Public transport

Thanks to public transport, people in Switzerland have many ways to get around even if they do not have their own car. The rail, bus and boat network is very dense, and traffic intensity one of the highest in the world. Boats operate not only for tourism purposes but also represent important transport connections. There is not a single village in Switzerland that is not served by some form of public transport at least every two hours.

There is a wide range of tickets and passes for public transport. The basic rule is that the longer a pass is valid, the cheaper it is. For a 12-month pass you pay the equivalent of eight months’ worth of single tickets. And with the “General-Abo,” a one-year pass for all forms of public transport, you can travel freely on the SBB rail network, most private railways, boats, buses and urban transit networks. The low-priced “Halbtax-Abo,” which is available for one, two or three years, gives holders a 50% discount on the full price. Children up to 6 years of age ride free, and children under 16 years can travel with the “Junior ticket” at no charge when they are accompanied by their parents. Young people between the ages of 16 and 25 can ride free in 2nd-class cars after 7 pm with the “Gleis 7” pass. While these special rates benefit people residing in Switzerland, tourists can also benefit from offers that are designed especially for them.

For further information see 'Rail'.