The Canton of Bern is the second most populous canton in Switzerland with over 1,050,000 inhabitants and the largest in terms of habitable area, comprising approximately 340 municipalities. Its capital, Bern, is the federal capital of the Swiss Confederation and the seat of the government, parliament and most federal departments. The canton stretches from the alpine Bernese Oberland to the Seeland and the Bernese Jura, offering remarkable geographical and cultural diversity.
The Canton of Bern is predominantly German-speaking, but also includes the francophone Bernese Jura (Moutier, Saint-Imier, Tramelan, Biel/Bienne) and the bilingual city of Biel/Bienne, the only officially bilingual city in Switzerland. This linguistic and geographical diversity translates into extremely varied moving contexts, from the federal capital to the most remote alpine villages of the Oberland.
The presence of the federal administration and embassies generates a constant flow of moves for civil servants, diplomats and international staff. The canton is also an academic hub with the University of Bern and the Bern University of Applied Sciences.
The specific challenges of moving in the Canton of Bern
The old town of Bern (UNESCO)
The old town of Bern, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983, is one of Switzerland’s most iconic sites. Its arcades (Lauben) stretching 6 kilometres — the longest in Europe — house shops and residences. The vaulted cellars and basements of Bernese buildings, known as Keller, are often used as storage spaces. The cobbled streets and restricted vehicle access make every move in the old town a genuine logistical challenge. The old buildings have narrow spiral staircases and no lift. Furniture lifts are frequently used, but their installation must be coordinated with the authorities.
The alpine Bernese Oberland
The Bernese Oberland (Interlaken, Grindelwald, Murren, Wengen, Gstaad, Adelboden, Kandersteg) is a spectacular alpine region but logistically demanding. Certain resorts such as Murren or Wengen are accessible only by train or cable car, with no road access for cars. Moves to these destinations require transhipment — goods are transported by truck to the valley station, then loaded onto the mountain train. This special logistics significantly increases costs (surcharge of 30 to 60%) and the duration of the move.
The francophone Bernese Jura
The Bernese Jura (Moutier, Saint-Imier, Tramelan, La Neuveville, Biel/Bienne) is the French-speaking part of the canton. Movers working in this region must be fluent in French. The Jura topography, with its valleys and passes, requires adapted vehicles. The political situation (transfer of Moutier to the Canton of Jura) may influence moving flows in the region.
The vastness of the territory
The Canton of Bern is the second largest in Switzerland. From the Bernese Jura in the north to Gstaad in the south, it is over 150 km by road. A move between two extremes of the canton can require a full day of transport, which is reflected in the rates.
Our moving services in the Canton of Bern
- Residential moving: full service for all property types, from urban flats to Oberland chalets
- Commercial moving: federal offices, embassies, private companies, with meticulous planning
- Free quote: compare offers from Bernese movers in a few clicks
- Professional packing: protection of your belongings with quality materials
- Storage: secure storage in Bern, Biel/Bienne, Thun and other towns in the canton
- Furniture lift: essential in the UNESCO-listed old town of Bern
- End-of-lease cleaning: property restoration to Bernese standards
- Mountain moving: specialist service for the Bernese Oberland (Interlaken, Grindelwald, Murren, Wengen, Gstaad)
Moving prices in the Canton of Bern
Rates in the Canton of Bern sit at the Swiss average, with significant variations depending on the destination.
Local move
| Property type | Estimated volume | Price range (CHF) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 room | 10-15 m3 | 600 - 1,200 |
| 2 rooms | 20-25 m3 | 1,000 - 1,800 |
| 3-4 rooms | 30-45 m3 | 1,600 - 3,500 |
| 5 rooms and above | 50-70 m3 | 2,800 - 5,500 |
| Villa / chalet | 60-90 m3 | 3,500 - 7,000+ |
Intercantonal move
| Route | Estimated supplement |
|---|---|
| Bern - Zurich (125 km) | + 500 - 1,000 CHF |
| Bern - Basel (100 km) | + 400 - 800 CHF |
| Bern - Lausanne (100 km) | + 450 - 850 CHF |
| Bern - Lucerne (110 km) | + 450 - 900 CHF |
| Bern - Geneva (160 km) | + 600 - 1,100 CHF |
Supplements for special destinations
| Destination | Estimated surcharge |
|---|---|
| Old town of Bern (UNESCO) | + 15 to 25% (furniture lift, restricted access) |
| Bernese Oberland (Interlaken, Grindelwald) | + 20 to 35% (mountain road) |
| Murren, Wengen (no road) | + 40 to 60% (train transhipment) |
| Gstaad, Saanen | + 20 to 30% (distance, premium) |
| Bernese Jura (Saint-Imier, Tramelan) | + 10 to 15% (passes, distance) |
Factors affecting the price
- Location: the city of Bern is more expensive than the Bernese Jura or Emmental
- Bernese Oberland: mountain moves cost 20 to 60% more depending on accessibility
- Old town of Bern: restricted vehicle access, arcades and vaulted cellars, furniture lift often required
- Distance: the canton is vast (from the Bernese Jura to Gstaad, over 150 km)
- Time of year: quarter-ends and summer months are the busiest
Main cities and municipalities in the Canton of Bern
- Bern: federal capital (~135,000 pop.), UNESCO-listed old town, political and administrative centre of the country, embassy district
- Biel/Bienne: bilingual FR/DE city (~55,000 pop.), watchmaking centre (Swatch, Rolex, Omega), on the shore of Lake Biel
- Thun: gateway to the Bernese Oberland (~45,000 pop.), medieval castle, on the shore of Lake Thun
- Koniz: municipality in the Bern agglomeration (~42,000 pop.), residential and well served by tram
- Ostermundigen: neighbouring municipality to Bern (~18,000 pop.), undergoing major urban transformation
- Moutier: Bernese Jura town (~7,500 pop.), French-speaking, in the process of transferring to the Canton of Jura
- Saint-Imier: watchmaking town in the Bernese Jura (~5,000 pop.), in the Saint-Imier valley
- Interlaken: tourist town between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz (~5,500 pop.), gateway to the Bernese Alps
Regulations and permits in Bern
Parking permits
The city of Bern requires parking permits for removal vehicles in the old town and city centre. The application must be made to the Tiefbauamt (Civil Engineering Office) at least 5 working days before the move. The cost ranges from 40 to 100 CHF depending on the zone.
Termination dates
In the Canton of Bern, the lease termination dates are 31 March, 30 June and 30 September with a 3-month notice period. The period around 1 October is the busiest.
Change of address notification
You must notify your move to the Einwohnergemeinde (municipality of residence) within 14 days of your arrival.
Services available in the Canton of Bern
To facilitate your move, here are the services our partners offer with useful links:
- Residential moving: the most requested service, with full management
- Commercial moving: tailored planning to minimise business disruption
- International moving: for diplomats and international civil servants, who are numerous in Bern
- Free quote request: compare offers in a few clicks
Tips for your move in the Canton of Bern
- Apply for permits: essential for the old town of Bern and city centres
- Plan according to geography: a move to the Oberland requires specific logistics and an adapted budget
- Book early: especially for quarter-ends — demand is high in Bern (capital = many relocations)
- Compare quotes: in a large canton, offers can vary significantly
- Check mountain access: for the Oberland, confirm the mover has adapted vehicles
- Coordinate services: cleaning and moving on a single schedule to save time
- Consider the language: if moving to the Bernese Jura, make sure the mover speaks French
- Watch out for the Keller: Bernese cellars are often deep with steep stairs — allow extra time
FAQ — Moving in the Canton of Bern
Questions fréquentes
Prices range from 600 CHF for a studio to over 7,000 CHF for a large chalet in the Oberland. In the city of Bern, rates are around 10% above the cantonal average. Moves to Murren or Wengen (accessible only by train) are the most expensive in the canton.
The UNESCO-listed old town requires special permits and adapted equipment (furniture lift, narrow trolleys). Vehicle access is limited. An experienced local mover is essential. Budget a supplement of 15 to 25% compared to a standard move.
Yes, but these resorts are accessible only by train or cable car. The move requires transhipment at the valley station and special logistics. Budget a surcharge of 40 to 60% and choose a mover experienced with these alpine destinations.
Yes, our partners cover the entire canton, including the francophone Bernese Jura (Moutier, Saint-Imier, Tramelan, Biel/Bienne). French-speaking teams are available for this region.
Yes, in the old town and centre of Bern, a temporary parking permit is required. It is applied for from the Tiefbauamt at least 5 working days before the move. The cost is 40 to 100 CHF depending on the zone.
Avoid quarter-ends if possible. For the Bernese Oberland, prefer the period from May to October to avoid difficulties linked to snow. In the city of Bern, January, February and November offer the best availability and rates.
Yes, most of our Bernese partners offer an end-of-lease cleaning service with a guarantee. Bernese standards are demanding, and professional cleaning is recommended to recover the full deposit.
Request your free quote for a move in Bern
Whether you are moving in the federal capital, in Biel/Bienne, in the Oberland or in the Bernese Jura, request your free quote and compare offers from professional movers covering the entire Canton of Bern.
Our partners deliver quality service throughout Switzerland’s largest canton, with competitive prices and in-depth local knowledge — from the arcades of the old town to the peaks of the Jungfrau, the shores of Lake Biel and the watchmaking valleys of the Bernese Jura.