Visiting Bern as a Train Layover with the Swiss Rail Pass
How Much Time is Needed to Visit Bern?
Despite being a small country, there is so much to see in Switzerland. One of the issues I faced during my visit was how could I possibly fit everything into my nine-day trip. To try to fit in as much as possible, I had to schedule creatively, including visiting Bern as a train layover.
To get to Geneva, I had to connect through Bern, so I decided to get off the train, store my luggage in a locker, and spend about four hours walking around the de facto capital of Switzerland.
While I wasn’t able to see the entire city, I was able to see many of the main attractions. I was happy that I got see Bern as a train layover and didn’t miss out on seeing one of Switzerland’s most important cities. To me, it seemed like four hours was just enough time to walk around Bern.
In the summary below, I will highlight what I was able to see during my visit to Bern as a train layover.
Visiting Bern as a Train Layover with the Swiss Rail Pass - Table of Contents
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Getting to Bern with the Swiss Rail Pass
The Swiss Rail Pass is perfect for travelers who want to visit multiple Swiss Cities. During my visit, I purchased the eight-day Swiss Rail Pass, which provided unlimited travel on almost all Swiss trains, buses, and boats.
As stated above, I was traveling from Interlaken to Geneva with a train connection in Bern. I figured this was the perfect opportunity to get off the train and spend a few hours walking around this spectacular Swiss city.
One extremely helpful thing is that all of the Swiss train stations have luggage storage. At Bern Station, there were a variety of lockers that fit everything from a small carry-on bag to a large suitcase. The luggage location was a little difficult to find as it was located near the SBB Ticket Office. If you arrive on the inner tracks, you will need to walk up the stairs and into the main building. Be sure to walk past the bus station as it is in between the lower tracks and the SBB Ticket Office.
I was confused because there is a mall with shops and restaurants attached to the lower train platform. Figuring this was the location of the lockers, I spent about thirty minutes wandering around the mall before finally asking an employee to help me find the lockers.
Walking Around Old Town Bern
The first stop on my train connection tour of Bern, was Old Town. Old Town Bern dates back to the medieval period and was founded in 1191. Upon exiting Bern Station, I was only a few steps from getting lost in the narrow streets of Old Town Bern.
As Bern was once a walled-in city, the only way in and out was through the various gates. Below is an example of what a city gate may have looked like during the heyday of Old Town Bern. The gate would have had a steel door and would likely have been flanked by guards.
There are many fountains scattered throughout Old Town Bern. Like most fountains in Switzerland, they have potable water which can be used to drink and fill water bottles.
I spent about a third of my train connection trip to Bern walking around Old Town. Old Town Bern is a UNESCO World Heritage Sight and feels much different than Old Town Geneva or Lucerne.
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I highly recommend getting lost in the pedestrian only streets and spending some time visiting the shops and restaurants of Old Town Bern.
Zytglogge
Located in Old Town Bern is the Zytglogge, which is Bern’s top attraction. This medieval clocktower dates back to 1218 and has kept time and rung its bells for over 800 years. The Zytglogge towers above much of Old Town Bern and can be seen from all over the city.
The Zytglogge has multiple clocks, including a traditional 12-hour face on the top and an astronomical clock on the bottom.
The astronomical clock is fascinating as it is divided into three zones: the black night sky, the deep blue dawn zone, and the light blue day sky. It keeps track of the Zodiac sign and also the day of the week. There is also a section that tracks the phases of the moon. The astronomical clock does not account for a leap year and has to be reset manually, or it will end up providing incorrect information.
Cathedral of Bern
Another sight on my train layover tour of Bern was the Cathedral of Bern. This cathedral is also located in Old Town and dates back to 1421. I was able to go inside the Bern Cathedral, but there were signs asking visitors not to take photographs. I always respect those signs while traveling, so I do not have any photographs of the interior.
Above the door of the Bern Cathedral are artistic carvings representing the Last Judgement. This door serves as the main entrance to the Cathedral of Bern.
The Federal Palace (Parliament Building)
Switzerland is made up of 26 Cantons that function like states. The Cantons have the majority of the political power, and Switzerland technically does not have a political capital. Despite not having a political capital, the Cantons agreed to the formation of a federal government in 1848, and the government needed a place to meet.
Bern was the chosen site of the Swiss Federal Government and serves as the de facto political capital. The Federal Palace, which is sometimes referred to as the Parliament Building, was built in 1902 and serves as the home to the Swiss Federal Council and the Swiss Federal Assembly.
I did not go inside the Federal Palace of Switzerland, as I had limited time before I had to be back at the train station. What I was able to do was walk the grounds of the Federal Palace and get some great photographs of the area around the Aare River.
The North Facade of the Federal Palace is flanked by two Griffins, which can be seen in the photo above. The two women to the left and right represent freedom and peace. I wish I would have photographed the South Facade on the other side of the palace. To do that, I would have had to take the cable car down to the river bank, and with my train connection in just a few hours, I didn’t have time.
Be sure to walk through the arched walkway of the Swiss Federal Palace to see wonderful views of the Aare River Valley. During my visit, the sun was at the perfect angle to use the arches to help frame the photo below.
There is a walkway behind the Swiss Federal Palace, which follows the Aare River.
I enjoyed walking the path and found plenty of great spots for photographs.
National Bank of Switzerland
One of Switzerland’s top industries is banking, as Swiss Banks are among the most secure banks in the world. Next to the North Entrance to the Federal Palace is the National Bank of Switzerland. An interesting side note is that while many countries are moving to digital transactions, the Swiss still love using paper money. Switzerland currently has the most valuable banknote, which is worth CHF 1,000 ($1038.)
Bern Tours and Packages
During my train layover visit to Bern, I did not take any tours or hire a guide. I did not think that it was necessary to see the sights that interested me. Still, I know that some people enjoy being led around by a local guide. Below are a few tours and packages that caught my eye. Please note that as an affiliate of Viator, I will receive a small commission if you purchase a tour using one of my links. This commission is at no additional cost to you.
 Bern Capital City Private Tour - $187.60 Spend a half day in Bern, the capital city of Switzerland with your private tour guide. Your walking tour will give you a complete overview of the spots of the city center. Your tourguide will show you the garden of roses with a fantastical view over the entire city, walk below the UNESCO-protected arcades, visit the bears closed to the Aare river and stand in front of the Swiss parliament building. The tour will lead you to historical buildings, storys and you will visit Albert Einstein's house. |
 Bern Old Town- Private Tour - $434.91 Visit the city of Bern and explore the historic areas of the old town with gothic architecture and medieval monuments. |
 Bern Capital City Small Group Tour - $87.10 3-hours city tour in the capital city of Switzerland. Your walking tour will give you a complete overview of the spots of the city center. Your tourguide will show you the garden of roses with a fantastical view over the entire city, walk below the UNESCO-protected arcades, visit the bears closed to the Aare river and stand in front of the Swiss parliament building. |
 The best of Bern walking tour - $489.68 Together with the professional guide, you will visit the most charming places in the city. What was so mysterious about the Zytglogge? Why is it still running after 500 years? Bern Cathedral tallest cathedral Switzerland. |
 Layover in Bern a Private Tour with a local: Best Highlights of Bern - $245.45 Isn't it better to explore the city than waiting at the airport lounge? Make the most of your time in Bern and experience the best of everything in Bern on this layover special private tour with a local, you will use public transport throughout this tour to enhance your local experience even more, you will visit the ancient, medieval and modern neighborhoods to see and appreciate the vast history and culture that the city has witnessed over the years, also try the best food, drinks, local favorite places to hangout and beat the touristic rush. Our fun and entertaining guide will make this a memorable experience for you filled with sightseeing, visitng local popular hangout places and trying the local food & drinks. It is one of the best experiences to immerse yourself into the rich local culture. |
 Private tour of the best of Bern - Sightseeing, Food & Culture with a local - $245.45 Bern is home to a bounty of local, must-eat foods and one of the great joys of a holiday abroad is sampling the local cuisine and the food in Bern is amongst the best in Europe. Experience fantastic art and architecture, a rich Medieval history and innovative modern additions in Bern which has the reputation of being the most cosmopolitan, modern and avant-garde city in Switzerland. Our fun and entertaining guide will make this a memorable experience for you filled with sightseeing, visiting local popular hangout places and trying the local food & drinks. It is one of the best experiences to immerse yourself into the rich Swiss culture. |
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