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"Switzerland has an elaborate mesh of trains, buses, trams, cable cars and lake steamers. It has one of the worlds most organized, fastest and punctual railway systems. The Swiss use their trains more than anyone else in Europe. The completely electrified system reaches just about every corner of the country. Trains with first and second-class cars run at regular intervals, with at least hourly service provided between all major cities. Wherever the trains don‘t go, the yellow Post buses do. A train passenger may take these buses to their final destination with purchasing all in one ticket. They reach almost every village not connected to the railway system. The schedules between the railway and the postal bus system are well co-coordinated".
*The cheapest way to travel around Europe is to buy a rail pass (Eurail pass). These can only be obtained in the US and should be purchased before you leave. They are available through most travel agents and AAA. Plan ahead. Think about where you want to go and how many trips you’re thinking of taking. Then buy the rail pass that best fits your needs.
*Your rail pass must be validated at a ticket window in the train station BEFORE you use it for the first time. Don’t try to cheat by writing the date in pencil or waiting to write the day in when you see the conductor coming to check. They will fine you or take away your ticket or both.
*There are some trains where the rail pass is not valid, such as the Glacier Express to Zermatt. On high-speed trains you will have to pay for a reservation and you may have to pay a supplement.
Switzerland has an extensive Public Rail transportation system. Train schedules are available at the train stations.
* You can access train timetables on the internet. Check out http://www.sbb.ch/en/index.htm for the Swiss Rail and www.raileurope.com for major European cities. On the Swiss Rail site, after you enter the departure and arrival towns, it will indicate how travel is made, either by bus, train and/or boat.
* Always check to see if you need to pay a supplement or reservation fees (even with Eurail passes). Your Eurail pass can be validated in Mendrisio; a bus to Mendrisio stops right in front of the house and drops off directly in front of the train station.
* There is a ticket machine at every station in Switzerland where you can purchase local tickets valid for the same day (i.e. Lugano, Bellinzona, etc). The machine in Capolago only takes 20 CHF& 10 CHF notes and all coins and credit cards.
* Be sure to get on the right train car going to your destination, not simply the right train. Some cars are removed and added at some stations and you may end up going in the opposite direction you were planning.
* Include water and snacks in your packing, because food on the train is expensive.
* Swiss Federal Railways - http://www.sbb.ch/en/index.htm
* Flights are cheap in Europe, therefore it is recommended that you make proper inquires before purchasing the eurail train pass.
Yellow Post buses are a supplement to the Swiss rail network, following postal routes and linking towns to the more inaccessible regions in the mountains. They are extremely regular and departures tie in with train arrivals. Post bus stations are invariably next to train stations. Tickets are usually purchased from the driver, although for some routes over the Alps, a reservation is necessary.
There is a bus (orange bus) stop in front of Villa Maderni that can take you to Mendrisio, the nearest big town.
CESA has two vehicles. There is only one vehicle for only educational purpose use.
Management Entity: Office of International Research, Education, and Development,
Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA - 24061-0334