Just over twelve hours after departing from Incheon, the journey begins the moment the plane touches down at Zurich Airport. After clearing immigration and collecting baggage, a train station sits directly connected to the airport terminal. Switzerland's infrastructure allows travelers to walk straight from the airport to the platforms and reach anywhere in the country by train, eliminating the need to research rental cars or taxis in advance.

Boarding the SBB Train from Zurich to Bern

Trains bound for Bern are operated by SBB (Swiss Federal Railways). For this journey, the IR13 train toward Lucerne was used. The electronic display signs guiding passengers through Zurich Oerlikon and Zurich Hauptbahnhof to Zug were captured in photographs. The platform numbers and destinations displayed in yellow dot matrix format showcase the distinct charm of the Swiss railway system. Second-class carriages feature dedicated compartments for bicycles. Passengers boarding with folding bicycles were also noticeable, reflecting how the culture of combining train and bicycle travel has naturally taken root. The bicycle symbol stickers on the carriage glass doors visually demonstrate the same considerate approach.

Swiss Central Landscapes Unfolding Outside the Window

As the train leaves Zurich and begins heading west, the scenery outside the window transforms in an instant. Wheat fields ready for harvest alternate with green pastures, while the sky transitioning from afternoon to evening shifts moment by moment with a blend of pale orange and gray clouds. Even the raindrops streaking across the window felt like a scene from the journey itself. The pure travel time from Zurich to Bern is just over an hour, but the quintessential rural landscapes of central Switzerland leave no room for boredom. The low rolling hills, sparsely scattered villages, and the power lines cutting through them all preserve the calm color palette characteristic of the Swiss countryside.

Bern's Old Town Viewed from the Rosengarten

After arriving at Bern station and checking into the accommodation, the next destination was the Rosengarten hill. From the top, the entire panorama of Bern's Old Town comes into view at a glance. The Aare River curves dramatically around the city, and along its waters, the red roofs of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town form a dense continuum. To the left, the spire of Bern Minster rises as the tallest structure in the city, serving as a reference point for orientation. The river carries the distinctive turquoise hue of glacial meltwater, standing out vividly among the brown and red rooftops of the medieval city. Locals could also be seen relaxing along the walking paths and benches below the hill.

From Zurich Airport to Bern by train, and the panoramic view of the Old Town from the Rosengarten — these were the opening scenes of this Swiss journey. In the next installment, the alleys and shops encountered while walking directly through Bern's Old Town, along with the everyday scenery of the Swiss capital, will be continued.