Canton Thurgau has a very dense as well as an effective and efficient road and rail network and offers perfect connections to the surrounding business regions as well as to Zurich Kloten Airport. In Thurgau, the transportation problems of large urban agglomerations do not exist. That’s why traffic jams and parking worries are the exception. One moves forward in Thurgau.
Public transportation serves the entire canton with exceptional quality. During the past ten years, the canton and its municipalities have really expanded the train and bus services a lot in conjunction with the public transportation companies. Thurgau was, thus, able to visibly increase its locational attractiveness. Between 1996 and 2006, the services provided by rail and bus companies increased by more than 60 percent to 12 million kilometers travelled. During the same period of time, the number of passengers increased by 36 percent to more than 26 million; with anticipated additional increases. Further improvements are planned since public transportation will become even more important when commercial businesses and private households decide on where to settle down.
Today, a dense rail and bus network with a length of 700 kilometers and about 900 stops offers mobility which is environmentally safe and literally located just around the corner. On most rail lines, modern and mostly airconditioned regional trains travel at 30-minute intervals. The other rail and bus lines are operated at one-hour intervals which are increased to 30-minute intervals with additional trains and buses during the morning and evening peak times. A very special role is assumed by the passenger and car ferry Friedrichshafen – Romanshorn which travels across the lake in one-hour intervals. It alleviates the barrier effect of Lake Constance, unites the business regions on either side of the lake, combines the Swiss and German railroad systems, and offers a real alternative to long trips around the lake.
Thurgau’s outstanding connections to business regions outside the canton and the business centers Zurich, St. Gallen, and Constance as well as to Zurich’s Kloten Airport are all assured by direct rail lines and roads (A1 and A7). In this, the excellent hourly express train connections of the IC Romanshorn-Weinfelden-Zurich-Bern train and the ICN Constance-Kreuzlingen-Weinfelden-Zurich-Biel train also assume a vital role. Both express trains are coordinated with each other in such a way that they travel between Weinfelden and Zurich (travel time: 50 minutes) at 30-minute intervals with stops in Frauenfeld, Winterthur, and Zurich Airport. Thanks to the superb links to regional trains and regional buses as well as the city buses in Frauenfeld and Kreuzlingen, it is guaranteed that two thirds of Thurgau’s citizens are connected with the business region of Zurich at 30-minute intervals. In Winterthur, the Thurgau rail lines offer attractive connections to Zurich’s commuter rail system. With the extension of the S8 from Winterthur to Weinfelden, which will be in operation as of December 2007, it is no longer necessary to change trains in Winterthur.
The THURBO regional train helps to discover the recreational paradise Thurgau in a relaxed style. One of the most beautiful train routes is the Seelinie (i.e. “lake line”) from Schaffhausen via Stein am Rhein – Kreuzlingen – Romanshorn to Rorschach. Charming historic villages, marvelous parks by the lake, and countless places of interest as well as many museums are all located along the route. The exploration by rail may be interrupted for a sightseeing tour at any time. Traveling is great fun with these modern passenger trains. Many tips for excursions may be found at the website: www.thurbo.ch under the heading “Ausflüge.” Whether it be a hiking tour, a bicycle trip, or a skating excursion: A detailed description is available for each trip.
Werner Müller/TW
Werner Müller is Head of the Public Transportation/
Tourism Department of Canton Thurgau
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