Day trips from Zurich by train: eight destinations about an hour away

From Zurich the Schwyz region is closer than many people think. Its mountains, lakes and abbeys can be reached from the main station in about an hour, which is quicker than the Bernese Oberland. There is usually less going on here, too, than at the famous excursion destinations. All the places are easy to reach by train and bus. The eight suggestions are ordered roughly by travel time; the times apply to the single journey from Zurich HB.

1. Einsiedeln and its baroque abbey (about 50 min)

Einsiedeln is particularly easy to reach from Zurich. The train takes you to the great abbey with the Black Madonna. In the late afternoon the monks sing the Salve Regina every day, and on a guided tour you see the rococo library hall. With a walk along the Sihlsee this makes a full yet relaxed day. During Advent a market is held in front of the illuminated abbey facade, which gives the place a particular atmosphere. More on this: Visiting Einsiedeln Abbey, A day trip from Zurich to Einsiedeln and Einsiedeln in winter.

2. Sattel-Hochstuckli, the family mountain (about 50 min)

The train takes you to Sattel, from where a revolving gondola carries you up to the Mostelberg. At the top there is a suspension bridge high in the air, the so-called Skywalk, a summer toboggan run and playgrounds. On the gentle Mostelbergweg you have the Mythen in view. Because all of this lies close together, the mountain suits a day with children very well. In winter it becomes a small, manageable ski area for families. Suitable walks: A hike on the Mostelberg and Loop from the Mostelberg over the Banegg.

3. Arth-Goldau: Rigi and wildlife park in one day (about 45 min)

In Arth-Goldau two outings start at the same station. The rack railway runs up the Rigi, at no extra cost with a GA travelcard or Swiss Travel Pass. Also from Arth-Goldau you reach the Goldau wildlife park with bears, wolves and tame deer in the rockslide forest. Many people spend the morning on the mountain and the afternoon with the animals. This split works for young and old, because the railway takes over the climb and the day involves no long walks. More on this: Rigi: The Guide to the Queen of the Mountains and Goldau nature and wildlife park.

4. Schwyz, the town that gave Switzerland its name (about 55 min)

The cantonal capital lies at the foot of the two Mythen. In a museum built especially for it, the federal charter of 1291 is on show, along with the Forum of Swiss History and a handsome main square. If you finish with the museums early, you can still ride up with the Stoos funicular or the Rotenflue cable car. There is hardly any crush of visitors in Schwyz, but you will find a great deal of Swiss history in a small area. More on this: Things to see in Schwyz and Federal Charter Museum and Forum of Swiss History.

5. The Stoos with its record funicular and ridge (about 1 h 15 to the valley station)

The journey takes a little over an hour. Via Arth-Goldau and Schwyz you reach the valley station of the steepest funicular in the world, which takes you into the car-free village. At the top the panorama from the Fronalpstock awaits you, and in season the well-known ridge walk. As a day trip from Zurich this is easily done thanks to the good connections via Arth-Goldau and Schwyz. More on this: Stoos Ridge Hike, Getting to Stoos from Lucerne and Zurich and Stoosbahn: Riding the World's Steepest Funicular.

6. The Wägitalersee, a quiet mountain lake (about 1 h)

The train takes you to Siebnen-Wangen, from there a bus climbs to Innerthal. The green-shimmering mountain lake lies quietly between the slopes. A flat circuit of 9 km leads around the water. In places you can swim, and on windless mornings the mountains are mirrored in the lake. For a mountain lake so close to a big city it is remarkably quiet here. Take a picnic and a book. More on this in the article Bisistal and Wägital.

7. Brunnen and the Rütli: lake views and founding meadow (about 1 h)

The train takes you along the main line to Brunnen, where the view opens over the Urnersee. At Victorinox you can assemble a pocket knife yourself. In ten minutes the boat takes you from Brunnen to the Rütli, regarded as the cradle of the Confederation. Before the journey home, a drink on the lakeside promenade is a good idea. More on this: Brunnen on Lake Lucerne, The Rütli meadow and Victorinox in Brunnen.

8. Hoch-Ybrig: skiing from Zurich in a day (about 1 h 15)

Via Einsiedeln you reach the largest ski area in the canton. The pistes are varied and there is little of the bustle of the big resorts. Prices, too, are aimed at guests from the region. Anyone who wants to ski from Zurich without setting aside a whole weekend is therefore well served here. In summer the lifts also run, and then the ridge paths and the Alter Schwyzerweg towards Schwyz are open. More on this: Einsiedeln in winter and From Oberiberg over the Ibergeregg down to Schwyz.

The destinations at a glance

Ticket tip: with a GA travelcard or Swiss Travel Pass all trains, buses and boats here are included, as are all the railways on the Rigi. Without a travelcard, saver day passes booked early are worthwhile for the longer outings. More detail in the article Swiss Travel Pass, GA and half-fare card in the Schwyz region.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best train trip from Zurich? For most first-time visitors with an interest in culture, Einsiedeln is the right choice. Anyone looking more for landscape or travelling with the family combines the Rigi with the wildlife park at Arth-Goldau. Both destinations lie about 45 to 60 minutes from Zurich.

Can I manage a proper mountain from Zurich in a day? Yes, that works well. The Rigi and the Stoos both suit a relaxed day trip, lunch on the summit included.

Which destinations work entirely without hiking? Einsiedeln, Brunnen with the Rütli, the Goldau wildlife park and the Rigi, where the railways run right to the top, can all be visited in flat shoes.

Do the outings also work in winter? Yes, all of them can be done in winter as well. Typical for the season are Advent in Einsiedeln, the days above the sea of fog on the Rigi and the skiing at Hoch-Ybrig and on the Stoos. How the region changes over the year is described in the article The best time to visit Central Switzerland.