Trenitalia (Gruppo FS Italiane) and Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) have announced new cross-border train routes between Italy and Switzerland, set to launch in 2026 as part of a renewed cooperation agreement.
Signed at Milano Centrale station, the agreement marks the continuation of a partnership that began in 2009 and has already seen over 30 million passengers travel between the two countries.
The agreement was signed by Luigi Corradi, CEO of Trenitalia, and Véronique Stephan, Director of SBB Passenger Markets. The two companies plan to expand their existing daily schedule of 40 trains with additional connections, including new direct routes from Zurich to Florence and Livorno, as well as a route linking Zurich, Milan, and Venice. To support this expansion, SBB ordered four new Giruno electric trains in early 2024, which will join the current fleet of 29 Giruno trains and seven more on order from 2022.
A Growing Demand for Sustainable Travel
The renewal of this agreement comes as demand for sustainable, comfortable cross-border travel continues to grow. Corradi noted the increasing interest in rail travel between Italy and Switzerland and highlighted Trenitalia’s commitment to making the journey as seamless and enjoyable as possible. “We expect increasing demand for cross-border connections between Italy and Switzerland in the coming years, and we are ready to welcome travelers on newer trains which are even more comfortable and sustainable,” said Corradi.
Stephan also expressed satisfaction with the progress made over the past year, noting that 2023 saw an increase of 500,000 international passengers on the Italy-Switzerland route compared to 2019. She highlighted expanded services to Milan and the addition of new direct routes to Genoa and Bologna as evidence of the partnership’s success.
The EuroCity Brand: A New Look for Cross-Border Travel
As part of the announcement, Trenitalia and SBB unveiled updates to the EuroCity brand, which will be applied across the entire ETR610 fleet by 2026. The refurbished trains will feature new interiors with seats upholstered in fabric made from 100% recycled plastic, symbolizing the brand’s commitment to sustainability. Reflecting both nations’ colors, green has been chosen as the brand’s distinctive hue, representing the environmentally friendly nature of rail travel.
In addition to sustainable materials, the EuroCity trains will offer enhanced amenities, including Wi-Fi, power sockets for electric bicycles, and redesigned dining cars to ensure a consistent quality of service across routes between Italy and Switzerland.
A Modernized Fleet for a Greener Future
Trenitalia’s updated ETR610 trains are set to make travel between Italy and Switzerland more efficient and enjoyable. From 2026, the entire fleet will benefit from modernized interiors, including seat covers made from recycled materials and improved technological features. The dining experience will also be upgraded, with a uniform level of service across all EuroCity trains on the Italy-Switzerland route.
With these enhancements, the Trenitalia-SBB partnership is poised to offer travelers a comfortable, eco-friendly alternative to other modes of transport, reinforcing the growing popularity of sustainable travel throughout Europe.
As more travelers choose trains for cross-border journeys, Trenitalia and SBB’s expanded services and modernized fleet will enable seamless travel between Italy and Switzerland, making sustainable travel more accessible than ever.
