Switzerland Plans Massive Transport Operation for 2025 Events

Switzerland is gearing up for its largest special transport operation in decades, with Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) announcing an unprecedented deployment of 1,600 additional trains for 2025. This massive expansion of service is designed to accommodate a series of major international and national events that will attract nearly a million visitors to various Swiss cities throughout the year.

The transport operation will support two major international events: the Eurovision Song Contest in Basel (May 13-17) with 85 special trains, and the UEFA Women's EURO 2025 (July 2-27) with 300 dedicated trains serving eight host cities including Bern, Geneva, and Zürich. Additional services will support national events such as the Federal Gymnastics Festival in Lausanne and the Swiss Federal Wrestling Festival in Mollis, demonstrating Switzerland's commitment to both international and traditional cultural events.

SBB is implementing comprehensive solutions to manage this unprecedented operation, including the deployment of 2,000 customer service officials and the extension of regular train compositions with additional cars. The operation must navigate challenges such as the eight-week closure between Fribourg and Bern (June 28 to August 24). Special ticketing arrangements will be implemented, with event tickets serving as valid train tickets for certain major events.

This transport operation represents a significant investment in Switzerland's infrastructure and tourism sector. With 900,000 visitors expected for Eurovision and Women's EURO alone, the economic impact will be substantial. The operation showcases Switzerland's capability to host major international events while maintaining efficient public transport services, reinforcing its position as a premier destination for large-scale international events.