Swiss airports like Zurich and Geneva are famously efficient and convenient, so everyone chooses them for an epic Swiss adventure.
Unfortunately, they are not always cheap to fly into, which is why many of my readers and clients choose cheaper alternatives instead.
If you’re flexible, you can often save hundreds (up to 50%) by flying into a nearby hub in Italy, France, or Germany and then connecting to Switzerland by train.
Here’s a breakdown of the best alternatives, why they’re cheaper, and how to get from each airport into Switzerland.
Why consider flying into a nearby airport?
- Cheaper long-haul fares: Big hubs like Milan, Paris, and Frankfurt often undercut Zurich or Geneva by $100–$500+.
- Low-cost carriers (LCCs): Airlines like Ryanair, easyJet, and Wizz Air drive fares down at secondary airports.
- Easy train connections: High-speed or regional trains get you into Switzerland in just a 2-3 hours.
- Bonus destinations: You can add another country (Italy, France, Germany) to your Europe itinerary at no extra flight cost.
Milan (Italy) – Best All-Around Alternative
Milan is hands-down the most practical and affordable gateway into Switzerland. It has three airports—Malpensa, Linate, and Bergamo, but you don’t need to stress over which one. Together, they make Milan one of Europe’s cheapest and most connected aviation hubs.
- Why it’s cheaper: Milan is served by dozens of carriers, including long-haul airlines and Europe’s biggest low-cost carriers (easyJet, Ryanair, Wizz). Competition keeps fares lower than Zurich or Geneva. In some cases, transatlantic flights into Milan have been 40–55% cheaper than flying direct to Switzerland.
- Getting into Switzerland:
- To Ticino (Lugano/Locarno): Direct trains from Milan Malpensa to Lugano in as little as 1hr 28min.
- To Zurich: From Milano Centrale, EuroCity trains reach Zurich in ~3h30–4h.
- To Lucerne & Central Switzerland: Connect via Arth-Goldau for a ~3.5–4h journey.
- Combo idea: Spend a day or two in northern Italy—Lake Como or Lake Maggiore—before heading into Switzerland.
👉👉 Check the train times here
Milan works exceptionally well if you’re visiting the south of Switzerland (Ticino) or want to combine Italy and Switzerland in one trip.
Lyon (France) – For Western Switzerland
- Why it’s cheaper: Lyon has strong competition on domestic and European routes, often undercutting Geneva.
- Getting into Switzerland: Trains from Lyon to Geneva take ~1h42; fares start around US$30–35. To Lausanne or Montreux, add another 30–60 minutes.
- Combo idea: Pair Lyon’s world-class food scene with Geneva, Lausanne, or the Lavaux wine region.
Frankfurt (Germany) – For Northwestern Switzerland
- Why it’s cheaper: Frankfurt is one of Europe’s biggest intercontinental hubs, with consistently lower fares than Swiss airports.
- Getting into Switzerland: Direct ICE trains from Frankfurt Airport reach Basel in ~2h37. Advance fares are often under US$50–60.
- Combo idea: Explore the Rhine Valley, then head into Switzerland.
Munich (Germany) – For Zurich & Eastern Switzerland
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- Why it’s cheaper: Munich is a major hub with strong long-haul and intra-European competition.
- Getting into Switzerland: Direct EuroCity trains take ~3h30–4h to Zurich. Promo fares can dip below €25.
- Combo idea: Combine Bavarian culture (Munich + Neuschwanstein) with Swiss cities like Zurich or St. Gallen.
Stuttgart (Germany) – A Solid Underdog Option
- Why it’s cheaper: Smaller than Frankfurt or Munich, but fares can be significantly lower than Zurich.
- Getting into Switzerland: Direct trains to Zurich in ~3h; promo fares often in the €20–25 range.
- Combo idea: Add the Black Forest before crossing into Switzerland.
Paris (France) – Best Transatlantic “Gateway Hack”
- Why it’s cheaper: Paris is consistently one of the cheapest European entry points from North America.
- Getting into Switzerland: TGV Lyria high-speed trains whisk you from Paris to Geneva, Lausanne, Basel, or Zurich in 3–4 hours.
- Combo idea: Spend a few days in Paris before your Swiss adventure.
How to decide if it’s worth it
Here is a quick way to determine whether flying into and out of one of these budget-friendly hubs is worth the hassle.
- Price the flights: Compare your home airport → Zurich/Geneva vs. → Milan/Paris/Frankfurt/Munich.
- Add train costs: Expect $30–100 for a one-way international train ticket into Switzerland.
- Check the time factor: Most routes get you into Switzerland in 2–4 hours—often faster than a connecting flight.
- Bonus value: Ask if the savings + an extra country/destination makes it a better trip overall.
👉👉 Choosing the Eurail Global Train pass might make sense if you are coming from Europe first.
Practical Tips
- Leave buffer time if you’re connecting on separate tickets.
- Check baggage rules on low-cost carriers (the cheap fare can balloon fast).
- Use advance fares for trains (book early with Trenitalia, DB, SNCF, or SBB for the lowest prices).
- Consider travel insurance if you’re worried about missed connections.
Don’t Forget Basel
Zurich and Geneva get most of the attention, but Basel Airport (BSL) can also be worth checking. It’s served by EasyJet and other European carriers, often offering cheaper intra-European connections. If your Switzerland itinerary starts in the northwest—Basel, Bern, or the Jura—flying here directly can actually be the most cost-effective and time-efficient option.
Bottom Line
Flying directly into Zurich or Geneva is convenient, but if you’re price-sensitive—or want to add another country—airports in Milan, Lyon, Frankfurt, Munich, Stuttgart, or Paris can save you serious money.
Milan is one of the best options, with frequent direct trains to Ticino (Lugano & Locarno, or even via Como) and Zurich and fares that are often dramatically cheaper than those of Switzerland’s airports. You can also combine Milan with a panoramic train, like the Bernina Express, adding to the epic journey you now have planned!
And don’t overlook Basel, which sometimes undercuts Zurich and Geneva while placing you right at Switzerland’s doorstep.
Plan Your Trip to Switzerland
Accommodation: I always book my hotels via Booking.com. They have some of the best rates, longterm deals, easy cancellation and more 
Transport: Train travel is one of the best ways to explore Switzerland. Buying a Swiss Travel Pass is a great way to save money on travel and museums. 
Car Rental: Having a car gives you flexibility on your travels. I use RentalCars.com and Discover Cars to get the best deals on car rentals in Switzerland. 
Luggage Storage: Find out where you can store your store your luggage while you are visiting various places in Switzerland. 
Trips & Tours:Viator and Get Your Guide are the best places to find local tours and trips for your adventures in Switzerland. 
Packing: Here are my recommendations for what to pack for a trip to Switzerland. As someone who has lived half their life in Switzerland, I have a good idea of what you need to bring! 
