Switzerland by bus

Traveling by bus in Switzerland is definitely one of the safest and cheapest ways of traveling while ensuring at the same time that you don't miss out on the beautiful natural landscapes around the country. Thanks to the well connected bus network between Swiss cities it is easy to reach the majority of the most popular destinations within the country in a day.

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Table Of Contents

Intercity buses in Switzerland

In Switzerland intercity buses are available on more than 862 travel combinations, while traveling with an average speed of 65 km/h. Of course, intercity bus routes via highway have a higher average speed. The majority of the Swiss intercity buses are comfortable long distance coaches, but older vehicles might be used on busier travel days.

The timetable for popular intercity bus routes like Lucerne - Zurich or Geneva - Geneva (Airport) can be found online, but for some shorter intercity bus routes you might have to go to the bus station. Tickets are sold both online and on the spot, but after the COVID-19 pandemic an increasing number of travellers prefer buying their tickets online.

Domestic routes

As mentioned above there are more than 862 domestic intercity bus travel combinations in Switzerland. Below you will find some of the most popular Swiss travel routes with minimal or no stops along the way:

International routes

From Switzerland there are international bus routes to neighboring countries such as Italy, Germany, and France, as well as to other countries such as Croatia, Croatia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The majority of these international bus lines are daily departures, that are operated by various Swiss bus companies.

Most of the International bus departures drive from Zurich, Lucerne, and Bellinzona. Of course, there are also some international bus departures from other cities throughout the country.
Below we have listed the most popular international bus routes:

Airport buses in Switzerland

If you are flying to Switzerland you will land in one of 3 airports located throughout the country. From the majority of Swiss airports you have a bus shuttle to the nearest largest city and in some cases even intercity buses to other cities in the region. Click on the airport name below and read more about getting to and from the airport.

International airports:

Domestic airports:

Bus companies in Switzerland

There are over 21 bus companies operating in Switzerland. 11 companies offer intercity bus lines, 3 companies drive airport shuttles, 2 companies operate regional and local lines, 6 bus companies offer bus rental and 6 companies offer bus tours. The bus companies are located in 11 cities throughout the country. The majority of companies can be found in Zurich and Geneva.

11 intercity bus companies operating in Switzerland are very different in size. The largest Swiss company Zelic Reisen connects more than 23 cities, whereas the smallest intercity bus company Firga Trans only has service to 9 cities.
Below we have listed some of the most popular bus companies in Switzerland. Full list of bus companies in Switzerland can be found here.

Bus stations in Switzerland

In most cities there is a dedicated bus station, in smaller cities the bus station might be a parking lot with a shelter or a section on the road marked for multiple buses. In some cities buses also stop at public road bus stops or at gas stations and hotel parking lots. In larger cities you will find bus stations with amenities like toilets, luggage storage, kiosks, fast food restaurants and other useful services for travellers. In Switzerland there is a total of 14 bus stations, below we have listed 10 of the most popular bus stations, for a full list of bus stations in Switzerland click here.

Hire a coach in Switzerland

Swiss bus rental companies offer coaches for any kind of group trip, whether it’s a transfer from the airport to your hotel, or single and multi day excursions to the many sights in Switzerland. Rest assured you will be able to find a suitable partner. If you are travelling during the high season, it is advisable to book your bus in advance to secure one of the best vehicles for your group.
Here you can see a list of some companies offering bus rental in Switzerland:

• Drusberg Reisen
• Domo Reisen
• Zelic Reisen
• Bogojević Reisen
• Swiss tours

Public transportation in Switzerland

In the majority of larger Swiss cities, public transportation is available, in the cities like Bern or Basel you have an extensive network of buses connecting all suburbs to the centre of the town.

Buying tickets for public transportation varies from city to city, sometimes they are bought at dedicated sales points and other times they are bought on the bus for example, so be sure to check which options are available for the city you are travelling in.

Here is a list of some Swiss companies operating both local and suburban bus lines.

• SBB
• Bernmobil
• Verkehrsbetriebe St.Gallen
• Basler Verkehrs-Betriebe
• Transports publics Lausannoise
• Verkehrsbetriebe Lucerne

What to see in Switzerland

As a visitor of Switzerland, you have lots of great Swiss sights to visit. Some of the most popular sights are Crans-Montana (Crans-Montana), Zürich Opera House (Zurich), and Chillon Castle. That said, there are a lot of other sights in Switzerland worth visiting! Some of the sights do not have an entrance fee, whilst others charge for entrance. Below you will find a list of the most popular sights in Switzerland:

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FAQ about buses in Switzerland

Is it safe to travel by bus in Switzerland?

How do you pay for buses in Switzerland?

What documents do I need to have when traveling throughout Switzerland?

Are there any extra charges for the luggage storage on the buses?

Am I allowed to bring my pet on the bus when traveling in Switzerland?

COVID-19 restrictions when traveling in Switzerland.

Are buses in Switzerland wheelchair accessible?