Fast Facts

Babysitters -- Babysitting can be arranged through most hotels. Try to make arrangements as far in advance as possible.

Bern Card -- This is one of those touristic grace notes which, while not essential, can certainly enrich a stopover in Bern and render it more economical. Sold at any branch of the Bern Tourist Office, it entitles its holder to free admission to the permanent exhibitions within each of the city's museums; unlimited free use of the city's bus and tram lines; and a 25% discount on guided walking tours of the old town, the Clock Tower tour, and rental of any audio-guide. Cards come in validation periods of between 24 and 72 hours and are priced as follows: cards valid for 24 hours cost 20F ($16/£8.30) for adults and 16F ($13/£6.75) for children 6-16 years old; cards valid for 48 hours cost 31F ($25/£13) for adults and 26F ($21/£11) for children; cards valid 72 hours cost 38F ($31/£16) for adults and 31F ($25/£13) for children. For information and sales, contact any branch of the Bern Tourist Office or call tel. 031/328-12-12.

Bookstores -- The best for English-language books is Buchanlung Stauffacher, Neuengasse 25-37 (tel. 031/313-63-63).

Business Hours -- Banks are open Monday to Friday 8am to 4:30pm (on Thurs until 6pm). Most offices are open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, and on Saturday 9am to noon.

Currency Exchange -- This is available on the lower level of the Bahnhof, on Bahnhofplatz, open Monday to Friday 7am to 8pm, Saturday 7am to 7pm, and Sunday 9am to 7pm.

Dentists -- Call tel. 0900/576-747 for a referral to an English-speaking dentist.

Doctors -- Call tel. 0900/576-747 for a referral to an English-speaking doctor.

Drugstores -- Try Central-Apotheke Volz & Co., Zytgloggelaube 2 (tel. 031/311-10-94). It's near the Clock Tower in Old Town. The staff speaks English and can suggest over-the-counter substitutes for foreign drugs that can't be found in Europe. It's open on Monday 9am to 6:30pm, Tuesday to Friday 7:45am to 6:30pm, and on Saturday 7:45am to 4pm. Bahnhof Apotheke, at the Bahnhofplatz (tel. 031/311-41-15), is open daily 6am to 10pm.

Embassies & Consulates -- The U.S. Embassy is at Jubiläumsstrasse 93 (tel. 031/357-70-11). Other embassy addresses are: Canada, Kirchenfeldstrasse 88 (tel. 031/357-32-00); and United Kingdom, Thunstrasse 50 (tel. 031/359-77-00). New Zealand citizens should call their consulate-general in Geneva (tel. 022/929-03-50).

Emergencies -- Call tel. 117 for the police, tel. 144 for an ambulance, tel. 118 to report a fire, or tel. 140 for the road patrol, but only for an emergency.

Eyeglasses -- Augenwerk, Marktgasse 52 (tel. 031/311-02-02), can replace both eyeglasses and contact lenses.

Hairdressers/Barbers -- One of the city's best-known hairdressers is Erminio, Marktgasse 50 (tel. 031/312-22-33). There are separate sections for men and women. Hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 6:30pm and Saturday 8am to 1pm.

Hospital -- The city's largest is Insel Hospital, Freiburgstrasse (tel. 031/632-21-11), the clinic affiliated with the University of Bern.

Internet Access -- Internet access is available at Internetcafé, Aarbergergasse 46 (tel. 031/311-98-50).

Laundry/Dry Cleaning -- Jet Wash is a coin-operated, conveniently located laundry at Dammweg 43 (tel. 031/330-26-38). For dry cleaning, try Textilreinigung (tel. 031/312-00-77), which is located in the main railway station.

Lost Property -- The lost-property office at Predigergasse 5 (tel. 031/321-50-50) is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm (till 6pm Thurs).

Luggage Storage/Lockers -- Storage facilities are available on the lower level of the Bahnhof, on Bahnhofplatz.

Photographic Needs -- Go to Coop Ryfflihof, Aarbergergasse 53 (tel. 031/329-71-11), which has a big film and photography department.

Police -- The police station is at Waisenhausplatz 32 (tel. 031/321-21-21).

Post Office -- The main post office (Schanzenpost), at Schanzenstrasse 4 (tel. 031/386-61-11), is open Monday to Friday from 7:30am to 9pm, on Saturday from 8am to 4pm, and Sunday 4 to 9pm.

Restrooms -- You'll find public facilities in the Bahnhof and in some squares in Old Town.

Safety -- Bern is Europe's safest capital. Nevertheless, you should take the usual precautions; protect your valuables. It's generally safe to walk the streets at night, and crimes against women are rare.

Taxes -- A 7.6% value-added tax (VAT) is included in the price of all goods and services rendered, including hotel and restaurant bills. There are no other special taxes.

Telegrams/Telex/Fax -- Most hotels will arrange the expedition of faxes and telegrams. If not, head for the main post office .

Transit Information -- Call tel. 0900/300-300 for rail information or tel. 031/370-88-88 for postal-bus information.