Transportation in Switzerland
Switzerland offers the most comprehensive public transport system in the world. It incorporates trains, buses, boats, lake steamers, funiculars and cable cars and makes traveling in Switzerland easy. Roads and highways are well maintained and signposted and getting around by car is an alternative if you don’t want to ride the trains. Internal flights are not of great interest to the visitor due to the excellent ground transportation in Switzerland.
Swiss Trains and tramways
Trains are a popular and convenient way to travel to Switzerland, and Swiss rail passes make train travel affordable. The public transportation network covers more than 5000km and is supported by large city tramway systems. It's hard to overstate just how good this network is: you can get anywhere you want quickly, easily and relatively cheaply and everybody relies on it as a matter of course. The Swiss are run by SBB CFF FFS and the trains are clean, reliable and frequent.
Airports
The main entry points for international flights are Zurich and Geneva. The cities of Basel, Berne and Lugano also have airports that receive international flights, but on a much smaller level. The 2 major hubs of Zurich and Geneva both have train stations right at the airports, and are less than four hours apart.
Postal buses and lake steamers
The yellow post buses are supplementing the rail network and their stations are next to railway stations. Lake steamers service all the larger lakes, and the Swiss rail passes are valid on most steamer routes. Bicycles can be hired from most railway stations and returned to any station with a rental office.
Private transportation
Private transfers in Switzerland are an alternative to traveling by train or renting a car. Private transfers allow high levels of flexibility and are recommended for groups and individuals that want to travel at specific hours and want to be independent! Magic Switzerland offers limousine transfers out of/to major Swiss destinations and scheduled taxi services depending on your necessities.
Rental Cars
There are car-rental agencies in most sizeable towns and at the airports. Driving in Switzerland is not difficult and the roads are well maintained, well signposted and generally not too congested, though you may find it hard to concentrate with such wonderful scenery unfolding around you! Getting to Switzerland by road is simple, since there are fast highways through all surrounding countries.
If you have any questions about transportation in Switzerland during your vacation, contact Magic Switzerland! Our local experts will help you complete the details of your trip's logistics.