Commuting


Commuters for work purposes

In 2022, some eight out of ten employed persons in Switzerland were commuters, i.e. people who leave their dwelling to get to their place of work. This is equal to roughly 3.6 million people. Of this number, 71% worked outside the commune in which they live - considerably more than in 1990 (58%). This means that much larger commuter flows are travelling through the Swiss Mittelland and alpine valleys than just a few decades previously. A comparison of cantons shows that in relation to their size, the cantons of Basel-Stadt and Zug attract the most commuters from other cantons.

In 2022, about half of the commuters (50%) used the car as main means of transport for their commute. 29% used public transport to go to work, 18% travelled by foot or by bike. On average, commuters covered 14 km during their trip to work (one way), taking them 30 minutes.

Commuters for work purposes, 2022
Number of commuters 
3.6 million
    of which commuters between different communes
71%
Average commute (one way)
13.7 km
Average commute time (one way) 29.6 min.
Means of transport used1
Passenger car
50%
Railway
16%
...
Public road transport 13%
Motorised two-wheelers (excl. e-bike) 2%
E-bike 2%
Bicycle 7%
On foot 9%
1) Share of commuters who use a specific mode of transport as the main mode of transport for their commute Source: FSO – Commuting (PEND), Structural survey

Commuters for study and training purposes

In addition to commuters travelling to work, in Switzerland in 2022 there were about 0.7 million commuters aged 15 or over travelling to their place of study or training (pupils, apprentices and students). On average, this group of travellers covered a distance of 20 km to reach their place of study or training and preferred to use public transport to reach their destination. In 2022, rail and public road transport accounted for a combined share of 68% of the main means of transport.

Commuters for study and training purposes (15 years and older), 2022
Number of commuters 
0.7 million
Average commute (one way) 19.8 km
Average commute time (one way) 40.8 min.
Means of transport used1
Passenger car (incl. scool bus) 15%
Railway 41%
...
Public road transport 27%
Motorised two-wheelers (excl. e-bike) 2%
E-bike 1%
Bicycle
6%
On foot 7%
1) Share of commuters who use a specific mode of transport as the main mode of transport to get to their place of study/training Source: FSO – Commuting (PEND), Structural survey

Further information

Tables

Communal matrix

Statistical concepts

Contact

Federal Statistical Office Section Mobility
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CH-2010 Neuchâtel
Switzerland
Tel.
+41 58 463 64 68

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Contact

Remark

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