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5 Ways of crossing the border into Switzerland

For the past few months, I have investigated the borders of Switzerland, their peculiarities, and the relationship between Switzerland and its neighboring countries.

Today, I am closing this series by showing you the top five ways to cross the border into Switzerland. Who knows, maybe this inspiration for you to try out some new modes of transport? Or maybe you simply want to show your visitors from abroad how fun it is to visit Switzerland... Here goes:

Cross into Switzerland by foot.

With all that nature, Switzerland is predestined for hiking and walking - and for avoiding noisy vehicles. In fact, there are many ways to walk across the border - American climber John Harlin even managed to walk all alongside it. Whether it is a steep mountain pass or a gentle bridge across a river, you can seamlessly and hop among countries within seconds. So, put your walking boots on and feel the excitement...

Saut du Doubs
 

Cross into Switzerland by boat.

Some of Switzerland's lakes are located right along a national border. Crossing into Switzerland on a boat has got to be the calmest, most pleasant way. I have tried this many times before, such as on Lake Constance during my trip around Thurgau, and on Lake Geneva when I got on in Savoy.

Lake Geneva Commuting by Boat
 

Cross into Switzerland by train.

Trains are synonymous with Switzerland. But did you know that some of them cross borders, too? Switzerland's extensive railway network stretches across borders to Germany, Austria, Italy and France. There are currently about 20 railway lines linking Switzerland to France, Germany, Austria, Italy or Liechtenstein.

More lines are currently being built to improve connectivity among Switzerland and its neighbors. For instance in 2020, a new underground rail network will give birth to the Leman Express network, connecting the Swiss and French sides of the region of Geneva.

SBB Train near Schaffhausen

Cross into Switzerland by bus.

Switzerland's postal bus system has a long history, providing access to those communes too remote for trains. Some of the yellow buses even cross national borders, such as the PalmExpress line. This route from St. Moritz to Lugano via sunny Lake Como in Italy is the nicest way to get the best of both worlds!

PalmExpress Postal Bus(Photograph copyright postauto.ch)

And finally, by airport terminal!

Who would have thought that the Swiss border would cut through an airport? The "EuroAirport" of Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg is the only bi-national airport in the world, and you can easily walk between France and Switzerland.

EuroAirport Basel

In the end, it does not matter how you get into Switzerland, as long you come and explore!

Jordan Girardin

Jordan grew up in the French region of Franche-Comté along the border with the Canton of Jura. He is passionate about train travel and tourism, and he looks at Switzerland as a humongous playground and a fascinating set of regions to (re)discover.

5 comments

    • I was tempted to mention it in the article, but the airport does not have a binational status – only Basel-Mulhouse does (in the entire world!). Geneva’s French side is more a question of easy access.

  • Thanks for the info on crossing borders! We are visiting Switzerland in Dec 2021 and was wondering if we could walk into or take a train into Konstanz for a day trip?

    • How exciting that you will be spending time in Switzerland so soon! Both options are viable for visiting Konstanz: you may simply walk there from Kreuzlingen, or take the IR75 train from Zürich or wherever you may be staying without switching.

Jordan Girardin

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