Switzerland enchants visitors with its stunning Alpine peaks, pristine lakes, and charming medieval towns. From world-class skiing to scenic train journeys and gourmet chocolate, this mountainous nation offers unparalleled natural beauty and Swiss precision in hospitality.
- Public
- World-class rail, tram, and bus network with legendary Swiss punctuality. Swiss Travel Pass offers unlimited travel on most routes and is excellent value for tourists.
- Taxi
- Available via Uber and local taxi ranks. Very expensive — CHF 3.50-5/km plus base fare. Reserve for late-night use when public transport stops.
- Rental
- Good for mountain regions and rural exploration not served by public transport. Highway vignette (CHF 40) required. Mountain roads require experience.
- Walking
- Historic city centers are highly walkable. Zurich and Bern old towns are best explored on foot. Excellent pedestrian infrastructure with clear signage.
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- Train to Hauptbahnhof: 10 minutes, CHF 6.80 ($7.50) - departs every 5-10 minutes
- Shuttle
- Tram 10 to city: 35 minutes, CHF 6.80 ($7.50) - scenic route
- Bus
- Taxi to center: 20-30 minutes, CHF 50-70 ($55-77)
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
Comprehensive bus networks in all cities and villages. Same ticketing as trams. Postbus (yellow buses) serve rural mountain areas. Swiss Travel Pass covers most routes. Buses extremely punctual.
Alternatives
metro, taxi, rideshare, bike_rental, boats
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- Expensive - base fare CHF 6 ($6.60), then CHF 3.50-5 ($3.85-5.50) per km depending on city. Uber available in major cities at similar prices. Taxis metered and reliable.
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
FlixBus operates budget routes between cities - typically 30-50% cheaper than trains but slower. Postbus serves mountain regions excellently. Long-distance buses less common due to excellent rail.
Flights
Limited - only Zurich-Geneva route makes sense timewise when considering airport procedures. Train almost always better option within Switzerland.
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Airports
Zurich Airport (Kloten)
From centre: 10 km to Zurich city center
Options: Train to Hauptbahnhof: 10 minutes, CHF 6.80 ($7.50) - departs every 5-10 minutes; Tram 10 to city: 35 minutes, CHF 6.80 ($7.50) - scenic route; Taxi to center: 20-30 minutes, CHF 50-70 ($55-77); Airport shuttle: CHF 25-40 ($28-44) per person
Geneva Airport (Cointrin)
From centre: 4 km to Geneva city center
Options: Train to Cornavin: 6 minutes, CHF 3 ($3.30) - free ticket at baggage claim; Bus 5 or 10: 20 minutes, CHF 3 ($3.30); Taxi to center: 10-15 minutes, CHF 35-50 ($39-55); Uber/Bolt available, similar prices to taxi
EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg
From centre: 8 km to Basel city center
Options: Bus 50 to Basel SBB: 20 minutes, CHF 4.50 ($5); Taxi to center: 15-20 minutes, CHF 40-60 ($44-66); Airport in France but serves Basel, Switzerland
Bern Airport (Belp)
From centre: 9 km to Bern city center
Options: Bus 160 to Bern station: 25 minutes, CHF 5 ($5.50); Taxi to center: 15 minutes, CHF 45-60 ($50-66); Limited international flights - mostly regional
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
SBB Mobile
Official Swiss Federal Railways app for all train, tram, and bus timetables, mobile tickets, and real-time platform information — essential for navigating Switzerland
Uber
Available in Zurich, Geneva, Basel, Bern, and Lausanne. Similar pricing to local taxis. Useful for late-night returns when trains have stopped.
PubliBike
Switzerland's national bike-sharing app covering 80+ cities with both regular and e-bikes. CHF 1/30 minutes after free registration. Great for cities.
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Buy a Swiss Travel Pass for trips of 3+ days — it covers trains, boats, buses, and most cable cars for CHF 232-422 depending on duration
Download the SBB Mobile app for live train schedules, platform information, and mobile ticketing without a physical ticket
Validate your ticket before boarding trams and buses — inspectors board randomly and fine CHF 100+ without valid ticket
First-class train cars are marked with '1' — worth the 50% premium for panoramic routes like Glacier Express
Night buses (Nightliner) run in Zurich and Geneva on Friday and Saturday nights — much cheaper than taxis after midnight