Switzerland boasts one of the best public transport networks in Europe. Almost any place can be reached comfortably and conveniently, with trains and buses reaching even the most secluded areas. Boats circulate on all major lakes and a number of river trips are also possible. Visitors from outside Switzerland can obtain special transport passes, such as the Swiss Pass or the Swiss Flexi Pass, which allow unlimited travel on the entire network of railways, buses, and boats.

Switzerland has three international airports: Zurich-Kloten, Geneva-Cointrin and Basel-Mulhouse. There are also a number of regional airports, including Bern-Belp, Grenchen, Lugano-Agno, Samedan-St Moritz and Sion, served by charter or regional airlines. The national airline is Swiss Air (LX) .

Domestic air travel is fast but expensive, and with the exception of the Geneva to Zürich flight (45 minutes), many people prefer to travel by rail or road.

Zürich (ZRH) (Kloten) is 11km from the city, taking 15-30 minutes to reach downtown, depending on the mode of transport. Trains run every 10 to 15 minutes from under Terminal B. Taxis and night buses are available. Passengers arriving in Switzerland by air can purchase a special Fly-Rail Luggage ticket from their airport of departure which will enable them to have their luggage delivered directly to a Swiss railway station. With the Fly-Rail Baggage service, passengers leaving Switzerland can check their bags in at the railway station up to 24 hours before their flight. Facilities include duty free shops, restaurants/bars, banks, currency exchange, nursery and car rental.

Geneva (GVA) is 5km north of the city. Taxis are available as well as a regular train service to Geneva Cornavin Station, taking just six minutes in travel time. The No. 10 bus runs from the airport to the city centre.

Basel (BSL) (Basel-Mulhouse) is 12km from the city. A bus runs to Basel SBB Luftreisebüro. Taxis are also available.

Bern (BRN) (Belp) is 9km southeast of the city. Bus services are available to Bern station. A rail service runs from Bern to Zürich Airport. Taxis are also available.

Eurostar, ICE and TGV trains connect numerous European cities to Switzerland on a daily basis. (www.eurostar.com)

The Swiss rail service is extraordinarily efficient; most of the network is operated by SBB (www.sbb.ch/en/index.htm) who accept Eurail and Interail on all of their trains. SBB also offers a travel pass of their own which is valid on both rail and bus networks. Available online from www.railkey.com this pass will allow unlimited travel between 4 days and 1 month. There is also a flexi-pass which is substantially cheaper and allows between 3 and 8 days of travel within one month. Both passes offer discounts for those under 25.

Trains run at least hourly from the major centres and there is a country-wide timetable of regular services. There are dining cars on many trains and specialized cars for people using wheelchairs. Facilities include a lift for wheelchairs, a specially adapted WC and radios adapted for people with hearing difficulties.

There are also a large number of mountain railways which are sometimes the only means of access to winter resorts. Some of these are attractions in their own right: the Gornergrat-Bahn in Zermatt is one of the oldest mountain railways and climbs to a height of over 3000 metres, offering a magnificent panorama of the Matterhorn and surrounding mountains.

The Swiss Pass gives unlimited travel on rail services, those of other main regional operators, boats, an extensive network of buses and city trams, as well as reduced price travel on other mountain railways not included in the full scheme. Tickets can be purchased for four, eight, 15, 22 days or one month. An STS family card allows children up to 16 years of age free travel when accompanied by parents. There are also regional tickets for unlimited travel in different parts of Switzerland at various rates. Other offers include a Swiss Transfer Ticket allowing return travel from a Swiss border or airport to a selected destination.

There are coach services to Switzerland as well as scheduled coach tour operators.

Postbuses are the national yellow buses which run connecting routes between stations and towns with no rail access. There are over 650 routes and a Swiss rail pass will let you use these buses for free. (www.post.ch/en/index.htm)

The main roads and motorways leading into Switzerland are generally open 24 hours a day. However, smaller border crossings along minor roads are not open at night. If you want to avoid a long car journey, you can travel by motorail from Germany (Berlin, Hamburg, Hannover) or Austria (Vienna, Linz, Graz, Villach) to border train stations at Lörrach (from Germany) or Feldkirch (from Austria). There's a motorway tax that is applied to all foreign vehicles using Swiss motorways. In exchange for your money, you will be given a window sticker, which must be clearly displayed. The sticker can be purchased in advance at a Swiss tourist office or from automobile associations throughout Europe. In Switzerland, they're also sold at border crossings, customs offices, post offices and service stations. 

In Switzerland traffic drives on the right. Road quality is generally good. Many mountain roads are winding and narrow, and often closed in heavy winter conditions; otherwise chains and snow tires may be necessary. The minimum driving age is 18. Seat belts are obligatory and children under 12 years must travel in the back of the car.

Car hire is available in all towns from hotels and airports and at all manned rail stations. All major European companies are represented. A national driving license from your home country is usually sufficient.

In emergencies, there is a breakdown service offering assistance throughout Switzerland (Phone: 140).

Most towns have public or multi-storey car parks, indicated by the sign of a white "P" on a blue background. Larger towns also have parking meters. Where there are no parking meters, you must look for "blue" or "white" zones (indicated by blue or white road markings). White zones permit free unlimited parking. Blue zones allow limited parking (usually 90 minutes, but also overnight) and require a parking disc to be displayed behind your windscreen. The discs are available free of charge from automobile associations, police stations, banks, hotels and tourist offices. Using the rail network is often more efficient than driving.

All taxis have metres for short and long journeys, although it is advisable to agree on the fare before departing for longer distances out of town. Drivers expect a 15% tip.