France
515 km- Speed limit
- 130 km/h
- Tolls
- Yes (A5, A36)
The A5 to the Langres plateau, the toll-free N19 to Belfort, then the A36 to Mulhouse and the border.
Paris → German-speaking Switzerland
Paris to Zurich by private chauffeur
Six hours on the road, one border, and you go from the Langres plateau to the shores of Lake Zurich. For a meeting in the financial district, a flight from Kloten or a week in the mountains, your chauffeur drops you at the door.
- Distance
- 610 km
- Driving time
- 6h 15min
- Route
- A5 · N19 · A36 · A3 (CH)
- Estimate
- €1,220
about €305 per person with 4 passengers
The route
Paris → Zurich on the map
610 kilometres via A5 · N19 · A36 · A3 (CH). The line on this map follows the route we take in normal traffic; it may vary with the time of day and road conditions.
Unique to this route
Two countries, two sets of rules
More than 500 km of the trip is in France, the final stretch in Switzerland. Here is what changes on either side of the border.
France
Switzerland
ParisZurich
Switzerland
95 km- Speed limit
- 120 km/h
- Tolls
- Annual vignette
From Basel to Zurich on the A3, across Aargau. Strictly enforced speed limits; the vignette is on us.
Via Basel, then across Aargau
The trip follows the same route as Paris–Basel: the A5, the N19 via Vesoul and Belfort, then the A36 to Mulhouse. We enter Switzerland at Basel and take the A3, which crosses Aargau and the Bözberg Tunnel before descending towards Zurich.
On Swiss motorways, the speed limit is 120 km/h and enforcement is strict. The last hour is therefore driven at a steady pace, ideal for preparing for your arrival.
Zurich is Switzerland’s great financial centre: the banks of Paradeplatz, the shops of Bahnhofstrasse, the lakeside hotels. Its airport, at Kloten, is one of Europe’s major hubs.
In winter, Zurich is also a gateway to Graubünden: Davos, St. Moritz and Flims are a natural extension of the trip, for a ski week or an economic forum.
The road log
Paris → Zurich, kilometre by kilometre
-
Langres
Rest stop · 290 kmThe first break, on the Langres plateau, then the N19 towards Vesoul.
-
Belfort
Landmark · 430 kmThe Belfort Gap, between the Vosges and the Jura.
-
Mulhouse
Rest stop · 475 kmSecond break, the last before Switzerland.
-
Frontière à Bâle
Border · 515 kmThe Basel border crossing: entering Switzerland. ID required; the vignette is on us.
-
Tunnel du Bözberg
Landmark · 565 kmThe Bözberg Tunnel: the A3 crosses Aargau. Zurich is about 40 minutes away.
An honest comparison
Door to door: private car or train?
Car with driver
6h 15min
From your front door to your destination address, with no changes and no luggage to carry.
Train, door to door
5h 35min
4h 05min on the train, plus around 1h 30min to get to the station, wait for departure and complete the journey at the other end.
Our straight-talking verdict
The TGV Lyria links Paris and Zurich in about four hours: on your own with a small suitcase, it is faster. A car with driver wins for a group or a family, for a flight from Kloten with lots of luggage, and for carrying on to the ski resorts of Graubünden.
Where we drop you off in Zurich
- 01 Paradeplatz, Bahnhofstrasse and the financial district.
- 02 Zürich HB, the main railway station.
- 03 The lakeshore and the hotels of Seefeld.
- 04 Zurich Airport, at Kloten.
- 05 Zug, Lucerne and Davos on request.
Good to know before you set off
- → Swiss motorways require an annual vignette: it is on us.
- → Switzerland is not in the European Union: checks are possible at the border and ID is required.
- → The speed limit on Swiss motorways is 120 km/h, with strict enforcement: our journey times allow for it.
- → The currency is the Swiss franc, and EU mobile roaming does not always cover Switzerland.
Calendar
The best times to travel to Zurich
The Davos Forum
In January, the World Economic Forum brings together leaders and delegations. Zurich is the gateway, so book early.
Sechseläuten
In April, Zurich marks the end of winter by burning the Böögg, a snowman figure, on Opernhaus square.
The Street Parade
In August, one of the world’s biggest electronic music events takes over the lakeshore.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a private driver from Paris to Zurich? +
Our estimate is around €1,220 for 610 km, or about €305 per person for four. The final price depends on the addresses and time of travel.
Do I need to buy the Swiss vignette? +
No, the vignette is on us. You have nothing to arrange.
Can you carry on to Davos? +
Yes, Davos is about two hours from Zurich. Enter it as your destination and we will recalculate the estimate.
Can you drop me at Zurich Airport? +
Yes, right at the departures terminal, with a comfortable margin before your flight.
Can we stop in Basel on the way? +
Yes, Basel is on the route. A meeting of a few hours can be built in, with the waiting time included in the quote.
Your Paris → Zurich trip, priced in 2 minutes
The calculator already includes the distance for this trip: just add your addresses, date, number of passengers and luggage. We then confirm the price and the vehicle.