Traffic and public transport in Switzerland: what you need to know
Practical tips for physiotherapists who are moving (or planning to move), with extra advice from PhysioMatch.
Why Swiss public transport works so well
Switzerland has a dense, integrated network of train, tram, bus, boat and PostBus. With SBB Mobile you plan and buy tickets in one app; your travel products sit on your SwissPass (also digital). That makes transfers and season tickets remarkably simple.
Smart choices: tickets, cards and travelcards
- Half-Fare Travelcard (Halbtax) – the most popular starting point: you travel for half price on SBB routes and with most other operators, including boats and PostBus. Ideal if you do not yet have a fixed commuting pattern.
- GA Travelcard / regional travelcards – if you live in or around Zurich or Bern, a Verkehrsverbund travelcard is often the best value. In Zurich (ZVV) you pay by zone and your ticket is valid within those zones on tram, bus, train and boat. Day passes (24 hours) and monthly/annual passes exist per zone combination.
- Swiss Travel Pass – handy for your orientation trip before you move; unlimited travel for a few consecutive days. Not intended for people already (permanently) living in Switzerland.
Commuting in and around Zurich (example)
Working in the Zurich region? Zone 110 (City of Zurich) plus surrounding zones are often the base. Within the zones you have purchased you may transfer freely and travel back and forth as long as your ticket is valid; ideal for changing rosters or double shifts.
Taking your bike?
On many routes you may take your bicycle with a Bike ticket (e.g. a Bike Day Pass). For InterCity services there is usually a reservation requirement for bike spaces in busy months, bookable via SBB Mobile.
Driving: essentials for your first week
- Speed limits (unless otherwise indicated): 50 km/h in built-up areas, 80 outside, 100 on expressways (Autostrassen), 120 on motorways (Autobahnen).
- Motorway vignette: required on the motorway. Choose a sticker or an e-vignette; both cost CHF 40. Vignettes have fixed validity (e.g. 2025: 1 December 2024 to 31 January 2026). Buy the e-vignette only via the official government shop.
- Parking (blue zone): in many towns and cities, blue bays are free with a parking disc (time limit applies). Handy for short home visits. Always check local signs for times and rules.
- Winter tyres: not legally mandatory, but strongly recommended. You are responsible for a roadworthy vehicle; in an incident on snow or ice, driving on unsuitable tyres can be held against you.
PhysioMatch tip: do you make many home visits in hilly or mountain areas? Plan your route with public transport plus a shared bike/car via SwissPass partners, or choose winter-ready mobility. We’ll think along with you per region and patient group.
Handy routines for your schedule
- Evening/weekend shifts: plan well in advance in SBB Mobile; see delays, platform changes and alternatives live. Your SwissPass is available digitally in the app.
- Zone optimisation: do you have multiple work addresses? Work backwards from the zones of your most frequent route. A 24-hour day pass per zone set can be smart for double shifts.
- Combining with flights: working near Zurich or Geneva? Both airports are in the public transport network with direct S-Bahn/train connections, handy if you sometimes fly home.
Checklist: start off right
- Create a SwissPass account and link SBB Mobile.
- Map your main routes (work ↔ home) and check which zones you need.
- Choose Half-Fare or a zone/GA travelcard that fits your roster.
- Also driving a car? Arrange the (e-)vignette, check your parking disc, and plan winter tyres in time.
- Taking your bike? Buy a Bike ticket and reserve if required.