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Fribourg is a charming city with cobblestone streets, picturesque bridges, well-preserved buildings and fortifications, and a magnificent cathedral. As such, many people from Zurich travel by train or private vehicle to Fribourg, and vice versa. This article will discuss how to get from Zurich to Fribourg for those who want to visit this place.
It is inevitable that logistical concerns will arise. Those who wish to travel by train in Switzerland need to know several specifics before doing so. In this article, we will explore the train journey between Zurich and Fribourg.
How do you get from Zurich to Fribourg by train? Or are you able to drive your own car? Let’s find out.
This article will answer all your questions about the train journey from Zurich to Fribourg.
You can start by visiting the SBB website: www.sbb.ch. Using the website, you can type in your departure and arrival destinations. It will then guide you to where and when you need to be. An app is also available for iOS and Android devices.
If you wish to pay half the fare for all your train rides in Switzerland, a Half Fare Discount Card (1-month validity) is available on www.sbb.ch. This allows you to travel for half the price on all SBB routes and most other railways during the duration of your discount card.
Using the Swiss Pass, you get unlimited travel by train, bus, and boat in Switzerland. Over 500 museums are also free or discounted, and there are free or discounted excursions to mountain summits.
>Getting tickets from RailEurope is a convenient option if you’re traveling within Europe and/or visiting multiple countries. Having been in operation since the 1930s, RailEurope‘s extensive history, user-friendly website and mobile apps, flexible currency payment options, commitment to customer satisfaction, and strategic partnerships with leading rail operators, collectively establish it as a reliable and trustworthy platform for booking European train travel.
You can obtain from RailEurope the following travel passes:
- Swiss Travel Pass – choose between continuous or flexible Swiss train passes for 3, 4, 8, or 15 days. The perks? unlimited use in over 90 Swiss cities, free admission to more than 500 museums, and discounts on mountain railways and cable cars. You also get discounts on high-speed Lyria trains between France and Switzerland as well as Nightjet trains that go through Switzerland. See RailEurope for more information.
- Eurail Global Pass – unlimited train travel to 40,000 destinations in 33 European countries for non-EU residents
- Interrail Global Pass – access to 40,000 destinations in 33 European countries for citizens and permanent residents of the EU
How To Get From Zurich to Fribourg
Zurich Airport to Fribourg
If you are coming from the Zurich Airport, take one of the next trains to the Zurich main station (Zurich HB). Several trains come every hour and stop in Zurich so just hop on the next train after buying a ticket from the ticketing office or one of the ticket machines.
There is also one direct train per hour that will bring you from Zurich Airport to Fribourg should you elect to take it.
Zurich Train Station to Fribourg
As soon as you reach the Zurich Train Station (Zurich HB), check the big blue display boards in the middle. You can find the train number and platform number on the station signs. Furthermore, the trains will be marked on the front and the sides with which route they are traveling.
In order to get from Zurich to Fribourg, you’ll have to take the Intercity 1 direct train that leaves once per hour and stops in Bern before reaching Fribourg.
NOTE: If you miss the direct train, you can also take the train to Bern, and in Bern transfer to a connecting train to Fribourg.
How To Get From Fribourg to Zurich
In order to get from Fribourg to Zurich or Zurich Airport, you’ll have to take the Intercity 1 direct train that leaves once per hour and stops in Bern before reaching Zurich.
NOTE: If you miss the direct train, you can also take the train to Bern, and in Bern transfer to a connecting train to Zurich.
How Long Is the Train Ride From Zurich to Fribourg?
Here are the estimated travel times between GeZurichneva and Fribourg (as of August 2023):
| Route | Estimated Travel Time (Fastest Direct Trains) |
|---|---|
| Zurich – Fribourg | 1 hour 24 minutes |
| Zurich Airport – Fribourg | 1 hour 48 minutes |
| Fribourg – Zurich | 1 hour 24 minutes |
| Fribourg – Zurich Airport | 1 hour 47 minutes |
Is there a Direct Train from Zurich to Fribourg?
Yes, direct trains typically run between Zurich/Zurich Airport and Fribourg once per hour.
Is the Train From Zurich to Fribourg Scenic?
Unfortunately, the train from Zurich to Fribourg is not the most scenic train route. It runs through residential areas around Zurich before reaching Bern. These are fast commuter trains and not the slow panoramic trains offered by the Swiss railways. You will get pretty views shortly before reaching Bern though.
We have included other scenic trains below for reference, in case you are interested in taking one.
Other Scenic Trains in Switzerland
In case you would like to check out other scenic trains, then there are more scenic trains recommended below. These are the Golden Pass Line, the Glacier Express, and the Bernina Express. Another interesting train is the Historical Train that goes from Davos to Filisur.
Your other options in detail are the following:
- Golden Pass – Golden Pass departs from Lucerne. You would take a train from Zurich to Lucerne, then change to Interlaken. This is sometimes referred to as the east end of this route. The Golden Pass has panorama coaches and is scenic. Starting in December 2022, the GoldenPass Express will connect Interlaken to Montreux.
- Glacier Express – Glacier Express is a long journey that starts from Zermatt, home of Matterhorn. It then traverses 291 bridges and 91 tunnels before stopping in St. Moritz. Both Zermatt and St. Moritz are beautiful mountain resorts worthy of a longer stay. The Glacier Express passes by several idyllic mountain villages.
- Bernina Express – Bernina Express is another train route that begins in Chur. Chur is the oldest alpine city in Switzerland and definitely worth visiting. This train route spans 196 bridges. It goes through 55 tunnels and passes 20 beautiful villages in Switzerland.
- Historical Train Davos to Filisur – May through October, vintage carriages are pulled by the century-old crocodile locomotive from Davos Platz to Filisur. The train line covers a total length of 4,200 meters through 14 tunnels and 28 bridges. Its scenic highlights include the Wiesen Viaduct and the Zügen Gorge.
How Much Will the Train Ticket From Zurich to Fribourg Cost?
As of the time of publishing the article (August 2023), a single journey ticket costs the following:
| Route | Full Fare (CHF) | Half Fare (CHF) |
|---|---|---|
| Zurich Airport – Fribourg | 63.00 | 31.50 |
| Zurich Train Station – Fribourg | 59.00 | 29.50 |
Do You Need a Seat Reservation on the Train?
No, there is no need to reserve a spot on the train. But you can always add this option if that is your wish.
Am I Allowed to Travel from Zurich to Fribourg?
Yes, there are currently no restrictions for traveling from Zurich to Fribourg.
Can you Drive into Fribourg?
Yes, you may drive your car from Zurich to Fribourg. You also have the possibility to rent a car from Zurich Airport if you wish to and drive this to Fribourg.
If you would like to find the best car rental deals in Switzerland, check out Rentalcars.com. Reviews and comments help you find the right car in the right place for the right price. Also, it’s the world’s leading car rental app. You can compare cars and get the best deal by going to Rentalcars.com.
Is Fribourg Car-free?
As opposed to Zermatt, Wengen, and Mürren, Fribourg isn’t car-free. The city has a variety of transportation options: buses, bicycles, cars, and trains.
If you are interested in visiting car-free villages in Switzerland, you can check out our article: 12 Charming Car-Free Villages in Switzerland.
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Darla Uhl is the owner of TouringSwitzerland.com. Her home is in the German-speaking part of Switzerland. Having lived almost 20 years in Switzerland, she's traveled extensively all over the country.
Darla's favorite regions to visit in Switzerland include Engadin, Lake Geneva, Bernese Oberland, Ticino, and Valais. She loves spending time with her family, hiking, visiting museums, and reading books.