Transport
By Train
https://www.sbb.ch/en/leisure-holidays/travel-in-switzerland/international-guests.html
The Swiss Federal Railway (or: Schweizerische Bundesbahn, SBB) operates one of the best railway networks in the world and Bern main station is well-connected to both national and international high-speed lines. TGV, ICE, etc. provide fast connections between Bern and major cities in France, Germany, Austria and Italy.
https://www.sbb.ch/en/home.html
SBB Mobile Apps for Apple and Android:
You can buy tickets from mobile SBB apps for travel in Switzerland. Tickets will be available as QR code in the App.
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sbb-mobile/id294855237
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ch.sbb.mobile.android.b2c&hl=en_US&pli=1
For single journeys at the low cost, e.g. from the airport to Bern, look for supersaver tickets.
Supersaver tickets are usually available from a week to 24h in advance. Be aware, these tickets for specific trains and if your flight arrives later than expected, you may miss your train connection and will need to buy a full price ticket again.
If you would like to spend some additional days in Switzerland, we recommend a Swiss Travel Pass.
Saver Day Pass
These travel passes can be a very economical option for unlimited travel on a given day when bought well in advance. These are for travel on a fixed date which can not be changed, but are often much cheaper than just the one way ticket from Zurich Airport to Bern. Visit the Swiss Train link below to buy these Saver Day Passes for the day of your arrival or departure, or any other days you wish to travel a lot in Switzerland.
https://www.sbb.ch/en/tickets-offers/tickets/day-passes/saver-day-pass.html
Residents of neighboring countries (Germany, France, Italy, Austria) might check their local railway companies for special saver tickets. Different buses (Eurolines, Flixbus) also connect to Bern. The busses stop at Bern-Neufeld; from there a local bus can be taken to the city center. https://www.flixbus.ch
Interrail: All inclusive
Interrail offers much more than ordinary train travel. Freedom, independence, adventure – all inclusive. Travel across Europe by train through 33 countries with the Global Pass. Discover a country of your choice with the One Country Pass. Interrail Passes available for young people, adults and seniors. Up to two children under 12 travel free when accompanied by adults.
You will need to buy these passes in advance, before arrival in Switzerland.
https://www.sbb.ch/en/leisure-holidays/europe/interrail.html
By Air
The airports of Zurich, Geneva and Basel are all close to Bern. From the Zurich airport, direct train connections will bring you to Bern in 75 minutes. Basel Airport is only one hour away, and Geneva airport is 2 hours. Several low-cost European airlines (e.g. easyJet, Eurowings, Wizz Air, Vueling) use these airports.
SWISS is the main airline serving Zurich airport and has connecting flights with Star Alliance airlines. United, Delta, American Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, Air Canada, Lufthansa, Austrian, British Airways, Turkish Airlines, TAP Portugal, Air France, KLM, LOT Polish Airlines and many more fly to Zurich airport. See airport links for more information.
Airports of Frankfurt, Munich and Milan are also few hours away and can be an option for travelling further to Bern by train..
Public transport in Bern
Bern is a walkable city with a convenient and efficient public transport network (buses, trams, regional trains). Due to its compact size, Bern’s city center can be explored on foot.
Tickets for Bern public transport can be bought at machines and in the LIBERO shop at Bern main station. No tickets are sold on buses and trams. In addition to the normal tickets, and the multiple journey tickets, Bernmobil also sells short journey tickets at a more affordable price. The ticket machines show which routes the short journey ticket is valid for.
Overnight visitors don’t need to pay for tram/bus tickets in Bern. From your first overnight stay in tourist accommodation in the city, you will receive a Bern Ticket for your whole stay. This lets you travel for free in zones 100/101 operated by LIBERO. The Bern Ticket also includes the Gurten funicular, the Marzilibahn funicular and the lift to Bern’s cathedral platform.
On the day you arrive in Bern, your reservation confirmation counts as a transfer ticket from the train station to where you are staying. You will receive the Bern Ticket when you check in. It is only valid if fully filled in. If asked, please show your ticket to the ticket inspector.
http://www.bern.com/en/travel-planning/bernticket