Train information

The national railway company is Schweizerische Bundesbahnen (SBB) / Chemins de Fer Federaux (CFF)/ Ferrovie Federali Svizzere (FFS): www.sbb.ch
Train types: Intercity-Neigezug (ICN, high speed trains), Intercity-Express (ICE), Intercity (IC), InterRegio (IR), RegioExpress (RE), Regio and S-Bahn/RER (commuter trains), reservations are not required on most trains, except local scenic routes and international connections.
Please refer to www.sbb.ch for details on travelling with a bike.

Ferries, ships, buses… everything but train

Bus services are provided by the yellow Postbus/Car Postal/Auto Postale (postal buses which reach towns that do not operate in conjunction with the national railway) - www.postauto.ch

Food and drink

*Eat the national dish: Fondue (melted cheese traditionally served with bits of bread to dip into the pot); Raclette (try it with local white wine); Rosti (shredded potatoes fried in oil on the French side and Butteron on the German side) Chocolate and the unique local cheeses like Emmental and Gruyere (among many others!) should not be missed.

 

Accommodation

Private rooms are a good option: look for zimmer frei/chambres libres/camere libere signs or ask the local tourist office.
Local Hostel Association: www.youthhostel.ch
Hotels, pensions and Bed & Breakfasts (www.bnb.ch) are present in every town and village. It’s always advised to book in advance, especially for the touristic ‘hot spots’ like Zermatt (www.zermatt.ch).
Camping: www.sccv.ch, www.swisscamps.ch (Note: free camping is officially forbidden but usually allowed with the local landowner’s permission).

Travel information

• Local Tourism Board: www.myswitzerland.com
• Hikers: www.wandersite.ch
• Swiss Alpine Club: www.sac-cas.ch
• Amazing rail journeys:
  • www.goldenpass.ch,
  • www.jungfraubahn.ch,
  • www.gornergrat.ch,
    
  • www.goldenpass.ch,
  • www.glacierexpress.ch,
  • www.rhb.ch (Bernina express).
• Trip planner: www.swissworld.org