We are able to provide special rates for a limited number of rooms at a few select hotels in the area. To receive the special rates, you will need to book via this link. The hotels available via the link are:

• Hotel Marthahaus
• Harry's Home
• Stay KooooK Bern City
• Hotel National
• Best Western Plus Hotel Bern

Once the discounted rooms are booked, prices will change to the regular rate.

Another hotel that we recommend for its convenient location and reasonable rate is Hotel Kreuz, for which we also have a special deal at CHF 159/night for a single room or CHF 178/night for a double room (plus CHF 5.70 tax per night/person). However, this hotel is not available through the above link. If you would like to stay at the Kreuz, please request a room via email at info@kreuzbern.ch and tell them you're attending this meeting to get the discount.


The easiest way to travel around Switzerland is by public transport. The trains, trams, and buses are exceedingly reliable and punctual. You can buy paper tickets inside any main station as well as out front of most public transport stops. You can also buy them online at sbb.ch or by downloading the SBB app on Android or Apple. The app also has a simple 'swipe on, swipe off' feature which is convenient. If you are arriving by plane, there are three nearby airport options. Basel and Zurich are closest, but Geneva is also an option and makes for a beautiful train ride. Just keep in mind the additional cost of transport from the airport to Bern.

How to get to Bern from Geneva Airport:

• Via taxi/car:
  • It takes about 2 hours to drive from Geneva Airport to Bern Bahnhof
  • We would not recommend trying to take a taxi, the price will likely be near CHF 500
• Via train:
  • It takes between 2-3 hours to get from Geneva Airport to Bern Bahnhof depending on how many changes you have. Tickets cost anywhere between 20-50chf

How to get to Bern from Basel Airport:

• Via taxi/car:
  • It takes between 1-1.5 hours to drive from Basel Airport to Bern Bahnhof
  • Again, we would probably not recommend getting a taxi, the price would likely be about CHF 250
• Via train:
  • It takes roughly 1.5 hours to get from Basel Airport to Bern Bahnhof. Tickets cost anywhere between 14-30chf

How to get to Bern from Zurich Airport:

• Via taxi/car:
  • It takes between 1.5-2 hours to drive from Zurich airport to Bern Bahnhof
  • Once again, we would not recommend taking a taxi, the price will likely be about CHF 300
• Via train:
  • It takes roughly 1.5 hours to get from Zurich Airport to Bern Bahnhof. Tickets cost anywhere between 15-40chf

If you are travelling to Bern via train, you will arrive at Bern Bahnhof which is very centrally located.

Once you have arrived in Bern, the easiest way to get around the city is by tram, bus, or foot. Apart from Harry’s Home, most hotels are located within a 15 minute walk from the train station. There is an app that you can download called Welcome Bern. Many hotels offer deals through this app where first time visitors are given free access to all public transport within the city for the duration of their stay. We highly recommend the app and recommend you ask your hotel about this deal.


Bern is a beautiful old city with a lot to see and do. Some sights around the city include:

• The Berner Münster (Cathedral of Bern) - Gothic cathedral topped with 100m-high spire, known for its 1400s stained glass & sculptured portal.
• Zytglogge - Clock tower, reconstructed in 1405, with mechanical moving figures on the hour & astronomical clock.
• BärenPark (Bear Park) - 19th-century bear pit, now home to 3 brown bears, the city's symbol.
• Rosengarten - Park overlooking Bern's old town
• Bernisches Historisches Museum/Einstein Museum - Museum on Swiss cultural history with archaeological & ethnographical objects from the Stone Age on.
• Einstein House - Second-floor flat rented by Albert Einstein in the 1900s with period furniture, books & photographs.
• Tierpark Bern – Zoo

Some nearby sights and areas that might be worth visiting while you’re here:

• Grindelwald – cute little Swiss village that offers skiing options in winter
  • Roughly 2 hours by train from Bern
• Interlaken – resort town built between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz
  • Roughly 1.5 hours by train from Bern
• Kleine Scheidegg – beautiful skiing mountain
  • Roughly 2.5 hours by train from Bern
• Oeschinensee – mountain lake (slight hike)
  • Roughly 2 hours by train from Bern plus some hiking
• HR Giger Museum – surreal paintings & sculptures by the artist known for the "Alien" movies, set in a medieval castle with themed bar
  • Roughly 2 hours by train from Bern
• Jungfraujoch – known as "the top of Europe" this mountain offers amazing views
  • Roughly 3 hours by train from Bern
• Eiffel Tower - Famous Bernese landmark built in 1908 and gifted from France in exchange for announcing French as one of Switzerland's 5 national languages.
  • Roughly 5 hours by train from Bern

You can expect the weather to be typical winter conditions. At this time of year in Bern it is usually cold, with temperatures ranging from -2°C to 6°C (28°F to 43°F). Snow is also common during this time, which can give the city a picturesque winter look, but makes for chilly sight seeing, especially once the sun has gone down. Rain is also quite possible, the weather can be cloudy and overcast on many days.

If you are planning trips to higher-altitude areas like Grindelwald or Jungfraujoch, expect colder temperatures and much more snow. February is a good time in these regions for winter sports, such as skiing or snowboarding, but the weather can be quite cold, especially at high elevations.

Overall, come prepared to be cold when outdoors and bring shoes that can handle some moisture.


Please keep in mind that while Switzerland is part of the Schengen area, it is not part of the EU and therefore may have different rules about entering the country. To determine if you need a travel visa to enter Switzerland, please see this website and allow yourself enough time to initiate this process. Please reach out to any of the organizers if you need documentation for your visa. Switzerland also uses its own currency (the Swiss Franc) and will not accept Euros. However, card payments, contactless and ApplePay are widely accepted.

Switzerland also uses a Type J plug, which again is different from the C/F types used throughout the European Union. For certain electronics you might need to consider buying an adapter. These can commonly be purchased at airports, in train stations, in electronic stores (such as Interdiscount or MediaMarkt), or grocery stores (such as Migros and Coop) here in Switzerland.


If you have any questions, comments, or inquiries, please contact