How to get around Switzerland
Navigating Switzerland is straightforward with a variety of public and private transport options. Here's what you need to know about getting between and within its cities and towns.
Inter-City Travel
Travelers typically find that trains, operated by Swiss Federal Railways (SBB), form the backbone of the national transport network, reaching most towns and cities. PostBuses extend this network to smaller villages and more remote areas, while boats offer scenic routes across the country's many lakes. For mountain destinations, a comprehensive system of funiculars and cable cars provides access.
For cost-conscious travelers, the Swiss Half Fare Card, priced at CHF 120 for one month, grants a 50% discount on most train, bus, boat, and mountain railway tickets. This can be economical if the total cost of individual full-price tickets exceeds CHF 240.
Another affordable option is the Saver Day Pass, available from CHF 29 (with a Half Fare Card) or CHF 52 (without) when booked significantly in advance for unlimited travel on a specific day across the entire public transport network. Supersaver Tickets offer up to 50% off standard fares for specific train connections, though these are non-flexible and must be purchased in advance. Regional passes are also available for concentrated travel within particular areas.
Conversely, standard point-to-point tickets without any discounts represent a more expensive way to travel; for instance, a one-way train journey from Zurich to Geneva can cost over CHF 90, or around CHF 46 with a Half Fare Card. A 2nd class train ticket from Zurich to Bern can be approximately CHF 50 with a Half Fare Card, doubling without it.
For a premium experience and extensive travel, the Swiss Travel Pass offers unlimited journeys by train, bus, and boat, along with museum entry and discounts on mountain excursions. A 3-day Swiss Travel Pass in 2nd class is CHF 244, while an 8-day pass is CHF 419. Long-distance buses, such as Flixbus, offer cheaper rates for certain international routes but are less prevalent for domestic intercity travel compared to trains.
Travel Within Cities
Within Swiss cities, trams and local buses are the predominant modes of transport, supported by S-Bahn (suburban train) networks in larger urban areas. Lausanne notably features a metro system. For budget-friendly city exploration, some hotel accommodations provide complimentary local transport passes for their guests.
The 'City-Ticket' option combines an intercity train fare with a day pass for local transport in the destination city, typically adding around CHF 5.80 to the journey cost. Individual single tickets for local travel tend to be more expensive, with average one-way fares ranging from approximately CHF 3.50 to CHF 4.30, with Zurich being among the pricier cities for local transit.
Taxis are the most costly option for short distances, with a base fare in Zurich starting at CHF 8 plus an additional CHF 5 per kilometer.
