The Swiss voice in the world since 1935
Top stories
Stay in touch with Switzerland

Switzerland clinches top spot in European railways comparison

Man with cycle near train
The Swiss firm was rated best for cyclists, winter sports, families with kids, and disabled passengers. Keystone

The Swiss Federal Railways was ranked the ‘best overall’ railway operator in Europe in a comparison of 16 train companies. 

The Swiss rail company beat the German Deutsche Bahn and ÖBB Austrian Railways, who finished second and third place respectively, according to the Great Trains Comparison ReportExternal link commissioned by booking platform Loco2. It won best service in four of 12 categories – cyclists, winter sports, families with kids, and disabled passengers – against which the trains were assessed. It also managed second place in three categories: foodies, environmentalists and couples. 

“Swiss trains run far beyond the borders of Switzerland and, whether within Switzerland itself or on an international journey, we have found them to be uniformly excellent,” said the report. 

Deutsche Bahn was not far behind the Swiss rails, bagging the top spot for meeting the needs of environmentalists and backpackers, and providing a quiet ambience. Italian rail company Trenitalia was deemed best for business travelers, while the French SNCF was voted the best option for speedy travel between city centres. 

The report looked at high-speed, long-distance daytime trains with journeys of at least 400km and services were judged based on a questionnaire and original research.

More
Intercity passenger train by the Swiss Federal Railways en route between Goldau and Bellinzona

More

Swiss remain rail champions of Europe

This content was published on Switzerland’s rail system remains the best in Europe, according to the 2017 European Railway Performance Index.

Read more: Swiss remain rail champions of Europe

 

Popular Stories

News

Swiss brands seek a response to customs duties

More

Workplace

Trump tariffs: Swiss brands struggle to adapt to 39% tariff

This content was published on Swiss brands like Victorinox, the manufacturer of the iconic pocket knife, are struggling to adapt to the 39% tariff imposed by the United States on imports of Swiss goods.

Read more: Trump tariffs: Swiss brands struggle to adapt to 39% tariff
Swatch withdraws "gook" advert after outrage in China

More

Workplace

Swatch withdraws ‘slanted eyes’ ad after China uproar

This content was published on The Swiss watch manufacturer Swatch has apologised and withdrawn an advertising campaign worldwide following accusations of racism in China. The ad features a model pulling the corners of his eyes.

Read more: Swatch withdraws ‘slanted eyes’ ad after China uproar
Bern exhibition reunites pair of Kirchner paintings after 92 years

More

Culture

Bern exhibition reunites Kirchner paintings after 92 years

This content was published on The painting Sonntag der Bergbauern (Alpsonntag) [Sunday of the Mountain Farmers (Alp Sunday) by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner (1880-1938) is being transferred from Berlin to Bern to feature in an upcoming exhibition at Kunstmuseum Bern.

Read more: Bern exhibition reunites Kirchner paintings after 92 years
The population of the Upper Engadine approves the extension of its airport

More

Voters approve extension of Engadine Airport in Switzerland

This content was published on Residents in the Upper Engadine region gave the greenlight on Sunday to the expansion of the regional airport at Samedan, one of Europe’s highest airports (1,707 metres) that serves the nearby resorts of St Moritz and Davos.

Read more: Voters approve extension of Engadine Airport in Switzerland
Pay rises planned for Swiss employees next year

More

Workplace

Swiss businesses plan employee pay raises in 2026

This content was published on Swiss companies' expectations for salary growth are down by 0.3 percentage points compared to a year ago, according to a survey conducted by the Center for Economic Research (KOF).

Read more: Swiss businesses plan employee pay raises in 2026

In compliance with the JTI standards

More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative

You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!

If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR