Cycling in Switzerland - Veloland Schweiz

The bicycle - or bike, as the Swiss call it - is probably the best means of transport to experience Switzerland. Over 12,000 km of official cycle routes are signposted under the label “Veloland Schweiz”. It is one of the densest networks of cycle routes in the world.

National routes

Routes

Bicycle routes in Switzerland are indicated by red signposts with white letters. The route numbers are indicated in light blue square fields on the signposts. The signage is largely reliable, so that you can usually follow the official routes without having to constantly consult the map.

National routes

The typical bicycle signposts in Switzerland, here in Basel: EuroVelo 6, Rhine Route 2, North-South Route 3 and Southern Black Forest Cycle Route
Pedestrian underpass with a small restaurant and bicycle parking spaces at the Basel-Bad train station

Regional routes

  • Veloland Zurich: Cycle routes in the Zurich region
  • Prättigau Route 21: Klosters - Sargans
  • North Vaudois-Jura 22: Lausanne - La Chaux-de-Fonds
  • Basel-Franches-Montagnes 23: Basel - Tramelan
  • Emmental-Entlebuch 24: Biel - Lucerne
  • A travers le Valais romand 25: St-Gingolph - Sierre
  • Eastern Switzerland Wine Route 26: Schaffhausen - St.Gallen
  • Karthauser-Fürstenland-Route 33: Stein am Rhein - Rorschach
  • Old Bernerweg 34: Estavayer-le-Lac - Baden
  • Blenio-Lukmanier 36: Biasca - Disentis
  • Lucerne hinterland-Rigi 38: Pfaffnau - fountain
  • Pilgrim Route 41: (Constance-) Kreuzlingen - miles
  • Appenzell Route 42: St.Gallen-Appenzell - Heiden - St.Gallen
  • Le Jorat-Trois Lacs-Emme 44: Lausanne - Burgdorf
  • Thurgau Panorama Route 47: Romanshorn - Wil
  • Jura south foot route 50: Olten - Genève
  • Arc jurassia 54: Ste-Croix - Liestal
  • Council cycle route 55: St. Gallen - Kreuzlingen (-Constanz)
  • Saanenland-Freiburgerland 59: Bex - Erlach
  • Bernese Oberland Route 61: Thun - Meiringen
  • Sense-Glâne-Veveyse 62: Schwarzenburg - Châtel - St-Denis
  • Loetschberg-Jura 64: Gampel - Boncourt (-Belfort)
  • Inn cycle route 65: Maloja - Martina (Finstermünz)
  • Passwang-Oberaargau 71: Dornach - Huttwil
  • Chemin du Vignoble 72: Martigny - Leuk
  • Wiggertal Faith Mountain 73: Olten (Aarburg) - Sarnen
  • Scythe 74: Wimmis - Kerzers (Golaten)
  • Orchard Route 75: Arbon - Nesslau
  • Rigi-Reuss-Klettgau 77: Fountain - Schaffhausen
  • Seerücken Route 82: Schaffhausen - Arbon
  • Mittelländer Hill Route 84: Thun - Zurich
  • Unterwalden route 85: Giswil - Engelberg
  • La Broye-La Gruyere 87: Payerne - cop
  • L'Areuse-Emme-Sihl 94: Fleurier - Zurich
  • Thur route 95: Ellikon a.R. - Buchs
  • Lake Constance cycle route 96: 245 km, Constance - Friedrichshafen - Bregenz - Constance
  • Dreiland cycle path 97: 234 km, Basel (Dornach) - Mulhouse - Rheinfelden - Basel (Dornach)
  • Rhine Valley Cycle Route 98: Schaffhausen - Basel, on the right bank of the Rhine

International routes

Travel time

The best time to travel by bike is from spring to autumn. But in summer it can occasionally get very hot. Especially along country roads in open terrain, there is often no shade for miles.

Road conditions

getting there

Entry into Switzerland is possible by bike at all border crossings. additional Information here.

Bike transport

Most transport companies in Switzerland allow bicycles to be transported.

By train

Bicycle self-loading

On almost all SBB trains (Exceptions are marked in the timetables with a crossed-out bicycle symbol) As well as on many other private railways, bicycles can easily be taken along.

The prices of the SBB and Postbus:

  • A 2nd class ticket is also required for the bicycle. The Half-Fare Card / GA is also valid for the bike.,
    or one
    Bicycle day pass, Regular price: 18, - CHF, with the Half-Fare Card / GA or for children up to 16 years: CHF 12.
    Ins foreign countries the bike card costs: CHF 20, including a mandatory reservation.
  • Children with a junior card can take bicycles with them for free if one of their parents has a bicycle ticket.
  • Special bicycles such as tandems / recumbent bicycles / tricycles that do not fit into the normal suspension devices or are longer than 2 meters cost twice as much.
  • The price for the one-year Velo-Pass is CHF 220.
  • The reservation on a train that requires a reservation is CHF 5.-. Reservations are required for ICN trains from March 21 to October 31.
  • In the TanZbag or similar bags you can carry it as hand luggage for free. Folded bicycles packed in carrier bags are considered hand luggage and can also be carried free of charge in the Postbus.
  • International train connections with self-loading bicycles
  • Post bus - Timetable and tickets · Bicycle transport in the postbus

Bike shipping

The SBB also offers the option of shipping your bike if you have a valid ticket.

  • Ordinary bikes up to 25 kg or bike trailers: CHF 18.–, to Germany or Austria: CHF 33.00
  • Special bikes CHF 36.–

(Bicycle trailers (max. 60 cm wide) count as bicycles)

Everything you need to know about transporting bicycles with SBB (including transport abroad): SBB bicycle transport

Rental bikes

By bus

Postbus: - The SBB Velobilette have also been valid in the Postbus since December 14, 2008, and tickets are only issued in accordance with the railway regulations (2nd class 1/1 or 1/2, max. 15 .- / 10 .- = day ticket). Bicycles are generally transported in all Postbuses. However, due to the restriction to four bicycles per PostBus, it is advisable to make a reservation. You will find detailed information about dei Perise and the possibilities of taking away in this message link to PDF.

Self-loading within the Zurich Transport Association Bicycles can be taken along. The rush hour in the morning and in the evening should be avoided, the chauffeur may refuse to take you along if the vehicle is already full.

By boat

Most ships of the line also transport bicycles. The prices are available from the local shipping companies. As the only shipping company in Switzerland, the LNM Free bicycles on the Neuchâtel and Murten lakes.

flight

Transporting bicycles within Switzerland by plane is not worthwhile with the alternative train.

Water / food

In Switzerland, the supply of water and food is unproblematic. In remote areas it can be more difficult on weekends (Sundays). Many village wells can still be filled with water. If the water in a fountain is not potable, this must be marked by law. As a result, you can drink well and tap water without hesitation wherever “no drinking water” is expressly stated.

Traveling expenses

accommodation

Documents

security

bicycle

Own bike

Bike rental

  • Operates along the cycle routes in Switzerland Rent a bike 100 rental stations.
  • At Swiss fun Rent you can rent good touring bikes, tandems and all the cycling equipment. Swiss fun Rent is in Oppligen between Tuna and Bern to find.

Bike purchase / bike shops

In Switzerland you can find bike shops in many places. There are a few bike shops in Switzerland that specialize in touring bikes or equipment for touring bikes.

Special equipment

cards

  • The official web map of the Cycling in Switzerland is freely accessible. All official bike routes are shown here.
  • The “SwitzerlandMobility” smartphone app, which displays all cycle routes and has a location function, is recommended for on the go. The app is free and is made available by the SwitzerlandMobility Foundation, which oversees the official cycle route network.
  • Velo map Switzerland 1: 301000: Tourist bike map - (Publisher: Hallwag / Kümmerly Frey) ISBN 3-259-00533-1
  • Link to further Bike maps (bike maps) from Kümmerly Frey - Verlag

literature

list of Veloland Switzerland route guide:
Rhone route 1ISBN 3-85932-395-4
Rhine Route 2ISBN 3-85932-514-0
North-south route 3ISBN 3-85932-515-9
Alpine panorama route 4ISBN 3-85932-383-0
Mittelland route 5ISBN 3-85932-517-5
Graubünden route 6ISBN 3-85932-385-7
Jura route 7ISBN 3-85932-519-1
Aare route 8ISBN 3-85932-520-5
Lakes Route 9ISBN 3-85932-521-3
  • Veloland Switzerland Foundation (Ed.): Veloland Switzerland Volume 1 - 9; Official route guides. Werd-Verlag. Description of the national routes
  • Veloland Switzerland Foundation (Ed.): Bike & bed directory: Directory of overnight stays in the route guides of Veloland Switzerland. Werd Verlag AG, Aug 2006, ISBN 3-85932-522-1 , P. 96.
  • Velojournal - Bicycle magazine with many route suggestions for Switzerland and worldwide. There is a large archive of the booklets and route suggestions on the website.

Events

  • Bike-specific events:
slowUp - Car-free adventure days that take place all over Switzerland (e.g. Murten lake, Werdenberg - Liechtenstein, Valais, Schaffhausen - Hegau, Upper Rhine, Vallée de Joux, Gruyere, Fêtes de Genève, Sempachersee Seetal, Euregio Euregio Lake Constance, Mountain Albula, Emmental, Basel - Dreiland, Lake Zurich)

Travel provider

  • SwissTrails provides bookable offers in hiking and cycling in Switzerland.

Web links

Special bike purchase / equipment shops

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