Transportation
Traveling by plane
According to top-medical-schools, air traffic within Switzerland is operated by Swiss International Air Lines (LX). There are flights from Zurich to Geneva and Bern.
Traveling by car/bus
Switzerland has a well-developed road network. Many mountain roads are narrow, extremely winding and often impassable in unfavorable winter weather conditions. Snow chains and winter tires are required in winter. Toll: Swiss motorways and motorway-like roads with white-green signs are subject to tolls. A heavy vehicle fee is payable on all roads for vehicles over 3.5 t. The motorway vignette can be purchased at border crossings, petrol stations, customs and post offices, among other places, and is valid for 14 months; from December 1st to January 31st of the year after next. In Germany, the ADAC sells the vignette, also online in the ADAC shop. It can also be ordered from Deutsche Post. Petrol stations are available everywhere and are often equipped with banknote or credit card machines, which also allow you to fill up at night.
Right-hand traffic/left-hand traffic
Right
Condition of the roads
Switzerland has an excellently maintained road network.
Road classification
The Swiss road network comprises – motorways, signposted with a white road symbol on a green background, – motor roads, signposted with a white car symbol on a green background, – European roads, signposted with the letter E and a number on a green background, – main roads, with white lettering blue reason.
Car rental
Booking offices of the larger European companies can be found in all cities, airports and major train stations. Drivers must be at least 20 years old (varies by vehicle category) and have held their driving license for at least one year. Drivers under the age of 25 often pay an additional young driver fee.
Taxi
Taxis are readily available at airports, train stations and in all major towns.
Coach
Postbus lines also go to the most remote villages. Flixbus connects various Swiss cities.
Regulations
Traffic regulations: – Seat belts are compulsory. – Children under the age of 12 or shorter than 1.50 m must be secured with a child seat; older or larger children using the seat belt. – Dipped headlights must also be used during the day. – Alcohol limit: 0.5 ‰ (novice drivers: 0.1 ‰). Driving under the influence of alcohol carries heavy fines. – If a route is signposted with the traffic sign “Snow chains compulsory”, this may only be driven on with snow chains – on at least two wheels of the drive axle. Exceptions may apply to all-wheel drive vehicles, for example with the additional sign “4×4 excluded”. – Telephoning with the mobile phone while driving is only permitted via a hands-free system. Speed limits: – in built-up areas: 50 km/h; – on rural roads: 80 km/h; – on expressways: 100 km/h; – on motorways: 120 km/h; The maximum speed for vehicles with spiked tires is 80 km/h. If you exceed the speed limit of 40 km/h in a 30 km/h zone or 80 km/h on motorways, you face imprisonment for at least one year. In addition to a high fine, the vehicle may also be confiscated. The maximum speed for vehicles with spiked tires is 80 km/h. If you exceed the speed limit of 40 km/h in a 30 km/h zone or 80 km/h on motorways, you face imprisonment for at least one year. In addition to a high fine, the vehicle may also be confiscated. The maximum speed for vehicles with spiked tires is 80 km/h. If you exceed the speed limit of 40 km/h in a 30 km/h zone or 80 km/h on motorways, you face imprisonment for at least one year. In addition to a high fine, the vehicle may also be confiscated.
Roadside Assistance
The ADAC foreign emergency call offers ADAC members and holders of ADAC foreign health and accident insurance comprehensive assistance in the event of vehicle breakdowns, traffic accidents, loss of documents and money, and medical emergencies. The emergency number is available around the clock; in the event of vehicle damage: Tel. +49 (89) 22 22 22, in the event of illness: +49 (89) 76 76 76. Automobile clubs: Swiss Automobile Club, Tel. +41 31 328 31 11. Swiss Touring Club, in case of breakdown or accident Tel. 0800 140 140.
Documentation
The national driving license is sufficient. For citizens of EU and EFTA countries, the license plate number is valid as proof of insurance. Nevertheless, EU and EFTA citizens are recommended to take their international motor insurance card with them in order to make it easier to record accidents in the event of damage and to enjoy full insurance cover. Otherwise, the statutory minimum liability insurance coverage applies. When temporarily importing a private vehicle for a stay of up to one year, no customs document is required.
Traveling in the city
The urban means of transport are considered exemplary. Trams and suburban trains operate in Basel, Bern, Geneva, Neuchâtel and Zurich. These and many other cities also have trolleybuses. With the mobility ticket, which is available when you check in at the hotel, the use of public transport in Basel is free of charge. In Bern, the Bern Ticket allows free use of public transport. Whoever spends the night in Geneva receives the free Geneva Transport Card for buses, trams, trains and the taxi boat on Lake Geneva. In the canton of Ticino there is the Ticino Ticket, with which visitors can freely use public transport during their stay in the southern canton and receive discounted admission to various leisure facilities. Ticket machines are available everywhere. Tickets can also be purchased at information and sales counters. The fares depend on the respective travel zones. Day passes valid for one or more cities are also offered. The ZürichCARD is available for 24 or 72 hours. In addition to free travel on public transport in the greater Zurich area, this card also entitles you to enter most of Zurich’s museums. It is available at the airport and at the main station in Zurich as well as from ticket machines of the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) and the Zurich Transport Association (ZVV). The Swiss railway also offers a City-City-Ticket. In addition to the journey between the selected point of departure and destination, this includes a day ticket for unlimited travel on the network of municipal transport companies at the point of departure and/or destination.
Locally on the way by train
The Swiss railway network is one of the densest in the world and, with the exception of a few kilometers, is fully electrified. Operators are the Swiss Federal Railways and private companies such as the Rhaetian Railway in Graubünden/Grisons and the Bernese Oberland Railway. The main trains carry dining cars and a minibar service. Bike and car rentals are available at all major train stations. Many of the winter sports resorts can only be reached by mountain railways. The highlight of every trip to Switzerland is a trip on one of the numerous panoramic routes, including the: Gotthard Panorama Express: From Lucerne by boat across Lake Lucerne to Füelen. From Füelen by train via Göschenen – Airolo – Bellinzona to Lugano. Bernina Express: Chur/Davos – St. Moritz – Bernina Pass – Pontresina – Valposchiavo – Tirano (the section from Thusis to Tirano was included in the World Heritage List in 2008); Heidi Express: Davos – Bernina Pass – Tirano; Glacier Express: Zermatt – Brig – Andermatt – Chur – Davos/St. Moritz; Golden Pass: Montreux – Lucerne; Panoramic Express: Montreux – Interlaken or with the Voralpen Express: St. Gallen – Rapperswil – Pfäffikon – Arth-Goldau – Lucerne.
rail passes
Special tickets are available from Switzerland Tourism, among others, or from DB and ÖBB ticket offices. The Swiss Travel Pass is the all-in-one ticket for rail, bus and boat throughout Switzerland. There are also the variants Swiss Travel Pass Youth, Swiss Travel Pass Flex and Swiss Travel Pass Flex Youth. All variants are available for use of 3, 4, 8 or 15 days within a month. With the SwissPass you can choose from a wide range of discounts. Regional holiday passes are available in certain regions in summer. Further information from the Swiss Federal Railways (see above), tourist offices, DB or ÖBB. The Interrail One Country Pass and the Interrail Global Pass are also valid in Switzerland.
Note on the train journey
At 80 train stations in Switzerland, such as Aarau, Basel, Bern, Chur, Dietikon, Geneva and Zurich, travelers have free Internet access via WLAN.
Traveling by ship
Switzerland is not only a country of mountains, but also of lakes and rivers. During the summer months, ships and pleasure boats operate on the following waters: Aare, Lake Constance, Lake Geneva, Lac de Joux, Lake Lugano, Lake Lucerne and Lake Zurich. The benefits of the SwissPass of the Swiss Federal Railways also apply to boat trips.
