The Canton of Solothurn is a German-speaking canton in the Swiss Mittelland, situated between Bern, Basel and Aargau. With approximately 275,000 inhabitants spread across around 100 municipalities, it is a human-scale canton with a rich baroque heritage. Its capital, Solothurn, is considered the finest baroque city in Switzerland with its 11 churches, 11 fountains, 11 chapels and St Ursus Cathedral — the number 11 is omnipresent in this historic city, formerly the seat of the French ambassador.
The Canton of Solothurn offers an excellent quality-of-life-to-cost ratio. Rents are moderate compared with the major neighbouring centres, transport links are excellent (Bern in 30 min, Basel in 45 min, Zurich in 1 hr by train) and the living environment, between the Solothurn Jura and the Mittelland, is pleasant. The moving market is steady and rates are among the most competitive in the Mittelland.
The canton has a distinctive geographical shape, stretching in two strips along the Jura, separated by portions of other cantons. This geographical fragmentation is a uniquely Swiss curiosity that influences moving distances.
The challenges of moving in the Canton of Solothurn
Baroque city of Solothurn
The old town of Solothurn is a baroque architectural gem with cobbled streets, historic buildings and vaulted passages. Moves in this area require small vehicles, often a furniture lift, and precise knowledge of access routes. Baroque buildings have narrow staircases and reduced-size doorways.
Fragmented geography
The canton stretches in two discontinuous strips along the Solothurn Jura, separated by enclaves of other cantons. A move between the Solothurn-Lebern district and the Dorneck-Thierstein district may require crossing the Canton of Basel-Landschaft. This fragmentation sometimes increases distances.
Olten, railway junction
Olten is Switzerland’s most important railway junction, situated at the exact geographical centre of the country. Its strategic position makes it an ideal starting point for moves to anywhere in Switzerland, but road traffic can be heavy around the station and motorway junctions.
Our moving services in the Canton of Solothurn
- Residential moving: complete service for all property types
- Commercial moving: offices, watchmaking workshops (Grenchen), shops
- Free quote: compare offers from Solothurn movers
- Professional packing: careful protection of your belongings
- Storage: secure storage in Solothurn and Olten
- Furniture lift: for baroque buildings in the Solothurn centre
- End-of-lease cleaning: professional property restoration with guarantee
- Intercantonal moving: to Bern, Basel, Aargau and beyond
Moving prices in the Canton of Solothurn
Solothurn rates are moderate and among the most competitive in the Swiss Mittelland.
Local move
| Property type | Estimated volume | Price range (CHF) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 room | 10-15 m³ | 500 – 1,000 |
| 2 rooms | 20-25 m³ | 850 – 1,500 |
| 3-4 rooms | 30-45 m³ | 1,300 – 2,800 |
| 5 rooms and above | 50-70 m³ | 2,200 – 4,500 |
| House / villa | 60-90 m³ | 2,800 – 5,500+ |
Intercantonal move from Solothurn
| Route | Estimated supplement |
|---|---|
| Solothurn to/from Bern (40 km) | + 200 – 450 CHF |
| Solothurn to/from Basel (70 km) | + 350 – 700 CHF |
| Solothurn to/from Aargau (Olten-Aarau, 20 km) | + 100 – 300 CHF |
| Solothurn to/from Zurich (100 km) | + 500 – 1,000 CHF |
| Solothurn to/from Lucerne (70 km) | + 350 – 700 CHF |
Factors affecting the price
- Location: Olten and Solothurn are slightly more expensive than rural areas (Bucheggberg, Gau)
- Accessibility: the baroque old town of Solothurn requires a furniture lift (+300-500 CHF)
- Distance: the canton’s districts are sometimes far apart (fragmented shape)
- Season: end-of-quarter dates (31 March, 30 June, 30 September) are the busiest
Main towns and municipalities in the Canton of Solothurn
- Solothurn: cantonal capital (~17,000 inhab.), baroque gem on the Aare, St Ursus Cathedral, historically the seat of the French Embassy
- Olten: major railway junction (~19,000 inhab.), at the exact centre of Switzerland, intersection of the Zurich-Bern and Basel-Lucerne lines
- Grenchen (Granges): watchmaking town (~18,000 inhab.), tradition of precision (ETA, Breitling), aerodrome
- Zuchwil: municipality bordering Solothurn (~10,000 inhab.), residential and commercial area
- Derendingen: residential municipality near Solothurn (~7,000 inhab.)
- Bettlach: municipality between Solothurn and Grenchen (~5,000 inhab.), watchmaking industry
- Dornach: Dorneck municipality (~7,000 inhab.), seat of the Goetheanum (anthroposophy), close to Basel
Services available in the Canton of Solothurn
- Residential moving: the core service
- Commercial moving: watchmaking workshops, offices, SMEs
- International moving: to France (close to Delemont)
- Free quote request: simple and fast
Tips for moving in the Canton of Solothurn
- Take advantage of the central position: from Olten, all of Switzerland is accessible in under 2 hours
- Plan for baroque access: if moving in the old town of Solothurn, arrange a furniture lift
- Compare prices: rates are competitive but vary between providers
- Book 3-5 weeks in advance: 4-6 weeks at quarter-end
- Coordinate cleaning and moving: for maximum efficiency
- Check the geography: if both addresses are in distant districts of the canton, the distance may be longer than expected
- Consider Olten: if you move frequently, Olten is the most central point in Switzerland
FAQ — Moving in the Canton of Solothurn
Questions fréquentes
Prices range from 500 CHF for a studio to around 5,500 CHF for a villa. Solothurn rates are among the most competitive in the Swiss Mittelland, on average 15% lower than Bern or Zurich.
The old town of Solothurn has narrow streets and historic buildings. A furniture lift and small vehicles are often required. Allow an additional budget of 300 to 500 CHF.
Yes, Olten is Switzerland's central railway junction and the most geographically central point in the country. The A1 and A2 motorways intersect nearby. It is the ideal starting point for a move to any canton.
The canton is German-speaking, but some partners offer services in French. Specify your language preference when requesting a quote.
In normal periods, 2 to 4 weeks is sufficient. For quarter-ends, book 4 to 6 weeks ahead. Availability is generally good thanks to lower pressure than in the major cities.
Yes, most of our Solothurn partners offer a combined moving + cleaning package with guarantee. This is the most practical and often the most economical solution.
Sometimes yes: a move between Solothurn and the Dorneck-Thierstein district (near Basel) can be 60 km via Basel-Landschaft. Check the actual distance with your mover rather than the straight-line distance.
Request your free quote for a move in Solothurn
Request your free quote and compare offers from professional movers in the Canton of Solothurn. Take advantage of the central position and competitive rates of this baroque canton for a successful move.