By train - SBB
The Swiss Federal Railway (CFF in French, FFS in Italian) is not only almost infallibly on time (80 per cent of trains report less than a 1-minute delay in service and 95 per cent have a delay of less than 5 minutes), is also a very popular mode of transport. This is proven by statistics: the Swiss are the world-record holders in using trains more than any other mode or transport.
The railroad network is extensive and the carriages are clean. Travelling long distances by train is fast – it takes less than one hour form Zurich to Bern and two hours from Zurich to Lausanne. Some patience is needed when travelling to a mountain valley, however. Changing trains and long waits are necessary as every small village has its own train station.
On the other hand, taking a train to the mountains will give you an unforgettable and usually peaceful experience.
From the train, you will see more of that picturesque Switzerland you might have seen on postcards. While cars may be struggling up the steep passes or wait in long queues, you will be able to relax and enjoy the view on the magic valleys and mountain peaks.
Train types
The SBB makes a distinction between regional (‘Bummler’), fast (‘Schnellzug’), Intercity, Eurocity (reservations are highly recommended) and TGV trains. The TGV is a high-speed train that travels from Zürich, Basel, Lausanne and Geneva to Paris.
The ‘EC’ serves the distance between Zurich and Milan, and the ICE connects Switzerland to the German high-speed network.