Arrive by Plane:
The main entry points for international travelers to Switzerland are the airports of Zurich-Kloten and Geneva-Cointrin. Most major airlines from all around the world offer direct or connecting flights to at least one of these two airports. Basel-Mulhouse is Switzerland's 3rd largest airport also receiving daily international flights, but on a smaller level. The Bern-Belp and Lugano-Agno airports are rather small and offer just a few daily international flights exclusively to European destinations and/or often connecting in Zurich or Geneva. Travelers to destinations in the south of Switzerland (Ticino or Valais) might want to consider flying to/from Milano-Malpensa in Italy, which is situated just an hour by train or car from the Swiss border. Finally, there are some small, regional airports such as in Gstaad-Saanen or St. Moritz-Scuol for private flights with smaller planes.

Arrive by Train:
With its central location within Europe, Switzerland always has been an important center of international transportation. Major routes north-south as well as east-west connect through Switzerland, and international fast trains such as the ICE or the TGV stop in all larger Swiss cities several times daily.

You can also travel to Switzerland by boat: along the Rhine River all the way from Amsterdam, from Germany via Lake Constance, from Italy via Lake Maggiore or Lake Lugano, and from France via Lake Geneva.


Getting around in Switzerland:
Travel by Train:
Trains are the most popular way to travel in Switzerland, and Swiss and European Rail Passes make train travel affordable. The transportation network covers more than 5,000 km (3,105 miles). It is difficult to overstate how good this network is: you can get anywhere you want quickly, easily and relatively cheaply and everybody relies on it as a matter of course. Swiss trains are clean, on time and frequent. Post buses are supplementing the train network and their stations are next to railway stations. The main entry points for international travelers are the airports of Zurich-Kloten and Geneva-Cointrin, both major hubs with train stations right at the airport. Traveling by train with a Swiss Rail Pass also allows for lake steamer cruises on most of the mayor lakes in Switzerland, and finally, you can rent a bicycle at all main train stations.
>> more information about traveling by train in Switzerland, including scenic trains, ticket options, online booking and sample itineraries.

Travel by Car:
Switzerland has a well maintained network of highways and streets. It is easy to find your way since both highways and streets are clearly marked. The mountainous terrain can make for some circuitous routes and the compensation of superb - if sometimes hair-raising - mountain scenery. To make driving in the Alps easier and faster, there are several long tunnels through the mountains such as the St. Gotthard Road Tunnel or the St. Bernard Tunnel, and in some places one has to put the car on a car transporter train (e.g. Loetschberg connecting the Bernese Oberland and the Valais or Vereina in Graubunden connecting the Davos region with the Engadin Valley) - note that some of the mountain roads are closed during winter months.
There are rental car agencies in most sizeable towns and at all airports. Renting a car to travel around Switzerland is easy and fun; it is recommended for travelers that wish to be independent.
>> more information about traveling by car in Switzerland, including basic traffic rules, car rental and private transfer options

 

 

 

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