Switzerland has one of the best public transport systems in the world. Trains, PostBuses, trams, lake boats, and mountain railways are all integrated under a single timetable and ticketing system. You can plan any journey — from city to remote alpine village — at sbb.ch, which is excellent.
Swiss Federal Railways (SBB/CFF/FFS) operates the main rail network. Trains are punctual, clean, and frequent. On main intercity routes, trains run every 30 minutes or better. Swiss domestic tickets do not need to be booked in advance — you can simply buy at the station and board.
PostAuto buses extend the rail network into mountain valleys and villages that trains cannot reach. They run on schedule and accept the same passes as the railways.
The Swiss Travel Pass is worth considering for visitors who plan to travel widely. It gives unlimited travel by train, bus, and boat, plus free entry to over 500 museums, and discounts on most mountain railways. In 2025 a 3-day second-class pass starts at CHF 244. A 4-day pass is around CHF 305. Youth under 25 get 30% off. Compare the cost against your expected journeys before buying — if you are staying mostly in one city, it may not pay off.
The Half Fare Card (CHF 120 for one month) gives 50% off all public transport and is more flexible if you are making a moderate number of journeys over an extended stay.
Mountain railways, cable cars, and cogwheels are the main ways up to the high-altitude attractions. The Swiss Travel Pass gives discounts (typically 25–50%) but rarely covers them entirely. The Jungfraujoch cogwheel railway, for example, is heavily discounted with the pass but still costs extra.
Driving is straightforward on the excellent road network but expensive: petrol, parking, and the motorway vignette all add up. In resort towns like Zermatt, cars are banned entirely. For most visitors, the train system is more convenient.
Cycling is well-supported. Many SBB stations rent bikes, and signposted national cycling routes cross the country.