Biel/Bienne

<map lat='47.1324032424812' lng='7.24411010742188' zoom='12' view='0' float='right'/> Biel (French: Bienne) is the biggest bilingual town in Switzerland (German-/Frenchspeaking). It has 51.000 citizens and is located in the northwest of Switzerland, at the Jura-mountainchain and at the lake of Biel/Bienne. The town is famous for its watches - companies like Omega and Rolex are amongst the most important employers.

Hitching out

East, South towards Bern, Thun, Interlaken, Fribourg, Burgdorf

From the main train station in Biel: Leave the trainstation through the back exit (towards lake, Nidau). There is a big COOP-Supermarket, walk to the other side of it (right through it or across the street on the right side of it). As you reach a street, turn right. After some hundred meters there is a big crossroads. Cross the street and turn left (obviously towards "Bern" - there are big green signs). After about 300m there is a BP-gasstation, right before the highway A6 starts. Hitchwiki user Cee always stands some meters before the railway lines that cross the street - there, drivers will see you from far a way and they can stop easily. Time to walk from the trainstation to this spot: 5min.

This higway A6 will lead right into the big highway A1 towards Bern, Interlaken, Fribourg, Genève and there's no gasstation to get out before. But a few kilometers before Bern there is the service station Grauholz, where you can find lifts for all directions (there is a bridge!).

East, North towards Zürich, Basel, Germany

OPTION 1 From the main trainstation: Cross the town center walking towards the Jura (mountain-chain). After about 10min walking you find a main road with a lot of traffic. Turn right and follow this street, you can already try to stop cars here. There are bus stops (#1, #2) where cars have space to stop. After about 2km the highway A5 going to Zürich and Basel starts.

OPTION 2 Take Bus #2 to "Industrie Bözingen" and get out at the stop "Renferstrasse". Walk another 300m and you're right at the entry to the highway - perfect! Bustickets cost CHF 2.50 ("Stadtzone S").

Sleeping

The only hostel in town is the Lago Lodge and located at the lake. It has beds from CHF 28.-/€18. The reception times are 7-11.30am, 2pm-10pm. Phone +41 (0)32 331 37 32, email [email protected]

There is a squat called LABIU, with guestrooms. It is located 5min from the main trainstation, at the Wydenauweg 38/40. Labiu Homepage

Try also hospitality networks like bewelcome.org, hospitality club, couchsurfing