Bus & Tram Services in Zürich, Basel, Berne, Lucerne & Zug

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Bus & Tram Services in Zürich, Basel, Berne, Lucerne & Zug

Zürich and the nearby cantons are well catered for by the public transport networks. Below is information on bus, tram and boat services in Zürich, Basel, Berne, Lucerne and Zug.

PostBus

The yellow post busses operated by Swiss Post run throughout Switzerland. 

• For information on the different PostBus lines: Click here
• For an official timetable: Click here

There are various ways to buy a ticket:

• When entering the bus (single, multiple or group tickets)
• From one of the 450 PostBus ticket sale stations (Verkaufsstellen)
• Combined train/PostBus tickets are sold at train stations
• Customer Service Centre - Tel: 0900 305 305 (Monday to Friday 07:30-12:00 and 13:00-17:00)

Animals on Public Transport

Dogs may be taken on public transport in Switzerland. In general, it is necessary to buy a ticket at half the price of a regular fare.

Zürich

The ZVV (Zürcher Verkehrsverbund) company runs the public transport services in Zürich with an integrated network of trams, buses and trains. All forms of transport can be used with one ticket. Season tickets (day, month and year) are also available for frequent commuters. Travelling without a valid ticket incurs a fine that will increase on each subsequent occasion. 

The ZVV website has comprehensive information in English on routes, timetables, tickets and fares:

• For information on routes and zones: Click here
• For timetables: Click here
• Online journey planning: Click here
• Information on single tickets, annual passes and multiple tickets: Click here
• Zürcher Verkehrsverbund ZVV
  At: Hofwiesenstrasse 370, 8090 Zürich
  Tel: 0848 988 988
  Fax: 0848 988 989
  e-mail 
  Website 

A number of other partner transport companies operate within the canton. 

• For further information and contact details: Click here  

Travel Cards

The ZürichCARD is a ticket valid for a fixed time period (either 24 or 72 hours) and entitles holders to unlimited travel on the Zürich public transport system for the entire city and includes one journey to the airport. The card also allows free entrance to 37 museums in the region and discounts on some attractions in the city.

• For a list of participating museums: Click here
• For a list of offices where the card is sold: Click here

• Tel: 0848 988 988

Night bus

The Zürich Canton operates a number of night bus routes and S-Bahn train routes on Friday and Saturday nights and before most public holidays. Services run every hour in Zürich and Winterthur, and from Zurich to most important regional destinations, every two hours in other areas. Passengers need a valid ticket and have to pay a night supplement.

• For further information on the night time network: Click here

Services for the disabled

Mobil Plus is an initiative to make transport services more accessible to those with reduced mobility. Some busses, trains and trams have a low-floor service to facilitate access.

• For further information and an overview of accessible stops and stations: Click here

Lake Zürich boat travel

The Lake Zürich Navigation Company (Zürichsee-Schifffahrtsgesellschaft - ZSG) operates boats on Lake Zürich and connects the surrounding towns between Zürich and Rapperswil. Charter and party tours can be organised.

• Tel: 044 487 13 33
  Website

Bicycles and scooters

For a deposit, bikes, scooters and skateboards can be borrowed during the day. There are Velostations (bike stations) in the Main Station at Velogate and in the Bike Station South (Sihlpost) all year round, and from May to October at various locations in Zürich. 

• For further information: Click here
• See The AngloFILE directory for Bike Hire, Scooter and Cycle Rental

Basel

The green-coloured trams and buses are run by the Basler Verkehrsbetriebe (BVB) and provide a wide network of trams and bus lines in Basel.

• For a timetable and route information for BVB transports: Click here  
  Timetable - Tel: 061 685 13 13
• Basler Verkehrsbetriebe
  At: Claragraben 55, 4055 Basel
  Tel: 061 685 12 12
  Fax: 061 685 12 48
  e-mail:
  Website

There is a customer service at the Barfuesserplatz and is open Monday to Friday 08:00-18:00, Thursday 08:00-19:00 and Saturday 09:00-17:00.

• Customer call centre - Tel: 061 685 14 14 (open 08:00-17:30)
• Lost and found office at Spiegelgasse 6, 4051 Basel (Monday to Friday 09:00-17:00 and Saturday 09:00-14:00)
  Tel: 0900 12 01 30
  e-mail

Yellow-coloured busses and trams are run by Baselland Transport (BLT) and connect central Basel to Baselland.

• For a timetable and route information for BLT transports: Click here (in German)
• For information on fares and tickets: Click here (in German)

The surrounding areas of Basel are served by:

• Autobus AG Liestal (AAGL)
• Postauto Nordwestschweiz
• Regio Verkehrsverbund Lörrach
• Distribus

S-Bahn

The Regio-S-Bahn is the commuter rail network serving northwest Switzerland and Wiesental and even across the borders to Germany and France.

• Line S1 Frick/Laufenburg-Basel, main station-Mulhouse
• Line S3 Olten-Basel-Laufen-Delemont-Porrentruy
• Line S5 Weil am rhein-Lörrach-Steinen
• Line S6 Basel main station to Lörrach-Zell im Wiesental
• Line S9 Olten-Läufelfingen-Sisasch

The S-Bahn is jointly operated by the Swiss railway company SBB, the French rail company SNCF and the Germany rail company DB

• For an overview of the whole network: Click here
• For timetables information: Click here 
• For ticket information: Click here

Services for the disabled

Assistance for passengers with reduced mobility is provided free of charge.

• For further information: Click here

Mobility ticket

Hotel guests staying in Basel are able to use the public transport in Basel using a mobility ticket, which they receive when checking-in.

Ferry Services

The Fähri-Verein offers public ferry services on the Rhine. Their boats are available outside of normal working hours for private parties.

• For information on operating times and fares: Click here
• Tel: 061 692 71 73
  e-mail
  Website

Berne

Berne is well catered to with busses, trams and trains.

Bernmobil

Bernmobil operates trolleybuses and trams throughout Berne with regular connections to many destinations from the main railway station.

• Bernmobil Infocenter
  At: Bubenbergplatz 17, 3011 Berne
  Tel: 031 321 88 44
  Fax: 031 666 19 07
  e-mail
  Website
  Open: Monday to Friday 08:30-18:00

Single tickets, multiple tickets or yearly passes are available from tourist information centres and from the Libero shop. The Berncard is a tourist pass that allows unlimited travel on busses and trams in the city.

• Libero-Shop
  At: Bubenbergplatz 5, 3011 Berne; opposite Loeb
  Tel: 031 321 86 31
  e-mail
  Open: Monday to Friday 07:00-19:00, Saturday 08:00-17:00, Sunday and public holidays 12:00-17:00

The Tangento service is a direct bus route between Konolfingen - Tägertschi - Münsingen -Rubigen - Belp to Berne airport. The bus runs daily every hour.

• For further information: Click here (in German)

The Moonliner nightbus has 30 routes in Berne, Biel, Interlaken, Fribourg, Langenthal. Busses run on Friday and Saturday night.

• For further information: Click here (in German)

The BLS Lötschbergbahn provides train and bus services as well as car transport between Kandersteg and Goppenstein to the Valais.

• BLS has a comprehensive website detailing all facilities, services and discounts to the regular traveller: Click here 
• Hotline Tel: 058 327 29 99

Gurtenbahn provides public transport up the local Gurten hill. Take Bernmobil tram routes 9 or bus line 29 or S-Bahn Bern route S3 to get there.

• Gurtenbahn Bern AG
  At: Dorfstrasse 45, 3084 Wabern
  Tel: 031 961 23 23
  Fax: 031 961 23 37
  e-mail
  Website
• For timetables: Click here (in German)
• For ticket and fares: Click here

S-Bahn Berne

The S-Bahn Bern connects the suburbs of Berne with the central district. Trains leave the SBB main station in Berne.

• For route details and schedule times: Click here (in German)
• Single tickets, multiple ride passes, monthly or yearly passes are available. For more ticket information: Click here (in German)

Lucerne

Lucerne has an extensive public transport network of trains, busses and boat services on the lake.

The Verkehrsbetriebe Luzern (VBL) operates a wide network of bus lines.

• For an overview of the whole network: Click here

Single tickets or day passes can be purchased from the automatic machines at every bus stop.

Lost and found

• Stadt Luzern, Fundbüro
  At: Hirschengraben 17b, 6002 Lucerne
  Tel: 041 208 78 08
  Fax: 041 208 77 55
  Open: Monday to Friday 08:00-12:00 and 13:30-17:00
• Verkehrsbetriebe Luzern AG
  At: Tribschenstrasse 65, 6002 Luzern
  Tel: 041 369 65 65
  Fax: 041 369 65 00
  Website (in German)

Night busses

There are several night busses serving the canton of Lucerne

• Nachtstern (departs from Lucerne main station on Friday and Saturday nights)
• Nightbird Lucerne-Zug-Zurich, throughout the night
• Pyjama Express to the Seetal on Friday and Saturday nights

Boat Travel

The Schiffahrtsgesellschaft Vierwaldstättersee operate boats on the Vierwaldstaettersee, stopping on all ports around the Lake.

• Timetables are online: Click here
• Tickets can be purchased over the counter by the ports or online: Click here
• Schifffahrtsgesellschaft des Vierwaldstättersees
  At: Werftestrasse 5, 6002 Lucerne
  Tel: 041 367 67 67
  Fax: 041 367 68 68
  e-mail
  Website
  Open: Monday to Friday 08:00-12:00 and 13:30-17:00

Auto AG bus

The Auto AG Rothenburg serves the surrounding areas of Lucerne with an extensive bus network. Red busses leave from in front of the Lucerne railway station.

• For an overview of the network: Click here
• Auto AG Rothenburg
  At: Stationsstrasse 89, 6023 Rothenburg
  Tel: 041 289 33 22
  e-mail
  Website

Travel cards and tickets

Passpartout is a ticket that can be used on busses, trains, PostBus and boats belonging to ten different public transport companies in the area of Lucerne. There are tickets for every different zone of the network.

• For detailed information: Click here (in German)

The LucerneCard provides unlimited travel on public transportation in the city of Lucerne and surrounding areas (excluding SGV boat rides). The card can be used on transport from the following companies:

• VBL bus lines (excluding Gisikon, Perlen, Inwil)
• SBB till Buchrain, Meggen, Littau, Rothenburg Dorf and Waldibrücke
• Zentralbahn till Hergiswil
• PostAuto Schweiz AG till Adligenswil, Obernau and Emmenbrücke Strassenkreuz
• Auto AG Rothenburg till Rothenburg
• Auto Rottal AG till Emmenbrücke Strassenkreuz

The LucerneCard also allows discount on admission to museums, golf courses and different tourist attractions in the region. The card can be bought at the Tourist Office or from the ticket counter at the main Lucerne railway station.

• Tourist Information Lucerne
  At: Zentralstrasse 5,6002 Lucerne
  Tel: 041 227 17 17
  e-mail
  Website

Zug

The public transport system in the area of Zug is mainly run by the Zuger Verkehrsbetrieb (ZVB), who operate the Zug mountain railway (Zugerbergbahn), the Zug boat company (Zugersee Schifffahrt) and the Aegeri boat company (Aegerisee Schifffahrt).

• For a route overview: Click here
• For online timetables: Click here

Tickets

There are various options on tickets. Single, multi-day, group tickets or tickets which can be used on the public transport system of the areas of Zürich, Lucerne and Schwyz.

• Tickets can be bought online (in German)
• For a list of all ticket sales points in the area of Zug: Click here

The Zuger Pass Plus is an annual ticket for public transport in the region.

Tickets can also be bought from the Zug Tariff Association (TVZ) and allows transport with the following participating transport companies:

• Zugerland Verkehrsbetriebe
• SBB trains between Zug-Cham-Rotkreuz-Oberrüti-Sins, Zug-Steinhausen-Knonau, Sihlbrugg-Baar-Zug and Zug-Oberwil-Walchwil-Arth-Goldau
• On the mountain railway Zugerberg Bahn
• On PostBus busses between Menzingen-Schindellegi, Rotkreuz-Breitfeld (Meierskappel) and Baar-Hausen a.A.

Lost and found

Enquiries for lost objects can be made at the Zug Travel Center at the railway station.

Night busses

Night busses operate every night on certain lines.

• Zuger Nachtexpress 01:50 from Zug Bahnhofplatz
• Nightbird Lucerne-Zug-Zurich, throughout the night
• For further information on night bus services: Click here

Boat travel

The Zug boat company (Zugersee Schifffahrt) operates on the lake of Zug and stops at the ports of Cham, Zug, Oberwil, Walchwil, Arth, Immensee, Risch and Buonas.

• Timetables are available online
• Zugersee Schifffahrt
  At: An der Aa 6, 6304 Zug
  Tel: 041 728 58 58 (Monday to Friday) or 041 723 68 00 on Saturdays and Sundays
  e-mail
  Website

The Aegerisee Schifffahrt runs boat services on the lake of Aegeri and serves the ports around the lake of Aegeri.

• Timetables are available online

To access the port take the bus line 1 from the Zug Bahnhofplatz to the Aegerital. Exit at Seefeld for the port Unteraegeri or at Oberaegeri for the port Oberaegeri.

• Ägerisee Schifffahrt
  At: An der Aa 6, 6304 Zug
  Tel: 041 728 58 58 (Monday to Friday) or 041 723 68 00 on Saturdays and Sundays
  e-mail
  Website

Funicular railway

The Zugerbergbahn is a mountain railway which takes passengers up to an altitude of 925m in only six minutes. To reach the railway, take the bus line 11 (Herti- Schoenegg- Zugerberg) from the city of Zug. Note that it is not possible to drive up to Zugerberg by car on Sundays and public holidays.

• Zugerbergbahn A
  Tel: 041 728 58 00
  e-mail
  Website

Further Information

• See AngloINFO INFOrmation page on Trains and Railways in Zürich, Switzerland

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