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The ultimate guide to using public transport in Switzerland

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You know how it goes.

You land in a new country, get the stamp in your passport, grab your bag and make it through customs. Next, you try to figure out how the public transport system works around here to make your way into the city.

But all those options can be overwhelming and you have about a million questions you don't know the answer to.

Should you have booked your train ticket in advance? Are trains even a thing here or are buses more popular? Should you buy tickets as you go or would a travel pass work out cheaper? 

That‘s where this guide comes in. By the time you’re done here, you’ll know just as much , if not more than the average Swiss about the public transport system in Switzerland.

1. The public transport system of Switzerland

Public transport in Switzerland is efficient, (mostly) punctual, and literally all over the place .

If you sum up all the railway tracks running across this little country, you’ll end up with over 5.300 kilometres  (3.300 miles).

That’s a lot. 

That’s the distance from Vancouver to Halifax . Or from Ushuaia to São Paulo. Or from Cairns to Sydney. Return . Quite impressive for a country half the size of Lake Superior, isn't it?

Summing up all means of public transport like buses, trains and Postauto lines, the whole network contains roughly 29.000 kilometres (18.000 miles) and looks something like this:

The Swiss public transport network (click here for a more detailed map)

2. Means of public transport in Switzerland

2.1 trains in switzerland.

In terms of trains, Switzerland is a country of superlatives.

No other European nation covers as much ground on the railway tracks as we do. In 2019, we travelled a whopping 2.400 kilometres (1.500 miles) by train.

Additionally, since summer 2016, we've been proud owner of the world's longest railway tunnel: the Gotthard Base Tunnel . It is 57 kilometres (35 miles) long and reduced the travel time between Zurich and the Canton of Ticino by 30 minutes, or 20%.

As you can imagine, trains are by far the fastest and most convenient way to get around Switzerland. If you open this map , you will see the red lines running up and down the country. They represent the railway lines that are served by Intercity, Interregio, Regio, suburban trains and mountain railways.

The major train company is called SBB , or CFF in French and FFS in Italian, which stands for Swiss Federal Railways .

Apart from SBB, there are over 70 more railway companies completing this dense network.

Switzerland has one of the densest railway networks in the world

2.2 Long distance buses in Switzerland

Long-distance buses aren't really a thing in Switzerland. The Swiss are a (proud) nation of train riders. 🙂

However, bus companies have been on the move across Europe lately and it is now possible to travel within Switzerland by bus. Check the Flixbus or Eurobus websites to find your connection.

While long-distance buses are definitely cheaper than trains , they come with a few downsides.

• Trains run several times per hour between major cities, while buses only run a couple of times per day.
• Buses take a lot longer to reach their destination than trains because they drive more slowly and get stuck in traffic.
• A bus ticket ties you to a specific service . This means you can't spontaneously travel at a different time, which is possible by train. 

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2.3 Postauto buses in Switzerland

No corner of the country is too remote to have one of those iconic, yellow Postauto buses running through. The yellow lines on this map don't even come near to covering their whole territory.

To dig a little deeper into this extensive network, visit the regional section on the Postauto website . 

While Postauto buses are very common and popular in remote regions and villages, they also serve most cities and their suburbs.

As the name suggests, they were originally used to transport mail. But over time, Postauto gradually started carrying people as well, which is all they do nowadays.

The shiny yellow Postauto buses take you anywhere in Switzerland.

2.4 City buses in Switzerland

In addition to Postautos, cities and certain bigger villages also have their own local bus network. You can find a list of all local bus lines on this website . 

City buses often run quite frequently. Especially in larger cities. Depending on the size of the city and the time of day, you’ll see anything between 30-minute down to two-minute intervals.

2.5 Trams in Switzerland

Trams aren't that widely spread in Switzerland and the only places with notable tram networks are Zurich, Basel, Bern and Geneva.

Trams are in charge of connecting the cities as well as their suburbs to the centre. They usually run quite frequently – sometimes up to every two minutes. In Basel, there's even a tram running across the border to Weil am Rhein in Germany. 

A little word of warning from a country girl 😊 Trams can be an aggressive species and if you'd like to do ensure your physical wellbeing, look out for them in the city centres. They have a tendency to favour honking over breaking. 

As they do all over the world, I suppose.

2.6 Passenger ships in Switzerland

With all those lakes and rivers, it only makes sense that passenger ships are another easy way to get around Switzerland. Where there's a white line on this map , there's a passenger ship or a ferry.

Since those ships are quite slow in comparison to all the other means of public transport, they're not really used by commuters . So if you're in a hurry to get from one place to another, maybe skip this one. 

However, if you have time and fancy taking in some stunning views or even embark on a steamboat, visit this website to find out more about everything that's available.

Please be aware that it can get quite crowded during summer on a sunny day. While I've never run into the situation where they stopped letting people on board, it might make sense to be at the pier a few minutes before departure.

On a little side note, services don't run with the same timetable all year round. Make sure you double-check the departure time before you set out on your cruise.

Catch a steamboat...

... or a regular ship in Lucerne to travel around Switzerland

2.7 Cable cars in Switzerland

Technically speaking, cable cars aren't part of the public transport system and most of them don’t get any financial support from the government. Nevertheless, they still deserve their spot on this map in the shape of black lines.

To use a cable car, you usually have to buy some sort of an extra ticket . And those are rarely cheap.

However, most cable cars accept the most common travel passes , which I will talk about further down in this post. So make sure you show them any kind of ticket or travel pass you might already have.

Probably the coolest cable car ever: The CabriO at Stanserhorn near Lake Lucerne

2.8 FAQ: What people also ask about public transport in Switzerland

Is public transport in switzerland expensive.

Unfortunately, it is. Quality definitely has its price here.

Luckily, there are a few ways to optimise your travel costs by buying a travel pass or a Supersaver Ticket. 

I will talk about both of these in the next sections of this post. 

What's the difference between first and second class coaches on Swiss trains?

There are two main differences between first and second class coaches on Swiss trains. Price and legroom.

• A ticket in the first class costs up to 75% more than the same journey in the second class does.
• If you prefer more legroom and some extra peace and quiet, you might prefer the first over the second class.

Is it worth travelling first class on Swiss trains?

Generally speaking, our  second class coaches are of very high quality and if you travel outside of rush hour, you should have no problems feeling comfortable in a second class coach. 

However, if some extra peace and quiet and more legroom is a priority to you, you will enjoy your journey more by travelling first class. Just factor in the considerable 75% price difference. 

How long does it take to travel across Switzerland by train?

Not long at all.

With Switzerland being so small, it takes just under four hours to travel from St. Gallen to Geneva and less than three hours from Basel to Lugano. 

If you travel with the fast intercity trains , that is. 

Of course, there are slower and more scenic trains that take longer. But if you're starting your trip in Zurich, it will take you no more than one to two hours to reach any other major city in Switzerland. 

How do I know when my train, bus, Postauto or ship leaves?

The best way to find your timetable is by using the SBB website or the SBB app .

3. Tickets on Swiss public transport in general

3.1 one journey = one ticket.

In Switzerland, it doesn't matter which company or means of transport you travel with. The price will always be the same. You pay for your journey from one place to another, regardless of who runs it.

For example,  if you go from Zurich to Zermatt , you need to change trains in Visp. The first part of your trip is operated by SBB, while the second part belongs to MGB (Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn). But your ticket from Zurich to Zermatt covers  both rides .

The same goes if part of your journey is operated by a  different means of transport . Let’s say you travel from Zurich to Stein in the Appenzell region. After getting off the train in St. Gallen, you need to change to a Postauto bus. Your ticket from Zurich to Stein covers the whole journey.

Find your perfect Swiss itinerary

3.2 Tickets are flexible and never sell out

Tickets are valid for a certain time span and not for a specific service. If you buy a ticket from Bern to Zurich, you’re free to take any train leaving from Bern to Zurich on the day of travel . You're also free to get off along the way and continue your journey later that day.

Therefore, tickets aren’t limited and reservations aren't necessary. Whether you buy it two days or two minutes in advance, you’ll pay the exact same price. This doesn't go for Supersaver Tickets, but we'll get into that later.

3.3 Have your ticket when you get on

Once you're on the train, you need to have a valid ticket in your pocket. On certain trains, you can buy one from the ticket collector but I only suggest doing that in an emergency as it costs you extra.

If you see the sign below, it means you can't buy a ticket on the train and you'll pay 100 CHF if they catch you without one.

With buses and Postautos, it's a different story. You have the option to buy a ticket on board – either at the ticket machine or directly with the driver.

If you see this sign, you can't buy a ticket from the ticket collector.

4. Your ticket options

4.1 point-to-point.

What is it?

If you travel between cities that aren’t part of the same fare system (more about that later), you need a point-to-point. This allows you to catch any train running between your origin and destination , either one way or return.

You don’t have to use it for a specific train and once you begin your journey, you can get off along the way

The point-to-point t icket is best for you if you are...

• travelling between cities
• not using public transport on a regular basis
• only in Switzerland for a short amount of time

With a ticket from St. Gallen to Bern, you can get off in Zurich and hop back on whenever you’re ready.

You’re free to add on as many stops as you like. As long as you don’t miss that last train to Bern because one-way tickets are only valid for one day.

Where can you buy it?

At the ticket counter: The easiest place to buy your ticket is at the counter. They sell any ticket imaginable and answer your questions about public transport.

At the vending machine:  Alternatively, pick one of the many SBB vending machines standing at every train station.

Online:  The SBB website lets you buy tickets with or without creating an account. You can either print your ticket or display it in the SBB app. The app will ask you for an account, though.

Through the SBB App:  The  SBB app is a tool I recommend to anyone travelling through Switzerland. It lets you buy tickets, displays your online tickets and comes with an extensive timetable feature.

4.2 Zone Ticket

Switzerland is split up into over 20 fare networks . Each of them consists of several zones and if you travel within one of those networks, you need a Zone Ticket instead of a point-to-point ticket.

The Zone Ticket is best for you if you are...

• using local transport  within a fare system
• staying in the  same area and not visiting any places outside the fare system

To get from Zurich airport into the city, you’ll be travelling within the fare network of ZVV. In this case, you need a ticket for all the zones between the airport and the main station.

Depending on how many zones your ticket is for, you have between one and two hours to use it on any means of transport within those zones.

Zone Tickets are available in the same places as the point-to-point tickets. You can either go through the counter, the vending machines, the SBB website or the SBB app.

You have some extra options here, though.

Postauto and city buses:  To get your Postauto or bus ticket, pick one of the following options:

• Vending machine at the bus stop (in and around cities)
• Vending machine inside the bus (in and around cities)
• Pay the driver (in more remote places)

If you don’t already have a ticket once your bus arrives and you can’t see a vending machine anywhere, just get on through the front door and ask for a ticket.

Trams:  Every tram stop has a vending machine because you can’t buy a ticket from the driver.

Ships:  Not all companies are part of a fare network but certain Zone Tickets are valid for ships as well. To make sure you get the right ticket, I suggest getting one on board or at the counter by the pier.

Show them all your (local) tickets so they can give you your cheapest option.

ZVV commercial advertising one ticket for everything - trains, trams, buses and ships

4.3 City Ticket

The City Ticket is a combination of the two tickets above  and is only available for  certain participating cities . It comes in handy if you combine an intercity trip with a local journey.

The City  Ticket is best for you if you are...

• using  local and intercity  transport in the same journey
• not  using public transport on a regular basis

If you travel from Lausanne to a place somewhere in the city of Bern, you catch the intercity train for the first part of your journey. Once you’re in Bern, you change to the local city bus or the tram. The City Ticket covers both rides.

It also works the other way round, where you use local public transport only in Lausanne and then add the point-to-point ticket to Bern.

Another version of the City Ticket is the former City-City Ticket. Quite the mouthful, I know. 

A while ago, this one got integrated in the assortment of the City Ticket. With this one, you have the option to add your local transport to your intercity journey in both your starting and ending point. 

Like the point-to-point ticket, you can buy the City Ticket at the counter, most vending machines at the train station, the SBB website or the SBB app.

Buying a City Ticket works out slightly cheaper than buying two separate tickets. Savings range between 2 and 3 CHF for the whole journey.

4.4 Supersaver Ticket

This one is worth its weight in gold. Most long distance connections come with a limited amount of Supersaver Tickets . Discounts are sometimes up to 70% off.

The catch? The Supersaver Ticket is  tied to a specific train . You lose the flexibility of using any train you want and there’s no getting off along the way. They also sell out at some point because they’re so popular. Once you know your exact travel dates, it pays off to check for Supersaver Tickets right away. They’re available 60 days in advance.

The Supersaver Ticket is a very handy invention for those looking to travel cheaper. 

In case you miss your connecting train due to a delay of your previous one, let the ticket collector know. Ideally before you get off at the station. He'll confirm the train's delay and hand you a piece of paper, which you can show along with your Supersaver Ticket on the next train.

If you spontaneously decide to catch a different train , you can get a refund. However, going through this process is a bit of a hassle and costs 10 CHF. So I only recommend getting a Supersaver Ticket if you're sure to travel on that specific day and time.

The Supersaver  Ticket is best for you if you...

• are travelling between cities
• know ahead of time when you’ll be travelling
• don’t mind  losing the flexibility  of hopping on any train you like
• are not  using public transport on a regular basis
• are only in Switzerland for a short amount of time

You can only buy Supersaver Tickets through the SBB website or the SBB app. With both options, you have to go pretty far into the buying process to see if special offers are still available.

4.5 Swiss Half Fare Card

Strictly speaking, the Swiss Half Fare Card is not a ticket. Like the name suggests, it’s a card that gives you 50% off  every ride. Everyone in Switzerland who uses public transport on a regular basis owns one.

The classic Half Fare Card is valid for a whole year but visitors can buy the Swiss Half Fare Card for one month. It costs 120 CHF, which seems like a lot for a discount card. However, since ticket prices aren't cheap in Switzerland, it pays off fairly quickly.

The Swiss Half Fare Card is best for you if you are...

• using point-to-point tickets, Zone Tickets, City Tickets, City-City Tickets or Day Passes on a regular basis

You can buy the Swiss Half Fare card online or at any ticket counter. All you need is your passport or your identity card.

Learn more about the Swiss Half Fare Card here

5. Travel Passes

5.1 sbb day pass.

The SBB Day Pass is great if you’re covering a lot of ground in one day. It costs 75 CHF and is only available for Swiss Half Fare Card  holders.

To make most of this pass, you really have to travel far, though. Unless you cut across the whole country in a day, you’re better off buying a normal ticket.

With the National Day Pass, you have access to every means of public transport in Switzerland.

The National Day Pass is best for you if you are...

• travelling long distances within one day (long in terms of Swiss relations 🙂 )
• a Swiss Half Fare Card holder
• only in Switzerland for a short amount of time and a multi-day travel pass wouldn’t pay off.

You can buy the SBB Day Pass online or at any ticket counter.

Buy your SBB Day Pass here

5.2 Saver Day Pass

In September 2017, the supersaver version of the National Day Pass was released. Prices vary and if you have a Half Fare Card, the Saver Day Pass costs between 29 CHF and 59 CHF. 

Without a Swiss Half Fare Card, expect to pay between 52 CHF and 106 CHF.

Sales open 6 months in advance and since this pass is so popular, the cheapest options sell out quickly.

The Saver Day Pass  is best for you if you are...

• well organised and know ahead of time  what day you’ll be travelling

You can only buy the Saver Day Pass online or through the app, but not through any ticket machines or at the counter.

Buy your Saver Day Pass here

5.3 Regional Day Pass

The Regional Day Pass is basically a Zone Ticket that's valid for a whole day. As usual, you get 50% off with the Swiss Half Fare Card.

Most fare networks give you a discount on your Regional Day Pass if you set off after 9 am. To find which network has a 9 o’clock pass, check their website .

Like the Zone Tickets, you can buy the Regional Day Pass online , at the counter, the vending machine (at the train station, inside the buses or at the tram stop), directly from the bus driver, the SBB website or the SBB app.

The Regional Day Pass is best for you if you are...

• using public transport within one fare system several times a day

5.4 Swiss Travel Pass

Apart from including every means of public transport across Switzerland, the Swiss Travel Pass also serves as a ticket to over 500 museums .

This pass is available for 3, 4, 6, 8 or 15 consecutive days and you don’t need a Half Fare Card to get one. If you’re under 25 years old, you get a 30% discount.

If you need some help deciding if you should buy the Swiss Travel Pass or not , I've written an article about the subject.

I don’t suggest using the Swiss Travel Pass right after you buy it unless you travel far. Once you validate it, every following day counts. If you land in Zurich and spend your first days in the city, a Zone Ticket works out cheaper than using your Swiss Travel Pass from the get-go.

The Swiss Travel Pass gives you unlimited travel in Switzerland.

The Swiss Travel Pass is best for you if you are...

• are using public transport on a regular basis
• are planning on seeing  every corner  of Switzerland without having to worry about buying tickets
• are travelling several days in a row
• like  museums

You can buy the Swiss Travel Pass either at the counter or directly here  online .

Learn more about the Swiss Travel Pass here

5.5 swiss travel pass flex.

The only difference between the Swiss Travel Pass and the Swiss Travel Pass Flex is the fact that the it's a little pricier and doesn’t require you to use it on consecutive days. Instead, you can travel on 3, 4, 6, 8 or 15 days of your choice within a month.

It also comes with a 30% discount for under 25-year-olds and serves as a museum ticket on your travel days. To figure out if this pass is for you or not, read my article about this subject.

The Swiss Travel Pass Flex is best for you if you...

• don’t want to travel every day but rather keep your itinerary  flexible

You can buy the Swiss Travel Pass Flex either at the counter or directly here  online .

Learn more about the Swiss Travel Pass Flex here

5.6 interrail pass.

This popular rail pass for Europeans comes in two versions: the Global Pass  and the One Country Pass .

Both allow you to use all SBB trains as well as several other companies. Certain private companies , like for example the BOB between Interlaken and Grindelwald, aren’t included, though. But they offer a 25% – 50% discount to pass holders.

Since the Interrail is a popular train ticket, you’re on your own when it comes to local transport. Buses, trams and most ships aren’t included. 

On a plus side, Interrail gives you several benefits. Like a free bus ride from Munich to Zurich, 15% off 43 selected Swiss Youth Hostels and much more .

The Interrail Pass is best for you if you are...

• not staying long enough to make a Swiss Travel Pass pay off
• mainly using the major railway companies
• planning on seeing  every corner of Switzerland (that's accessible by train) without having to worry about buying tickets

You can buy an Interrail Pass through your travel agency at home, ticket counters across Europe or directly here online .

Depending on the pass you buy and with all the restrictions it comes with, Interrail works out 40% to 50% cheaper than the Swiss Travel Passes . 

5.7 Eurail Pass

Eurail is the equivalent to Interrail for non-Europeans . With the difference that Eurail doesn’t offer a One Country Pass for Switzerland. Instead, you can get a Global Pass for your Swiss trip.

The Global Pass covers 33 European countries for different time spans. Starting at 4 days within a month and ending with three months continuous. 

As with Interrail, there are a few restrictions and certain private companies, like for example the BOB between Interlaken and Grindelwald, aren’t included. But they offer a 25% – 50% discount to pass holders.

The Eurail Pass is best for you if you are...

• non-European
• planning on seeing every corner of Switzerland (that’s accessible by train) without having to worry about buying tickets

You can buy your Eurail Pass through your travel agency at home, ticket counters across Europe or  online .

6. Decision time

Congratulations. You now know just as much, if not more, than the average Swiss about your ticket options in Switzerland. The only thing that’s left to do is pick your best match.

My recommendation to get this process started is to make a rough outline of your itinerary, figure out where you want to go and use the SBB timetable to calculate prices for each leg of your journey. That way, you'll soon see which travel pass best suits you or if you're better off buying tickets as you go. 

Actually, I've prepared a spreadsheet for you. This should help you make a decision whether or not buying a Swiss Travel Pass or a Swiss Half Fare Card makes sense in your case.

Bon voyage 😎

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3 sbb day passes you need to know about, 15 spectacular mountain railways in switzerland, how to activate and use your swiss travel pass, leave a repl​​​​​y.

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Nice compendium. I think it might be helpful to mention the specific restriction of Eurail Pass on the Berner Oberlandbahn which only gives a 25% discount on purchased tickets. It is a popular area, and Eurail pass holders are always shocked by the notice at Interlaken Ost station that their pass is not valid for onward journeys to Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald and beyond.

Thanks for that input Sam. I did mention in the post that there are restrictions to the Eurail and Interrail Passes and linked to the sites that list those exclusions. But maybe it’s not obvious enough. I’ll update the post just to be sure that people don’t get stuck on the BOB without a valid ticket. Thanks for the tip.

Excellent guide on Swiss Transportation I must say!!! You have covered each and every single thing from different transportation options to their ticket & pass-details. Helped me preparing my overall transportation budget for Switzerland. Thank you.. Keep sharing these kinds of articles.

Thank you for your lovely comment. I’m glad my post has been helpful for your planning process 🙂

Thank you for the very informative public transport guide!

I will be heading to St. Gallen for 4 months as an exchange student and I'm wondering if you'll recommend getting the SBB Half Fare Travelcard? I saw that a yearly Half Fare Youth card was available at an affordable price of CHF 120. Is that available for foreigners to purchase as well?

Thank you for your question. If you’re here for four months and planning on using public transport for trips around Switzerland, I would definitely recommend getting a Half Fare Card. And as far as I could find out, the Card is available for everyone. Not just the Swiss To be sure, I recommend you check in with the SBB customer service, though. They will be able to give you an answer that’s 100% reliable.

Hope this helps and enjoy your time in St. Gallen Seraina

Information's shared here is as good as i am on the public transports now! Very informative. Thanks. Gonna visit soon.

Thank you Mahani! Enjoy your time in Switzerland.

Would greatly appreciate your help in terms of which tickets is recommended. We’re planning on going to Grindelwald but it’s not covered with our Eurail. Do you have any suggestions?

Hi, thanks for your question. You can buy your ticket in Interlaken at the train station. I would suggest heading to the counter and telling the person that you have a Eurail Pass and that you’d like to go to Grindelwald. They’ll sell you a ticket that you can then show on the train in combination with your Eurail…

Hello, we'll be in Switzerland for 21 days traveling to (and around) Zurich, Lauterbrunnen, Lausanne, Zermatt, Luzern and back to Zurich. If I read your article correctly, we should get a Swiss Travel Pass Flex for the travel between cities and perhaps a one-month Swiss Half Fare Card for day trips outside of those cities? We're Americans, by the way. We're REALLY looking forward to this dream trip to Switzerland!!!!

Oh, and if we buy those 2 passes, do we still need to worry about the "travel zones" that you mentioned?

Thank you so very much!

Dear Robbie

Thank you for your comment. And WOW, you’re coming to Switzerland for three weeks? This is absolutely fantastic and I’m so happy to hear you’re staying this long. May I ask what month you’ll be here?

As for your questions, I definitely recommend getting the Swiss Travel Pass Flex for 15 days. But for those 6 other days, I don’t think getting a Swiss Half Fare Card will be worth it. Or do you think you’ll be using public transport on every single one of these 21 days? If you have six days where you stay in one place or don’t spend too much money on transport, the Half Fare Card would be a bit much in my opinion.

And if you have a Swiss Travel Pass, you don’t have to worry about travel zones. Just hop on any means of transport you like and off you go 😉 It’s that simple.

For your trip, if you don’t mind, I’d love to give you a recommendation. This blog is „only“ a hobby of mine, which I’ve had to set aside for a bit now because I work for Swiss Activities and therefore don’t have much time to blog. But we are putting together a booking platform for activities in Switzerland and also have a blog you might find helpful. I’ll give you the link in case you want to take a look.

Have a great day, Seraina

Your article was really helpful! Thank you very much! I will take into account your suggestions before buying my next tickets here in Switzerland. All the best!

Thank you for your lovely comment and you’re very welcome. I’m glad you’ve found this article helpful.

I’m planning to visit Switzerland for 6 days, Oct 5-Oct 11 (flying into Zurich and flying out of Geneva). I’m staying in Zurich for all but the very last night of my trip. Just makes it easy instead of packing/repacking the luggage. I’m staying in Zurich West (

That said, I’d like to visit Interlaken, Lucerne, Bern, Swiss National Park, and other areas during my time there. And, since I’ll be visiting for 6 days (not counting Oct 11th as I will fly out in the morning), I’m thinking of purchasing the Swiss Travel Pass for 6 days.

Just wanted to get your thoughts if that’s the suitable option.

Hi, that sounds like a very cool plan you’ve got there. And yes, I definitely recommend buying the Swiss Travel Pass. Especially since you’re doing all these day-trips. It’ll be worth it. Enjoy your trip, Seraina

Hello, Thank you for this guide. It is really helpful! As well as othere articles. If I may ask whether the following is correct. As I've read so much that I already do not believe my eyes:) We are going to be in Switzerland for 7 days. 2 adults and a child of 9 years old. Regarding a child I read that there is a Junior travel card costing 30 chf. Do I understand it correctly that a child can travel free of charge throughout Switzerland with this card if accompanied by a parent? So no need to pay for smth additionally? We won't use ships and cable cars. And it seems then it is needed to get a SwissPass for a child (the Junior card will be valid for 1 year) or just get a paper Junior card (valid for 30 days). Also as I understood if a parent buys a Swiss travel pass or a Swiss half fare card, a child can travel for free with a parent (it is just necessary to add a child when buying one of the mentioned cards). It is true? Half fare card does not always mean getting exactly 50% discount, doesn't it? In some cases the discount can be less? I'm trying to decide what would be the better value for money for us. We are going to stay in Schwerzenbach (ZH) and travel to Zurich and back at least 4 days during our stay (plus traveling from/to Zurich airport), as well as doing 1 day return trips to the following destinations: Bern, Lucerne and maybe Stein am Rhein. Thank you.

Thank you for your comment. I‘m glad you‘ve found the articles to be helpful😊

Now for your questions: Buying a Swiss Travel Pass won‘t make sense in you‘re case because you‘re not taking super long or expensive day trips. I recommend buying a Swiss Half Fare Card for the adults and the Junior Card for your child instead. And then just buy the tickets as you go. Maybe you can profit from some saver tickets or a saver day pass if you book ahead of time. And yes, your child will travel for free with one of the parents.

I recommend going to the counter at Zurich airport to ask about the Junior Card once you arrive in Switzerland. As for the Swiss Half Fare Card, you can buy that online here: https://www.swissactivities.com/en-ch/rail-pass/swiss-half-fare-card1/

Hope this helps and enjoy your trip. Seraina

Thanks a lot for the quick answer Seraina! Have a nice weekend!

Hi there! Thank you for all the information! I wonder if you can help me and figure the best fares during my time in Zurich. We are spending 4 days and 3 nights in Zurich. One night one, we arrive quite late so we will just get dinner and staying in. On day two, we plan to visit the mountain roller coaster in Gelmerbahn ( can you tell us what is the best way to get from Zurich to Gelmerbahn?). And, on day three, we will hang around within the city of Zurich. I heard Trams are great transportation traveling within the city?

We are two parents and three teenagers ( 17 years old, 15 years old, and 13 years old).

So, please help and there are so much information and we are just not sure what is the best passes ( if we even need a pass). I heard there is a children day pass…will all trains and transportation all free with purchasing a children day pass/?

Hi Erin, thanks for your comment and your questions. I’ll try to answer them as well as I can. I don’t think getting a Swiss Travel Pass or even a Swiss Half Fare Card will be worth it if you only go to Gelmerbahn one day and use the trams in Zurich on another day. So I’d suggest you buy a Saver Day Pass as soon as you know your travel dates. One for each family member that’s older than 16. For your two kids that aren’t 16 years old yet, grab a children’s day pass . This will definitely be your cheapest option, as the ticket from Zurich to the valley station of Gelmerbahn is quite expensive. Also, you can read more about the Gelmerbahn here in this article I wrote about Swiss mountain railways. Please note that this mountain railway only operates in sommer, though. To find your connection from Zurich, I recommend downloading the SBB app or visiting the SBB website to check the timetable. As for Zurich: Yes, trams are a good way to get around. Also, you can do a lot of the city by foot because everything in the centre is within walking distance. There are also buses operating but trams are the way to go in Zurich. Hope this helps. Enjoy your trip!

Thank you so so much! I didn't know anything about Saver Day pass and Children's day pass, and they are indeed way cheaper comparing to getting it from the SBB. I just wanted to confirm that with the Saver day pass and Children's day pass, the pass is valid to use for any form of transportation? We will definitely be using buses and trains on our second day of traveling from Zurich to Gelmerbahn ( I know mountain train is not included in these passes) . Once we purchases the passes, do we need to get the trains tickets/ bus ticket for our trip? How would it work? I believe the mountain railway opens in June ( our trip should be on June 18) but I will check it again before I purchase the passes.

Happy to help. I’m glad you found something that works. And yes, both passes are valid on all means of transport. To confirm, you can check this page , which shows where the day passes are valid. Actually, the day passes are your tickets. You won’t need to buy anything else and can hop on the train, tram, bus of your choosing on the day you bought them for. You just need to buy your Gelmerbahn ticket, which I recommend you do online to reserve your spot as this train gets super busy. If you refer to my mountain railway article that I shared with you, you’ll find more information about Gelmerbahn and your booking options. It operates between 1st June and 20th October. Enjoy your trip Erin!

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Europe’s highest and largest snow sport destination at 3883 metres.

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• 1 Zurich City Tour
• 2 Lindt Home of chocolate
• 3 Swiss Transport Museum
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• 10 Glacier 3000
• 11 Aletsch Arena
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Rhine Falls and Stein am Rhein

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How to get around in Switzerland

Apr 19, 2023 • 7 min read

Sit back, relax and soak in Switzerland's stunning scenery © rudi_suardi / Getty Images

The old maxim that the journey is the destination rings true in Switzerland .

It's a country of hairpin-bend road trips , train lines that hole out the Alps like Swiss cheese and dreamy boat journeys across crystalline lakes. Travel in Switzerland isn’t only beautiful – it’s also environmentally sound. The eco-minded Swiss have nailed rail travel like no other nation, and climate-neutral boats, solar-powered cable cars, electric buses and car-free towns and resorts further boost its sustainable credentials. Thanks to plentiful charging stations, the entire country is drivable by electric car.

Journeys in Switzerland aren’t just about getting from A to B – they are travel moments you’ll be raving about for years to come. Here's how to get around this wonderfully scenic country.

Be dazzled by the Swiss scenery when traveling by train

You’ve got to hand it to the Swiss – their trains really are the dream: efficient, slickly modern, eco-friendly and with views that keep you glued to the window for the duration of the journey. The famous panorama tourist trains (with big windows) are just tip-of-the-iceberg stuff: regularly scheduled services, which often ply the same routes as the tourist trains, can be just as enjoyable and significantly less expensive.

Most major cities, including Bern , Geneva , Zurich and Basel , are connected by rail with daily services. Tickets do not need to be bought in advance, and they can be purchased at stations on the day of travel or on the official Swiss Railways website . That said, look out for sizable discounts when booking “supersaver” tickets ahead of travel.

Ride the panoramic trains for the best views

Primarily aimed at tourists, these named panoramic trains often have cars with extra large windows to make the most of the incredible scenery. They all require reservations, with tickets usually sold for a specific leg on the routes rather than the full journey.

• Glacier Express : The "wow" never leaves your lips on this legendary Alpine train journey between Zermatt and St Moritz. The Brig–Zermatt Alpine leg makes for pretty powerful viewing, as does the area between Disentis/Mustér and Brig.
• GoldenPass Line : Skirting the shores of some of Switzerland’s most ravishing lakes, this route links Lucerne to Montreux . The journey is in three legs, and you must change trains twice. Regular trains, without panoramic windows, work the whole route hourly.
• Bernina Express : This route negotiates 55 tunnels and 196 bridges as it travels the Alpine valley of Engadine one way from Chur to Tirano in four hours, hitting its high point at 2253m (7392ft) above sea level. Between May and October, you can continue from Tirano to Lugano by bus.
• Mont Blanc/St Bernard Expresses : Go from Martigny to Chamonix, France, or over the sensationally wild St Bernard Pass.
• Voralpen Express : Glide between Lake Constance and Lake Lucerne, through St Gallen, Rapperswil and Romanshorn on this route.
• Gotthard Panorama Express : This rail-boat combo starts with a wonderful 2.5-hour cruise across Lake Lucerne to Flüelen, from where a train winds its way through ravines and past mountains to Bellinzona or Lugano.

Driving in Switzerland is a breeze 

Skirting lakes and vineyards and twisting up and over passes in the high Alps, Switzerland’s roads are beautiful on a cinematic scale, and the country has plenty of drives that are too darned scenic to rush.

The headline road trip is the 1600km (994-mile)  Grand Tour of Switzerland , an epic, efficiently signposted lap of the country that links 12 Unesco World Heritage Sites and shows off the Alpine nation from its most flattering angles. And the environmental clincher? It’s entirely drivable by electric car.

You’ll find car rental companies at airports and in cities and towns. Many now rent out electric cars, too. The minimum rental age is usually 25 but falls to 20 at some local firms. You always need a credit card. In winter, rental cars are usually equipped with winter tires.

Switzerland’s roads are well signposted and maintained, but you should always check conditions before heading up into the Alps, especially in winter. The highest passes are only open from June to October and, depending on the weather, you may need to use a tunnel instead. 

Tip for driving on freeways in Switzerland:  You’ll need to pay an annual one-time charge of Sfr40 to use Swiss freeways and semi-freeways, identified by green signs. The charge is payable (in cash, including euros) at the border, at Swiss gas stations, post offices and at Swiss tourist offices abroad. Upon paying the tax, you'll receive a sticker that must be displayed on the windshield.

Buses serve remote mountain regions

If you are in no hurry, Switzerland’s bright yellow postal buses can be a fun way to reach the remote mountain regions. The country’s PostBus service is synchronized with train arrivals, and bus stops are handily located right next to railway stations.

Prices are comparable to train fares. Swiss national travel passes are valid, but a few tourist-oriented Alpine routes levy a surcharge. Tickets are purchased from the driver, though on some scenic routes over the Alps (for instance the Lugano to St Moritz run) reservations are necessary.

Take a mountain railway, cable car or funicular ride

What a way to commute! The cable cars, funiculars, cogwheel railways and gondolas that climb up to the country’s highest Alpine reaches are an absolute joy to experience and a highlight of traveling in Switzerland (as long as you have a head for heights!).

True marvels of engineering, the mountain gondolas graze treetops, rail-bound funiculars shimmy precariously close to rock faces, and cable cars wobble across valleys (don’t worry – they are safe and subject to regular checks), before all emerge at a spectacularly snowy summit or glacier. It’s worth checking out what money-saving passes are available locally because they often work out cheaper than individual tickets and costs can quickly mount up in a country with so much vertical.

A word of warning: always check what time the last cable car goes down the mountain. In winter, it's as early as 4pm in mountain resorts. 

Boat travel is a slow but wonderful way to cross Switzerland's lakes

Switzerland is a landlocked country, but boats ply the country's large lakes, serviced by steamers operated by Swiss Federal Railways or private companies for which national travel passes are valid.

Passenger boats run on Lake Geneva , Constance, Lucerne , Lugano , Neuchâtel, Biel, Murten, Thun, Brienz and Zug. Traveling by boat is a slow and delightfully scenic way to get around.

Consider investing in a Swiss Travel Pass

Though travel in Switzerland is efficient and convenient, it can also be expensive, and visitors planning to use intercity routes should consider investing in a Swiss Travel Pass . With this transport pass, you're allowed unlimited travel by train (including premium panorama trains), bus and boat, as well as local public transportation in cities and free entry to 500 museums.

Experience Switzerland up close by bicycle

Whether you’re looking to crawl up hills on a road bike, tear down trails on a mountain bike or simply want a gentle pedal along a shimmering lake, Switzerland is brilliantly set up for cyclists. Many cities have free or inexpensive bike-rental schemes , and bicycle and e-bike rental is usually available at train stations.

There are many well-signed and highly scenic cycle routes heading along rivers and lakeshores in Switzerland, perfect for two-wheel adventures. For details on national, regional and local routes, rental (including e-bike rental), bike-friendly accommodations, guides and maps, check  SwitzerlandMobility .

Tip for traveling by train with a bike:  Bikes can be taken on slower trains, and sometimes even on InterCity (IC) or EuroCity (EC) trains, when there’s room in the luggage carriage. Advance booking is sometimes necessary.

Accessible transportation is good in Switzerland

Switzerland ranks among the world’s most easily navigable countries for travelers with physical disabilities. Most train stations have a mobile lift for boarding trains, and city buses are equipped with ramps. The majority of modern hotels also have wheelchair access (although budget accommodations tend not to have elevators).

Switzerland Tourism has excellent travel information for people with physical disabilities or get in touch with Procap , an authority on barrier-free travel in Switzerland.

For more helpful travel tips, download Lonely Planet’s free Accessible Travel guide .

This article was first published August 2021 and updated April 2023

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• Aargau region
• Basel region
• Bern Region
• Fribourg region
• Geneva region
• Graubünden region
• Jura & Three-Lakes Region
• Lake Geneva region
• Lucerne Region - Lake Lucerne
• Region Eastern Switzerland / Liechtenstein
• Ticino region
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• Avalanche course
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• Llama and alpaca trekking
• Monster Scooter
• Mountain bike
• Mountain tour
• Natural attractions
• Night sledding
• Paragliding
• Photo course
• SBB Day Pass
• Scenic flight
• Ski touring
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• Swiss Rail Passes
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Public transport in Switzerland - everything you need to know

Public transport in Switzerland has one of the densest networks in the world. The railroad is the most important means of transport. There are more than 5300 km of railroad network in Switzerland. In addition, there are buses, streetcars, mountain railroads and passenger ships, with which you can easily reach almost every corner of Switzerland.

Saver Day Pass SBB - starting at 29 CHF

The Saver Day Pass is available at dynamic prices up to 6 months in advance. The earlier you book, the cheaper you travel. With this pass, you can travel throughout Switzerland without restrictions and use all means of public transport.

Swiss Travel Pass

With the Swiss Travel Pass you have free travel throughout Switzerland by boat, bus or train. You travel wherever you want, on 3, 4, 6, 8 or 15 consecutive travel days.

Swiss Half Fare Card

With the Swiss Half Fare Card you get a 50% discount on your trips by bus, train, boat and most mountain railroads. You can travel throughout Switzerland within one month.

Swiss Travel Pass Flex

With the Swiss Travel Pass Flex you have free travel throughout Switzerland by boat, bus or train. You travel wherever you want, on 3, 4, 6, 8 or 15 freely selectable travel days within a month.

Friends Day Pass for Youth SBB

The Friends Day Pass for Youth is an incredibly attractive offer for young people under 25. With up to three other people, you can travel all over Switzerland at an unbeatable price.

Day pass for Swiss Half Fare Card holders

The SBB Day Pass can be booked in combination with a Half-Fare Travelcard or a Swiss Half Fare Card. You can then travel the whole day on the public transport network throughout Switzerland.

Bernese Oberland Pass

With the Bernese Oberland Pass, you can travel throughout the Bernese Oberland on public transport for 3 to 10 consecutive days. You will also receive attractive discounts and benefits from around 40 bonus partners.

To open this article, we dare to take a self-generated thesis. We claim that the quality of a country's public transport can be measured by how the population reacts when a train is slightly delayed.

Or would you feel sorry in a country outside of Switzerland when you hear the announcement: "We are currently running three minutes late. We apologize for any inconvenience." ?

Believe it or not, but in this country this minimal delay can already cause red heads and increased heart activity. From the reactions that can be observed time and again in Swiss stations and trains, you will inevitably conclude that public transportation in Switzerland must be phenomenal.

And there is definitely something to that.

In hardly any other country is the public transport network as dense and well developed as in Switzerland. That's why we will devote this article entirely to public transportation, while other articles will cover detailed information on the available train tickets in Switzerland and tourist passes for your train trip in Switzerland .

Trains in Switzerland

When it comes to train travel, Switzerland is a country of superlatives.

No nation in Europe covers as many kilometers by rail as the Swiss. In 2019, we put a whopping 2400 km per capita under our wheels. That's about as far as from Rome to Stockholm or from Vienna to Madrid.

In addition, Switzerland has been the proud owner of the longest rail tunnel in the world since 2016: the Gotthard Base Tunnel. This masterpiece of construction replaced the Seikan Tunnel in Japan, which successfully defended its podium position for 28 years. Thanks to the Gotthard Base Tunnel, the travel time between Zurich and Lugano has been reduced by 30 minutes, or 20%.

By far the biggest player in the Swiss rail universe is SBB, short for Swiss Federal Railways. Of the total Swiss rail network, which amounts to over 5300 km, SBB operates a total of 3236 km. However, SBB is by no means alone in the pack. In 2015, 73 other railroad companies carried their passengers from Geneva to St. Gallen, from Lugano to Basel and on all other routes in between.

Swiss Activities Tip: Switzerland is not only known for its many trains, but also for its beautiful landscapes. Fortunately, these two can be perfectly combined in the form of panoramic trains. Read more about the 5 most beautiful scenic trains in Switzerland here.

• Traveling in the two-class system

Anyone traveling by train in Switzerland has the choice between traveling in 1st or 2nd class. The two classes differ mainly in the following respects:

• Price-wise, the two classes differ quite a bit. The difference is a considerable 75%. A trip from Basel to Zurich costs 34 CHF in 2nd class without discount, while the price in 1st class is 60 CHF
• The space in 1st class is quite a bit more comfortable. Apart from rush hours, there are significantly fewer people traveling than in 2nd class. And those who appreciate a certain amount of legroom, a more comfortable seat, or more peace and quiet in general will prefer a 1st class trip.

Swiss Activities Tipp : A good opportunity to travel by train at a reduced price is the limited availability of SBB Supersaver tickets . It may happen that the 1st class fare is lower than the 2nd class fare. It is rare, but when booking a Supersaver ticket, it may be worthwhile to compare the 1st class price as well.

• The different trains in Switzerland

In Switzerland, there are three types of trains: Intercity, Interregio and regional trains. At the SBB you can have a look at an overview map , which shows the public transport in Switzerland.

The fastest way to travel is by Intercity trains, which stop at only a few stations. So it is possible to get from St. Gallen to Lausanne with only 10 stops. For comparison: The Interregio already stops six times between St. Gallen and Zurich alone.

Interregio trains run between major cities, but stop at key stations along the way.

The regional trains run the slowest and make a stop at (what feels like) every station. Sometimes they run with stops on demand. This is mentioned either on a digital display on the train or during the announcement. So if you are traveling on a regional train, also known as "Bummler" , you may have to press a button to get off at your desired stop.

• The punctuality of Swiss railroads

Entire doctoral theses could be written, heated discussions held and complex studies drawn up on the punctuality of public transport in Switzerland. For the sake of simplicity, we'll confine ourselves for the moment to a somewhat casual statement that will interest you above all if you're pressed for time.

Basically, trains in Switzerland are very punctual

Roughly speaking, the punctuality of the SBB is around 90%. Playing poker and hoping that the train will wait for you will only lead to a pleasing result in 10% of cases.

• Trams in Switzerland

Only four cities in Switzerland have significant streetcar networks: Zurich, Geneva, Bern and Basel. The streetcars are on the one hand responsible for the fine development in the cities and on the other hand for the development of the surrounding agglomerations. They often run at very frequent intervals - sometimes every two minutes - and in the case of Basel, they even extend beyond the national border.

Sometimes they seem to come out of nowhere, which can be dangerous, especially for the country bumpkins of this world. Especially near the main station, it's worth taking a second look behind before you cross the street. Streetcars have the right of way over pedestrians and accordingly prefer to ring the bell instead of braking. In the past, this has caused one or the other near cardiac arrest for me.

If you are aware of this, however, you should be able to live in peaceful coexistence with the streetcars.

• City buses in Switzerland

Switzerland's 125 bus companies are responsible for regional services. The buses usually have one or more points of contact with rail traffic or with other bus lines. These points of contact are usually coordinated in terms of timetables, which makes it relatively easy to get from one place to the next in Switzerland without a car

In terms of frequency, the schedules vary widely. In the city centers, certain lines run every two minutes, while in less densely populated areas they run every 15, 30 or even every 60 minutes.

• Postbuses in Switzerland

One of the most typical means of transport in Switzerland is the Postbus. Squeaky yellow and in single or double-decker versions, they reach even the furthest corners of the country. The more remote you are on the road, the greater the chance that you will encounter a Postbus somewhere.

They are especially common in hiking areas, but they also make their way through the traffic in city centers or agglomerations. The postbus network covers over 1600 km, which is equivalent to the distance from Anchorage in Alaska to La Paz in Bolivia.

As the name suggests, post buses were once responsible for transporting mail. In addition, postbuses also transported people, but at some point it became difficult to reconcile the different needs. Therefore, towards the end of the 20th century, the decision was made to completely separate passenger transport from postal transport. In remote areas, it can happen that the popularly used "Posti" still occasionally transports truths. As a rule, however, you are the only reason why the post bus is fetched from the garage.

Swiss Activities Tip : Postbuses are perfect if you plan a hike with different starting and finishing points. Often you can reach your starting point by public transport and at the end of your hike you can get on another post bus line. This way you don't have to choose a round trip or do the same route twice. It is best to check the timetable in advance, as the post buses do not always run regularly in remote regions.

• Long-distance buses in Switzerland

Since the Swiss travel mostly by train, long-distance buses within the country are rather a side effect with a very meager offer. There are indeed several larger bus companies such as Flixbus, Eurobus and Eurolines, which operate without restrictions across the border. But within Switzerland, it is not quite easy to cover a distance by long-distance bus.

For example, international bus lines are not allowed to carry passengers who do not have their starting point or final destination abroad. And even within national borders, services are only permitted if they do not significantly compete with existing public transport. Whatever criteria are used to determine this..

Bus companies have to comply with a few more rules, which often prevent them from offering connections within Switzerland at all. For you, however, these rules are not relevant. Unless you are interested in the labor law requirements for bus drivers.

Sometimes you can find certain offers between bigger Swiss cities on Eurobus, but even then they only run a few times per day.

• Cable cars in Switzerland

Strictly speaking, few cable cars belong to the public transport system and are not co-financed by the state like trains, buses and post buses. Nevertheless, they are an important element for transportation. Especially in the tourist mountain areas you will often find them, because they offer a good opportunity to cover certain strenuous ascents or descents during your hiking in Switzerland with much less muscle power.

Most railroads accept the common railway passes and train tickets - such as the Swiss Travel Pass , the Interrail, the Half-Fare Card or the General Abonnement (GA) - to a certain extent.

There are indeed cableways that are completely assigned to public transport. These are those that provide access to areas that cannot be reached in any other way, such as by a post bus line or by train. A list of all Swiss cable cars that are fully part of the public transport network and are within the validity range of the GA and the Swiss Half-Fare Card can be found in this overview .

• Passenger ships in Switzerland

You can get around Switzerland not only by land, but also by water. Most Swiss lakes and rivers have passenger ships, which means you can take a boat trip . These ships are often used for recreational activities, as they travel much slower than a train or bus.

However, there are exceptions, such as the ferry between Meilen and Horgen. This is quite interesting for commuting, since the connection across the lake is much faster than a train or car ride around the lake. Otherwise, the general rule is: use the ship if you have time, want to enjoy a beautiful view or you have always wanted to travel on a historic paddle steamer.

Swiss Activities Tip : Even though a ride on the ship is wonderful when the weather is nice, a rainy, overcast day also has its charms. First, there are usually fewer people on the road during bad weather , and second, the mystical atmosphere brought by low-hanging clouds and dark mountain sides can be very impressive.

Table of contents

Discover leisure activities, top destinations.

• Grindelwald
• Lauterbrunnen
• Brienzwiler

Top Activities

Top attractions.

• Harder Kulm
• First Cliff Walk
• Jungfraujoch
• Museum of Transport
• Mount Titlis
• Eiger Glacier
• Grindelwald First
• Chocolarium
• Chillon Castle
• Alpine playground Bort
• Glacier Gorge Grindelwald

• Station locator

Switzerland by bus

Traveling by bus in Switzerland is definitely one of the safest and cheapest ways of traveling while ensuring at the same time that you don't miss out on the beautiful natural landscapes around the country. Thanks to the well connected bus network between Swiss cities it is easy to reach the majority of the most popular destinations within the country in a day.

Table Of Contents

Intercity buses in switzerland.

In Switzerland intercity buses are available on more than 5 travel combinations, while traveling with an average speed of 65 km/h . Of course, intercity bus routes via highway have a higher average speed. The majority of the Swiss intercity buses are comfortable long distance coaches, but older vehicles might be used on busier travel days.

The timetable for popular intercity bus routes like Geneva (Airport) - Verbier or Zurich - Lugano can be found online, but for some shorter intercity bus routes you might have to go to the bus station. Tickets are sold both online and on the spot, but after the COVID-19 pandemic an increasing number of travellers prefer buying their tickets online.

Domestic routes

As mentioned above there are more than 5 domestic intercity bus travel combinations in Switzerland . Below you will find some of the most popular Swiss travel routes with minimal or no stops along the way:

Travel Zurich to Lugano

Travel Lucerne to Bellinzona

Travel Bellinzona to Lucerne

Travel Fluelen to Basel

Travel Yverdon to Zurich

Travel Bern to Chur

Travel Chur to Zurich (Airport)

Travel Solothurn to Zurich

Travel Rothrist to St. Gallen

Travel Zurich to Bern

Travel Lausanne to St. Gallen

Travel Chur to Vevey

Travel Solothurn to Geneva (Airport)

Travel Stans to Basel

International routes

From Switzerland there are international bus routes to neighboring countries such as Italy , Germany , and France, as well as to other countries such as Croatia , Serbia , and Bosnia and Herzegovina .

The majority of these international bus lines are daily departures, that are operated by various Swiss bus companies.

Most of the International bus departures drive from Zurich , Lucerne , and Geneva . Of course, there are also some international bus departures from other cities throughout the country. Below we have listed the most popular international bus routes:

Travel Geneva to Chamonix

Travel Zurich to Rijeka

Travel Lucerne to Rijeka

Travel Zurich to Zagreb

Travel Lucerne to Zagreb

Travel Zurich to Split

Travel Basel to Rijeka

Travel Geneva to Morzine

Travel Zurich to Crikvenica

Travel Zurich to Zadar

Travel Lucerne to Zadar

Travel Lucerne to Split

Travel Zurich to Trogir

Airport buses in Switzerland

If you are flying to Switzerland you will land in one of 3 airports located throughout the country. From the majority of Swiss airports you have a bus shuttle to the nearest largest city and in some cases even intercity buses to other cities in the region. Click on the airport name below and read more about getting to and from the airport.

International airports:

Zurich (Airport)

St. Gallen (Airport)

Geneva (Airport)

Domestic airports:

Lausanne (Airport)

Bern (Airport)

Bus companies in Switzerland

There are over 21 bus companies operating in Switzerland . 11 companies offer intercity bus lines , 3 companies drive airport shuttles , 2 companies operate regional and local lines , 6 bus companies offer bus rental and 6 companies offer bus tours . The bus companies are located in 11 cities throughout the country. The majority of companies can be found in Zurich and Geneva .

11 intercity bus companies operating in Switzerland are very different in size. The largest Swiss company AlpyBus connects more than 20 cities , whereas the smallest intercity bus company EBA Eurobus Geneva only has service to 1 cities . Below we have listed some of the most popular bus companies in Switzerland . Full list of bus companies in Switzerland can be found here .

Bus stations in Switzerland

In most cities there is a dedicated bus station, in smaller cities the bus station might be a parking lot with a shelter or a section on the road marked for multiple buses. In some cities buses also stop at public road bus stops or at gas stations and hotel parking lots. In larger cities you will find bus stations with amenities like toilets, luggage storage, kiosks, fast food restaurants and other useful services for travellers. In Switzerland there is a total of 14 bus stations , below we have listed 10 of the most popular bus stations, for a full list of bus stations in Switzerland click here .

Biel/Bienne

Hire a coach in Switzerland

Swiss bus rental companies offer coaches for any kind of group trip, whether it’s a transfer from the airport to your hotel, or single and multi day excursions to the many sights in Switzerland . Rest assured you will be able to find a suitable partner. If you are travelling during the high season, it is advisable to book your bus in advance to secure one of the best vehicles for your group. Here you can see a list of some companies offering bus rental in Switzerland :

• Drusberg Reisen
• Domo Reisen
• Zelic Reisen
• Bogojević Reisen
• Swiss tours

Public transportation in Switzerland

In the majority of larger Swiss cities , public transportation is available, in the cities like Bern or Basel you have an extensive network of buses connecting all suburbs to the centre of the town.

Buying tickets for public transportation varies from city to city, sometimes they are bought at dedicated sales points and other times they are bought on the bus for example, so be sure to check which options are available for the city you are travelling in.

Here is a list of some Swiss companies operating both local and suburban bus lines.

• Verkehrsbetriebe St.Gallen
• Basler Verkehrs-Betriebe
• Transports publics Lausannoise
• Verkehrsbetriebe Lucerne

What to see in Switzerland

As a visitor of Switzerland, you have lots of great Swiss sights to visit. Some of the most popular sights are Zürich Opera House ( Zurich ), Oeschinen Lake , and Chillon Castle . That said, there are a lot of other sights in Switzerland worth visiting! Some of the sights do not have an entrance fee, whilst others charge for entrance. Below you will find a list of the most popular sights in Switzerland:

Zürich Opera House

Oeschinen Lake

Chillon Castle

Grossmünster

Crans-Montana

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You’ll find the right ticket for your journey from our wide range of public transport tickets. No matter whether you’re travelling alone, with your family or by bike. Purchase your ticket via app for your journey by Postbus or train. Valid throughout Switzerland.

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Enjoy travelling on public transport – simply download the SBB Mobile Target not accessible app and plan your trip (search for the ideal timetable, obtain information about connections using station maps, benefit from special offers and much more) and purchase your ticket.

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Purchase a ticket via the ZVV app. Climb aboard with peace of mind.

The ZVV app will accompany you on your journeys using public transport. Discover the fastest connections throughout Switzerland and get the right ticket with just a few clicks. You also have the option of purchasing ZVV and Z-Pass travelcards as well as multiple-trip cards directly via the app. Thanks to the ZVV app, you’ll be smart, quick and conveniently on the go.

Information on the ZVV app and advice can be found at zvv.ch/app Target not accessible .

The ZVV Contact Customer Center at Zurich main station offers free appointments for advice on the ZVV app. The appointments are available on Thursday afternoons and the first Saturday of the month.

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FAIRTIQ. The simplest ticket. Throughout Switzerland.

• ...is valid throughout Switzerland.
• ...recognizes the distance travelled.
• ...automatically calculates the cheapest rate.

Before driving, simply check in with a swipe, and the app does the rest. Download FAIRTIQ-App  now.

Where can I purchase my ticket?

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For example, via the SBB Mobile Target not accessible , FAIRTIQ Target not accessible or ZVV Target not accessible apps

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Ticket machines from PostBus or other transport companies at transfer locations.

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A limited range of tickets is available on Postbuses.

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Tickets for one-way and return journeys.

Tickets for one-way journeys and return tickets are valid on the chosen route and can be purchased from ticket apps, PostBus sales outlets, at ticket machines and from PostBus drivers. The ticket for a one-way journey and the return ticket is valid for one day, irrespective of the distance.

Multiple-trip tickets

Multiple-trip tickets are ideal if you travel frequently on the same route. With the multiple-trip ticket, a cancellation card, you can travel six times on the corresponding route. The tickets are non-personal and transferable, and several passengers can also use them together. Multiple-trip tickets are valid for one year. They are available at counters, ticket machines, from drivers and from most public transport apps.

Day passes for the Half-Fare Travelcard

With the 1-day travelpass, you can travel for one day in the same way as with a GA Travelcard and enjoy unlimited mobility in public transport. 

• Find out more
• Order Half Fare Travelcard (German version) (PDF, 1.2 MB)

Children and young people

• Children up to the age of 6 travel free of charge.
• Children up to the age of 16 travel at a reduced fare with single, return and multiple-trip tickets.
• Receive discounted “Junior” route and network travelcards up to the age of 25.

The Day Pass Children is available for children under the age of 16. A child can use it to travel throughout Switzerland alone, together with other children or with adults for a whole day, in the same way as with a GA Travelcard.

The Day Pass Children costs 19 francs for 2nd class and 33 francs for a 1st class journey. It is valid for one day within the GA Travelcard area of validity.

Children’s Co-Travelcard

With the 30-franc Children’s Co-Travelcard, children aged six to 15 can travel throughout Switzerland for a whole year, accompanied by an adult with a valid ticket.

The Children’s Co-Travelcard is available for all accompanying adults (grandmother and grandfather, godmother and godfather, neighbour, aunt and uncle, childminder, family friends and acquaintances, etc.) aged 16 and over.

Purchase a Children’s Co-Travelcard:

• The Children’s Co-Travelcard is available to purchase at all staffed salespoints. When purchasing the travelcard, both the accompanying adult and the travelling child must be specified. You will need a separate travelcard for each different combination of child and accompanying adult.
• To make the purchase, please bring a passport or another form of official identification for the child. The document must specify the child’s date of birth. There is no restriction on the number of Children’s Co-Travelcards that may be purchased.

The Children’s Co-Travelcard is valid wherever the Half Fare Travelcard can be used. It also enables children to travel free of charge or at reduced prices on many tram and bus routes operated by local transport companies. Find out where the Children’s Co-Travelcard is valid by visiting the Junior Travelcard and Children’s Co-Travelcard Target not accessible webpage or any staffed salespoint. On any given journey, an accompanying adult may travel with a maximum of four children who hold valid Children’s Co-Travelcards.

• More information can be found at SBB | Children’s Co-Travelcard

Junior Travelcard

If you’re a parent who travels regularly with your own children, we recommend the Junior Travelcard. With the Junior Travelcard, children between the ages of 6 and 16 can travel free of charge on public transport when accompanied by a parent. The accompanying parent must have a valid ticket.

• More information can be found at SBB | Junior Travelcard

Group ticket

Travelling in a group is well worth it. Groups of 10 people or more travel for 30 percent less. Detailed information can be obtained from PostBus salespoints or from PostBus drivers.

Dogs and small animals

Dogs and small animals with a height at the withers of up to 30 cm may be carried free of charge in suitable travel containers such as cages or baskets. A reduced second-class fare must be purchased in all other cases.

If you have a valid GA Travelcard or ticket (with a Half Fare Travelcard or are under 16 years old), your dog with the Day Pass Dogs will enjoy free travel for a day by train, boat, Postbus and on tram and bus routes in most cities and conurbations.

The Bike Day Pass and the annual bike pass offered by Swiss transport companies are now valid on the entire PostBus network.

Find out more about the various offers:

• Bike Day Pass
• Annual bike pass
• Multiple Day Bike Pass
• Short journeys for bikes

You can buy tickets for bikes and Bike Day Passes directly from Postbus drivers. Annual bike passes are available to purchase at PostBus salespoints in Bern, Bellinzona, Lugano, Saas-Fee and Sion, at Swiss Post branches in Flims Dorf and Lenzerheide, as well as at other public transport salespoints or at www.sbb.ch Target not accessible . For longer journeys, we recommend purchasing a Bike Day Pass.

Special fares

• Children with a Junior Travelcard/Co-Travelcard, accompanied by their parents, can take their children’s bike, children’s trailer bike or kickboard free of charge.
• When taking their bikes, children and young people between the ages of 6 and 16 receive travel discounts for families. If you have a Junior Travelcard/Co-Travelcard or a Familia GA Plus, PostBus will transport the bikes of children and young people free of charge (but only if accompanied by their parents or a parent).
• You pay twice the transport fare for special bikes (such as tandem bicycles, recumbent bicycles or tricycles).
• For bicycle trailers with a maximum width of 60 cm, the same prices apply as for the bike.
• Some fare networks apply special fares. These fares must be checked on the relevant websites.

More information can be found at Travelling with a bike .

International tickets

For guests from abroad, we recommend the Swiss Travel System.

You can choose between various flat-rate tickets and discounted tickets for trains, Postbuses or boats, allowing you to travel independently and flexibly throughout Switzerland.

Non-valid tickets

The following tickets are not valid on PostBus routes:

• Interrail and Eurail Passes
• The APT travelcard for the visually impaired

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Rich Content Section

Best Time to Visit

Weather & Climate

Switzerland Airports

Getting Around

Places to Visit in Switzerland

Top Things to Do in Switzerland

Top Things to Do in Geneva

One Week Itinerary

Most Scenic Train Routes

Switzerland's Nature Parks

How to Go Skiing

The Top Hikes

Matterhorn Complete Guide

The Most Beautiful Lakes

Foods to Try

Best Restaurants

Your Trip to Switzerland: The Complete Guide

If you've ever ogled over photos of Switzerland's Alpine peaks, rolling meadows, and pristine lakes, you'll be happy to know that it's even more beautiful in person. The central European country is small compared to its neighbors, but it packs a lot into its 16,000 square miles, including 13 UNESCO World Heritage Sites , more than 1,500 glaciers, and at least that many lakes.

All these geologic wonders add up to some of the more stunning scenery in the world. And that's enough to bring travelers—about 12 million of them per year —to Switzerland. When you factor in the countless opportunities for hiking, skiing, and boating; hearty Swiss food; modern, interesting cities; and what is probably Europe's best public transportation system, you're met with an accessible, exciting, and altogether satisfying vacation destination.

Planning Your Trip

• Best Time to Visit :  The best time to visit Switzerland depends on what you want to do while you're here. Ski slopes are open November through March (though there is year-round skiing in a few places), while hiking and swimming are glorious in the summer months. But to beat the crowds, consider a visit in spring or fall.
• Language:  Switzerland's cantons, or states, are mostly either French- or German-speaking. In the southern Ticino canton, Italian is the first language and in the Graubünden/Grisons canton, Romansh, a form of ancient Latin, is still spoken by about 60,000 people. The good news for travelers is that English is widely spoken, especially in hotels, restaurants, stores, and tourist attractions.
• Currency:  Despite being in the middle of western Europe, Switzerland is not part of the EU, though it participates in the European Common economic market. The official currency here is the Swiss franc (abbreviated CHF). That said, your euros will probably be accepted at most places, though they'll give you change in francs.
• Getting Around :  The clean, convenient, and comprehensive Swiss Travel System is the pride of Switzerland, and rightly so. The system includes trains, buses, lake and river ferries, funiculars, cogwheel trains, ski lifts, and gondolas that permit access to virtually every corner of the country. Because the system is so complete, we recommend touring Switzerland by public transportation, instead of by rental car. From airports and larger train stations, taxis are always available for those who don't feel like schlepping their bags.
• Travel Tip:  If you plan to do a lot of travel within Switzerland, consider purchasing the Swiss Travel Pass , which grants the holder unlimited first- or second-class travel across the country's network of trains, buses, and boats, and most scenic railways. Plus, you'll get admission to more than 500 museums, as well as discounts on mountain excursions. However, if you just plan to visit a couple of places in the country, you can get by with individual train/transit tickets.

TripSavvy / Michela Sieman

Things to Do

While every traveler has their own reasons for visiting Switzerland, the big draws here can more or less be broken down into three categories: scenery, outdoor activities, and Swiss history and culture. Your trip will likely start or end in one of Switzerland's big cities, where that history and culture are on full display. Be sure to plan at least one (or several) excursions into the Swiss countryside, either on an easy or challenging hike, a boat ride across an iconic lake, or a cable car ride up to some of the highest peaks in Europe.

Here are some ideas for planning your Swiss itinerary:

• Explore one of the country's culturally rich cities. If you're flying into Switzerland, you'll most likely arrive in Zürich or Geneva. Zürich , Switzerland's largest city, is a delightful place to spend a few days taking in art and history museums, dining in centuries-old restaurants, and strolling down the River Limmat. Geneva , in French-speaking Switzerland, is the diplomatic center of Europe, with plenty of history and classical appeal, and an idyllic setting on the shores of Lake Geneva.
• Hike, bike, swim, or ski. No matter what time of year you visit, you'll find a huge range of outdoor activities in Switzerland—though admittedly, swimming is a bit brisk from October to June! There are biking and hiking routes for every level of fitness, extensive networks of ski "arenas" across the Alps and the Jura mountains, and rivers and lakes waiting for you to jump in for a swim or a paddle.
• Choose a mountain excursion. In Switzerland, it doesn't matter if you're not a skier or hiker. You can answer the call of the mountains just the same, thanks to dozens of scenic mountain excursions that whisk you—by cogwheel rail, cable car, or ski gondola—for close-up looks at the Matterhorn , the Eiger, the Aletsch Glacier, and more. At most places, you can have lunch on the mountaintop while you enjoy the view. Don't leave Switzerland without partaking in at least one of these thrilling rides.

For more trip-planning ideas, check out our full-length articles on the top things to do in Switzerland , Switzerland's most scenic train rides , and Switzerland's top lakes .

What to Eat and Drink

Swiss cuisine is hearty, to say the least. Cheese, chocolate, potatoes, and meat feature heavily on Swiss menus everywhere, and risotto is popular in the cantons bordering Italy. Swiss wine, from vineyards mostly south of the Alps, is so popular among the Swiss that only 2 percent is exported!

Here are some of the foods and beverages you shouldn't miss in Switzerland:

• Fondue. This classic dish of melted cheese, served with bread and vegetables for dipping, is as iconic as the Matterhorn. Fondue originated in French-speaking Switzerland , but it's pretty much ubiquitous across the country.
• Raclette. Sort of a cousin of fondue, raclette is melted cheese served on a plate with bread, potatoes, and gherkins. Its roots are high in the Alps, where farmers would make meals from their abundant cheese reserves.
• Rösti. Pancakes made of grated, fried potatoes, rösti may be served as a side dish or, when paired with eggs, meat, or cheese, as the main course.
• Chocolate. Thanks to milk from grass-fed Alpine cows, plus a few "secret" recipes, Swiss milk chocolate is among the creamiest in the world. Brands to look for include Toberlone, Lindt, Sprüngli, and Läderach.
• Swiss wine. Largely produced in the more temperant cantons south of the Alps, Swiss wine is equally celebrated in its red and white varieties. Chasselas and pinot noir are among the most common grapes, but across the country's wine-growing region, micro-vineyards specialize in small-batch wines. Be sure to sample the wine while you're here— Swiss wine is hard to find outside Switzerland.

Read more in our guides to the top foods to try in Switzerland and where to eat in Zürich .

Where to Stay

Switzerland's accommodation options range from rustic mountain bunkhouses for hikers to luxurious 5-star hotels with spas, Michelin-star dining, and every imaginable amenity. In between those extremes, there are concept hotels, ski-in/ski-out lodges, and a host of B&Bs, small inns, and vacation rentals.

If you're staying in a city, we usually recommend basing yourself in the historic center so that you're within walking distance of popular tourist attractions, restaurants, and bars. But cities like Zürich also have creative, modern districts outside of the center, which make for interesting bases as well. In an Alpine destination such as Zermatt, Saas-Fee, or Gstaad, we like cozy, traditional hotels that really impart a sense of place.

For a taste of what Zürich has to offer, check out our articles on Zürich's top neighborhoods and best hotels.

Getting to Switzerland

International flights to Switzerland, especially those originating outside of Europe, will likely arrive in Zürich or Geneva. Some intra-Europe flights might land at Basel's airport, which is actually located just over the French border.

You can reach Switzerland by train from the neighboring countries of Austria, Germany, France, and Italy. Note that if you're traveling to Switzerland from an adjacent country, your ticket will likely only cover you until your first stop in Switzerland; for example, if you're traveling from Milan, Italy, your ticket will take you as far as Lugano. After that, you'll need a travel pass or ticket from the Swiss Travel System if you want to change trains.

If you're driving to Switzerland, you need to purchase or make sure your car already has a motorway vignette —a sticker that permits access to Swiss highways.

Learn more by checking out our guides to Zürich airport , traveling to Switzerland from Italy , and Zürich's public transportation .

Culture and Customs

While there are no special "rules" for visiting Switzerland, travelers here might find the Swiss somewhat reserved, especially when compared to Mediterranean cultures to the south. Here are a few basic customs and courtesies to keep in mind:

• Be on time. Trains aren't the only thing that runs on time in Switzerland. Plan to arrive on time, or even a few minutes early, for restaurant reservations or other reserved activities.
• Don't be noisy. In restaurants, on public transportation, and especially in the evenings in residential areas, keep your voices at a conversational level.
• Tip in moderation. While tipping waitstaff is appreciated in Switzerland, it's not expected. Tips for your hotel cleaning staff and bellhops are the norm, however.

Money Saving Tips

Here's something you should know about Switzerland before you start planning your trip: it's expensive. Hotels, dining, trains, and attractions are all costly compared to many other European countries, but there are a few ways you can save money:

• Travel in the shoulder seasons. Visit Switzerland in the spring or fall to save money on airfare and hotels.
• Drink tap water. Unless otherwise posted, tap water in Switzerland is clean and safe to drink. Bring a reusable water bottle and fill it up at any tap.
• Pack a picnic. Before you head out for a day of adventures, stop at a grocery store and pick up bread, cheese, cold cuts, or whatever else you want for a picnic. Just don't forget to grab a chocolate bar for the road!

https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/ch

https://www.worlddata.info/europe/switzerland/tourism.php

Switzerland Tourism. "Language distribution." Retrieved on November 9, 2021.

Switzerland Tourism. "Currency." Retrieved on November 9, 2021.

BBC. "Tracing fondue’s mysterious origins." February 12, 2013.

Switzerland Travel Guide

The 17 Best Countries to Visit in Europe

The Top 20 Things to Do in Switzerland

The Best 17 Places to Visit in Switzerland

How to Travel From Florence to Paris by Train, Bus, Plane, and Car

France Guide: Planning Your Trip

One Week in Switzerland: The Ultimate Itinerary

The 10 Best Restaurants in Switzerland

How to Travel Between Italy and Switzerland by Train

The Best Time to Visit Switzerland

Matterhorn: The Complete Guide

Your Trip to Zurich: The Complete Guide

The Most Beautiful Lakes in Switzerland

Skiing in Switzerland: The Complete Guide

The Complete Guide to Switzerland's Nature Parks

How to Use Swiss Trains and the Swiss Travel Pass

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Swiss Travel Pass

Exploring Switzerland has never been easier! For foreign guests, the all-in-one ticket Swiss Travel Pass is the key to Switzerland’s public transport network.

All Swiss Travel Passes

This single ticket enables visitors to explore Switzerland from end to end by train, bus and boat on 3, 4, 6, 8 or 15 consecutive days. With the Swiss Travel Pass Youth, young people up to their 25th birthday travelling through Switzerland benefit from a 30% discount off the regular Swiss Travel Pass ticket fare.

• Unlimited travel by train, bus and boat.  View area of validity
• Unlimited travel on premium panoramic trains (seat reservation fees and/or surcharges apply).
• Unlimited use of public transport in more than 90 towns and cities.
• Free admission to more than  500 museums .
• Mountain excursions included:  Rigi ,  Stanserhorn  and  Stoos
• Up to 50% discount on many other mountain excursions.
• Up to 30% discount on SBB RailAway offers. Available at all ticket counters within Switzerland.
• Children from their 6th up to their 16th birthday accompanied by at least one parent (holding a Swiss Travel System ticket) travel free of charge with the complimentary  Swiss Family Card .
• Children under 6 years of age who are accompanied by a holder of a valid Swiss Travel System ticket travel free of charge.
• The Swiss Travel Pass is available as e-ticket.

Information

• A seat reservation and/or supplement is required to travel on some trains/buses/boats such as Glacier Express, Bernina Express, Gotthard Panorama Express and Palm Express.
• Swiss Travel System tickets are available to persons with residence outside Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein
• In Switzerland, fares apply in Swiss Francs as detailed in the chart (in case of cash payment in EUR, USD or GBP: current exchange rates apply)

General provisions and legal information

Price – adult.

Consecutive travel days

Price – Youth

Valid for young travellers up to their 25th birthday (30% discount)

Swiss Family Card

With the Swiss Family Card , children from their 6th up to their 16th birthday travel free of charge.

On request, a Swiss Family Card is provided free of charge, entitling children from their 6th up to their 16th birthday to travel free if accompanied by at least one paying parent.

Bonus Benefits with the Swiss Travel Pass

Regional passes, sales outlet swiss travel system.

Travel in Switzerland: Trains, buses and suggestions

We will not try to be exhaustive but rather to point towards travel that we have enjoyed, in the context of exploring Europe before or after a mountain hike. This will be a personal view.

My first trip to Switzerland was in July 2000. (A personal view by Simon Stevens.) I was traveling to Chamonix in France and it so happened that Geneva had the airport and that the Swiss-French border was of little consequence. For Chamonix and various French Alps locations, it is easy to take the road routes which are direct compared to the railway via Martigny (Swiss route) or St Gervais (French route). I have made this journey countless times, like many Brits traveling to the Alps.

My wider Swiss exploration started in January 2005 when, after a snowshoe course in France, I ventured by rail into the Valais canton.

When in 2016 we began to add the Via Alpina to our programme, my Swiss campaign really took life. The Via Alpina route (formerly the Alpine Pass Route) from Sargans in the East to Montreux in the West cuts across all the North-South trade routes of Switzerland. It takes a look at so many small side valleys each with their own rail links to larger towns. We could hardly avoid seeing the real Switzerland and we came to celebrate this and pursue it wherever we saw a bus route. We wanted a full coverage of routes off-trail into cities, to complete our Swiss service for hikers.

Our central suggestion is to approach Swiss rail in passing, and by this we mean enjoying the scenery in the course of traveling about as opposed to focusing on the highly-advertised lines with red trains and improbable tunnels. There is so much to see across Switzerland. It is possible to see much without an elaborate booking and without crowds. It is also possible, and this is the trick, to ride some famous lines on normal commuter trains and to hop on and off at stations. This reduces the cost, keeps things quieter, and lets you see Swiss life as lived. The famous-name lines offer full-routes trips and roof windows, but these are not necessary.

Some lines are more exacting in practical terms than others, and we would take a bit of extra care to plan when it comes to four lines: the Gornergratbahn above Zermatt, the Jungfraujoch above Kleine Scheidegg, the Glacier Express East of Brig, and the Bernina Express. Otherwise, choose the parts of the lines that fit your overall itinerary, and put those stations into the ticket machines when you want to go.

To jump straight to a popular approach to Swiss travel, let's look at the world of Switzerland's scenic rail lines. The classic image is a red engine pulling coaches with roof windows, on a stone viaduct that spans rock walls, the train popping directly from one tunnel onto the viaduct and into another tunnel, preferably with snow on trees. It really is like this, in the right places. Let's discuss these scenic lines:

The Glacier Express 5/5 stars 6 hours Mountainous through-route.. From Chur to Zermatt .. of which up-and-back: From Visp to Zermatt Possibly the second-most impressive Swiss rail route, the first being the Bernina Express route Chur to St. Moritz (below). This Chur-Visp route is the major East-West crossing of the Swiss Alps, linking the Eastern regions and the railway centre of Chur, with the Rhone valley in the Valais region. The best views are in descent from the high point, the Oberalppass (2,033m) as the train drops in hairpins to the ski town Andermatt. From Chur, take a first train to Disentis/Muster past massive riverside cliffs, largely in a rising valley floor. Change at Disentis for the high train to Andermatt, which clicks onto a cog rail as it climbs to the Oberalppass. At Andermatt change for a third train, to Visp. Without the tunnels-onto-viaducts extreme of other lines, this is Swiss travel of our dreams affording pastoral and romantic views of high Alpine life. A note on the trains: ignore the Glacier Express itself, which is the separate rolling-stock with overhead windows and table service lunch. This is unnecessary and in fact the normal trains are the experience of normal Switzerland, a mix of local and walking people. Trains leave every hour to Disentis and from there the connections work seamlessly to Visp. At Visp of course we can connect with either the Zermatt trains or, on the main line now, the many-carriage intercities thundering to Geneva Airport. If continuing to Zermatt, having come from either the Geneva or the Andermatt direction, or indeed down from Bern and Kandersteg, then the Visp-Zermatt section can be considered in its own right. It takes you up to the Mattertal, the high valley starting at roughly St Niklaus, for the final run to Randa, Tasch and Zermatt, a fine arrival in the shadow of the Matterhorn.

The Bernina Express 5/5 stars 6 hours Mountainous through-route From Chur to Tirano (This is the noteworthy Swiss line that we do not yet know. We plan to ride it in 2023. It is the viaducts-into-bridges line of Swiss travel photos, linking Chur with St. Moritz, and Tirano in Italy.)

The Mont Blanc Express 5/5 stars 2 hours 30 minutes Mountainous through-route From St. Gervais-les-bains-le Fayet to Martigny This improbably-constructed line is a major link for our Tour du Mont Blanc walkers leaving Chamonix for the Swiss train network, and for Walker's Haute Route finishers returning to Chamonix. It is underated in general Swiss tourism terms. The line is shared with France and starts in St. Gervais-le-Fayet, France, climbing quickly into the upper Arve valley to Les Houches, Chamonix and Argentiere. The real scenery starts above Chamonix, then inside Switzerland where the line hugs the inhumanly steep hillside looking across to Trient and the Aiguille Verte, and then - listen for the cogs engaging - drops slowly and steeply into the Rhone valley. Don't be afraid to switch sides to see both sides with the perspective of the drop underneath.

Switzerland is known for its mountain railways, as in those routes going up mountains and down again instead of cross-country mountainous routes.

The Bernese Oberland routes 5/5 stars 33 / 44 / 53 minutes to Grindelwald / Wengen / Murren Three separate up-and-back routes.. From Interlaken to Grindelwald From Interlaken to Wengen From Interlaken to Murren .. and then a linking line and an extra mountain line From Wengen to Grindelwald via Kleine Scheidegg From Kleine Scheidegg to the Jungfraujoch These are the trains that you've heard about if your neighbour goes skiing in Switzerland or if your aunt went on a Swiss sightseeing tour. There is no doubt that they are spectacular and, further, a central part of the Swiss mountain tourism set-up. To ride one of these lines, and not necessarily all the way to the Jungfraujoch ('Top of Europe' which it isn't really) is to sample what Switzerland offers. It happens that each of Grindelwald, Wengen and Murren (cable car required!) are stops on our Via Alpina . The linking Grindelwald-Wengen line largely shadows one walking stage. With a day to spare the Jungfraujoch train is a possibility.

The Rochers de Naye 4/5 stars 45 minutes each way Up-and-back route From Montreux to the Rochers de Naye At Montreux station a platform is reserved for this funicular which climbs to villages on a shelf and then increasingly enters the preserve of the open mountain, taking on some inspiring situations in its final curves to the station and cafe a few steps from the summit. At the summit are long views to Montreux tucked underneath and to Lac Leman. The walking descent is the last day of the Via Alpina and is exhilarating in its first half.

The Aigle-Leysin-Diablerets routes 4/5 stars From 30 minutes to 1 hour each way Three separate up-and-back routes From Aigle to Les Diablerets From Aigle to Leysin From Bex to Villars This mini network of hillside lines is quietly spectacular and much less known than the Bernese Oberland ones. They are charming. Really these are three distinct lines near to each other. Expect forested ravines tumbling to rivers and a gathering sense of rural life in upper reaches. Diablerets is the one to go for, for the length of the line, for links by bus on to Gstaad, and for the village and setting itself.

The best of Switzerland in our opinion comes on the train lines that are less highly charged in terms of scenery and tourism. These are lines that are important for hikers and that travel between mountains, while not being of the scenic calibre of the famous lines. We will look at the situation line by line. All over the country we find local train lines that are in use as normal commuter and resident lines, to villages, up hills, sometimes with a tourist angle but that can be treated as normal trains in terms of price and tickets. Sit with workers as they travel up to their site; hear locals chat in French, German or Italian.

Saint-Bernard Express 2/5 stars Roughly 30 minutes Branch lines From Martigny to Le Chable From Martigny to Orsieres Two minor lines branch out from Martigny's mainline station to le Chable and Orsieres, via a split at Sembrancher. The region is known as l'Entremont, between mountains , and the valley line to le Chable feels this way. By contrast there's a climb to Orsieres and a small sense of a mountain railway. Generally the carriages from le Chable run all the way to Martigny; from Orsieres you change onto this train at Sembrancher. At Orsieres, one bus carries on to La Fouly and another climbs to Champex. You might use these lines if linking stops on the Tour du Mont Blanc or Walker's Haute Route .

Montbovon to Bulle 2/5 stars 30 minutes Rolling line From Montbovon to Bulle This route sets off from the unlikely Montbovon station, at a distinctive corner of the GoldenPass line between Montreux and Gstaad, to cross rolling farmland and pass the famous Gruyeres station. The cheese comes from the village, and here it is. At the end of the line, Bulle is a bustling French-style town and you can join further trains to Freiburg and Bern which are both exceptional. (A tourist offering called the Chocolate train is not necessary; it mirrors the route and uses some buses.)

Swiss main lines are often scenic despite linking the major Swiss cities. This is more the case as we travel in the Alpine areas and bordering countryside. Everyday Swiss life, urban or semi-rural, is modest and well thought-out. Here we describe five of our favourite main lines. You are likely to take at least one of them on any Swiss trip, even just to reach the famous mountain lines above.

Swiss trains are the main event and take you to most places you need to go, but we would say that the Swiss experience is not complete without the PostBus. This is about the furthest evolution possible of the rural bus service. Crucially a bus route is treated the same on www.cff.ch as a rail route. Enter the destination you want, even if it ends at a bus stop, and the system will include the bus routes needed.

One day on the bus from Altdorf I stood behind the driver and watched as the 'Swiss PostBus driver's app' on his dash-mounted phone counted down the seconds until he was due to depart each bus stop, turned green, and he pulled off. It is that precise and orderly.

Scenically the best bus routes match the best train routes, with the extra touch of the tuneful tooting horns on hairpin bends. Socially, the PostBus is indeed also a postal service to villages and we experience a little of daily life.

Swiss rail passes cost an amount of money and give you the ability to buy half-price tickets for the duration of your pass. Then when buying a ticket at a counter, ask for half-price (and show your pass) and when buying at a ticket machine choose 1/2 instead of 1/1. On the train you'll be asked to back up your 1/2 ticket with your pass, and Swiss conductors are reliable and businesslike (as well as polite and friendly). The pass also works for buses and ferries.

Whether to buy a pass is a question that we are asked frequently, and our answer is generally no, unless you plan a week of fairly solid rail travel. For a trek with the possibility of some intermediate travel (and the Walker's Haute Route might have a little and the Via Alpina has more) plus a train ride from and to airports either side, it is almost certainly far from worthwhile.

One good approach is to buy certain long-distance trips in advance, online, if you are sure of your timings. This can give some savings. Then buy local tickets on the ground, paying full price as you go. Generally when the Alpine Exploratory team travels within Switzerland, and we do this extensively in any given year, we pay as we go.

Suppose you will be in Zermatt after the Walker's Haute Route . You can't avoid seeing a lot of Switzerland, as your airport choices are chiefly Geneva Airport and Zurich Airport. These are roughly 4-hour train journeys and involve superb scenery whether valley or mountain. Milan is reachable if you fancy the trip South into Italy, and there Milan Linate is infinitely the preferable of the two airports. If you have extra time then you could make trips as follows:

In 1 night from Zermatt: Day 1 Train from Zermatt to Brig (part of the Glacier Express), train from Brig to Spiez, then train from Spiez to Bern (Stay in Bern) Day 2 Train from Bern back to Spiez, train from Spiez to Montreux (GoldenPass Line), then train from Montreux to Geneva and fly.

In 2 nights from Zermatt: Day 1 Train from Zermatt to Brig (part of the Glacier Express), train from Brig to Spiez, then train from Spiez to Bern (Stay in Bern) Day 2 Train from Bern to Luzern via Interlaken (Stay in Luzern) Day 3 Train from Luzern to Zurich and fly.

In 3 nights from Zermatt: Day 1 Train from Zermatt to Brig (part of the Glacier Express), train from Brig to Spiez, then train from Spiez to Grindelwald via Interlaken (Stay in Grindelwald) Day 2 Train from Grindelwald to Interlaken then train from Interlaken to Luzern (Stay in Luzern) Day 3 Train from Luzern to Lugano (Stay in Lugano) Day 4 Train from Lugano to Milan and fly

Now let's look at a finish in the West of Switzerland, for example at Chamonix after the Tour du Mont Blanc or at Montreux after the Via Alpina :

In 3 nights from Chamonix (France): Day 1 Train from Chamonix to Martigny (Mont Blanc Express, which enters Switzerland at Le Chatelard-Frontiere), train from Martigny to Aigle and train from Aigle to Les Diablerets, then bus from Les Diablerets to Gstaad (Stay in Gstaad) Day 2 Train from Gstaad to Spiez, train from Spiez to Interlaken, then train from Interlaken to Wengen (Stay in Wengen) Day 3 Train from Wengen to Grindelwald via Kleine Scheidegg, then bus from Grindelwald to Meiringen over the Grosse Scheidegg and train from Meiringen to Luzern (Stay in Luzern) Day 4 Train from Luzern to Zurich and fly.

In 3 nights from Montreux: Day 1 Train from Montreux to Spiez then train from Spiez to Luzern (the whole GoldenPass Line) (Stay in Luzern) Day 2 Train from Luzern to Zurich then from Zurich to Bern (Stay in Bern) Day 3 Train from Bern to Lausanne (Stay in Lausanne) Day 4 Train from Lausanne to Geneva and fly.

Heading into France.. or Switzerland? We are sometimes asked about Lac d'Annecy in France as a destination after the Tour du Mont Blanc . It is a popular holiday lake and town, and in theory it fits after a trek that starts and ends in Chamonix which is also in France. We generally advise that heading into Switzerland instead, which is easy via Martigny, gives more enjoyable travels. Train routes on the French side of the Alps are not intuitive or always convenient and the coordination with buses to further rural destinations is harder to plan. Once there, Lac d'Annecy is liable to underwhelm. By contrast Switzerland has so much and is so simple.

Heading into Austria.. or Switzerland? If you will be hiking the Adlerweg then you could explore Austria for several more weeks if you had time. Following your bold East-West trajectory, however, once at St. Anton you could jump on the train towards Zurich. Get off at Sargans, which is a pleasant example of a mildly historic working Swiss town, and change for Chur, to give yourself many options for the famous scenic rail lines.

Geneva and Zurich airports.. and Basel

It is simple to continue by train to Geneva Airport and Zurich Airport. Every one of the express trains from the Lausanne direction going into Geneva, continues for the 6-minute journey to Geneva Airport. It could hardly be easier and the airport is very close-in to the city. This means that even from far away, as in Zurich, Bern or Brig, you can time your Geneva Airport arrival quite precisely.

At Zurich the airport is on the main line towards Winterthur and your train might continue there, or else it is a simple change to the ultra-frequent airport trains.

Basel is a different situation as the aiport, despite its size, is not on a train line. It is necessary to reach Basel's main station (called Basel SBB to distinguish it from the minor French-side station) and change for the frequent airport bus which departs outside. As with everywhere in Switzerland you can include the bus fare on your ticket by setting your destination as Basel airport.

What are Swiss trains like onboard? Generally, trains are long inter-city types with a diesel or electric locomotive at the front. Smaller rural lines might have electric sprinter-type trains with a driver in the front of the first carriage and a mix of modern seats. Most often, carriages are sparsely populated and you will find a whole seat, often a 4 around a table, for yourselves. Seat reservations are almost unheard of. At peak times in and out of large stations on the inter-city routes, trains can be busier and you might share your 4 with laptop-tapping commuters.

Trains do not generally wait for connecting trains to come in, if late, but in some local situations the branch line would wait for the mainline express. I have only been caught out once, at Brig, where I did make my connection but had to run. It was a shock!

Nothing is perfect and the Alpine Exploratory team has experienced delays on the Swiss network, but they are so rare. This is quite simply the best rail network in Europe.

The iconography of the Swiss railways is rather fine and not just the black and red 'Swiss station clock' that has become an international clock image. The logos and materials, as well as the paintwork on rolling stock, has its own simplicity and flair. Various cantons and individual lines have their own graphics and colours, to add local interest as you travel cross-country. For example, the mountainous line from Spiez to Brig has its own grey-and-green scheme.

Do not be purturbed by graffiti on the side of some rolling stock. In a very neat and safe country it seems that graffiti is a form of expression that is tolerated more than we'd expect, a safety valve one might conclude. Train interiors are uniformly spotless.

Otherwise, the thundering red-grey-blue express trains in the valley and the golden yellow postbuses winding their way over a pass, are sights to stir the emotion.

Interlaken Ost is all you need to know about Interlaken We say Interlaken on this page, where what we really mean is Interlaken Ost station.. the second one in Interlaken that you stop at, coming from the Bern direction. It's the one that has the connections into the Bernese Oberland resorts of Wengen, Grindelwald and Murren, and also the ongoing main line to Meiringen and Luzern. In fact both Interlaken stations are handy for Interlaken the town, each at one end of the busy high street.

Chatelard-Le-Frontiere and Vallorcine Traveling the whole way from Chamonix to Martigny, we enter the Swiss network at Chatelard-Le-Frontiere. Listen for announcements! Historically some trains run all the way through to Martigny, while some trains turn back at Vallorcine (inside France) or Chatelard-Le-Frontiere making it necessary to change. We try to advise our Tour du Mont Blanc and Walker's Haute Route clients on the evolving system, in our Season Updates each June.

Sembrancher Look out when traveling from Orsieres into Martigny, for a potential change of trains at Sembrancher. On the way out from Martigny to Orsieres, again look for a change at Sembrancher. Not all trains do the same thing!

Switzerland has no high-speed rail but what it does have is medium-speed rail done reliably, frequently and comprehensively across the country. The reliability makes it such a pleasure. It is the mass movement of people, in the interests of the people, without fuss. As it happens it is also, in large part, intensely scenic.

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10 Simple Ways to Travel Switzerland on a Budget

Written By: Seraina Zellweger

Switzerland

Updated On: February 8, 2024

Switzerland is expensive. That’s old news. But you can visit Switzerland on a Budget. And be honest. It’s why you haven’t put it on your bucket list yet, right? You’re intimidated by the high prices.

You think you’ll never be able to afford a trip to Switzerland without blowing your retirement savings. You’re nervous you’ll be paying off debts for months to come. But despite all those worries, deep down, you still want to go.

Table of Contents

10 Ways to Travel Switzerland on a Budget

There are plenty of reasons to go to Switzerland . You’ve heard of the breathtaking views. You’re familiar with the taste of Swiss chocolate. You’ve longed for their endless selection of cheese. And you’re just about dying to see the Alps up close. You’ve reached the point where you’re already subconsciously packing your bags .

Wondering whether your trekking shoes still fit you, how much weight you might gain once you give in to your chocolate cravings or whether you need to bring a German, French or Italian dictionary.

If only it wasn’t for that persistent voice at the back of your head. You know, the one that’s keeping you awake at night with a million questions. Read more: 19 Beautiful Places to Visit in Switzerland

• How are you supposed to make it through a single day in Switzerland without robbing a bank?
• Are you going to crawl up in a cardboard box and sleep in a stranger’s backyard just to save money?
• Are you happy to live off instant noodles as you did during that trip to Australia ?
• Do you seriously believe there’s anything free to do in Switzerland?
• What if the emptiness in your savings account forces you to come home after a few days?

The list goes on. But before you let this situation get out of hand, do yourself a favour.

Shut that voice up.

Because first of all, nobody’s going to sleep in a cardboard box. And for the record, robbing a bank is out of question, too. Never mind those instant noodles, either.

Believe it or not, but simple and legal ways to save money in Switzerland do exist. And here are 10 ways to make your money last longer in Switzerland.

1. Use free public transport

If you’re staying in Bern, Lucerne, Basel , Geneva or Lausanne, you get to use local public transport for free.

Your accommodation provides you with a ticket that’s valid for the time of your stay.

The Canton of Ticino extended this concept and recently introduced what I refer to as the travel-jackpot.

Every visitor spending at least one night in the Canton receives an all-inclusive ticket.

We’re talking about a free ticket here that includes buses and trains as well as a discount for cable cars, boats and selected activities.

More and more cities seem to be joining this concept.

So wherever you’re parked for the night, make sure you hit up your receptionist for potential freebies.

Check out our best Switzerland pictures .

2. Don’t buy a travel pass

Don’t buy a travel pass, at least not until you know your options.

Travel passes can be amazing value for money if you’re going to use public transport. But they don’t always make sense.

To avoid wasting your funds on something you don’t need, set aside some time to do your research.

In order to pick your best match when buying a travel pass, try to answer the following questions as precisely as you can:

• Where exactly do you want to go? What places do you want to see?
• Are you going to cover long distances or mostly stay in the same area?
• How frequently are you going to use public transport? Every day? Every second day? Only once or twice during your whole stay?
• Apart from Switzerland, are you travelling to any other European countries?

Once you have those answers, start digging.

Figure out whether buying tickets as you go, getting a Half Fare Card, an Interrail/Eurail Pass, a Swiss Travel Pass or Supersaver tickets work out cheapest for you.

3. Grab a (free) bike

If you’re going to Zurich , Bern, Geneva, Neuchâtel, Zug or the Canton of Valais, you’re in for a treat. Those places offer free bikes.

Some for a few hours, some for a whole day and some even longer.

Bring along your ID and 20 CHF for the deposit.

Other cities rent out bikes as well but not for free.

Depending on your itinerary, it might still work out cheaper than paying for public transport, though.

4. Take matters into your own hands

Unless you desperately want to, you don’t need to book a tour to explore Switzerland.

With public transport being as efficient and plentiful as it is, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a place that isn’t accessible by bus, train or boat.

Buses and trains run frequently so don’t worry about getting stuck anywhere.

However, if you head out to more isolated places, double-check the timetable just to be on the safe side.

5. Put your connections to use

Nothing eases the pressure on a backpacker’s wallet like staying with a friend does.

Saving 30 – 40 CHF on accommodation each night pretty much pays for an all-inclusive Swiss Travel Pass.

And with Switzerland being this small, you can take day trips to almost every corner of the country.

If you don’t have anyone you can contact, try Couchsurfing instead. It’s more common than you’d expect and it’s a fantastic way to get in touch with locals.

6. Sleep above the cows

Believe it or not, but this exists. Provided you’re not allergic to hay or straw, sleeping on straw sets you up for a night out of the ordinary.

Especially if you’re after an adventure and travelling with a sleeping bag.

Agrotourismus is a good place to look for Swiss holiday farms – Prices range between 25 – 35 CHF per person, which is roughly the same or even less than a hostel.

With breakfast being included, this is well worth taking a detour out of the city.

By the way, some places also let you set up your own tent for a small fee.

7. Embrace your inner chef

You’ve guessed it. Eating out is expensive, too.

Dinner at a restaurant costs at least 20 – 30 CHF. You might get away with 15 – 20 CHF if you catch a bargain.

Cooking your own food is way more affordable. Depending on how much of a gourmet your are, you can get by with 60 – 80 CHF a week for groceries.

Possibly even cheaper if you cut some edges. But I’d budget at least 50 CHF.

Supermarkets like Migros, Coop, Denner, Aldi and Lidl are your best friends here.

With Aldi and Lidl being the cheapest. Read more 15 Swiss Foods to try in Switzerland or at Home

8. Buy old bread

This one‘s way better than it sounds. I promise.

A new concept called Ässbar has taken root in Switzerland.

In order to fight food waste, these guys collect whatever bakeries couldn’t sell during the day and offer it for half the price the next day.

As a result, you can get pastries, bread rolls, sandwiches and sausage rolls at a massive discount.

You can find Ässbar stores in St. Gallen, Winterthur, Zurich, Bern, Fribourg and Basel.

And since their concept is so popular, they’re looking to expand to other cities as we speak.

• Find out how you can stretch your travel cash by downloading her free guide, 10 ways to save money on food in Switzerland .

9. Go crazy over free snacks

Everything free is worth its weight in gold.

And farmer’s markets are an excellent place to grab free samples every now and then.

While you probably won’t get a whole meal out of this, tasting free crackers, olives, bread, the occasional piece of cheese or cookie is the perfect way to get over those mid-morning or afternoon cravings.

Chocolate factories also hand out samples but since they make you pay entrance, I don’t like to count those.

However, the Kambly biscuit factory in Trubschachen lets you dig in until you explode. At no extra cost.

Trust me, you won’t make it through their whole selection in one go. Even if you arrive on an empty stomach.

Challenge accepted?

See some of the best Switzerland Photos on Instagram .

10. Stick with free activities

Nothing in life is free. Or is it?

You’d be surprised. If you pay attention and know where to look, you can find plenty of free things to do. Check out The 12 Best Hikes in Switzerland

Free Things to do in Switzerland

• Join a free walking tour in different cities across the country.
• Spend some quality time with the bears in Bern – figuratively speaking.
• Visit a free wildlife park in Zurich, Aarau, Winterthur, St. Gallen, Interlaken and many other places.
• Check out old towns, churches, and free museums.
• Visit the Appenzeller cheese factory in Stein and stuff your face with free samples.
• Join a tour of the Bundeshaus (House of Parliament) in Bern.
• Take a stroll through botanical gardens and parks.
• Head out to Schaffhausen and visit the Rhine Falls, Europe’s largest waterfalls.
• Take a refreshing dip in a lake.
• Hike until your feet fall off. After all, that’s what Switzerland is famous for.

Budget Switzerland Travel – The only thing left

Now that you know how you can stretch your money while you’re in Switzerland, let’s see how that know-it-all at the back of your head is doing.

Is it still leading you on to rob a bank, sleep in a cardboard box or live off instant noodles? Or has it finally decided to shut up?

If it’s still being reluctant, don’t be too upset with it. After all, nothing you do will ever turn your trip to Switzerland into a low-cost holiday.

But with these 10 tips, hitting the Alps without blowing your retirement savings has just become a whole lot more realistic.

The only thing left for you to do is this. Go to your drawer, dig out your bucket list and scribble those eleven letters at the very top of it.

You know you want to.

• The Ultimate One-Week Switzerland Itinerary
• The Ultimate Switzerland Road Trip Itinerary
• Our best Switzerland Pictures
• Things to do in Grindelwald, Switzerland – Complete 4 Day Itinerary
• The Perfect 3 Days in Zurich, Switzerland
• 24 Fantastic Things to do in Basel, Switzerland

Check out these money saving tips

• How to Save Money for Travel
• How to Travel on a Budget – Our Top Cheap Travel Tips
• Our Best Travel Tips – From 20 Years of Traveling the World
• How to Travel Around the World – The Ultimate Travel Resource

Travel Planning Resources

Looking to book your next trip? Why not use these resources that are tried and tested by yours truly.

Flights: Start planning your trip by finding the best flight deals on Skyscanner

Book your Hotel: Find the best prices on hotels with these two providers. If you are located in Europe use Booking.com and if you are anywhere else use TripAdvisor

Find Apartment Rentals: You will find the cheapest prices on apartment rentals with VRBO . 

Travel Insurance: Don't leave home without it. Here is what we recommend:

• Allianz - Occasional Travelers.
• Medjet - Global air medical transport and travel security.

Need more help planning your trip? Make sure to check out our Resources Page where we highlight all the great companies that we trust when we are traveling.

You May Also Like

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Where to Stay in Zurich: Ultimate Guide for First time Visitors

Is Switzerland Expensive To Visit? Trip Costs in 2024

About Seraina Zellweger

Seraina Zellweger is a devoted budget traveller who’s been around the world and back. As a native Swiss, she’s made it her mission to give fellow backpackers tips on how to visit Switzerland on a shoestring.In her latest project, she's created a series of guides with itineraries for Switzerland , ranging from 2 to 14* days. For more information, Follow Seraina at LostInSwitzerland / Facebook / Twitter

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41 thoughts on “10 Simple Ways to Travel Switzerland on a Budget”

My wife and myself is trying to visit swzertland in the month of July 23 please give some details

Thank you for this article! It eased a lot of my concerns for my upcoming trip to Switzerland. I am wondering about the public transportation… Will the free transportation take us from Geneva to Zurich? Or is it just free public transportation within the city you are staying in? Thank you again for all of the tips. My husband and I are feeling more confident in making this Switzerland trip an affordable and enjoyable experience!

Great tips on traveling to Switzerland on a budget. It is unbelievable how expensive everything is there, especially when traveling as a family. I will refer back to your post again before our next trip to this amazing country!

Zurich is one of the most beautiful capitals in Europe.Thanks for sharing this amazing info

Amazing read. I’ve traveled around Switzerland on a tight budget just for a week. It was the first time I’ve used Couchsurfing and it was an amazing time! My host was a very friendly Swiss guy who was extremely interested in learning about my culture and traveling experiences. Also, as you’ve mentioned, using free public transport saves a lot as well as biking around the cities.

i was planning for a family trip there, and luckily found this amazing informational guide… thanks a lot as this guide will help me for my family travel trip… briefly explained travel guide…!!

I’ve been traveling almost all cheaper countries… scheduling how to set on foot on the rather expensive countries like- Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, Iceland etc.!

Switzerland is really awesome place for roam. You share the information is really awesome. Very helpful information on this blog. I am glad to find it. Thanks!

If you could travel through only one European country, which might you choose? Italy? France? Germany? How about a taste of three in one? That can only mean Switzerland! You’ll find Switzerland a chocolate box bursting with unexpected flavours. 🙂

This post made us laugh, sleeping above cows sounds like an adventure for sure! You are right on point with avoiding Switzerland due to the high cost, but maybe now we will finally add it to our bucket list. We accept the challenge of eating all the free snacks we can get while there!

I am excited that you are accepting the challenge to travel there on a budget. Let us know how it goes !

It is very very Attractive Post. Some great travel tips for travel in Switzerland green And clean city.

Budget is the main concern not for all but for many of us. Cooking own food is the best idea to save money and also to maintain health.You have shared very useful budget friendly ideas here. I really like it.

Great post I’ve always been intimidated to visit Switzerland, but I was little worried about the cost of accomodation. I’m very curious about Agrotourismus, I’ve never heard of it and will definitely check it out. I love to hike so i’m covered for activities. Cheers! Millie

Awesome post Seraina. My first visit on your post but not last, will follow your next post! You obviously spent considerable effort and time to carefully document this post for our benefit. I was in Switzerland last year and spent average budget (My thinking before reading this post). But after reading your post I can say, “Yes” I could save 50% of my budget amount.

I absolutely loved Switzerland. The FRESH AIR is incomparable. And yes to Tip#1!! Our hotel was nice enough to inform us of this before we spent any money on public transport in Montreux. Oh and I remember getting a free ticket to the city from the airport in Geneva too. What I would give to live there. Great post, Seriana!

Izy thank you for commenting because transportation is my biggest concern for my trip to Switzerland in September. I am wondering if the free transportation will take us from Geneva to Zurich? Or is it just free public transportation within the city you are staying in?

These are just stunning! Switzerland is one of my favorite places to travel. Wondering when I get a chance to visit..

I love this! Switzerland has been on mine and my husband’s travel wishlist for a while! It’s great to know about that free public transportation and the free bikes! It sounds like it would be best to spend more time in cities that offer these perks!

I love the fact you like my country.You are from which country?

I’m planning a trip to Switzerland and your post is so handy and packed with good tips! Will definitely put some into good use.

That’s a very good idea Cam. I’m sure you wouldn’t regret it 🙂 Enjoy your travels in Europe.

Very greats article . Thank for sharing . I loved it

I might just include Switzerland in my tour of Europe after all. Thanks for all these amazing tips!

very beautiful places to visit. we haven’t finished exploring the world

Thank you so much Donna. I hope one day I get to return the couchsurfing favour by hosting you and Ted in Switzerland. There are so many things I’d love to show you.

So good to hear from you Laio. And yes, it’s been ages since Bolivia. Such good times out in the Salar de Uyuni. I really hope to see you in Switzerland one day. And you’re definitely welcome to stay with me whenever you’re here. The couch is waiting for you 🙂 Take care

Excellent blog. Great tips and information. We may have to try this trip after all. Well done.

We love your blog. Lots of great tips and information. I think that Ted and I may have to try this sometime. Well done.

Hey Seraina my Dear Friend! So many days since Bolivia’s Travel… times fly! Switzerland seems to be an amazing place… I probably will visit some day! I´ve no doubt that I will “put my connections to use” and I hope you enjoy to give a shelter for me there! This blog is awesome and very helpful! Thanks for it! Kisses

Hey Rosemary thanks for your comment. I’m glad you like Switzerland and think it’s worth a visit. I totally agree with you that coffee and cake are expensive. It’s a shame. Hopefully this won’t keep you from coming back one day 🙂

Switzerland is a really great place – all the trains run on time and are easy to work out. They are clean and comfortable. We agree that you can use public transport to travel around – it’s really good and convenient.

There are lots of things which are good value in Switzerland but we find quick meals like coffee and a cake or something expensive.

It’s worth going to Switzerland though as you’ll have a lot of fun.

Such a wonderful post by Seraina! Switzerland is a dream for me and this one just takes me so many steps closer. I especially agree with point 4 and 10 – nothing like exploring a new place on our own, there’s so much joy and it’s so cost effective too!

Thank you for your comment Arti. I’m glad my post got you a little closer to reaching your dream. Hopefully you’ll make it to Switzerland soon.

Some great travel tips in this post to stretch your time in Switzerland. I love Switzerland, it’s so green, it’s so clean and it’s so stunning. My husband and I decided to camp in Switzerland, which meant we could save a lot on accommodation and we could cook our own meals. We just loved it (it was just a bit cold to sleep in a tent) 🙂

Hi Sabine, thanks for your comment. Yes, Switzerland is pretty green and clean, isn’t it. Camping is definitely a great way to save some money on accommodation. Although you’re right about the chilly nights. I hope you had a good sleeping bag and didn’t catch a cold 🙂

Grabbing a bike and exploring is my kind of thing. And I loved the concept called Ässbar. I hope they’ll spread all over the world….

Hi Seraina,

LOL on old bread. That is all I buy 😉 I’d be saving Swiss scratch right off the bat. Ditto on the free biking. I recall years ago biking all over Hoi An in Vietnam for 2 months. I got in tip top shape and saved a small fortune in taxi fare. Thanks for sharing 🙂

Haha there’s nothing like old bread Ryan is there. I think you’d be saving heaps in Switzerland ? I love going to that place. Wow biking in Vietnam sounds exciting. And it’s definitely a great way to get in shape for free too, isn’t it.

Very Superb Article. Thanks a lot for sharing this information

Thanks for your comment Jay. And you’re welcome. Glad you liked the article.

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