The train connects the cities of Stockholm and Berlin as a night train. There will be even more connections in the future. Image: www.imago-images.de
December 8, 2025, 3:40 p.mDecember 8, 2025, 4:19 p.m
There is a timetable change next Sunday. Additional direct connections to neighboring countries are also being added, including:
- Additional direct connections from Chur to Germany.
- New direct connections from Valais to Germany.
- Additional connections to Milan.
- New direct connections to Florence and La Spezia. In summer the train continues to Livorno.
- The direct connection from western Switzerland to Marseille in the summer months is being expanded.
In the future, the Federal Office of Transport (BAV) wants to offer further connections without transfers. “We are working to develop good connections in all countries and in all directions,” says the BAV to SRF. In total, over a billion francs have been invested in routes and connections to the European high-speed network over the last 30 years.
The EU’s plans
The EU Commission is also pursuing similar plans: with new high-speed routes, travel times between European cities should be significantly reduced. These existing connections are to be accelerated:
- Berlin–Rome in 10 hours 15 minutes (today 14 hours 30 minutes)
- Paris-Rome in 8 hours 45 minutes (today 10 hours 50 minutes)
- Paris–Madrid–Lisbon in 9 hours (no direct connection today)
- Copenhagen-Berlin in 4 hours (today 7 hours)
- Vienna–Bucharest in 7 hours 55 minutes (today 17 hours 40 minutes)
- Bucharest–Sofia–Athens in 12 hours (today 24 hours)
In addition, the EU is planning two new routes by 2040: from Warsaw to the Baltics and from Paris via Madrid to Lisbon.
Specifically, this means: The EU plans to expand railway lines around Switzerland. “We will work to ensure that we are not left behind,” says Véronique Stephan from the top management of SBB. (cst)