Arrival & Transport
By Plane
Switzerland has three international airports that are directly accessible from German cities:
Zürich-Kloten (ZRH) — The Hub
The largest airport in Switzerland, hub of Swiss International Air Lines (Lufthansa Group). Direct flights from all major German cities: Munich (50 min), Frankfurt (1:00h), Berlin (1:20h), Hamburg (1:25h), Düsseldorf (1:10h). Also Eurowings, Ryanair, and easyJet.
Transfer:
- SBB train: 10 minutes to Zürich main station. 6.80 CHF (2nd class). Every 5–10 minutes. The fastest and cheapest way!
- Tram 10: 30 minutes to the city center. Included in the ZVV ticket.
- Taxi/Uber: 50–70 CHF to the center, about 20 min.
Geneva-Cointrin (GVA) — Gateway to Romandy
Located right on the French border. Direct flights from Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Hamburg with Swiss, easyJet, and Lufthansa. Ideal for Lausanne, Montreux, and Valais.
Transfer: Train to Geneva-Cornavin station in 7 minutes (from 3.60 CHF). Free ticket for public transport zone Geneva upon arrival at the baggage claim!
Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg (BSL/MLH/EAP) — The Tri-Country Airport
Unique airport on French soil, shared between Switzerland, France, and Germany. Cheap flights with easyJet, Wizz Air, and Ryanair. Ideal for Basel, Bern, and the Central Plateau.
Transfer: Bus 50 to Basel SBB station in 20 minutes (5.10 CHF).
Flight Prices (Guidelines, one-way)
| Route | Off-season | Peak season |
|---|---|---|
| German city → Zürich | 40–90 € | 70–180 € |
| German city → Geneva | 45–100 € | 75–200 € |
| German city → Basel | 30–70 € | 50–140 € |
Tipp
For many German cities, the train is faster than the plane (door-to-door): Munich → Zürich in 3:30h, Frankfurt → Basel in 2:50h, Stuttgart → Zürich in 2:45h. No check-in, no security stress, city center to city center.
By Train (SBB & DB)
Switzerland has the best railway system in the world — and that's no exaggeration. The SBB (Swiss Federal Railways) run precisely on time, the trains are clean, modern, and reach even the most remote mountain villages. For travelers from Germany, the train is often the most comfortable way to arrive.
Important Connections from Germany
| Route | Duration | Price from | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Munich → Zürich | 3:30h | 29 € (Sparpreis) | every 2 hrs (EC) |
| Frankfurt → Basel | 2:50h | 17.90 € (Sparpreis) | hourly (ICE) |
| Frankfurt → Zürich | 3:55h | 17.90 € | hourly (ICE) |
| Stuttgart → Zürich | 2:45h | 17.90 € | hourly (ICE/IC) |
| Berlin → Zürich | 8:00h | 29 € (Sparpreis) | 3× daily (ICE) |
| Berlin → Zürich (Nightjet) | 11:00h | 29 € (seat) | daily |
| Hamburg → Zürich | 7:30h | 29 € | 2× daily |
The Swiss Travel Pass — The Miracle Ticket
For tourists, the Swiss Travel Pass is the best offer in the world. It includes:
- All trains (SBB, private railways, panoramic trains like Glacier Express and Bernina Express)
- All buses (PostAuto — the yellow post bus reaches every mountain village)
- All ships on the lakes (steamboats!)
- Public transport in 90+ cities (tram, bus)
- Over 500 museums (free entry!)
- 25–50% discount on most mountain railways
Swiss Travel Pass Prices (2nd Class)
| Duration | Adults | Youth (16–25) |
|---|---|---|
| 3 days | 232 CHF | 162 CHF |
| 4 days | 281 CHF | 197 CHF |
| 6 days | 370 CHF | 259 CHF |
| 8 days | 408 CHF | 286 CHF |
| 15 days | 449 CHF | 314 CHF |
The Swiss Travel Pass Flex (selectable days within a month) costs about 10% more.
Within Switzerland
| Route | Duration | Regular Price | Supersaver from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zürich → Bern | 56 min. | 51 CHF | 17.60 CHF |
| Zürich → Luzern | 45 min. | 25 CHF | 9.80 CHF |
| Zürich → Interlaken | 1:55h | 72 CHF | 29 CHF |
| Bern → Interlaken | 50 min. | 30 CHF | 12 CHF |
| Zürich → Lugano | 2:00h | 65 CHF | 23 CHF |
| Zürich → Zermatt | 3:25h | 98 CHF | 39 CHF |
Tipp
Supersaver tickets from SBB (sbb.ch/de/sparangebote) offer up to 70% discount — but only online, limited, and non-refundable. Book 2–4 weeks in advance for the best prices. Zürich → Bern for 17.60 CHF instead of 51 CHF is a difference that adds up!
Driving & Vignette
Traveling through Switzerland by car is scenically spectacular — but expensive and impractical in cities. The public transport system is so good that many Swiss don't own a car. However, for rural areas and mountain passes, a rental car can be useful.
⚠️ Motorway Vignette — Mandatory!
On all Swiss motorways and expressways, a vignette is mandatory. Since 2023, there is the E-vignette (linked to the license plate) alongside the classic adhesive vignette.
| Type | Price | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| E-Vignette | 40 CHF (approx. 42 €) | 14 months (1.12. – 31.1. following year) |
| Adhesive Vignette | 40 CHF | 14 months |
Purchase: Online at e-vignette.ch, at gas stations near the border, ADAC offices, or at the Swiss border.
Additional Tunnel Fees
Unlike in Austria, most tunnels in Switzerland are included in the vignette — there is no special toll for Gotthard, San Bernardino, or Lötschberg car transport. The only exception: the Great St. Bernard Tunnel (Switzerland–Italy, 29 CHF one way).
Driving Tips
- Speed Limit: Motorway 120 km/h, outside urban areas 80 km/h, urban areas 50 km/h (increasingly 30 km/h in cities). Speed cameras are extremely frequent and fines are draconian!
- Fines: 20 km/h over the limit in urban areas = 250+ CHF. Over 25 km/h: report with fine based on income! Switzerland shows no leniency.
- Winter Tires: No general obligation, but in accidents with summer tires on snow, co-liability threatens. De facto obligation November–April.
- Parking: Expensive in cities — Zürich 3–5 CHF/hour, parking garages 25–40 CHF/day. P+R on the outskirts and use public transport is cheaper.
- Alcohol: 0.5 per mille limit. For newcomers (< 3 years) 0.1 per mille.
- Passes: Many alpine passes are only open May–October (Gotthard, Grimsel, Furka, Susten, Nufenen). Current status: tcs.ch.
Achtung
Without a vignette on the motorway costs a 200 CHF fine plus the price of the vignette (40 CHF). The police especially check at border crossings. Speeding violations are severely punished in Switzerland — over 30 km/h too fast can lead to imprisonment!
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