Stroller

When you’re out and about with a stroller, you usually won’t face issues with public transport. Thanks to the implementation of the Disability Equality Act (BehiG), more and more low-floor trains and buses are being introduced. These not only make it easier for wheelchairs to board, but they also help when you’re using a stroller.

Whenever possible, you should take your outing with a collapsible stroller. It can be taken almost anywhere, even in the smallest gondolas. Where turnstiles pose an obstacle, a folded stroller can still get through. If you plan on going on outings to the mountains more often, it’s advisable to invest in an off-road stroller.

Switzerland is known for its efficient and well-developed public transport system, which is also well suited for trips with a stroller. The stroller is considered luggage and is therefore carried free of charge on public transport. However, at rush hour and during commuter traffic, you may have to wait for a next bus or streetcar. If you have a choice, you should rather try to avoid such times.

Most Swiss trains have special areas for strollers. Be sure to place your stroller in these areas so as not to block the passage for other passengers.

It is best to use a train with low-floor access. This will allow you to enter the train safely and without assistance. To park the stroller, you can fold the seats up. A buggy is very practical because you can fold it up.

Which trains have low-floor access?

In the online timetable of the SBB, low-floor entrances are marked with NF. Once you have found a connection, click on the grayed out field to see more details. If you also display the train formation, you can see which cars of the train have a low-floor entrance and in which sectors at the station they are located.

What is the best way to board the train with a stroller?

If the train does not have a low-floor entrance, SBB recommends the following:

One person enters the train and lifts the stroller by the handlebars. The second person lifts the crossbar between the wheels on the other side. This also works for longer stairs. If you need outside help to do this, you go in handlebar first.

Where can you park the stroller on the train?

You can recognize compartments where strollers can be parked by the stroller symbol. The symbol is placed on the door and under the window of the compartment.

By the way, trains with family carriages and family zones have more space for strollers. If there are bike hooks, please use the opposite side for your stroller.

Otherwise, larger strollers must remain outside in the entrance area in the designated niches. They can also be left inside the train or at the luggage storage areas. Foldable strollers fit under the seat.

Family Compartments

All InterCity double-decker trains in long-distance service have family cars. In the middle of the upper deck of the control car, there is a playground with various themes. The stroller can be stored in the lower level. The doors are at least 71 cm wide.

Family compartments are available on the following routes:

• IC1: St. Gallen - Zürich HB - Bern - Geneva Airport
• IC8: Romanshorn - Zürich - HB - Bern - Brig
• IC6: Basel SBB - Bern - Brig
• IC61: Basel SBB - Bern - Interlaken Ost
• IC3: Basel SBB - Zürich HB - Chur

The trains are marked as FA in the timetable and the SBB app. When you select your connection in the SBB app, you can see in the train information whether a “family car with playground” is available. You can recognize it in the legend by a small teddy bear. The train information also tells you in which sector of the station you should wait for it.

Family Zone

Single-decker InterCity trains have family zones. Here too, the doors are at least 71 cm wide. In the family zones, the tables can be folded up to make space for the stroller. Some tables have board games stuck to them, which can be played with coins as game pieces. You can download a dice app on your smartphone for rolling.

InterCity trains with family zones are marked as FZ by SBB.

Changing Tables

Changing tables can be found in every family compartment and in every family zone. They are located in the restrooms. In regional trains, the wheelchair-accessible restrooms usually have a changing table.

You can tell from the outside whether a restroom has a changing table. These restrooms have an icon of a baby with a diaper.

In cities like Zurich, Geneva and Basel, streetcars and buses are already largely stroller-friendly. They already increasingly have low-floor entrances and spacious interiors that make it easier to get on and off.

Some buses (e.g., in the city of Zug) have a blue stroller button at the door. You can press this if you need a bit more time to get on or off.

Tips for Riding the Bus or Tram

• The SBB timetables also include information about low-floor access (NF) for buses and trams.
• If low-floor vehicles aren't available yet, try to use a stroller that isn’t too bulky, maybe even collapsible.
• Avoid peak times, as buses and trams can get really crowded then. Even if you manage to find a seat, it might get quite tight and uncomfortable for your child.
• Wait at the platform or bus stop ready for boarding so you’re well-prepared when the vehicle arrives. Make sure to secure the stroller safely when getting on or off to prevent accidents.
• If possible, find a suitable spot in the vehicle designated for strollers. Often, there are specially marked areas or designated spaces for wheelchairs and strollers.
• Ensure the stroller is well secured during the ride to prevent it from sliding or tipping over. Many public transport options provide straps or securing options.
• Typically, strollers do not require a separate ticket unless you’re claiming an extra seat for it. Still, it’s wise to check the specific regulations of your transport network.

Almost all mountain railroads also transport baby carriages. You do not have to pay anything for it. However, it is sometimes an advantage if you use a small stroller or even a buggy. Otherwise, there might be space problems in case of very large crowds. On the other hand, the stroller should be all-terrain, especially if you want to go for a walk or a hike.

Very small cable cars in not so frequented areas might even have problems to transport a folded stroller, but are rather the exception. To be on the safe side, we've put together a few tips for you here.

Some mountain railroads with special suitability for baby carriages

Please note that the mountain railroads, which go up to about 3000 m above sea level, do not take children under the age of 15 months.

The stroller can now travel on almost every ship. Sometimes, however, you have to put it down to get to the upper deck.

Swiss lakes and accessibility with strollers

To make your search easier, we've listed several parks that are stroller-friendly. Most of them also have a playground for kids.

Parks Easily Traversable with a Stroller

|Zurich|Rieterpark|west of Lake Zurich, Gablerstrasse, 70000 m²|Line 13 to Waffenplatzstr. or S2,S8,S24 to Zürich Enge|19th-century villas, Rietberg Museum, largest park in Switzerland, view of the Glarus Alps, children's playground on Scheideggstrasse with sand area, spring rider, swings, slide, sandbox, grassy area, benches| |Zurich|Belvoirpark|west of Lake Zurich, east of Rieterpark|Line 7 to Brunaustrasse|19th-century villa with sculptures and a fountain, children's playground on Seestrasse with spinning equipment, sand area, spring rider, board swing, slide| |Zurich|Seeburgpark|between Zolliker and Mühlebachstrasse, east of Lake Zurich|Line 4 to Feldeggstrasse|19th-century villa and park, impressive tree population, children’s playground on Blatterwiese near Lake Zurich, 10-minute walk| |Zurich|Park Sonnenberg|Heuelstrasse, east of Lake Zurich|Lines 3,31 to Klussplatz|View of Zurich, Lake Zurich, and the mountains, nice playground| |Bern|Rosengarten|Hill|Alter Aargauerstalden, Lines 10,12|quiet city park with a huge variety of flowers (Japanese cherry blossoms in spring), extensive city views, playground, and a restaurant| |Geneva|English Garden|Quai du Général-Guisan, right by Lake Geneva|Bus lines 6,8,9,25|famous flower clock with 12000 flowers, bronze fountain, and beautiful walkways along the lake| |Geneva|Parc la Grange|Quai Gustave-Ador, right by Lake Geneva next to the Baby-Plage swimming area|Train Line 9 to Gare/Bloch|Villa, fountain, rose garden, door to the neighboring Eaux-Vives park| |Geneva|Parc des Bastions|Square of Cornavin, south of the English Garden|Train Line 5,10,19|large green area, huge trees, giant chess boards, Reformation monument, Palais Eynard, University of Geneva| |Morcote|Parco Scherrer|on Lake Lugano|Bus Line 431 from Paradiso to Morcote|a hillside villa surrounded by lemon trees and bamboo groves, statues in the style of Greek classics, shaded benches, cultural events and concerts, restaurant at the entrance| |Lausanne|Esplanade de Montbenon|on Lake Geneva, in the city at Av. de Montbenon, extending more than 500 m wide above Lake Geneva|Bus Line 431 from Paradiso to Morcote|Casino, sculptures, fountain, children's playground, restaurants| |Winterthur|Stadtgarten|Old town, between Stadthaus- and Museumstrasse, 22'743 m²|Line 1, 3, 7,10 to Schmidgasse 11|large children's playground, water basin with fountain, generous lawns and flower beds, and numerous seating areas| |Davos|Alpinum Schatzalp|Sunny terrace 300m above Davos|Schatzalp-Bahn|children's playground at the mountain station| |Chur|Fontanapark|City center|from the station by tram 1 stop or on foot|Baroque garden with a bronze statue and benches| |Chur|Quaderwiese|City center|from the station on foot|large children's playground with green play area, tower, sound box, mirror hall, small children's area, and water feature|

Museums and exhibitions in Switzerland are mostly accessible. However, you can’t take your stroller everywhere. Most museums offer their own buggies that you can use.

Art museums are particularly critical in this regard. We took a closer look at five art museums. Only one of them explicitly prohibits strollers. The other four provide buggies for your visit.

• Fondation Beyeler - A renowned art museum in Riehen, near Basel. Although children are welcome, large strollers are not allowed in the exhibition spaces. Buggies are available on request.
• Kunsthaus Zürich - An important art museum in Zürich. Strollers are generally allowed in the collection and exhibition areas (without food and drinks). For safety reasons, access to the collection and exhibition areas with strollers may be restricted during busy visitor periods. Museum-owned buggies can be borrowed for free.
• Kunstmuseum Basel - An important art museum in Basel. Strollers are unsuitable during high visitor traffic. You can borrow buggies for free at the cloakroom.
• Museum Tinguely - A museum in Basel dedicated to the works of artist Jean Tinguely. Here too, buggies are provided to leave strollers outside.
• Kunsthaus Zug - An art museum in Zug that focuses on Swiss art from the 18th to the 21st century. Strollers are not permitted here.

As you can see, most art museums respond by giving you a stroller for the time of your stay so that you can take your child with you into the exhibition rooms. However, it is advisable to ask such museums in advance.

Other museums are also increasingly providing buggies. We reviewed six other museums that specifically offer children's experiences.

Visiting Museums and Exhibitions with a Stroller

|Lucerne|Transport Museum Lucerne|yes|Museum, Planetarium, Cinema, Swiss Chocolate Adventure, Restaurants| |Baden|Swiss Children's Museum|no, but strollers available on site|Toys from the last 300 years, also for touching, playing, and participating| |Brienz|Ballenberg|Yes, in outdoor areas. The museum map indicates paths that are not practical with a crossed-out wheelchair icon. |100 historical buildings, traditional crafts to watch| |Kilchberg|Lindt Home of Chocolate|no, but strollers available on site|multimedia chocolate museum| |Zürich|Wow Museum|no, no lift|Illusions, tricks, and experiments (from 4 years old)| |Aathal|Dinosaur Museum Aathal|no, but changing table available|life-like exhibits, films, and child-friendly games|

For museum visits, it's wise to check in advance whether you can come with a stroller. Offers for children are usually targeted at ages 4 and up.

In Switzerland, there are plenty of great spots for families. They usually have large playgrounds and restaurants with spacious terraces. You won’t have any issues with strollers here, even getting there is easy.

You can find numerous stroller-friendly places both in cities and in nature. Cities like Zurich, Geneva, Basel and Bern are equipped with well-maintained sidewalks and barrier-free facilities. In nature, you can explore the Swiss Alps, lakes like Lake Zurich and Lake Geneva, and several parks with a stroller.

A stroller is also no problem at the zoo or animal park. You may have to park it outside at one or the other house if you want to go inside. In summer, however, the animals are usually better seen outdoors anyway.

The following examples should give you some ideas.

Globi's Alpine Playground and Hike to Lake Härzli at Brunni Engelberg

Globi's Alpine Playground is located at Ristis on an area of 3000 m² in the middle of the summer toboggan run. In addition to a small rope park and climbing elements, children will find a Murmelirutsche, 3 swings, 2 carousels, 2 seesaws and other play elements. A wild water world is also part of the alpine playground.

You can reach Ristis from Engelberg by cable car. It's easy to take along a stroller. If you're coming from Lucerne, the train from Zentralbahn is recommended. It runs every hour and takes 43 minutes to Engelberg. This train has a Globiwagen, where Globi books are available for kids at every seat. Once in Engelberg, you can ride the bus for free to the valley station of the Brunni Bahnen.

From Ristis, you can also take a stroller-friendly easy hike to Härzlisee. With just 270 meters of elevation gain over six kilometers, it's quite manageable.

For the Globi treasure hunt (ages 3 and up), a sturdy stroller is essential. However, the path is very narrow. The Globine treasure hunt (suitable for ages 7 and up), on the other hand, is only accessible on foot, not with a stroller.

Mooraculum Adventure Park in the UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch with Sundew Trail

In the heart of the UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch, you'll discover a little moor paradise. The Mooraculum Adventure Park features a playground and two thematic trails. These trails take you directly through low and high moors. The park starts right at the mountain station of the Rossweid cable car in Sörenberg. You can take the aerial cable car from Sörenberg with a stroller.

Throughout Mooraculum, benches and fire pits invite families to relax and stay awhile. Entrance to the adventure park is free, and it's open from late May to late October.

The large playground is located directly next to the Rossweid Restaurant. It includes various play areas:

• Ponds with water play equipment
• Hanging chair forest
• climbing adventure
• raft to cross the big pond

The circular trail "Sonnentauweg" is 1.5 km long and suitable for baby carriages. It leads through colorful fens with beautiful flowers and the forest of the blueberry bog. A total of 17 diversely designed experience stations are set up along the trail.

The Gurtenpark with its large play area

The Gurten is a popular mountain destination near Bern. You’ll find a big play area featuring a summer toboggan run, mini train, and kids’ cars. You can take the Gurtenbahn from Wabern, and strollers are welcome. It’s just a 10-minute tram ride from Bern to Wabern.

Offers at the Gurten playground:

• Kids Cars
• Climbing equipment with the big wooden Geschtelasch and the concrete kite "Crealino"
• Hexagonal ball track with a length of 300m and a playing time of up to one hour
• Small railroad with a ride through a tunnel, over hills and along water
• Gurtengärtli
• Summer toboggan run

The small railroad was built already in 1960 by students from Bern during their vacations. At the Take Away Stand Bahnhöfli you can fortify yourself.

As you can see, it is not difficult at all to visit beautiful destinations with a stroller. Strollers also benefit from the Disability Equality Act (BehiG).