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ZRH → Zurich · head to head

IR36 to Basel SBBorIC8 or IC1 train to Bern?

The short answer

For one traveler the IR36 to Basel SBB is cheaper by CHF 18. That does not change up to 8 travelers.

The IC8 or IC1 train to Bern is quicker: 1 h 12 against 1 h 27. The IR36 to Basel SBB varies between 87 and 94 minutes.

IR36 to Basel SBB: 05:56–20:56. IC8 or IC1 train to Bern: 06:09–22:46.

Priced against each other

Whole-party totals · adult fares
What each costs for the whole party, in CHF. The cheaper of the two is marked on every row.
TravelersIR36 to Basel SBBIC8 or IC1 train to BernDifference
1CHF 41CHF 59CHF 18
2CHF 82CHF 118CHF 36
3CHF 123CHF 177CHF 54
4CHF 164CHF 236CHF 72
5CHF 205CHF 295CHF 90
6CHF 246CHF 354CHF 108
7CHF 287CHF 413CHF 126
8CHF 328CHF 472CHF 144

Side by side

Where each one leaves you
IR36 · SBB, on a point-to-point ticketIR36 to Basel SBB
From
Zürich Flughafen railway station, platforms 1 to 4 — the InterRegio showing Basel SBB
To
Basel SBB, the main station, in 1 h 27; via Zürich HB (11 min), Baden (32), Brugg, Frick and Rheinfelden
Luggage
Mainline Swiss trains: racks and standing space by the doors.
Runs
05:56–20:56
Journey
87–94 min

The ticket is SBB's, not ZVV's. Ask for Zürich Flughafen to Basel SBB: CHF 41.00 an adult, CHF 20.50 for a child of 6 to 15 or with a Half-Fare card, under-6s free. A ZVV zone ticket stops being valid at the last ZVV station.

One an hour, at :56, from 05:56 to 20:56. After that take any train to Zürich HB and change; the ticket is valid all day on any train along the route.

The full fare is fixed; the "Supersaver" for one named train is not. It is cheaper, sold only in advance, priced by demand and refused on any other train — so it is not priced here.

The same train calls at Baden after 32 minutes: 45 tariff kilometres, CHF 18.40 on the same tariff.

No direct train on 21 and 22 November 2026 in SBB's published timetable; earlier closures this year ran 7 to 22 February and 7 to 15 March.

IR36 to Basel SBB: price for every party size

See the fare on sbb.ch
IC8IC1 · SBB, on a point-to-point ticketIC8 or IC1 train to Bern
From
Zürich Flughafen railway station, platforms 1 to 4
To
Bern station, in the middle of the old town, in 69 to 82 minutes
Luggage
Mainline Swiss trains: racks and standing space by the doors.
Runs
06:09–22:46
Journey
69–98 min

The ticket is SBB's, not ZVV's: Zürich Flughafen to Bern, CHF 59.00 an adult, CHF 29.50 for a child of 6 to 15 or with a Half-Fare card, under-6s free.

Two an hour at most hours: the IC8 at :46 and the IC1 at :09. At weekends the IC1 skips some afternoon hours. The ticket is valid on any train along the route, so a change at Zürich HB is covered.

The full fare is fixed; the "Supersaver" for one named train is cheaper, demand-priced and refused on any other train, so it is not priced here.

IC8 or IC1 train to Bern: price for every party size

See the fare on sbb.ch

This compares two of 19 options. See all of them ranked for your party size

The other comparisons at Zurich Airport