Bus Hire in Solothurn

Solothurn is consistently cited as the most beautiful baroque town in Switzerland, a distinction earned by the concentrated quality of its 17th- and 18th-century architecture along the Aare river. The old town sits between the river and the Jura foothills on a low spur of sandstone, with the Cathedral of St. Ursus and St. Victor dominating the skyline. Solothurn was the residence of the French ambassadors to the Swiss Confederation for over 200 years, which explains the French cultural influence on the architecture and why the baroque building programme was so sustained and of such quality.

The city's historical character is well preserved and the old town is compact. The main street, the Hauptgasse, runs from the river gate to the cathedral with fountains, guild houses, and arcade colonnades on either side. Groups visiting for half a day will cover the main points without difficulty; those with a full day can combine the old town with the Weissenstein ridge above and the Aare river walk.

The Cathedral and Old Town

The Cathedral of St. Ursus was completed in 1773 in an Italian Late Baroque style unusual in a Swiss context, its white facade and twin towers standing in formal contrast to the older buildings of the Hauptgasse. The interior has a nave of unusual length for the size of the city and the Baroque furnishings are intact. The old town extends from the cathedral east to the river, with the Zeitglockenturm clock tower, the Jesuit church, and the arsenal building as subsidiary points of interest. The arsenal houses a large collection of Swiss military material from the medieval period through to the 19th century.

Getting to Solothurn

Bern Airport (BRN) is around 50 kilometres south-east, approximately 48 minutes by coach. Basel EuroAirport (BSL/MLH) is around 75 kilometres north-west, about an hour and five minutes. Zurich Airport (ZRH) is around 100 kilometres north-east, about an hour and fifteen minutes. Solothurn is on the rail line from Bern (around 38 minutes) and Basel (around 60 minutes). The A5 motorway connects the city east to Bern and west to the Biel/Bienne junction. The city is a natural stopping point on the Bern to Basel road and rail corridor.

The Weissenstein and Jura

The Weissenstein ridge, rising to 1,284 metres above the city, is the most accessible piece of Jura scenery from Solothurn. A cable car from Gunsberg, around 10 kilometres south of the city, gives access to the ridge in around 10 minutes. The summit gives views south across the Swiss Plateau to the Alps on a clear day. In winter the Weissenstein has a small ski area. The Jura hills north of Solothurn are crossed by cycling and walking routes and give groups a natural extension to a city visit if a full day is available.

Popular Day Trips from Solothurn

What Bus Hire Costs in Solothurn

As a rough guide, a minibus (up to 19 seats) in Solothurn runs around 1,000 to 1,600 CHF per day, a midi-coach (around 35 seats) around 1,100 to 1,700 CHF per day, and a full-size coach (49 to 55 seats) around 1,200 to 1,800 CHF per day. Solothurn is a quieter market with good vehicle availability; the baroque old town draws touring groups in spring and summer and the town is often included as a half-day stop on wider Swiss itineraries rather than as a standalone destination. The final figure depends on your route, the date, and how long you need the vehicle and driver. We confirm a fixed price with no hidden charges, so send your details for a free quote.

Services Available in Solothurn