2018 is thus the sixth record year in a row, the Swiss Federal Railways saidExternal link on Tuesday. Chinese guests were the top foreign users of public transport, with sales of CHF20.3 million, an increase of 14.9%.
They were followed by visitors from India and the United States, with sales growth of 18.1% and 14.9% respectively. The leader in 2017, South Korea, followed in fourth place, following a decline in sales of 8.2%.
The federal railways said one of the reasons for last year’s success was the Grand Train Tour of SwitzerlandExternal link. This “tourist magnet”, it said, “links the country’s most beautiful panoramic routes into a unique 1,280-kilometre route and leads foreign visitors by public transport to the highlights and sights of Switzerland all year round”.
The Swiss Travel System is a marketing company founded in 2011 by the Swiss Federal Railways, Switzerland TourismExternal link and five tourist rail companies.
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Public transport in Switzerland
Switzerland’s system of railways, long-distance buses and local transport is regarded as among the best in the world.
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Swiss federal office sees no reason to end deportations of asylum-seekers to Croatia
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Switzerland's State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) continues to deport asylum-seekers to Croatia. It thus rejects a demand from the Swiss Refugee Council in mid-February, which called for a halt to the returns.
ChatGPT responds to negative emotions and therapy, research shows
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Mortgage benchmark fall paves way for potential rent cuts in Switzerland
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Switzerland’s national benchmark for mortgage costs dropped to the level it had before the global inflation surge, paving the way for potential rent reductions.
Switzerland ‘deeply concerned’ by Trump’s death penalty order
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Switzerland has told the UN Human Rights Council that it is "deeply concerned" by US President Donald Trump's recent executive order to strengthen capital punishment at federal and state level.
Blatter, Platini return to court for new fraud trial over CHF2 million FIFA payment
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Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter and former UEFA President Michel Platini appeared in court in Switzerland on Monday accused of fraud - 2.5 years after they were cleared.
Israel criticises Swiss decision to host Middle East conference in Geneva on Friday
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Israel has condemned Switzerland for planning to host a meeting on international humanitarian law in the Middle East next Friday in Geneva.
Centre Party’s Franziska Biner elected to Valais government
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Voters in canton Valais in southern Switzerland elected Franziska Biner to the cantonal government in the first round of voting, beating off more established politicians.
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How to save money in Switzerland
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Report proposes third-class rail tickets for budget travellers in Switzerland
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Swiss railway companies should introduce a third-class category for passengers on a budget, a Federal Office of Transport report has suggested.
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Around 580 train stations across Switzerland will be modernised by the end of 2023 and made more accessible for people with disabilities.
Swiss take the train more often, and further, than European neighbours
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The latest Europe-wide figures confirm Switzerland’s reputation as a country of trains, with average trips and kilometres covered far higher than elsewhere.
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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.