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Located on the border between the French and German-speaking parts of Switzerland, Biel/Bienne is a fascinating place to visit. This is the northernmost city in canton Bern and forms part of the Three Lakes region along with Murten and Neuchâtel. Together with La Chaux-de-Fonds and Le Locle, Biel/Bienne is one of the watchmaking centers in Switzerland. A number of watch companies have their headquarters in Biel/Bienne, including Swatch, Alpina, and Horage.
For visitors to Switzerland, Biel might not be the first place you would think of visiting in Switzerland. Nevertheless, watch fans might find it interesting.
As one of the most populous and visited cities in Switzerland, people who are in Geneva might consider visiting Biel by train. Traveling by train in Switzerland is an easy, comfortable, and impressive journey. So I would definitely recommend traveling by train between Geneva and Biel.
This article will answer all your questions about the train journey from Geneva to Biel.
You can start by visiting the SBB website: www.sbb.ch. Using the website, you can type in your departure and arrival destinations. It will then guide you to where and when you need to be. An app is also available for iOS and Android devices.
If you wish to pay half the fare for all your train rides in Switzerland, a Half Fare Discount Card (1-month validity) is available on www.sbb.ch. This allows you to travel for half the price on all SBB routes and most other railways during the duration of your discount card.
Using the Swiss Pass, you get unlimited travel by train, bus, and boat in Switzerland. Over 500 museums are also free or discounted, and there are free or discounted excursions to mountain summits.
>Getting tickets from RailEurope is a convenient option if you’re traveling within Europe and/or visiting multiple countries. Having been in operation since the 1930s, RailEurope‘s extensive history, user-friendly website and mobile apps, flexible currency payment options, commitment to customer satisfaction, and strategic partnerships with leading rail operators, collectively establish it as a reliable and trustworthy platform for booking European train travel.
You can obtain from RailEurope the following travel passes:
- Swiss Travel Pass – choose between continuous or flexible Swiss train passes for 3, 4, 8, or 15 days. The perks? unlimited use in over 90 Swiss cities, free admission to more than 500 museums, and discounts on mountain railways and cable cars. You also get discounts on high-speed Lyria trains between France and Switzerland as well as Nightjet trains that go through Switzerland. See RailEurope for more information.
- Eurail Global Pass – unlimited train travel to 40,000 destinations in 33 European countries for non-EU residents
- Interrail Global Pass – access to 40,000 destinations in 33 European countries for citizens and permanent residents of the EU
How To Get From Geneva to Biel
How To Get From Geneva Airport to Biel
A direct train (Intercity 5 train) runs between Geneva Airport and Biel/Bienne every hour. Prior to stopping in Biel, the train stops at Geneva, Morges, Yverdon-les-Bains, and Neuchâtel.
How To Get From Geneva Train Station to Biel
A direct train (Intercity 5 train) runs between Geneva and Biel/Bienne every hour. Prior to stopping in Biel, the train stops at Morges, Yverdon-les-Bains, and Neuchâtel.
How Long Is the Train Ride From Geneva to Biel?
The following table shows the train ride duration from Geneva to Biel and the other way around (updated May 2023):
| Route | Duration (fastest) |
|---|---|
| Geneva – Biel/Bienne (Direct) | 1 hour 28 minutes |
| Geneva Airport – Biel/Bienne (Direct) | 1 hour 38 minutes |
| Biel/Bienne – Geneva (Direct) | 1 hour 31 minutes |
| Biel/Bienne – Geneva Airport (Direct) | 1 hour 40 minutes |
Is the Train From Geneva to Biel Scenic?
Unfortunately, the Interregio train from Geneva to Biel is not the most scenic train route. These are fast commuter trains intended to get you from one city to another as quickly as possible.
Other Scenic Trains
In case you would like to check out other scenic trains, then there are more scenic trains recommended below. These are the Golden Pass Line, the Glacier Express, and the Bernina Express. Another interesting train is the Historical Train that goes from Davos to Filisur.
Your other options in detail are the following:
- Golden Pass – The Golden Pass departs from Lucerne. You would take a train from Zurich to Lucerne, then change to Interlaken. This is sometimes referred to as the east end of this route. The Golden Pass has panorama coaches and is scenic.
- Glacier Express – Glacier Express is a long journey that starts from Zermatt, home of Matterhorn. It then traverses 291 bridges and 91 tunnels before stopping in St. Moritz. Both Zermatt and St. Moritz are beautiful mountain resorts worthy of a longer stay. The Glacier Express passes by several idyllic mountain villages.
- Bernina Express – Bernina Express is another train route that begins in Chur. Chur is the oldest alpine city in Switzerland and definitely worth visiting. This train route spans 196 bridges. It goes through 55 tunnels and passes 20 beautiful villages in Switzerland. For you to go on this scenic train, you will have to go from Zurich or Lucerne to Chur first.
- Historical Train Davos to Filisur – May through October, vintage carriages are pulled by the century-old crocodile locomotive from Davos Platz to Filisur. The train line covers a total length of 4,200 meters through 14 tunnels and 28 bridges. Its scenic highlights include the Wiesen Viaduct and the Zügen Gorge.
How Much Will the Train Ticket From Geneva to Biel Cost?
Here are the train ticket prices from Geneva to Biel (updated May 2023):
| Route | Full Fare (CHF) | Half Fare (CHF) |
|---|---|---|
| Geneva – Biel/Bienne | 51.00 | 25.50 |
| Geneva Airport – Biel/Bienne | 56.00 | 28.00 |
Do You Need a Seat Reservation on the Train?
No, there is no need to reserve a spot on the train. But you can always add this option if that is your wish.
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Darla Uhl is the owner of TouringSwitzerland.com. Her home is in the German-speaking part of Switzerland. Having lived almost 20 years in Switzerland, she's traveled extensively all over the country.
Darla's favorite regions to visit in Switzerland include Engadin, Lake Geneva, Bernese Oberland, Ticino, and Valais. She loves spending time with her family, hiking, visiting museums, and reading books.