Travel in Switzerland

Fri, Nov 06
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Travel to SwitzerlandExperience Switzerland Travel: A Complete Transportation Guide

By Lucy Dodsworth

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Lucy DodsworthTravel blogger and guidebook author
Lucy Dodsworth
Specialist in train and car-free travel around Europe and beyond.

As well as its spectacular mountain and lake scenery, Switzerland is renowned for its efficient public transport. Trains, buses and boats are closely integrated, making it easy to get around the country, and beyond to neighbouring countries. I’ve explored Switzerland several times using trains for longer distances, most recently travelling around Lake Lucerne in March 2026 and combining rail with boats and mountain transport. It's ideal for independent travellers who want to explore beyond the main cities, as even remote-looking villages and valleys link into the public transport network.

Travelling by boat on Lake Lucerne

Travelling by boat on Lake Lucerne

Routes Overview

For a first trip to Switzerland, I’d combine Lucerne with the Bernese Oberland. I’ve travelled through both areas and liked the contrast between lakeside cities and mountain resorts. Around Lucerne, you can use boats to get around rather than just as a sightseeing cruise, which adds another option alongside the trains. Farther south, trains to Interlaken and Lauterbrunnen connect with mountain railways and cable cars, opening up routes to smaller valleys and high-altitude villages without needing to hire a car. Popular connections such as Zurich to Lucerne, Zurich to Zermatt and Geneva to Zurich are also easy to book.

Mountain train to Mürren in the Alps

Mountain train to Mürren in the Alps

Onboard Experience

Swiss trains are quick and efficient for longer journeys, but they’re only one part of the public transport network. Yellow PostBuses reach smaller villages, valleys and mountain passes where railways don’t go, while scheduled boats cross larger lakes. Cable cars and mountain railways cover the final climb in many Alpine areas. I like how the different forms of transport connect with each other, as it makes car-free travel much easier. International coaches such as FlixBus also serve Switzerland, but they’re mainly useful for cross-border journeys.

Swiss train at Zurich station

Swiss train at Zurich station

Station Tips

If you're flying into Zurich, check for a direct train to your destination rather than automatically travelling into Zürich Hauptbahnhof (Main Station). Zurich Airport has its own railway station, with frequent trains into the city as well as direct long-distance services to Bern, Basel, Lucerne, Interlaken and other destinations. I always check the onward connections before travelling, as you may be able to avoid an unnecessary change at the start or end of your trip if you’re heading elsewhere in Switzerland rather than staying in Zurich.

Best Time to Travel

For city and lake trips, I like May and June, when the weather is usually mild and wildflowers are in bloom, but popular destinations are less crowded than in midsummer. If your plans include mountain railways, cable cars or high-altitude PostBus routes, check individual timetables: some operate year-round, others are summer-only and many close for maintenance during the shoulder seasons in spring and autumn. Late June to September usually gives you the widest choice of Alpine transport, particularly if you want to combine hiking with mountain journeys.

Things to Know Before Traveling

One thing to check in advance is the final leg of a journey if you are travelling to smaller mountain villages or high-altitude areas. Trains between larger destinations may run frequently, but connecting PostBuses, mountain railways and cable cars can be much less regular, particularly later in the day. Some remote bus services also need to be reserved in advance. I always check the last service of the day when planning my itinerary to make sure I don't get stranded or have to change my plans at short notice.

Scenic Routes

For a journey that adds something to your trip, I’d choose a scheduled boat on Lake Lucerne. Boats link Lucerne with places including Weggis, Vitznau, Brunnen and Flüelen, so they’re useful transport as well as a way to see the lake. I travelled from Lucerne to Vitznau in March 2026, where boats connect with the Rigi Railway, making it easy to combine the lake crossing with a mountain excursion. I liked being able to make the boat part of the journey instead of booking a separate sightseeing cruise.

Booking Tips

When you're looking at ticket prices, it's worth comparing the cost of buying individual tickets with purchasing a Swiss Travel Pass or Swiss Half Fare Card based on the whole trip, not just the trains. These tourist products are intended for people permanently resident outside Switzerland and Liechtenstein. The Swiss Travel Pass covers most trains, PostBuses, scheduled boats and urban transport, while mountain railways and cable cars may be included or offered at a discounted rate depending on the route. The Half Fare Card reduces fares by up to 50% on trains, buses, boats and most mountain transport for a month. I’d work out your likely journeys first before deciding which option offers better value.

Travel Tips

Most Swiss trains don’t require seat reservations, but some premium panoramic services like Glacier Express or Bernina Express do, so check before travelling if you’re planning a scenic rail journey. Always check the exact station or stop you need too, as larger destinations can have several stations with similar names. If you want to break your journey for a few hours, many railway stations have luggage lockers, which makes it easy to explore without carrying your bags. I’ve found this particularly useful when stopping somewhere between two longer journeys.

Conclusion

Switzerland is a good choice for travellers wanting to combine cities, lakes and mountain areas in one trip. Trains cover the longer distances, while PostBuses, boats and cable cars make smaller and higher-altitude places easy to reach. That makes it especially suitable for hikers and independent travellers who would like to go beyond the main destinations without relying on a car. Next time, I’d deliberately plan a day of walking around one of the summer PostBus mountain routes, using the bus as part of the hike so I can see more of the scenery.

Sailing across Lake Lucerne

Sailing across Lake Lucerne

Best itineraries in Switzerland

Zurich

Switzerland Itinerary 7 Days: Alpine Peaks & Historic Cities by Train

Embark on a 7-day Swiss adventure, journeying by train and bus through vibrant cities and breathtaking alpine landscapes. This trip takes you from Zurich's urban charm to the majestic Matterhorn in Zermatt, with stops in historic Bern, picturesque Lucerne, and the adventure hub of Interlaken.

  1. 1Zurich
  2. 2Lucerne
  3. 3Interlaken
  4. 4Zermatt
Plan your itinerary
Zurich

Switzerland Itinerary 12 Days: Alpine Peaks & Historic Cities

This 12-day journey through Switzerland combines vibrant city exploration with breathtaking mountain landscapes. Begin in Zurich, discover the charm of Lucerne, experience the adventure hub of Interlaken, and culminate in the iconic Matterhorn village of Zermatt, all connected by efficient train and bus travel.

  1. 1Zurich
  2. 2Lucerne
  3. 3Interlaken
  4. 4Zermatt
Plan your itinerary
Lucerne

Lucerne Switzerland Itinerary: Alpine Peaks, Historic Cities & Lakeside Beauty

This 7-day Swiss adventure begins in Lucerne, exploring its charming Old Town and cultural gems. Journey by train to Interlaken for alpine excursions, then by bus to the historic capital Bern, before concluding your trip in vibrant Zurich.

  1. 1Lucerne
  2. 2Interlaken
  3. 3Bern
  4. 4Zurich
Plan your itinerary

Travel Switzerland: An Overview

Switzerland, known for its chocolate, mountain ranges and efficient public transport is a must-see for any vacation to Europe. Bern may be the capital city of Switzerland, but cities such as Zurich and Geneva are often more popular with travelers. Zurich Airport is Switzerland's busiest, with flights from airlines such as British Airways, Swiss Airlines and easyJet landing here. Geneva airport is also popular with international travelers, especially those who plan to visit France during their time in Europe.
Traveling around Switzerland without a car is simple, as national train company SBB have connections between all major cities as well as smaller towns. Switzerland is also known for its scenic train journeys such as the Glacier Express and the Bernina Express both of which have UNESCO world heritage status.
Popular across Europe, Flixbus, also provide bus services throughout Switzerland.

HomeTravel in Switzerland

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