Plan your visit
Everything you need to know
Venue
Kursaal
The Kursaal Bern is a leading conference and culture venue in the heart of the city of Bern, featuring modern meeting facilities with panoramic views over the city and the Swiss Alps, as well as an on-site hotel and two restaurants.
Accommodation
We warmly recommend booking your room as early as possible to ensure the best choice of accommodation within the DGINS 2026 allotments.
Availability within the dedicated room allocations may decrease over time, and early booking helps ensure access to the preferred hotels.
Please do not contact the hotels directly, as these rooms are part of a dedicated conference allocation.
Individual bookings can be cancelled free of charge up to one week before arrival, giving you flexibility.
City map with hotel overview
Transportation
Travel to Bern
We recommend traveling by train and using Switzerland’s excellent public transport network.
Depending on your place of departure, air travel may be necessary.
Bern has a small regional airport, but the nearest major airport is Zurich. Geneva and Basel airports are also less than two hours away from Bern.
Timetable and ticket price information for public transport in Switzerland can be found on the website of the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB). In addition to train connections, you will also find bus and tram timetables, as well as door‑to‑door route planning using full street addresses, for example from the address of your hotel to the address you would like to go to: The SBB online portal for timetable, trains and public transport
You may also wish to check the SBB SuperSaver Tickets, which offer very attractive fares on selected connections: https://www.sbb.ch/en/offers/supersaver-ticket
Please note that SuperSaver Tickets are valid only for a specific train and departure time and cannot be used flexibly. Standard tickets, on the other hand, are valid for the whole day on the chosen route, providing full flexibility.
Zurich Airport (Zürich Flughafen) → Bern (Bern Hauptbahnhof)
Direct train to Bern
Journey time:
~1 hour 20 minutes
Single ticket:
1st class ~CHF 101.00
2nd class ~CHF 59.00
Geneva Airport (Genève-Aéroport) → Bern (Bern Hauptbahnhof)
Direct train to Bern
Journey time:
~2 hours
Single ticket:
1st class ~CHF 101.00
2nd class ~CHF 59.00
Basel EuroAirport, Ankunft → Basel, Bahnhof SBB → Bern (Bern Hauptbahnhof)
First you take the bus
Basel EuroAirport→Basel, Bahnhof SBB (Basel’s main train station)
Then a direct train
Basel, Bahnhof SBB→Bern.
Journey time:
~1 hour 30 minutes
Single ticket:
1st class ~CHF 78.60
2nd class ~CHF 48.60
Free Public Transportation in Bern (Bern‑Ticket)
To enjoy free public transportation within the city of Bern during your stay, please follow the steps below.
At hotel check-in, participants will receive a personal activation code for the Bern‑Ticket. This ticket can be activated in one of the following ways:
Option 1 (recommended): Activation via the BernWelcome app
We recommend downloading the BernWelcome app (Android and iOS) and activating your Bern‑Ticket directly in the app using the activation code received at the hotel. This option allows you to carry your valid Bern‑Ticket with QR code conveniently on your phone at all times during your stay.
A step‑by‑step guide explaining how to activate the Bern‑Ticket in the app is available.
Open step-by-step guide open
Option 2: Activation via the Bern Welcome website
Alternatively, you may activate your Bern‑Ticket on the Bern Welcome website using your activation code (no login required):
Go to Bern Welcome website
Once activated, the ticket remains valid if you revisit the page. Please note that you must print the ticket in order to have the QR code available on paper and carry it with you during your stay.
If you have not yet activated your Bern‑Ticket on your arrival day and are subject to a ticket inspection, you may temporarily present your hotel reservation confirmation as proof of eligibility. Your official activation code will be provided at the hotel reception.
Taxis in Bern
Upon arrival at Bern station, taxis are readily available. However, public transportation, including buses and trams, is conveniently available, and with the Bern Ticket, travel on public transport within the city of Bern is free of charge.
Bern Welcome recommends the taxi company Bären Taxi Bern, which is available 24/7 and can be reached at tel. +41 (0)31 371 11 11.
Practical Information
About Bern
It is the political heart of Switzerland. Bern is home to the Swiss government, parliament, and federal administration. While it is not officially designated as the capital in the Swiss constitution, it has served as the country’s federal city since 1848 and serves as the de facto capital.
The Old City is the medieval city center of Bern. Built on a narrow hill bordered on three sides by the river Aare, its compact layout has remained essentially unchanged since its construction during the twelfth to the fifteenth century. Despite a major fire in 1405 -after which much of the city was rebuilt in sandstone- and substantial construction efforts in the eighteenth century, Bern's old city has retained its medieval character.
The Old City is home to Switzerland's tallest minster as well as other churches, bridges and a large collection of Renaissance fountains. In addition to many historical buildings, the seats of the federal, cantonal and municipal government are also situated in the Old City. It has been a UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site since 1983 due to its compact and generally intact medieval core and is an excellent example of incorporating the modern world into a medieval city. The entire Old City has been designated as one of the Swiss Cultural Properties of National Significance, as well as numerous, specific buildings within the Old City.
Guided City Tour
We are pleased to invite all DGINS conference participants who are not attending the ESSC meeting, as well as accompanying persons, to join a complimentary city tour, ‘UNESCO Stroll through the Old City.’ Participation is free of charge.
The guided tour will be conducted in English and will take place on Thursday, 29 October. It starts at 14:30 at the Zytglogge Clock Tower and lasts approximately 90 minutes.
To take part in the tour, registration is required.
Please register by Monday, 26 October at 11:00 by sending an email to DGINS2026@bfs.admin.ch, including your mobile phone number for contact purposes.
More information about the tour can be found here:
UNESCO Stroll through the Old City – Bern
We look forward to welcoming you on this guided walk through Bern’s UNESCO World Heritage Old Town.
Rendez-vous Bundesplatz 2026
Join us for “PURE NATURE”: The Bundeshaus as a living ecosystem, a captivating light and sound show in the heart of Bern.
Rendez-vous Bundesplatz
The event takes place at the Bundesplatz in front of the Federal Palace from 17 October to 21 November 2026, with performances daily at 7 pm, 8 pm and 9 pm. The show lasts approximately 30 minutes and admission is free of charge.
An impressive outdoor spectacle, perfect to enjoy before or after your dinner plans.
© Starlight Events
Sights & Museums
Whether you're passionate about art and history or simply soaking up local culture, Bern has plenty to offer. Below are some must-see spots to get you started.
Old City & Zytglogge (Clock Tower)
The Zytglogge Clock Tower is one of Bern’s most iconic landmarks, located in the heart of the Old Town. Originally a city gate, it now features a 16th-century astronomical clock, and a whimsical puppet show that delights visitors every hour.
Address: Bim Zytglogge 3, 3011 Bern
The Parliament Building
The Federal Palace in Bern houses Switzerland’s Federal Assembly and Federal Council. Built in stages between 1852 and 1902, it was designed by architect Hans