Your driver will meet you at your address in Zurich.
Door-to-door service
Help with your luggage
Trip
You’ll travel in comfort for 3 h 30 min.
Optional sight-seeing
Clean, comfortable car
Professional driver
Bottled water
Child seats
Prepared for handicapped
Smoke-free
Pet friendly
Drop-off
Your driver will drop you off at your address in Milan.
Door-to-door service
Help with your luggage
In total
281 km3 h 30 min
Questions & Answers about Traveling from Zurich to Milan
What is the best way to get from Zurich to Milan?
The best way to travel depends on your priorities. If you want to savor the trip and experience the Alpine towns and nature, take a private car. If you need to be in Milan fast, take a flight. And if you’re on a tight budget, take the bus.
How long is the high speed train from Zurich to Milan?
4 hours and 17 minutes! Trenitalia operates this route with high speed trains and has departures from Zurich Hbf every hour starting from 6:33 AM. The train will whisk you through the Alps and south into Italy’s Lombardy region. Once you arrive at the Milano Centrale Railway Station, you’re free to enjoy Milan!
Is the train ride from Zurich to Milan pretty?
Yes! You can’t go wrong with scenic views of the Swiss Alps and northern Italian foothills. This is one trip you definitely don’t want to make at night. Have your camera ready, since that beautiful shot will be gone just as soon as it arrives.
What is the cheapest way to get from Zurich to Milan?
Flixbus tickets can be priced as low as $25 (€23), but fares average between $35 to $50 (€33-€46.50). Each passenger is allowed one piece of luggage and one personal item. The trip takes about 4 to 5 hours and ends at the Milano Lampugnano bus station.
Are there direct flights between Zurich and Milan?
Yes, SWISS has direct flights between Zurich Airport (ZRH) and Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) . Round-trip tickets are priced between $250 and $500 (€233-€466), and the flight takes 55 minutes. To get to Milan’s city center from the airport, the Malpensa Express train or a taxi will get you there quickly.
Is there a border check when entering Italy from Switzerland?
In general, no. Italy and Switzerland are both in the Schengen Zone, so they have a border agreement that includes the free movement of people between the borders. Just in case, always have your passport or EU ID card close by for quick access.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have any questions, here are the answers.
Daytrip is the most convenient way to experience 14,600+ cities around the world.
Every traveler deserves real insight into the cultures of the countries they’re visiting. And every amazing place on Earth deserves to be visited and appreciated. We believe unique local knowledge and real human connection are irreplaceable when it comes to truly comprehending another culture.
Northern Italy and Switzerland share a border in one of the most scenic regions on the map. The Alps, one of the largest mountain ranges, attracts 140 million visitors annually for activities like skiing, hiking, and swimming. Experience it firsthand on your drive from Zurich to Milan as you meander through valleys and alongside crystal-clear lakes and rivers.
The journey spans 175 miles (282 km) and takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes. Due to the Alps’ topography, the route has many tunnels and winding country roads. Your view will include tranquil mountain villages and rolling hills with snow-capped peaks in the distance.
Visit the shoreside towns of Zug and Lugano for art, shopping, and unobstructed views of the Alps as they reflect off the water. For military history buffs, the secret Swiss military base, Sasso San Gottardo, is open for tours. No matter your interests or tastes, this road trip promises an unforgettable experience through some of Europe's most stunning scenery.
About Milan
Milan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital of the Lombardy region. It is located in northern Italy, just south of the Alps. Millions visit each year for its profound Renaissance influence and thriving fashion and art industries.
Your transfer from Zurich to Milan will take you across gorgeous landscapes and along paths that scholars and artists alike have traveled for centuries.
### Two millennia of Milan
Milan's history stretches back to ancient times when it was initially inhabited by Celtic tribes before becoming part of the Roman Empire in 222 BC. During the Middle Ages, it rose to prominence as a powerful city-state under the Visconti and Sforza families.
Their wealth and influence attracted artists and scholars from across Europe who contributed to the Renaissance. Milan also played a crucial role in Italy's unification in the 19th century and saw significant industrial growth in the post-war era.
### Milan as an industrial powerhouse
Milan wholeheartedly embraced industrialization and established itself as an economic center for luxury goods. Iconic brands like Armani, Versace, and Prada got their start in Milan, and today, Milan is synonymous with high fashion. As a global fashion capital, it hosts prestigious events like Milan Fashion Week.
Milan is also a major financial center, housing Italy's stock exchange and numerous banking institutions. Its thriving design sector extends beyond fashion, encompassing architecture, furniture, and industrial design.
### Why we can’t get enough of Milan
Milan is art! Milan is home to the Duomo di Milano (Milan Cathedral) and Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece, "The Last Supper." The city also has world-class museums like the Pinacoteca di Brera and you can find works by da Vinci and Michelangelo preserved throughout the city.
Milan’s streets are always buzzing with activity. The city’s year-round social calendar is packed with cultural events and music festivals. From classical concerts at La Scala Opera House to hip bars in the lively Brera district, there’s something for everyone to enjoy after dark, no matter your musical tastes or dress code.
From Zurich to Milan: travel tips
These travel tips will help get you safely and comfortably from Zurich to Milan!
Dress for the forecast—and then some
Mountain weather is notoriously unpredictable! You may start the day in a warm sweater for that mountain chill, then be sweating by lunchtime. Dress in layers to stay prepared for whatever the Alps may bring your way!
If your itinerary includes any hiking or tours, check the clothing requirements and wear comfortable shoes.
### Have space in your luggage for shopping
As one of the world's fashion capitals, Milan's shopping districts have some of the most coveted luxury brands you won't find elsewhere. If you're planning to shop, ensure you account for extra space when arranging your transportation and luggage for the trip. Who knows? A new designer suitcase might be just what you need!
How to get from Zurich to Milan
A vacation over the Alps offers breathtaking views all year round. The only choice left is whether you want to take in those sights from the window of a car, train, or bus.
### Zurich to Milan with a private driver
A private driver brings you all the convenience of a rental car with none of the hassle. Leave the driving on winding, mountainous roads and dark tunnels to the experts! Customize your departure time to suit your plans and discover the hidden castles and lakeside towns nestled in the mountains on your schedule.
Your Daytrip driver will pick you up directly from your address in Zurich and assist with your luggage. With someone else behind the wheel, you can relax and enjoy the scenic beauty at every turn.
You can reach Milan in under four hours, but what’s the rush? With a car, you have the flexibility to visit places like Mount Rigi and Sasso San Gottardo, which are much easier to access by driving than public transit. Spend your vacation exploring these magnificent castles instead of waiting for a regional bus.
After your sightseeing adventures, you’ll be safely dropped off at your address in Milan. With no rental car to return, you and your family can start touring Milan immediately. Secure your seat for just $193 (€180).
### Zurich to Milan by bus
Traveling from Zurich to Milan takes between 4 and 5 hours with Flixbus. Fifteen buses are scheduled for this route every day during the height of summer, and tickets range from $25 to $50 (€23-€46.50). Each passenger is allowed one piece of luggage and one personal item, but more luggage can be purchased at the online checkout.
### Zurich to Milan by train
Trenitalia has direct trains every day between Zurich and Milan, with average fares of $90 (€84) per passenger. Trains are scheduled to leave every hour, starting at 6:33 AM, from Zurich Hbf to Milano Centrale Railway Station.
The trip takes 4 hours and 17 minutes. It goes through the Gotthard Tunnel, a 9.3-mile (15-km) long tunnel that was the longest in the world when it first opened in 1882.
Things to do when you get to Milan
Once you've completed your Zurich to Milan transfer, get the Milan Pass to cover your public transportation costs and get discounts on popular exhibits!
### See da Vinci’s The Last Supper
One of the quintessential Milan activities is seeing da Vinci’s The Last Supper. Witness one of the world’s most renowned artworks in person at the Santa Maria delle Grazie church. Painted by Leonardo da Vinci in the late 15th century, this masterpiece depicts the biblical scene of the Last Supper with Christ and his disciples.
Tickets for The Last Supper sell out months in advance, so book your tickets immediately as soon as you finalize your dates in Milan if this is a must on your itinerary. It’s housed in a church, not a museum, so modest dress is required. Both men and women must cover their shoulders, knees, and chests.
### Explore the Leonardo da Vinci National Museum of Science and Technology
If you miss out on tickets for The Last Supper, or if you’re eager for more of da Vinci, head to the Leonardo da Vinci National Museum of Science and Technology. Dive into the life and works of this Renaissance genius at an interactive museum that features a vast collection of his designs, from flying machines to military inventions and anatomical studies. The museum also offers hands-on activities and educational workshops for guests of all ages.
### Have retail therapy at Milan’s Quadrilatero della Moda (Fashion Quadrangle)
Indulge in luxury shopping in Milan’s prestigious fashion district! The Quadrilatero della Moda is home to designer boutiques and upscale fashion houses. Get ready to explore Via Montenapoleone, Via della Spiga, and Via Sant’Andrea, where you’ll discover the latest trends in clothing, handbags, and shoes.
### Walk Downtown Milan
Many of Milan’s main attractions are just a short distance apart, so a paper map may be all you need. Start with a visit to Milan’s Cathedral (Duomo di Milano) and climb to the rooftop terrace for panoramic views of the city!
Next on your list should be a guided tour of the La Scala Opera House (Teatro alla Scala), just around the corner. If you book performance tickets in advance, you can catch a world-class opera, ballet, or classical concert.
When is the best time to visit Milan
Like a well-made designer outfit, a trip from Zurich to Milan is fashionable every day of the year, but summer is the most popular time to visit. However, if you prefer smaller crowds and fewer lines at popular attractions, plan your trip for spring or autumn.
Milan Fashion Week occurs biannually in spring and autumn. While many of the shows are reserved for industry professionals, a few are open to the public. The Italian sun is also less intense during the shoulder seasons than in summer (temperatures around 74°F/23°C).
The weeks leading up to Easter are an especially nice time to come, as Milan’s magnificent Catholic cathedrals hold special religious ceremonies and processions in the streets. Stalls of vendors line the town squares for spring markets full of local food, gifts, and religious items.
Visit these sights on the way
Zug
Hugging the shores of Lake Zug, this medieval market town has become a tax haven maintaining its historic landmarks. Historic Haven
Mount Rigi
Europe’s oldest alpine railroad take visitors up this massive massif, which provides panoramic views all the way into France and Germany. Queen of the Mountains
Devil's Bridge over Schöllenen Gorge
According to legend, building a bridge over the Schöllenen Gorge was so difficult, it took the Devil himself to make it. You Shall Not Pass
Sasso San Gottardo
This once secret Swiss military base has been transformed into an enlightening museum, dedicated to the problems of the past and future. Swiss Secret
Bellinzona
Strategically positioned and heavily fortified, this scenic valley city has been enthralling visitors for centuries. Key to the Alps
Lugano
This lakeside city isn’t just rich in history and culture, it’s also an important commerce center. Liquid Assets
“I used this service for a transfer from Split in Croatia to Perast Montenegro. My experience was exceptional. My driver Bojan was helpful, informative and ensured my journey was comfortable and enjoyable. I highly recommend the service.”
“We were extremely satisfied with the quality of service we received from Day Trip. We had two Day Trip rides on August 31 from Athens to Lefkada and September 7 from Lefkada back to Athens. Both trips included stops at scenic sites in Greece. Both drivers were excellent and accommodating. However, we’d especially like to recognize Panos Peppas, who was our driver from Lefkada to Athens. Panos was incredibly nice & pleasant and delivered outstanding customer service, which included handling all of luggage, providing us with cold waters throughout the trip, providing us protein bars, providing us with printed materials on the Corinth Canal (one of scenic stops), looking up and providing us with terminal & gate info for our flight back home and providing us with a recipe for tzatziki.”
Reviewed by Tripadvisor
traveler Daydream20046758137
“We absolutely love this company and have used it many times over the years to get from A to B without the hassle of hiring a car ourselves. Excellent drivers every time. Efficient and professional. It’s worth every penny and we can honestly recommend Day Trip to everyone. It’s 5 star rating is well deserved.”
“We traveled from Nuremberg to Munich in a beautiful Audi. Driver picked us at our hotel at the exact time requested. Got us to Munich in plenty of time for our next tour. Driver made sure we were comfortable”
“Gonzalo from daytrip was our driver and he was absolutely amazing. He went over and beyond trying to locate us as our service wasn't so good on our phones. He patiently awaited our arrival to the lobby so he could take us from Tulum Dreams Resort to our other hotel in cancun an hour and a half away near the airport prior to our departure flight home. He was polite, respectful and kind. Made sure we were comfortable during our long ride. Fast and to the point. I recommend this company as finding a one way ride from Tulum to Cancun isn't easy or cheap and this company provides a great service for a great price. I will definitely be using them again whenever I'm in the Cancun/Tulum area. Thank you DayTrip and Gonzola.”
“We were picked up by Marianna to drive us from Heraklion to Chania. The weather was terrible & due to this Marianna arrived a few minutes late. She contacted me to advise of this. Marianna lives in Chana and she made our trip very interesting by informing us of local things to do and see in Chania. Marianna is a safe driver and we all felt comfortable with the speed she drove at and how good her driving was in heavy rain. She is a lovely person with fluent English. We highly recommend Daytrips and if you are in Heraklion or Chania please make sure you ask for Marianna.”
“Used the service to go from Luxor to Hurghada, Egypt. Ahmed H was our driver and he was perfect. The car was new, clean, he had water and snacks for us, and accommodated our stops. Great service from him and would recommend it.”
“Used Daytrip for two rides in Mexico, which were both great. So comfortable, and we arrived at each of our destinations at a great time. Both were incredible drivers, and we felt so safe. One of our drivers, Miguel, also played the best music! Will definitely use Daytrip on our next trip to Mexico.”
“We did not know what to expect with this trip and booked from Australia. We were initially looking for an easy way to travel from Granada to Malaga. We decided not to waste the opportunity to see something additional on our way. Miguel certainly exceeded our expectations. His English was excellent (unfortunately we speak very little Spanish), and he was very friendly and helpful. We thoroughly enjoyed hearing about the regions as we passed through and also discussing some of the local ways. Miguel took us to Antequera as planned and ensured we were able to easily get our tickets to the attractions without any sense of rushing us. We were picked up and dropped off punctually and really enjoyed our trip. Hopefully we will return to Spain and we can use this service again sometime.”
“We used the service twice while in Thailand. Extremely prompt and efficient customer service. Best rate being offered in Chiang Mai for the travels. Polite, punctual, professional and English speaking drivers. Clean, comfortable vehicles. Being a regular visitor to Thailand, this was hands down the best service. Most pleased with the company. I hope it sustains the excellence of service that was rendered to us.”
Reviewed by Tripadvisor
traveler Omar
Good to know
Children
If you’re traveling with children, make sure to let us know in the booking so we can get the appropriate child seats ready!
Pets
Pets are allowed (and loved)! We just need to know beforehand. You can tell us about them in the next phase of the booking.
Tips
Gratuity isn’t included or required, but if you really enjoyed your trip, you can show your driver your appreciation with an optional tip (10% is sufficient).
Luggage
Big luggage
29x21x11 inches
74x53x28 cm
Small luggage
22x14x9 inches
56x36x23 cm
Each passenger is allowed to have one checked bag and one carry on. If you’re traveling with more bags or oversized luggage, you can adjust this while booking.
Payment methods
Pay by credit card online, or in cash directly to your driver!
Daytrip is a platform that connects you with local drivers who will transport you door-to-door, from one city to the next. We also give you the opportunity to explore sights/attractions along the way. We drive, you discover.
Yes! A return trip will take you back to your city of origin in the same size car in which you arrived. Return trips can be booked for the any day. You can also add customized sightseeing stops separately for each trip! Don’t worry if you don’t know your exact address at the time of booking - you’ll have the opportunity to update us closer to your travel date. Make sure to select “Return” when you start the booking process, then choose the dates and times of your departures.
For private trips, you can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before departure. For the Daytrip Pool shared shuttle, we offer 3 ticket options when booking: Non-refundable, Flexible with cancellations 24 hours before departure, and Super-flexible with cancellations up to 15 minutes before departure.
Simply choose your origin and destination via our homepage and enter your departure date and time. Browse and add sightseeing stops along the way by following the booking instructions provided on-screen. Select “One Way” or “Return” to change the type of trip you need. It’s a simple, easy, and fun way to book your next adventure! And if you don’t see your desired route on our website, you can request a custom trip. You can even book without knowing your exact pick-up or drop-off address - we let you add these later!
Each passenger is allowed one large bag (29" x 21" x 11" / 74 x 53 x 28 cm) and one small bag (22" x 14" x 9" / 56 x 36 x 23 cm). Luxury sedans can only accommodate 2 large bags. We always send the vehicle that is the best fit for you and your luggage, so make sure to select the actual amount of luggage you are traveling with when booking. If you have oversized luggage, or are unsure if your luggage will fit, contact us.
Everywhere except the USA, drivers will supply appropriate child seats (just let us know during booking). In the USA, certain states require you to supply your own child seats.
