.
The Journey
The night train EN 458 Canopus with regular departure at 18:26 from Prague departs in the direction of Ústí nad Labem and Děčín. It then continues through Dresden, Leipzig, Frankfurt and Karlsruhe to Basel and Zurich, where it arrives just after 10 o'clock.
| BY TRAIN TO SWITZERLAND | EN 458 PRAGUE - ZURICH | EN 459 ZURICH - PRAGUE |
|---|---|---|
| Prague hl.n. | 18:28 | 09:24 |
| Prague - Holešovice | 18:36 - 18:38 | 09:14 |
| Ústí n.L. hl.n. | 19:39 - 19:41 | 08:11 - 08:13 |
| Děčín hl.n. | 19:56 - 20:01 | 07:51 - 07:57 |
| Bad Schandau | 20:19 - 20:21 | 07:32 - 07:34 |
| Dresden Hbf | 21:00 - 21:10 | 07:06 - 07:08 |
| Leipzig Hbf | 22:21 - 23:46 | 04:48 - 05:45 |
| Frankfurt(Main)Hbf | 03:44 - 04:00 | 00:27 - 00:52 |
| Karlsruhe Hbf | 05:07 - 05:09 | 23:05 - 23:07 |
| Offenburg | 05:45 - 05:47 | 22:29 - 22:31 |
| Basel SBB | 07:20 - 07:45 | 20:53 - 21:13 |
| Zurich HB | 09:05 | 19:59 |
What is the train journey like?
The connection through Germany offers sleeping cars, couchettes and also seating cars. The sleeping car is WLABmz826 - i.e. an air-conditioned sleeping car with Economy and Deluxe compartments (compartment with separate shower and toilet). There is a toilet and shower on the corridor. If you buy a bed in the DELUXE compartment, you have a toilet and shower directly in the compartment. Passengers can purchase refreshments and drinks from the conductor.
The beds have a pillow and duvet with linen. The compartments are three-seater (triple), it is possible to adjust them as two-bed (double), or single (single). All compartments have a washbasin with hot and cold water.
There is a socket in the compartment and WiFi with connection throughout the journey. Transportation of bicycles (in a sleeping car) or dogs is not possible.
The couchette car offers 6-seater and 4-seater compartments. Compared to the sleeping car, they do not have a washbasin in the compartment, there is no WiFi, you have to make the beds yourself. The pillow and blanket are less comfortable than in the sleeping car - the same applies to the bed.
Seating cars are open-plan and compartment. Sockets and WiFi are available. A dining car is arranged from Leipzig. It is possible to transport a bicycle with this connection (only with a seat, it is not possible to transport bicycles in a couchette or sleeping car).
How much do tickets cost and where to buy them?
Tickets can be obtained not only at the ticket offices and the e-shop of Swiss Railways, but also at the eShop of Czech Railways. Tickets can also be purchased in person at the international ticket office. Ticket sales start 180 days before the departure date, which gives you plenty of time to plan your trip. However, prices are limited by the number of tickets for each price category, which means that the sooner you buy your ticket, the greater your chance of a lower price.
| PRICES IN CZK | EARLY BIRD TICKET FROM |
|---|---|
| Bed T3 | 2064 CZK |
| Double | 2477 CZK |
| Single | 4076 CZK |
Cancellation conditions
Sparschiene
These tickets cannot be returned or exchanged! The ticket is valid only for the person whose name appears on the ticket and is non-transferable.
Other tickets
can be returned up to 24:00 before the day of validity with a 10% deduction, on the day of departure the deduction is 50% (at least 3 EUR per seat/night)
