Public transport in Switzerland

One of the densest and punctual networks in the world, within reach of your subscription

Switzerland has a public transport network of exceptional quality, recognized as one of the best in the world. Trains, trams, buses and boats are perfectly interconnected thanks to a timetable system. Whether you live in Geneva, Zurich or a mountain village, you can count on reliable connections and optimized travel times. Understanding this network and choosing the right subscription will save you time and money every day.

The CFF/SBB rail network

The Swiss Federal Railways (CFF/SBB/FFS) operate more than 5,000 km of railway tracks and serve some 800 stations across the country. The network is made up of several types of trains adapted to each travel need.

InterCity (IC) trains connect major cities without stopping or with very few stops — Geneva-Zurich in 2 hours 40 minutes, Bern-Basel in 55 minutes. InterRegio (IR) serve medium-sized towns, while regional trains (RE) and S-Bahn provide fine service to urban areas. The timetable guarantees a train every 30 minutes on the main lines, and every 15 minutes during peak hours.

Urban transport

Each Swiss urban area has its own urban transport network. In Zurich, the ZVV network includes trams, buses and S-Bahn. In Geneva, TPG operate trams and buses. In Lausanne, the M2 metro is the steepest in the world, supplemented by the M1 and a TL bus network. Basel, Bern and other cities also have historic and efficient tram networks.

Urban networks generally operate from around 5 a.m. to midnight. Noctambuses and night lines run on Friday and Saturday evenings in major cities, for a modest supplement.

Subscriptions and transport tickets

The choice of your subscription depends on the frequency and distance of your travels. Here is a comparison of the main options available in 2026.

Subscription	Price	Benefits
GA/general subscription	CHF 3,860/year (2nd class)	Unlimited travel on the entire Swiss network (trains, buses, boats)
Half price	CHF 185/year	50% off all tickets
Course subscription	From CHF 100/month	Fixed-price commute to work
Municipal day pass	CHF 52/day (2nd class)	Unlimited travel for one day, sold by municipalities
Zone subscription	Varies depending on the area	Unlimited travel in an urban area
SBB Mobile Easy Ride	Free to activate	Automatic check-in/check-out, best rate calculated

Cycling and soft mobility

Switzerland actively encourages soft mobility. Self-service bicycle systems have developed in all major cities. PubliBike offers classic and electric bikes in more than 50 cities, with an annual subscription of around CHF 99. Electric scooter operators like Lime and Tier are also present in urban centers.

Many cities have created safe cycle paths. Zurich, Bern and Basel are particularly well equipped. You can also take your bike on CFF trains for a bike ticket (CHF 14/day or CHF 240/year).

Car vs public transport

In Switzerland, owning a car represents a considerable cost: insurance (CHF 1,000–2,000/year), motorway vignette (CHF 40/year), city parking (CHF 150–300/month), gasoline and maintenance. Traffic jams during rush hours on the Lausanne-Geneva and Zurich-Berne routes are frequent.

For daily commutes, public transport is often faster, less stressful and more economical. A GA at CHF 3,860/year comes to around CHF 320/month for unlimited travel. Many residents combine half fare with a car for weekends and large errands.

CFF app and tickets

The SBB Mobile application is essential for any resident in Switzerland. It allows you to buy tickets, view timetables in real time, receive delay notifications and use the Easy Ride function (automatic check-in/check-out at the best price). Tickets can also be purchased from ticket machines at stations, online or at CFF agencies.

Tip: Supersaver tickets offer up to 70% off long-distance journeys, provided you book in advance and travel on a specific train.

Related Services

Service Orientation Tour in Switzerland

Useful Guides

Guide Finding an Apartment in Switzerland Guide Preparing Your Rental Application in Switzerland Guide Rental Deposit in Switzerland Guide Health Insurance in Switzerland

Frequently Asked Questions

AG or half-fare: how to choose?

The GA is profitable if you spend more than CHF 320/month on public transport, or around 2 long-distance round trips per week. If you mainly make a fixed journey between home and work, a combined half-fare travel pass is often more economical. Calculate your monthly journeys on sbb.ch to compare.

Do children travel for free?

Children under 6 years old travel free without a ticket. From 6 to 16 years old, the Junior card (CHF 30/year) allows the child to travel free of charge accompanied by a parent holding a ticket or subscription. Without a Junior card, children aged 6 to 16 benefit from a 50% reduced rate.

What is the Swiss Travel Pass for tourists?

The Swiss Travel Pass is reserved for non-resident visitors. It offers unlimited travel by train, bus and boat, plus free entry to more than 500 museums, for 3, 4, 6, 8 or 15 consecutive days. As a Swiss resident, you are not entitled to this, but you can opt for the GA or half-fare.