Arrival by plane

The two main airports in Switzerland are Zürich (ZRH) and Geneva (GVA), located at opposite ends of the country. Both have long-distance rail connections so are easy to connect to other parts of Switzerland, although you can also fly short-haul from Basel or a few other smaller airports. Most passengers fly through Zürich - a large but efficient airport. If transferring between terminals, enjoy the typically Swiss sounds of cow bells and alpine horns on the transit train! Of note is that the business and first class lounges are underwhelming so plan travel times accordingly, although on the plus side, the Swiss Business lounge is accessible with Priorty Pass.

Swiss International Airlines, the flag holder in Switzerland, is part of the Lufthansa group and has an excellent long-haul business product, well known for its local cuisine and friendly service. 

Car

Travel by taxi or limousine tends to be prohibitively expensive, so we would recommend using public transport where possible. If visiting a few places or for longer than a couple of days, car hire is affordable and driving is easy. If you are hiring from near a border, it is often cheaper to hire in France, Germany, Austria or Italy and drive across, although check the rental rules before doing so. For shorter trips, Mobility car club offers affordable hire of a range of cars and vans by the hour.

Although you can drive on a foreign license in Switzerland, do note that if staying for over a year, you are required to surrender your old license and apply for a Swiss license. Failure to do this within 12 months of entering Switzerland means you may have to take the Swiss driving test.

Train travel

Similarly to in Germany, trains are modern, clean and punctual. Due to Switzerland's location, not only Swiss SBB trains run in the country, but also French TGV, German DB and Trenitalia. It is possible to get almost anywhere in the country, even up to the mountain ski resorts, although it often requires changing to a series of smaller and slower trains as you get more remote! Trains are often the best option on longer journeys too - with the opening of the world's longest rail tunnel in 2016, travel to Italy will be even quicker and as Switzerland is in Schengen, travel within most of Europe is barrier-free.

Trains can be expensive, so book early for advance purchase fares or consider buying a half-fare card if staying for a prolonged visit. Also worth looking out for a the combined rail and lift pass tickets during ski season.