The international airports in Switzerland, Zurich (ZRH) and Geneva (GVA), have railway stations with direct connections to Bern (taking about one and two hours, respectively). The airport of Basel (BSL) is also well connected to Bern (take first a local bus from the airport to the railway station of Basel SBB from where it takes about one hour to Bern by train). There are two train connections to Bern per hour during the day for each of these railway stations.
Railway timetables and prices may be found at SBB.
The railway station in Bern is located in the center of the city, very close to the University main building, where the workshop will take place (Google map).
The venue’s address is:
University of Bern,
Building for Exact Sciences (Gebäude Exakte Wissenschaften, ExWi)
Sidlerstrasse 5, 3012 Bern
Most hotels are within walking distance from the railway station and the venue location. Nevertheless, there is a dense public transport system with a number of bus and tram connections established in Bern (bernmobil). Many hotels offer public transport tickets during the stay.
You may find hotels located in the center of the city at the official Bern tourism website: www.bern.com, or via your preferred hotel booking service portal. You may also book a hotel in the periphery. These hotels might be less expensive but you may check the connections via S-Bahn Bern to Bern main station.
Switzerland joins the Schengen and Dublin agreements (12 December 2008).
For participants of certain countries, it will be necessary to obtain a visa to enter Switzerland. The Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides information on such requirements for all countries:
Contact and addresses of Swiss consulates in all countries can also be found on the Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs website:
Please get the information regarding required travel documents as early as possible from the consulate responsible for your consular district.
You may need to submit a so-called “Letter of Invitation” to your visa application documents. If you need such a letter, please provide the information in our online form here.
Weather and climate: Webcams and forecast.
Tourist‘s office for: Bern, Switzerland
Shops: Close at 19:00 during the week except for Thursday, where shops are open until 21:00
Money: Currency is Swiss Franc (CHF). Many shops will also accept Euro (but you will get the change in CHF). Foreign currencies may be changed in any bank or at the train station. Almost anywhere, you will be able to pay by card.
Power Supply: The voltage in Switzerland, as in most of Europe, is 230V/50 Hz.
Switzerland uses Type C (2-pin) and Type J (3-pin) plugs. (Type C 2-pin plugs also fit J sockets.)