Switzerland Guide
Getting around
By train
Travelling through Switzerland by train is invariably comfortable, hassle-free and extremely scenic, with many mountain routes an attraction in their own right. Fares are affordable, equipment and rolling stock are state-of-the-art, and staff motivation is high.
With no barriers on the platforms, inspectors on the trains are the sole method of fare-enforcement, and they'll move through the whole train more or less between every station: get caught without a valid ticket or pass for your journey and they'll slap a Fr.60 fine on you, to which a surcharge is added if you can't pay on the spot. If you intend using any kind of multi-day pass or undated ticket, you must stamp it before you board in the little boxes marked with a swirly eye pictogram on platforms or near escalators.
The wide (and somewhat confusing) range of Swiss passes offer the most economical way to get around the country on public transport. All are good value, also bringing a discount on bike rental from train stations: it just takes some untangling to see which is best suited for your trip. Consult 
www.swisstravelsystem.com for full details and purchasing.
The national timetable covering all rail, bus, boat and cable-car services is consultable at most main stations, and online (in English) at www.rail.ch – where you'll also find fare details, full arrival and departure boards for every station in Switzerland, and complete information on every train, down to platform numbers and the kind of onboard refreshments available. The national train enquiry number is 
0900 300 300.