Bern is about 160 km and 1 h 50 by road from Geneva Airport, and Murten sits just off the same route, so the federal city and the medieval lakeside town combine naturally in two days. You can stop in Murten on the way, sleep in Bern and return the next day, or the reverse. AirportsTransfers.ch can drive the whole circuit from GVA, with time to walk Murten's ramparts before continuing to the capital.
- Distance from GVA: Bern about 160 km, 1 h 50; Murten lies on the way
- Route: via Lausanne and the Broye valley, entirely within Switzerland
- Ideal length: two days, one night in Bern or Murten
- Highlights: Murten ramparts, Lake Murten, Avenches Roman amphitheatre, Bern old town, Federal Palace, Aare river
- Best for: couples, families and anyone wanting a relaxed taste of Swiss history
On the way: Avenches and Roman Switzerland
The motorway from Geneva passes Lausanne, about 61 km from the airport, and turns north-east through the rolling Broye valley. Just before Murten, Avenches was once Aventicum, the capital of Roman Helvetia. Its amphitheatre is still used for open-air events, a tall column survives from a temple, and a museum in a medieval tower displays finds from the Roman town. A short stop here adds a surprising layer of history to the trip.
Murten: ramparts and lakeside
Murten, known in French as Morat, sits on the language border between French- and German-speaking Switzerland, and you hear both in its streets. It is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in the country, still enclosed by its walls. A wooden walkway runs along the top of the ramparts, giving views over the tiled roofs to the lake and, across the water, to the vineyards of Mont Vully. The main street is lined with arcades and fountains, and a stroll down to the harbour leads to a lakeside promenade. Murten is famous in Swiss history for the battle of 1476, when the Confederates defeated Charles the Bold of Burgundy nearby. The Vully area across the lake produces white Chasselas and red Pinot Noir, and the local gâteau du Vully, a sweet bread with cream and sugar, is worth trying.
Bern: the federal city
Bern is the seat of the Swiss federal government, and its old town, set in a tight loop of the green Aare river, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Sandstone houses and long arcades line the main streets, with Renaissance fountains topped by painted figures. The Zytglogge, the medieval clock tower, puts on a small show of mechanical figures just before the hour. The Federal Palace overlooks the river, and its terrace gives a view to the Alps on clear days; guided tours are offered when parliament is not in session. The cathedral, the Münster, has a richly carved main portal showing the Last Judgement and a tall tower you can climb.
Which town to sleep in depends on the mood you want. Bern has more choice of hotels and restaurants and an atmospheric old town after dark, when the arcades are lit and the cellar bars open. Murten, on the other hand, becomes peaceful in the evening once day visitors have left, and a sunset walk on the ramparts or along the lake is hard to beat. Many travellers stop in Murten for lunch on the way out, spend the night in Bern, and return to Geneva the next afternoon, perhaps via the vineyards of the Vully on the far shore of the lake.
Rose garden, bears and the Aare
Across the river, the rose garden offers the classic view of the old town's rooftops and the river loop. Below it, the bear park continues the city's long association with its heraldic animal. In summer, the Aare becomes Bern's favourite pastime: locals walk upstream and float back down with the strong current, climbing out at the riverside baths. For art, the Zentrum Paul Klee on the edge of town holds a large collection of the painter's work, and the Einstein House recalls the years when Albert Einstein lived in Bern and developed his theory of special relativity.
- The arcade shops and cellars along Kramgasse are perfect on rainy days.
- Murten is quieter in the evening once day visitors leave; consider staying there.
- Bring swimwear in summer if you are tempted by the Aare, but only swim where locals do.
Book your Bern and Murten transfer
Booking with AirportsTransfers.ch is quick: choose your vehicle, see the fixed price per vehicle, and pay online by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. A chauffeur meets you in Geneva Airport arrivals with a name sign, follows your flight and waits at no extra cost if it lands late. The Mercedes E-Class takes up to three passengers, the S-Class adds comfort, and the V-Class van seats up to seven. Child seats are available on request, stops such as Avenches or Murten can be built into the route, and companies receive invoices. Call or WhatsApp +41 78 346 56 77.
