Switzerland - by rail by Mark Sukhija

The Swiss Railway System (SBB/CFF/FFS) is extensive, reliable and punctual. At most rail-stations staff speak some English but you should give the local language a go and it will be appreciated.

The SBB is will integrated and co-ordinated with the post buses which serve the more remote villages and mountain areas of Switzerland. Generally, connections between trains and between trains and buses are co-ordinated with departures being, typically, some minutes after arrivals.

Ticketing for buses, boats and trains are generally pretty well integrated and tickets covering all modes of transport are available.

Track and gauge

Over 3000km is owned and run by the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB). An additional 2000km run by private railways such as the BLS and RHB. The are an additional 150km of mountain or cog railways.(1)

Gauges are primarily standard (SBB, BLS) or or 1-metre (RHB, Appenzeller Bahn.)

The SBB has been a government-run enterprise since 1999.

Other information

Swiss trains are highly punctual. The iconic Swiss Railway clock is the clock by which all Swiss trains are run. Usually, if you're late according to the railway clock you've missed your train. I have been told that the clocks are synchronized each minute off a central computer which ensures that each clock shows the same time.

Further reading