On the move
The journey is the destination
A little island at the heart of Europe, Switzerland is easy to reach from anywhere in the world. The public transport system is regarded as exemplary, and is without doubt one of the most reliable and best organised in the world. A byword for comfort and punctuality, it reaches every corner of the land – often in spectacular style. Thanks to the country’s tremendous scenic variety in a compact area, even the journey is an unforgettable experience.
Worldwide connections. Planes from all over the world land at the five airports of Zürich, Geneva, Bern, Basel and Lugano, while high-speed trains arrive from across Europe, notably the TGV from France, ICE from Germany and Cisalpino from Italy.
Up on high. Switzerland’s crowning glory is the alpine mountain chain. And they are surprisingly easy to reach: almost every well-known peak is served by a cable car, cog railway or funicular – including the Jungfraujoch, “Top of
Europe”.
Guaranteed on time. Just one ticket covers the whole of
Switzerland: the Swiss Travel System offers free travel on the entire public transport network – trains, buses, boats and trams. Also included: punctuality.
Floating comforts. Switzerland is blessed with sublimely
beautiful lakes. Along their shores lie romantic villages and buzzing cities, sun-blessed vineyards and dramatic cliffs – experienced most memorably from one of the old paddle steamers.
Travel with a difference. Salon de Luxe, Stiva Retica, Pan
Gottardo… Whether you are hosting a welcome party, a launch meeting or a concluding dinner, special rail carriages provide an unforgettable setting – as well as memorable
gastronomic treats.
High fashion. Their popularity is no surprise: anyone who has tried on a pair of snowshoes is sure to return to explore tranquil snow-covered landscapes, far from the beaten track, and enjoy a rare sense of being part of nature.
Better connected. For more than 150 years, Switzerland’s
yellow postbuses have been bringing passengers as well as
post to the remotest corners of the country. Their unmistakable threetone horns are a familiar sound throughout the Alps.
On the right track. A train runs every 12 minutes. Switzerland’s 3,000 km of track carry 9,000 trains a day – a European record. And rail is eco-friendly: as they negotiate the 671 tunnels and 6,000-plus bridges, Swiss trains emit
almost no pollution.
