Whether you’re travelling by public transport (train, bus or streetcar), aeroplane or car – Bern is easy to reach. The federal city lies in the heart of Europe and in the centre of Switzerland. It is an important junction of all the main Swiss transport axes and connected to both the international railway lines and the European highway network.

Travelling by Train

Direct train connections leave regularly for all major Swiss and European cities and guarantee a comfortable journey. The cities of Zurich, Basel, Interlaken and Lucerne, for example, are only a direct, one-hour train ride away from Bern. Thanks to the punctuality and dependability of the public transport system, passengers get to wherever they need to go quickly, easily and on time.

Travelling by Car

Bern can easily be reached by car, as well. Thanks to the direct access to the highways from Geneva/Valais (A12), Zurich/Basel (A1) and the Bernese Oberland (A6), travellers can reach the federal city in no time.

Once in Bern, we recommend leaving you car in one of the city’s parking garages. Many hotels also have good parking options. Good to know: Driving through the lower part of the Old City is only allowed for residents or suppliers.

Need to quickly recharge your electric car? Energie Wasser Bern operates car parks with recharging stations for electric cars at various locations in the city of Bern and is continually expanding the recharging network. You can see the stations here.

Travelling by Bus

Apart from travelling by train, car, or aeroplane, Bern can also easily be reached by bus, be it on the green FlixBus or by EUROBUS. Good to know: the bus terminals are near the city centre – that way, you won’t lose any valuable time and can start exploring the city right away.

Travelling by Aeroplane

If you land with an international flight in Zurich, Geneva or Basel, you have practical options for continuing your journey by train from there. In Zurich and Geneva, a rail terminal is integrated into the airport.

All trains run every half hour, and the journey to Bern takes

Zurich Airport – Berne train station: 1 h 15 min.
EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Fribourg – Berne railway station: 1 h 15 min
Geneva Airport – Berne railway station: just under 2 h

Since 2020, only a few flights have taken off from Bern Airport to holiday destinations, depending on demand.

As soon as you get to Bern, you can start exploring. Be it on foot, by public transport, on a bike or even by rickshaw – there are endless possibilities.

On Foot

Thanks to its small size, Bern’s city centre can easily be discovered on foot. Oftentimes, hotels are just a leisurely stroll away from pretty sights and attractions, the alleys of the Old City or the green banks of the Aare river. By the way: The six kilometres of arcades make sure you can explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site even when it’s raining.

Public transport

The city has an extensive public transport network with numerous streetcar and bus lines that make getting from point A to point B easy as can be. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket vending machines at the stops, at the BERNMOBIL shop in Bern’s main station or via the SBB-App. In addition to normal tickets and multi-trip tickets, BERNMOBIL also offers tickets for short rides (just a few stops) at a lower price. The ticket vending machines at the stops show which stops are included in a short-trip ticket. An overview of Bern’s complete public transit network can be found and downloaded as a PDF file here.

On Two Wheels

A great way to discover the city and region of Bern is by doing as the locals do: hop on a bicycle and go explore the hidden alleys in Bern’s centre and the city’s pretty neighbourhoods, or take a 10-minute bike ride out of town and breathe the fresh air of the countryside and enjoy the lush meadows around you and the beautiful panoramic view of the peaks of the Bernese Oberland.

There are many bike rental options in Bern, and you can choose from all kinds of bikes: normal bikes, e-bikes, mountain bikes, road cycles and cargo bikes. Feel like a ride? Get pedalling!

Further means of transportation

Taxi

There are numerous taxis available at the taxi stands at various locations in the city of Bern. Taxis can also be organized over the phone or stopped on the streets by waving.

Good to know: compared to other European cities, taking a taxi in Switzerland is relatively expensive. The drivers are obligated to state the fares visibly both inside and on the outside of the cab. The initial charge is CHF 6.80, the price per kilometre varies depending on the time of day and the number of passengers. Tips are included in the price. The ride can be paid for in cash or by card.

Bus Rental

Are you planning a family excursion, a trip with your soccer club or a company event? There are several bus rental services in Bern, where you can find everything from a minivan to a coach. There are many different options and packages that can be tailored to your needs.

Limousines and Rickshaws

If you prefer taking something other than public transport, taxis or busses in Bern, you have the option of getting from point A to point B in your personal vehicle, be it an elegant limousine or a fun rickshaw.