Tell me about the Transport system?

For timetables and costs of all transport systems visit the Rail website . There is also a Printed Timetable (Horaire) for Valais available from the train station for 2 CHF. It includes details of trains, buses, ferries and telecabins. Transport in Switzerland can be very expensive, so you may want to get:

• Carte demi-tarif: Permits half price travelling on trains, boats, busses, for the whole of Switzerland. The cards are available at the train station. You will need your passport and a passport photo to purchase this card. Cards cost 150 CHF valid 1 year, 250 CHF valid 2 years, or 350 CHF valid for 3 years.
• General Abonnement – Permits FREE travel on trains, boats, and busses for the whole of Switzerland. The basic GA for one person costs approximately CHF 3,100/ year.– in 2nd class (750 less for 16-25 year olds). You can also purchase a monthly GA but for a minimum of 4 months (265/month or 200/ month for 16-25 year olds). If you will not be using your GA for a while, you can deposit it during that time and receive pro rata vouchers in exchange (up to 30 days per year). In case of loss, your GA can be replaced. For more information see here.

• Carte "voie 7" Costs 99 CHF and gives free public transport after 7pm. There's only one restriction, you can not be older than 25!

Switzerland’s railway system covers more than 5,000 kilometres of track and is therefore one of the densest in the world. The greater part is run by Swiss Federal Railways (SBB/ CFF/ FFS), there are also some private railways. The railway system is completely electric. Tickets may be purchased at the ticket office or through the machines on the platform. Long distance/ International rail bookings can be made over the Internet or at the train station. Sometimes discounts are available if you book well in advance i.e. TGV to Paris.

Bus

It is easy to visit smaller villages and most tourist places around Martigny by bus. The Postal service runs a good, efficient and regular bus service. Check out la Poste or ask at the train station. Don’t forget to show the driver your demi-tarif card for the discount. The Railway website also offers information on buses.

Car

If your car is not Swiss, it has to be registered with a Swiss number plate before the end of the first year, after a thorough and strict technical check (i.e. engine stains may mean that your car is rejected). This is done at the "Service Automobile" in Sion. Phone them for the details. This check is then repeated every 3 years. Note: Of course, this applies only if you actually live and work in Switzerland for an extended period. Visitors’ cars are OK.

It’s compulsory within Switzerland to carry both a red warning triangle and the registration documents of the vehicle. If you intend driving on Swiss motorways, you have to stick a vignette inside your windscreen. These cost CHF 40 for any vehicle up to 3.5 tonnes, are bought most easily from post offices and petrol stations, and remain valid until January 31 of the following year. Trailers or caravans must have their own, additional vignette. Getting caught without one leaves you open to a CHF 100 fine. If you prefer, it’s quite easy to avoid Swiss motorways altogether and stick to ordinary main roads, which are free and – outside urban centres at least – reasonably fast.

You can drive in Switzerland on an International  driving License for 1 year. However, before the end of the year you must obtain a Swiss Driving License. This can be done through "Service Automobile" in Sion You can lodge your completed forms at the foreign office in Martigny. Please note that your licence will be confiscated and only sent back to you once a decision has been made. Please note this process can take 3 months and you will not be able to drive outside of Switzerland during this time because you will not have your licence! Some countries have an arrangement with Switzerland for an exchange of permits but other citizens will need to take a driving test to get their Swiss drivers licence. Further details of the process can be found here and you can download the form here

Bikes

If you have a bike in Switzerland you have to buy a vignette (registration) for around CHF 5, which covers road tax and third-party insurance for a year. They are available from Migros or the Post Office. It is also nice to know that you can transport a bike between any two train stations in Switzerland for CHF 15; some EC trains and the Zürich S-Bahn are prohibited during rush hours.