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

Swiss face longer commutes

Commuters arrive at Cornavin train station in Geneva, Switzerland
Commuters arrive at Cornavin train station in Geneva, Switzerland Keystone

The average commute time to work in Switzerland was 30 minutes in 2016, or 14.8 kilometres (9.2 miles), according to the Federal Statistical Office. This is 7% more than in 2010.

Every day, 3.9 million people, out of a labour force of 4.8 million, commuted to work in 2016 – up from 2.9 million in 1990. Some 71% worked in a different municipality from where they lived and 20% travelled to a different canton, +12% compared to 1990, the statistics office reported on WednesdayExternal link

+ How do people in Switzerland get to work?

The statistics office said the majority drove to work (52%), whilst a third used public transport (17% took a train). Almost 15% of people walked or cycled to work. 

Canton Zurich had the highest net inflow of commuters (+88,000 people). In canton Basel City, 51% of commuters travelled in every day from other regions. The figures were also high for cantons Zug (+34% of commuters), Zurich (+13%) and Geneva (+11%). 

The statistics office also found that 800,000 young people (pupils, apprentices and students) commuted daily to their places of study or training in 2016. On average, they covered 22 km, mostly by train or bus. 

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

News

The federal government is working on a new Swiss identity card with a chip

More

New Swiss biometric ID card planned for 2026

This content was published on A biometric Swiss identity card (ID) is expected to be available in Switzerland by the end of 2026. The Federal Office of Police and its federal and cantonal partners are working on a new ID card that features a chip.

Read more: New Swiss biometric ID card planned for 2026
Opportunities for social mobility remain high in Switzerland

More

Swiss continue to enjoy high social mobility, study shows

This content was published on Opportunities for upward social mobility have remained intact in Switzerland since the 1980s. Social mobility is exceptionally high by international comparison, a study shows.

Read more: Swiss continue to enjoy high social mobility, study shows
UBS launches another billion share buyback programme

More

UBS launches buyback scheme for up to $2 billion in shares

This content was published on UBS is starting a share buyback programme for up to $2 billion (CHF1.6 billion) in shares, in line with a plan approved at its annual general meeting (AGM) in April, the Swiss bank said on Monday.

Read more: UBS launches buyback scheme for up to $2 billion in shares

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