Switzerland has one of the best public transport networks in the world. Almost every trailhead is reachable without a car. This is how I do it.
Planning a hike by public transport in Switzerland is genuinely straightforward once you know the tools. The SBB app and website handle the entire journey from your front door to the trailhead, including PostBus connections and mountain railways. Here is my process.
Find your trail
I use AllTrails to find trails and check difficulty, distance and elevation. Every trail on By Train By Foot also includes a direct AllTrails link. Note the name of the nearest village or trailhead.
Plan your connection on SBB
Go to sbb.ch or open the SBB app. Enter your starting point and the trailhead village. SBB automatically includes PostBus, mountain railways and funiculars in the route. Every By Train By Foot trail guide includes the exact SBB connection.
Check PostBus times carefully
PostBus services to remote trailheads can run infrequently — sometimes only every two hours. Always check the last bus back before you start hiking. Missing it in a remote valley is not a pleasant experience.
Download offline maps
Mobile signal in the mountains is unreliable. Download your AllTrails route offline before you leave. I also recommend the Swisstopo app which has official Swiss topographic maps available offline.
Pack for the journey, not just the hike
Travelling by train means no car boot to dump things in. Pack what you need and nothing extra. A well-fitted 25–35 litre pack that fits in overhead storage is ideal for day hikes.
"I love the slowness of travelling by train. You arrive already in the right frame of mind, with a book read and the landscape already in view."
— Mathias, By Train By Foot
If you live in Switzerland and hike regularly by train, the question of which subscription is worth it comes up quickly. Here is my honest take as someone who uses public transport for everything.
GA Travelcard
~CHF 3,860/year (2nd class)
My recommendation: if you already commute by public transport, the GA almost certainly makes sense. For hiking-only use, calculate carefully first.
Halbtax
~CHF 185/year
My recommendation: a Halbtax is almost always worth it for anyone living in Switzerland. The break-even point is just a handful of train journeys per year.
PostBus is the yellow bus network that reaches the valleys and villages that trains do not. For hiking, it is essential. Here is what I have learned.
Always check the last departure. PostBus services to remote trailheads can end early in the afternoon. I always build my hike around the last bus back, not just the hike duration.
Timetables change seasonally. Summer services often run more frequently than spring or autumn. Always check the current timetable on sbb.ch rather than relying on memory.
Large packs go in the luggage area. PostBus has space for larger bags at the back of the bus. If you are carrying a 50+ litre pack, be ready to store it there.
Buy your ticket before boarding in remote areas. Some PostBus stops in remote areas are request stops — signal clearly that you want the bus to stop. Buy your ticket through the SBB app in advance when you can.
Dogs are allowed. Well-behaved dogs on a lead are welcome on PostBus services. A half-price dog ticket applies with most subscriptions.