The Federal Council has decided which of Switzerland’s rail projects it intends to improve or extend in the next few years.
Foremost among these projects are the Biel/Bienne-Lausanne-Geneva route, as well as a direct Neuchâtel-La Chaux-de-Fonds line.
Plans also include quarter-hourly service between Bern and Zurich, half-hourly service between Bern and Lucerne; Basel and Zurich; as well as regional services in the Swiss Plateau.
Additionally, the Federal Council is examining the expansion of regional services in the Geneva–Lausanne area, increased service frequency between Bellinzona and Locarno, and longer platforms on the Zurich S-Bahn to allow for longer trains.
And here is more
These projects are also on the radar:
The expansion of Geneva Cornavin station
The expansion of Basel SBB station
The Zimmerberg Base Tunnel II
The fourth track at Zurich Stadelhofen station
The first phase of the Lucerne Through Station
The Grimsel Tunnel
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Raising funds
All the projects are staggered over the next 20 years, which may seem a bit of a stretch, but the Swiss like to plan in advance and must budget for these major expenses well ahead of time.
Funding will come from the VAT (Value Added Tax) levy used specifically for the railway expansion, which is currently limited to 2030.
To continue with this source of financing, a referendum will have to be held.
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Where can you travel with Swiss trains right now?
Among the main improvements on the domestic network that went into effect in December 2025, is that services between Bern and Zurich are expanded – concretely, an additional InterCity train now stops in Bern-Wankdorf in the afternoon. Departure is at 4:13 pm, arriving at Zurich HB at 5:10 pm.
This allows commuters from the east of Bern to reach Zurich faster.
Additionally, following multiple trial runs, the SBB is adding a Bern-Zurich-Winterthur overnight train on weekends.
The route will also stop at Zurich Airport, making it a convenient choice for travellers with early morning flights. The night train will arrive at the airport at 4:16 am.
Night trains also run between Fribourg-Lausanne and Geneva Airport, Sion and Geneva Airport, and Biel-Lausanne and Geneva Airport on most weekends.
The SBB also has plans to introduce round-the-clock weekend service between Zurich and Geneva, Olten and Basel, Bern and Thun, Lausanne and Sion, and Zurich and Chur.
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Cross-border routes
In 2026, the SBB is operating, in partnership with foreign companies, various trains – both to near and far European destinations.
For instance, two additional trains will run in each direction between Zurich and Milan.
The direct connection to Bologna will be extended to Florence, and the summer train to Genoa will now run to La Spezia.
Between Switzerland and France, a direct train from Lausanne (via Geneva) will run to Marseille seasonally, from April to October, between Thursdays and Mondays.
The new timetable also offers more comfort for night train passengers: modern Nightjet trains with mini cabins and private toilets and showers will be used to connect Zurich and Basel with Hamburg, Amsterdam and Vienna.
You can find out more about international connections here:
READ ALSO: The new international train services from Switzerland in 2026
