Bern Airport

Bern Airport (BRN), often referred to by locals as Bern-Belp, is a boutique aerial gateway to the political heart of Switzerland, where the journey begins with a sense of comfort and exclusivity. Located in the picturesque Aare Valley, this aviation hub offers passengers breathtaking views of the snow-capped peaks of the Bernese Alps even before touching down on the runway. There are no endless corridors or the noise of giant hubs here: the atmosphere resembles a private flying club, where every guest feels like a VIP. Thanks to its intimate scale, Bern Airport allows you to forget about stress and enjoy every minute of your trip, whether it is a business visit or the start of a skiing holiday.

Bern Airport possesses a number of unique features that distinguish it favourably from larger competitors in Zurich or Geneva. It is the ideal choice for those who value their time and comfort.

Main advantages of the airport:

• Record service speed: Thanks to the compact terminal, the journey from the airport entrance to the boarding gate takes mere minutes. Queues for check-in and security screening are a rarity here, allowing you to arrive at the airport just an hour before departure without the risk of being late.
• Stunning views: Take-off and landing in Bern are considered some of the most beautiful in Europe. Passengers can admire the panorama of the famous Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks, as well as the green hills of the Emmental region.
• Convenient access to resorts: The airport is the nearest arrival point for many popular ski resorts in the Bernese Oberland, such as Grindelwald, Wengen, and Gstaad. This makes it a strategically important hub for winter tourism.
• Personal approach: The small passenger flow guarantees attentive service from staff and an absence of bustle. The car park is located in immediate proximity to the terminal, making logistics as simple as possible.

For your convenience, we have compiled the main contact information for Bern Airport (BRN). We recommend checking the currency of the data on the official website before travelling.

• Official Website: www.bernairport.ch. Here you will find flight schedules, information about parking, and airport services.
• Information Service Phone: +41 31 960 21 11.
• Address: Flugplatzstrasse 31, 3123 Belp, Switzerland.
• Email: For general enquiries, you can contact info@bernairport.ch.
• Social Media: Follow news and airport updates on its official pages on social networks.
• Lost & Found: If you have lost your belongings within the airport, contact the service by phone at +41 31 960 21 31 or by email at lostandfound@bernairport.ch.
• Passenger Support Contacts: To receive assistance and answers to questions, you may use the main information service phone number.

Reaching Bern-Belp Airport (BRN), located approximately 10 km southeast of the centre of Bern, is possible via several convenient methods, thanks to the excellently developed transport system of Switzerland. The choice depends on your budget, time, and preferences.

Public Transport is the most popular and economical option. There is no direct rail link to the airport, but there is an effective "bus + train" connection. The AirportBus (Line 334) runs between the airport and the Belp railway station. From there, S-Bahn trains (lines S3, S4, S31, S44) can take you to Bern Main Station (Bern Hauptbahnhof) in 15-20 minutes. The entire journey from the airport to the city centre takes about 30-40 minutes. The cost of a single ticket for the whole trip is around 10-15 CHF.

Taxi and Transfers offer the fastest and most comfortable way to reach the city. A taxi ride from the airport to the centre of Bern will take approximately 20 minutes depending on traffic conditions. The cost of such a trip will be significantly higher, estimated at 40-50 CHF. This option is ideally suited for travellers with a large amount of luggage, families with children, or those who value personal privacy and comfort. You can also book a private transfer in advance, which guarantees a fixed price.

Car Rental and Parking. For those planning to actively travel around the region, offices of leading rental companies operate at Bern Airport. Renting a car gives you the freedom to explore the picturesque surroundings, for example, the Bernese Oberland region. If you are arriving at the airport in your own vehicle, several official car parks (short-term and long-term) are at your service, located in immediate proximity to the terminal. For long trips, it is recommended to book a parking space online in advance to save money.

It is worth noting that Bern Airport mainly serves European and charter flights. For a wider choice of international destinations, travellers often use the country's major airports. The main aerial gateways are Zurich Airport and Geneva Airport, which can be reached by train in approximately 1.5-2 hours. Another convenient alternative is EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg, located about an hour's drive away.

Bern Airport (BRN) is a small regional airport distinguished by its compactness and efficiency. Orienting yourself here is very easy, as it consists of just one passenger terminal, serving both domestic and international flights, including destinations within the Schengen and non-Schengen zones.

The structure of the terminal is extremely simple. It is a single building where all key zones are within walking distance of each other. Since there is only one terminal, there is no issue of transferring between buildings — you will not have to spend time moving from one part of the airport to another. Immediately after entering, you find yourself in the general area with check-in counters. After checking in and dropping off luggage, you proceed to security control, which leads directly to a small departure hall with several boarding gates.

The departure and arrival zones are clearly separated but located close by. The arrival hall is on the same level and is a simple space where passengers collect their luggage and exit to the city. Thanks to the compact dimensions and well-thought-out logistics, all pre-flight and post-flight formalities are completed very quickly. Flight check-in and security screening usually take no more than 15-20 minutes. Nevertheless, it is recommended to arrive at the airport approximately 1.5 hours before departure to go through all procedures without haste.

For navigation, it is sufficient to follow the few signs available — it is practically impossible to get lost here. This feature makes Bern Airport an ideal choice for travellers who value their time and prefer to avoid the bustle of Switzerland's major aviation hubs.

The history of Bern Airport (BRN), also known as Bern-Belp, began in 1929. It was then that a small airfield was opened on the Belpmoos plain, not far from the capital of Switzerland. In the first years of its existence, it served mainly private, postal, and training flights, and the runway was grass.

The post-war years became a key stage of development. In 1947, the first paved runway was built, which significantly expanded the airport's capabilities for receiving aircraft. In the 1960s, with the advent of the jet age, the runway was again lengthened and modernised. This allowed for the establishment of regular connections with important European cities.

Throughout its history, the airport has undergone several terminal renovations aimed at increasing passenger comfort and safety. One of the significant events in recent history was the airport's operation as the main hub for the Swiss airline SkyWork Airlines, which connected Bern with a multitude of European destinations until ceasing operations in 2018. This event had a noticeable impact on the air harbour's route network.

Today, Bern-Belp Airport plays an important role in the region's transport system. It has not set records for passenger traffic, yielding to the giants of Zurich and Geneva, but has occupied its own niche. Interesting fact: thanks to its location in the Aare Valley and proximity to the Alps, the airport is famous for some of the most picturesque views during take-off and landing in Europe. It continues to serve both regular and charter flights, as well as a significant volume of business and private aviation.

Bern Airport (BRN), being a regional aviation hub, offers passengers all the essential services necessary for a comfortable journey. Despite its compact size, here you will find amenities for both business travellers and tourists.

Located within the terminal is a restaurant where you can have a meal before departure, and a cosy café. For those wishing to buy souvenirs or goods for the road, a small shop is available. Passengers preferring enhanced comfort can utilise the services of the VIP lounge, which offers a quiet atmosphere, snacks, and beverages.

Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the airport, allowing you to stay connected or work while waiting for your flight. Special stations are provided for charging electronic devices. ATMs are also installed in the terminal, and currency exchange services are available at the relevant point.

The airport is equipped to welcome passengers with children: there are mother and child rooms with changing tables. For travellers with reduced mobility, special assistance is provided, including escort services and an accessible environment. It is recommended to notify the airline in advance regarding the need for such services. In case of feeling unwell, passengers can contact airport staff to receive first aid.

Although there are no hotels directly within the airport building, several hotels to suit any taste and budget are located in the immediate vicinity. For business travellers, Bern Airport offers the possibility of renting conference rooms equipped with everything necessary for holding meetings and negotiations.

Bern Airport (BRN) is a regional airport, so the choice of dining establishments here is quite compact but high quality. Most options are concentrated in the public area (landside), before passing security control, which is convenient for both departing passengers and those seeing them off.

The main place where you can have a full lunch or dinner is the Belair restaurant. It is located on the ground floor of the terminal and is famous for its terrace with a panoramic view of the runway. The menu features dishes of Swiss and international cuisine. Here you can try local specialities or order classic salads, pasta, and meat dishes. This is an ideal choice for a leisurely meal. The price range is medium to high, which is typical for Switzerland.

If time is limited, the bar and café area at the same Belair restaurant is excellent for a quick snack, where you can order coffee, pastries, sandwiches, and beverages. After passing security control (airside), the choice is significantly more modest and is usually limited to vending machines with snacks and drinks. Therefore, if you plan to have a bite before your flight, it is better to do so before screening.

Regarding special dietary needs (vegetarian, gluten-free dishes), salads can usually be found in the main restaurant, or you can ask the staff to prepare something individually, but a specialised menu is absent. For Muslim travellers requiring Halal options, vegetarian or seafood dishes are recommended as specific Halal certification may not be available. Opening hours of establishments depend directly on the flight schedule, but it is recommended to check current information on the official airport website before travelling.

Bern-Belp Airport (BRN) is a compact and convenient air hub serving the capital of Switzerland. Thanks to its size, completing all formalities here usually takes less time than in major hubs. Nevertheless, to avoid rushing, we recommend arriving at the airport at least 1.5-2 hours before your flight's departure, especially if you are flying outside the Schengen zone or checking in luggage. This time will be sufficient to calmly pass through check-in and security control.

To save time, take advantage of the online check-in option offered by most airlines. Security checkpoints at Bern Airport operate efficiently, but standard rules apply here too: prepare all liquids in advance (in containers up to 100 ml, packed in a transparent bag), and also remove laptops and other large electronics from your hand luggage. This will significantly speed up the screening process.

Be attentive when packing hand luggage. Besides the generally accepted bans on sharp objects (remember that the famous Swiss Army Knife can only be transported in checked luggage!), it is worth paying attention to local delicacies. Hard cheese usually does not raise questions, but soft varieties, such as Camembert, may be considered a liquid and fall under the 100 ml restriction. Chocolate can be transported without problems.

When choosing a seat on the plane, consider your preferences. If you want to enjoy stunning views of the Bernese Alps during take-off or landing, choose a window seat. For those who value freedom of movement and the ability to stretch their legs, an aisle seat will be the best option. Booking a seat in advance often allows you to choose the most convenient option for you.

If you are using Bern Airport for transit, the transfer procedure will depend on your route. For flights within the Schengen zone, you will not need to pass passport control. If your next flight is heading to a country outside the Schengen area, be prepared for border control. Customs operate standard "green" and "red" channels. If you are not carrying goods subject to declaration, feel free to go through the green channel.

There are several ways to save money at the airport. A pre-booked transfer or using public transport often costs less than a taxi. Bring an empty reusable water bottle with you — after passing security control, you can fill it for free at drinking fountains. Additionally, prices for food and beverages at the airport are traditionally high, so a light snack brought from home (not liquid!) will help save your budget.

In case of flight delay or cancellation, first contact a representative of your airline. Depending on the duration of the wait and the flight destination, you may be entitled to compensation, as well as beverages, meals, and even hotel accommodation in accordance with European air passenger rights regulations (EC 261). Keep all receipts for unforeseen expenses and do not hesitate to clarify information with the air carrier's staff.