Every day, millions of people in Switzerland make their way to work. Commuting is an integral part of daily life for many and plays a crucial role in choosing where to live. But how has commuting changed in recent years, and what role does it play in finding your dream apartment or house?
The Swiss Commuting Landscape in Numbers
According to the Federal Statistical Office, around 8 out of 10 employed people in Switzerland commute to work. That's an impressive 3.7 million people in 2023. In comparison, there were just under 3 million people in 1990. The average commuting distance is 14 kilometers per work trip, which takes about 30 minutes on average.
When it comes to choice of transportation, there's a clear preference:
- 50% of commuters use cars.
- 31% rely on public transportation.
- 18% travel on foot or by bicycle.
The excellent infrastructure is particularly noticeable in urban centers. In the cantons of Zurich, Basel, and Geneva, over 40% of people commute using public transportation, highlighting the importance of a well-developed public transport network.
Source: Federal Statistical Office
Border Regions and International Influence
The statistics become even more interesting when you include cross-border commuters. In total, around 4.1 million people commute to Switzerland for work. From France alone, around 166,300 people cross the border daily. Ticino also stands out, where cross-border commuters from Italy make up around 30-50% of the workforce, making the region one of the most international labor markets.
The Changing World of Work: How Commuting is Evolving
Since 2018, even before the pandemic, there has been a slight decline in the number of commuters. This trend has been further accelerated by Covid-19 and the increase in remote work opportunities. Although the number of commuters is slightly decreasing, the average commuting time has remained remarkably constant since 2010.
The transformation in the working world, particularly the increase in part-time work and remote work, has shifted many people's priorities. The classic trade-off between housing costs and commuting time is taking on new significance. Longer commuting times are no longer a barrier for many today if they can live more affordably and only need to go to the office once or twice a week.
When we look at average commuting times over recent years, we see that they have remained constant at around 30 minutes since 2010. From 2019 to 2022, we even saw a slight reduction, probably due to Covid. However, in 2023 we're seeing a trend toward longer commuting times again. Due to part-time work trends, it can be assumed that people are more willing to commute longer distances.
Find Your Perfect Balance
This is exactly where Immogecko.ch comes into play. Our property search revolutionizes the way you find your home by integrating commuting time directly into your search. With Immogecko.ch, you can find the optimal compromise between affordable housing and acceptable commuting time.
Whether you prefer the car, public transportation, or a combination of both – our platform helps you find the perfect place that meets your needs. Start your search today and discover how easy it can be to find the ideal place to live that takes your commute into account!