In the Switzerland it is possible without any problems to do without the car during the holidays and instead use the public transportation to use. With the help of trains, buses, mountain railways and ships, you can get almost anywhere without any problems.
Traffic types
railroad
Two thirds of the Swiss railway network belongs to the SBB (Swiss Federal Railways). The remaining railways are so-called private railways, although mostly the Swiss Confederation or a canton owns the majority of the shares. In the mountains there are mostly narrow-gauge railways in operation, such as the Rhaetian Railway (RhB) or the Matterhorn Gotthard Railway (MGB).
International trains run on the networks of the SBB, Südostbahn (SOB) and the Bern-Lötschberg-Simplon Bahnen (BLS). Important border stations with a connection to the Swiss rail network are: Basel (France, Germany), Box (Austria), Chiasso (Italy), Brig-Glis (Italy), Geneva (France) and St.Magrethen (Austria, Germany).
With railroad fans are the Glacier Express (St. Moritz/Davos – Chur – Andermatt – Zermatt) and the Bernina Express (Chur - Pontresina – Tirano, Italy).
By bus
The most important bus company in Switzerland is the "PostBus", which is owned by the Swiss Post and thus indirectly owned by the federal government. The Postbus mainly drives in rural regions, while private companies or urban transport companies take over the operation in urban areas.
In some remote small (mountain) villages there are no longer any regular buses, but only dial-a-ride buses. In order to use these you have to call a special reservation hotline beforehand. It is best to do this 2 hours before departure. It must be ensured that a small fee is to be paid in addition to the regular price.
cable railway
There are many mountain railways, especially in the Alps. While the new systems are mostly cable cars, cogwheel or funicular railways still exist from earlier times. Especially with cog railways, the difference between mountain railways and railways is fluid, since railways also use this technology.
By boat
There are many lakes in Switzerland, and shipping companies offer scheduled boat connections and excursions on almost every lake. Although one would actually no longer be dependent on some of the ship connections today, they are actively used. Depending on their location, they offer impressive alpine panoramas and landscapes, some of which can otherwise only be enjoyed from the air. The numerous paddle steamers, some of which date from the 19th century, are popular. The oldest steamship, which is still on the regular service in Switzerland, is the steamship Greif on the Greifensee, built in 1895.
Prices and tickets
The subscriptions and tickets (called "Billete" in Switzerland) of the railways and bus companies are mutually accepted, in some cases also by the shipping companies and the mountain railways. This means that if you buy a ticket from Landquart to Chur from SBB, for example, you can either travel with the Rhaetian Railway or the SBB (both companies travel a parallel route). It is also possible to use the SBB ticket from e.g. Zurich to Rapperswil-Jona to go by ship instead of rail.
Prices
Public transport prices are in the upper price range of European railways, but the Swiss public transport system is one of the best-developed in the world. In contrast to other countries (such as Germany), the route is paid for, not the trains. In concrete terms, this means: if you want to go from city to city, it doesn't matter what time you travel or what type of train you take. Only the ticket must be valid for the route traveled, if there are several routes this will be included Via Overprint dealt with. For example, a ticket with the imprint: Luzern-St.Gallen via Zurich - Winterthur, only valid via Zurich-Winterthur (i.e. not on the Voralpen-Express via Rapperswil-Jona), but the imprint is there; Lucerne-St.Gallen via Zurich or Rapperswil-Jona, the ticket is valid on both routes. Therefore, when buying the ticket, always make sure that the route (the via) corresponds to the travel request. Since most Swiss already have a Half-Fare travelcard (comparable to BahnCard 50) or a general subscription (comparable to BahnCard 100) and the prices for almost everything are higher than in Germany, the prices for Swiss are not that important. As a visitor you can - if you drive a lot - reduce the prices a bit by buying a variety of short-term offers such as the Swiss Pass or a Half-Fare travelcard that is limited to a few days or weeks. Savings prices similar to those of Deutsche Bahn are now available on some selected routes, but are nowhere near as common as in Germany.
Tickets
Tickets are issued either at machines or at counters. You can pay at almost all machines with major credit cards and the PostFinance card. For a longer journey on one day, a day ticket can be cheaper than the regular ticket. In some regions, special day or multi-day tickets are also available, which are only valid in the region.
You can sometimes get cheap tickets on the Internet, see the SBB homepage. In some cities there is also a special tourist card with which you can get a discounted or even free day ticket for the center (if you stay in a hotel, e.g. in Basel). It is best to inquire about this in the hotel.
Families with children up to 16 years of age who plan to make several trips by public transport should consider buying a junior card. This is available for 30 francs (as of 2017) at the station counters. With this, children can travel for free when accompanied by an adult. This card is accepted everywhere except for some mountain railways and shipping companies.
Adults who are planning a longer stay in Switzerland should keep the option of buying a half-fare card open. This corresponds to the German Bahncard50, you only pay half the price for all trips. The subscription costs 150 francs for one year (as of 2007) and is valid everywhere except for some mountain railways and shipping companies. There are day and monthly tickets for this half-fare card, which make it a general subscription, i.e. grant free travel. At the SBB you can find an overview map of the area of application. It is important to know that with many mountain railways, the Half-Fare travelcard entitles you to purchase cheaper tickets, even if it is often only a 25% reduction. Showing helps to find out whether there is something like that.
There is for guests from abroad Swiss Pass. This ticket is available for 4, 8, 15, 22 days or 1 month for unlimited travel on the Swiss Travel System rail, postbus and shipping network.
International tickets
Italy
For trips to Italy there is the possibility to take a EuroCity train. With the Smart price tickets comes a ride from Zurich to Milan to stand at 30 CHF. To do this, the ticket must be purchased 14 days in advance. If you book 7 days in advance, the ticket costs 46 CHF (normal price half-fare card 77-86 CHF). Further price examples from Zurich (normal / 14 days / 7 days in advance): after Florence/Venice 133/46/61 CHF; to Livorno 117/46/61)
Germany
For trips to Germany (only from Switzerland) you travel 25% cheaper with the Haltax or the GA. With a TEE plan and savings (Buy 3 days in advance) you travel another 25% cheaper.
From Basel, it is advisable to buy the route from Basel SBB if you have an SBB Half-Fare travelcard, because then the entire route is a little cheaper. On the other hand, Deutsche Bahn only offers low-cost savings from Basel Bad Bf., So a combination of different tickets can be sensible and, depending on the price, significantly cheaper.
To other countries in Europe
When traveling to other countries, it is best to go to one of the SBB travel centers, at all larger and some smaller train stations. There you will receive extensive advice. You can also buy tickets for almost all European railways and make reservations.
Bicycle transport
Most public transport in Switzerland transports bicycles.please refer Bike transport in Cycling in Switzerland
Accessibility
In Switzerland, there is an increasing number of people with disabilities. New regional and suburban trains are now being implemented with low-floor access. In the case of express trains, there are now a few special low-floor trains; one cannot expect that the fleet will be completely refitted in the near future. For trains without a low floor, "lifts" are available on request at every SBB station.
The SBB Call Center Handicap, which is responsible for the entire standard-gauge long-distance network, can be reached between 6 am and 10 pm on 0800 007 102 (free number in Switzerland). The direct dial number from abroad is 41 (0) 51 225 71 50. The information brochure for travelers with disabilities is also available as a PDF file under the following link [1].
Trams and buses are also only delivered with low-floor entry. Exceptions are buses on routes in difficult terrain, where it is not possible for safety reasons.
Ships shouldn't be a big problem. Unfortunately, older lifts on mountain railways are often still equipped with steps, but new lifts are mostly handicapped accessible.
There are no discounts for travelers with disabilities, not even on presentation of the appropriate ID. For people with restricted mobility who are resident in Switzerland, there is the option of applying to the local authorities for an accompanying card, which allows an accompanying person to travel with them to support them, whereby the " more expensive "person travels for free.
miscellaneous
Smoke
Smoking is prohibited on public transport. Smoking outdoors is tolerated, including on the station premises, but here too there are no rules without exceptions. Smoking is mostly allowed outdoors, but ashtrays on the open platforms are in short supply and throwing away tobacco products can be punished. In underground stations, as in closed rooms, there is a general smoking ban. Enclosed on three sides, it is usually designed as a closed room, even without doors, so it is better not to smoke in station halls even without a visible ban on smoking.
dogs
Are almost always transported, but a surcharge has to be paid. For larger dogs, the ticket costs the same as a normal 2nd class ticket. Dogs that are less than 30 cm shoulder height can be taken in cages, baskets or the like as hand luggage free of charge.
If the accompanying person has a GA travelcard or Half-Fare travelcard, a dog can be used on SBB trains and on many agglomeration routes for Sfr. 32 be taken for a day.
Passenger information
Usually every stop on trains and buses is announced. New vehicles are also equipped with visual displays: trains (especially regional trains) in the non-German language regions of Switzerland (Romandie, Ticino) often have no German passenger information. Exceptions are tourist lines and lines spanning language regions.
punctuality
The SBB is one of the most punctual railways in the world, approx. 90% of the trains are less than three minutes late compared to the timetable. However, if there is a longer delay, the train attendants will be happy to help and will also look for new connections on request.
Local transport is also usually very punctual, but at rush hours, especially in cities and urban agglomerations, traffic jams and thus delays can occur. If you can, you should plan enough time in case you travel during rush hour. Otherwise you can rely on punctuality.
Baggage drop-off
It is possible to check in luggage between two manned stations (note opening times) if you have a valid ticket. Normal transport takes place between 7 p.m. and 9 a.m., i.e. overnight. Price per piece of luggage Sfr. 10.-.
Fast luggage can only be checked in between 45 train stations, it must be checked in before 9 a.m. and will be at the destination on the same day from 6 p.m. Overview plan Price per piece of luggage CHF 20.-.
Some hotels cooperate with the SBB and offer their guests transport to the hotel, which you will find there list.
For air travelers, there is check-in at some of the larger train stations with Fly Rail Baggage. You can check in your luggage at the train station and in some cases have your boarding pass in possession. With certain airlines it is also possible to have your luggage sent to the train station after landing. More information at sbb.ch and with your airline.
Railway articles from Switzerland
- Albula Railway
- Glacier Express
- Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn
- Trails of the Jungfrau region
- Rhaetian Railway
- Zurich Oberland steam train
literature
- : Discover Switzerland by train. Switzerland: GeraMond, 2011, ISBN 3862451240 ; 192 pages (German).
- : The most beautiful railways in Switzerland. Switzerland: Bruckmann Verlag GmbH, 2010, ISBN 3765472999 ; 119 pages (German).
