Transportation
Schedules and fares are subject to change.
Airport to City Access
Train, bus, taxi, and other options to the city center
Zurich Airport (ZRH) has its own train station beneath the terminal, with frequent trains reaching the city centre in about 10 minutes. Geneva Airport (GVA) is similarly linked by train to the centre in around 7 minutes, and arriving passengers can grab a free local transport ticket from a machine in baggage claim. Trains are the fastest, cheapest way into town.
- Zurich
- Train ~10 min
- Geneva
- Train ~7 min
- GVA tip
- Free transit ticket
- Both airports have direct train links
- Geneva offers a free ticket at arrivals
Public Transportation
Metro, bus, tram, and how to use them
Swiss public transport is famously punctual and integrated. The SBB rail network links towns and villages, backed by trams, buses, postal buses and lake boats that connect seamlessly with one ticket system. Cities like Zurich use zone-based tickets for trams and buses. Timetables are precise to the minute, so plan tight connections with confidence and validate or buy tickets before boarding.
- Network
- SBB rail + trams
- Zurich
- Zone tickets
- Timing
- To the minute
- Trains, trams, buses and boats connect smoothly
- Buy or validate tickets before you board
IC Cards & Travel Passes
Discount passes and rechargeable transit cards
Rather than a tap card, Switzerland offers the Swiss Travel Pass for visitors: an all-in-one pass giving unlimited travel on trains, buses and boats for a set number of days, plus free entry to many museums and discounts on mountain railways. Buy it before or on arrival. For shorter trips, day passes and city cards can be better value. Choose based on how much you plan to move around.
- Pass
- Swiss Travel Pass
- Covers
- Trains, buses, boats
- Extras
- Museums, discounts
- Unlimited travel for a set number of days
- Day passes may suit shorter trips
Car Rental & Driving
License requirements and traffic rules
Driving is on the right, roads are excellent and well signed, and scenery is stunning, though a car is rarely needed since trains reach almost everywhere. To use motorways you must buy an annual vignette sticker and display it. Mountain passes can close in winter and need care in snow. Parking in cities is limited and pricey, so weigh the cost against the superb rail network.
- Drive
- On the right
- Motorways
- Vignette required
- Note
- Trains often better
- Buy and display a motorway vignette
- Mountain passes may close in winter
Intercity Travel
Long-distance buses, trains, and ferries
Intercity travel is a highlight of visiting Switzerland. Fast, comfortable SBB trains connect Zurich, Geneva, Bern, Lucerne, Zermatt and Interlaken, and famous panoramic routes like the Glacier Express and Bernina Express turn the journey into a sightseeing experience. Trains are frequent and punctual, so no need to book far ahead for regular services, though panoramic trains need seat reservations.
- Network
- SBB intercity
- Scenic
- Glacier Express
- Panoramic
- Reserve seats
- Regular trains rarely need advance booking
- Panoramic routes require seat reservations
Domestic Flights
Budget airlines and booking tips
Domestic flights are essentially unnecessary in Switzerland. The country is small and the rail network is so fast and dense that trains beat flying on time, cost and convenience for city-to-city trips. There are no meaningful scheduled internal air routes for tourists. Save flying for your international arrival and departure and enjoy the scenic trains in between.
- Need
- Rarely any
- Better
- Take the train
- Size
- Small country
- Trains beat flying between Swiss cities
- No useful domestic air routes for tourists
Transportation Tips
Advice for safe and efficient travel
Download the SBB Mobile app for tickets and live timetables, and consider a Swiss Travel Pass if you plan to move around a lot. Trains leave exactly on time, so arrive a couple of minutes early. Board the class shown on your ticket, keep it for checks, and enjoy mountain railways and boats included on the pass. Save 112 for emergencies and check weather before high-altitude trips.
- App
- SBB Mobile
- Punctual
- Arrive early
- Emergency
- 112
- Consider a Swiss Travel Pass for lots of travel
- Check mountain weather before high trips