Bern

Switzerland's federal capital Bern is accessible via high-speed ICE trains connecting through Basel or Frankfurt. The route follows the scenic Aare valley straight into the UNESCO-listed city center. Main departure and boarding stations for the ICE / SBB InterCity include:

• Brussels-South (Midi) (6h 13m, 2 transfers)
• Liège-Guillemins (6h 42m, 2 transfers)
• Eindhoven Central (7h 16m, 2 transfers)
• Arnhem Central (7h 22m, 2 transfers)

Early booking 3 to 6 months ahead secures fares from €44.90. Fares close to travel often climb to €165.00, saving roughly 73% (€120). Budget road alternatives include Flixbus or multi-leg budget connections.

You arrive at Bern Hauptbahnhof, right on the edge of the historic arcaded old town. The Bernmobil Tram & Bus connects smoothly to the federal parliament and Zytglogge, or explore on two wheels with PubliBike Bern.

Driving to Bern takes about 8h 39m (~727 km). Expect around €92 in fuel (assuming 6.5 L/100 km, or ~€55 for EV charging (19 kWh/100 km)), around €42 in tolls (Swiss motorway vignette (CHF 40)), and parking fees (€34 per day in the city center (or ~€14 per day at a peripheral P+R)). For a weekend trip (round-trip fuel, any tolls, and 48 hours of central parking), total driving costs amount to ~€336 (~€262 for an electric car). On Swiss motorways, remember: motorway vignette required across all Swiss motorways. Charging stations can be checked on this map.