The 25th Winter Olympics will be held in Italy from the 6th to the 22nd of February, 2026.
Reaching the Milan–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics from Switzerland is far easier than most travellers expect. With fast cross‑border trains, reliable regional connections, and well‑timed links, you can get from Zürich, Basel, Geneva, or Lugano to the Olympic venues without ever needing a car.
This guide breaks down the simplest, most efficient routes from Switzerland to Milan and Cortina, including journey times, transfer points, and smart tips to make your Olympic trip smooth and stress‑free.
Switzerland - Milan - Cortina at a Glance
Fastest hub: Milan (main Olympic cluster)
Mountain cluster: Cortina d’Ampezzo (Dolomites)
Best starting point: Zurich, Lugano, Basel, Geneva, Bern
Fastest Swiss-Italy route: Zurich - Milan (3h15)
Most reliable Dolomites route: Venice - Cortina (2h)
Best booking strategy: Book cross-border trains early - prices rise quickly
1. The Venues
Milan | Cortina D’Amezzo | Bormio | Livigno | Predazzo | Tesero |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Opening Ceremony | Curling | Alpine Skiing | Freestyle Skiing | Ski Jumping | Cross-Country Skiing |
Ice Hockey | Bobsleigh | Ski Mountaineering | Snow-boarding | Nordic Combined | Nordic Combined |
Speed Skating | Skeleton | ||||
Figure Skating | Luge | ||||
Short Track | Alpine Skiing | ||||
Closing Ceremony in Verona | Biathlon |
2. How to Reach Milan from Switzerland
SBB has direct and connecting trains from Zurich, Basel, Bern, and Geneva to Milano Centrale. Below are travel times and frequencies:
From | Travel Time | Frequency | Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
Zurich HB | 3h17 | Every hour | Usually the cheapest if booked early |
Basel SBB | 4h25 | Every half hour with a connection - direct trains in the afternoon | Choose short connection times in Lugano - they are reliable |
Bern | 4h15 | Every hour with connections | The Domodossola connection is one of the most scenic cross-border routes |
Geneva | 6h15 | Every half hour with connections | The Geneva-France-Milan route is slower and less reliable |
Lugano | 1h15 | Direct every half hour | Perfect for day trips to the Olympics |
3. How to Reach Cortina d’Ampezzo from Switzerland
Cortina is not rail-connected, so you will need to combine train and bus. There are three reliable routes:
Route A: Switzerland - Milan - Cortina (Most Common)
Train to Milan - Cortina Express bus to Cortina - 4h journey time. Bus departs from Milano Centrale.
Why choose this route:
Best for travellers attending events in both Milan and Cortina.
Route B: Switzerland - Venice - Cortina (Fastest to Reach the Dolomites)
Train to Venice (via Milan or Verona) - direct bus from Venice to Cortina (2h). This is the fastest and most reliable way into the Dolomites during winter.
Best for:
Travellers from Zürich, Basel, and Bern who want to go straight to mountain events.
Route C: Switzerland - Bolzano - Cortina (Best for Eastern Switzerland Residents)
Train to Bolzano (via Innsbruck or Verona) - Bus from Bolzano to Cortina (2h30). Great for travelling from St. Gallen, Church, and Graubünden.
**All other venues are reachable by bus or train from Milan, Zernez, and Müstair.
4. Route Capacity Increases and Preparation from Swiss Operators
To the Games with PostBus
Numerous visitors will be travelling through the canton of Graubünden for the games, especially to Livigno. To ensure safe and efficient transport to and from Livigno, PostBus is taking over the shuttle service from Zernez and Müstair to Livigno.
RhB (Rhätische Bahn)
Livigno and Bormio are close to the Swiss border, and increased traffic is expected on transport routed in the Engadin/Val Müstair area, as well as the Vereina car train. RhB is adjusting capacity wherever possible with great frequency of demand, but warns to still expect waiting times at certain times of the day.
For more information, go to their website:
With TILO from Ticino
TILO is adding two special trains from Milano Centrale to Bellinzona from 5 to 22 February. The trains will depart at 23:43 and 00:43. On Sunday nights/Monday morning, the trains will run only as far as Mendrisio.
Read their press release for more information:
5. Ticketing & Booking Strategy
Train Booking Tips:
Cross-border EuroCity trains use dynamic pricing
Book early for the best fares
Saver Day Pass can reduce the Swiss portion of your trip
Seat reservations are recommended during the Olympics
Bus Booking Tips:
Cortina Express and ATVO buses sell out early
Book as soon as your event tickets are confirmed
Chick winter timetables - some services run more frequently during the games
Final Thoughts
Switzerland is perfectly positioned for easy travel to the Milan–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. Whether you’re heading to arena events in Milan or alpine competitions in the Dolomites, the train is almost always the fastest, most reliable, and most comfortable way to travel.
For weekly updates on cross‑border timetables, special Olympic transport services, Saver Day Pass deals, and winter disruptions, subscribe to Swiss We Go! — your Tuesday briefing for life in Switzerland.
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