Switzerland, famous for chocolate, watches, and mountains, is a top choice for multinational corporations due to its stability, infrastructure, and skilled workforce, boosting productivity. Despite the high cost of living, it is a preferred international headquarters location.
So, what international companies are headquartered in Switzerland? and What are the biggest companies in Switzerland? Here is a list of global companies headquartered in Switzerland, shaping the country's business landscape.
1. Glencore International
Industry: Commodities
City: Baar
Ranked 14th on the Fortune Global 500 list and headquartered in Baar, Glencore International is the world's largest commodities trader. It operates in various sectors, including metals, minerals, oil, and coal, exerting significant influence globally.
How to Get to Glencore International
Nearest Airport: Zurich (ZRH) Airport - Approximately 49 km Away
Train
Travel Time: 52 minutes
Estimated Fare: €19 - €36
Key Point: No direct train to Glencore International. Take the IR13 train from the airport to Zürich Hb, then transfer to the train to Baar. Trains operate from 5:00 am to 00:45 am.
Tram
Travel Time: 1 hour 16 minutes
Estimated Fare: €19 - €33
Key Point: Similar to trains, no direct tram to Baar. Tram No10 runs 09:00 to 09:00, going to Zürich Oerlikon, Bahnhof Ost. Transfer to Baar, Canton of Zug, is needed. Due to tram delays, consider other options for faster travel.
Taxi
Travel Time: 40 minutes
Estimated Fare: €290 - €350
Key Point: Taxis are expensive in Zurich, so people prefer private services for better deals and fixed prices, especially for airport transfers.
Private Transfers
Distance: 49 km
Travel Time: 36 minutes
Key Point: Private transfers from AirportTransfer.com provide luxury and comfort with dedicated drivers, high-end vehicles, easy online booking, Zurich airport coach transfers, English-speaking drivers, and 24/7 customer support. AT offers fixed pricing and allows cancellations up to 48 hours before the journey for added convenience.
Photo by Zoe via Unsplash
2. Nestlé
Industry: Food & beverage
City: Vevey Founded in Vevey in 1867, Nestlé leads the food industry with brands like Purina and Haagen-Dazs.
How to Get to Nestlé
Nearest Airport: Geneva (GVA) Airport - Approximately 88 km Away
Train
Travel Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Estimated Fare: €30 - €60
Key Point: No direct train to Nestlé. Take RE33 from the airport to Lausanne. Transfer to train for Vevey. Another transfer to Nestlé. Long waits between trains, especially during peak hours.
Bus
Travel Time: 1 hour 53 minutes
Estimated Fare: €32 - €71
Key Point: Similar to train journeys, no direct bus route to Nestlé. Travellers bus to Genève, gare Cornavin initially, then another bus (line 201) to Vevey. In Vevey, another transfer to reach Nestlé. The bus route is possibly slower due to stops.
Taxi
Travel Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Estimated Fare: €180 - €260
Key Point: Taxis in Geneva are known for being expensive in Europe, with fares affected by traffic, weather, holidays, Sundays, and night rates, increasing costs.
Private Transfers
Distance: 88 km
Travel Time: 60 minutes
Key Point: Private transfers avoid crowded vehicles/public transportation. Online booking, vehicle options, English-speaking drivers, Geneva Airport coach transfer, and customer service for a smooth journey. The customer-focused policies, fixed prices, and 48-hour cancellations at airporttransfer.com offer flexibility/reassurance.
Photo by Grischa via Unsplash
3. Novartis
Industry: Pharmaceuticals, vaccines, consumer health
City: Basel
Formed in 1996 in Basel, Novartis focuses on pharmaceuticals, consumer health, and generics.
How to Get to Novartis
Nearest Airport: Euro Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg (BSL) Airport - Approximately 5.82 km Away
Bus
Travel Time: 25 minutes
Estimated Fare: €4.70
Key Point: No direct bus to Novartis. Take Bus 50 from Basel airport to the city centre (Basel, Friedrich-Miescher-Str.). Transfer to tram line 1 from Basel, Bahnhof St. Johann to Novartis Campus. Private taxis are recommended for large luggage.
Taxi
Travel Time: 15 minutes
Estimated Fare: €60 - €70
Key Point: Taxis in Switzerland are expensive, especially from Euro Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg Airport to Novartis, costing €50 to €60, with Basel airport taxis carrying up to 3 passengers.
Private Transfers
Distance: 7 km
Travel Time: 12 minutes
Key Point: Choosing private transfer offers flexible scheduling, online booking, various vehicle options, English-speaking AT drivers, Basel airport coach transfers, 24/7 customer support, fixed prices, and a 48-hour cancellation policy for peace of mind.
4. Zurich Insurance Group
Industry: Insurance
City: Zurich
Based in Zurich, the Zurich Insurance Group offers insurance products globally with a workforce of 60,000+ in 170 countries.
How to Get to Zurich Insurance Group
Nearest Airport: Zurich (ZRH) Airport - Approximately 12.8 km Away
Train
Travel Time: 15 minutes
Estimated Fare: €5.60
Key Point: No direct train to Zurich Insurance Group, but lines (S16, S2, IR75, IC5, IC1, IC8, IR37, IR70, IR36) to the central station take 10 minutes. Transfer is needed from there. Trains and metros run from 5:00 am to 00:45 am.
Tram
Travel Time: 35 minutes
Estimated Fare: €5.60
Key Point: Like a train, no direct tram to Zurich Insurance. No10 tram from the airport to the city. Transfer from the city centre to Zurich Insurance. Trams run every 15 mins from 09:00 am to 09:00 pm in the city.
Taxi
Travel Time: 20 minutes
Estimated Fare: €70 - €90
Key Point: Taxis from Zurich Airport to Zurich Insurance Group are more expensive due to high taxi fares in the city. Travellers can pre-book Zurich airport private taxi services for better deals and fixed prices, avoiding inflated fares.
Private Transfers
Distance: 12.8 km
Travel Time: 19 minutes
Key Point: Pre-booking private transfer means personalised support at every step. Online booking, various vehicles, English-speaking drivers, 24/7 customer service, and Zurich airport coach transfers at AirportTransfer.com ensure a seamless and luxurious ride. Transparent pricing and 48-hour cancellation for convenience and peace of mind.
5. Roche Group
Industry: Pharmaceuticals and diagnostics
City: Basel
Headquartered in Basel, Roche Group distributes pharmaceuticals and diagnostics globally.
How to get to Roche Group
Nearest Airport: Euro Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg (BSL) Airport - Approximately 7 km Away
Bus
Travel Time: 25 minutes
Estimated Fare: €4.70
Key Point: No direct bus to Roche Group, take number 50 bus Mon-Sun from 04:28 to 24:33 to the city centre. Transfer needed to reach Roche Group. No luggage storage on the bus, consider Basel airport coach transfers for large luggage and bigger groups.
Taxi
Travel Time: 15 minutes
Estimated Fare: €50 - €60
Key Point: Taxis in Switzerland have high fares. From Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg Airport to Roche Group, the fare is usually €50 to €60. Basel airport taxis can carry up to 3 passengers. Private transfers offer fixed prices and personalised service, a good option for travellers.
Private Transfers
Distance: 7 km
Travel Time: 12 minutes
Key Point: Looking for hassle-free travel? Private Basel airport transfers are great for business travellers! Book online, choose vehicles, and enjoy English-speaking drivers & 24/7 support. Fixed pricing & 48-hour cancellation for flexibility.
Photo by Mariia Shalabaieva via Unsplash.
6. Credit Suisse
Industry: Financial services
City: Zurich
A key player in Zurich's financial sector, Credit Suisse offers a range of financial services globally.
How to get to Credit Suisse
Nearest Airport: Zurich (ZRH) Airport - Approximately 11.78 km Away
Train
Travel Time: 15 minutes
Estimated Fare: €5.60
Key Point: No direct train to Credit Suisse, board trains (S16, S2, IR75, IC5, IC1, IC8, IR37, IR70, IR36) to Zurich Hb. Then, a 12-minute walk to Credit Suisse. Trains run from 5:00 am to 00:45 am.
Tram
Travel Time: 35 minutes
Estimated Fare: €5.60
Key Point: Take the No10 tram line from the airport to Zurich's city centre, but you'll need another transfer to reach Credit Suisse. Trams operate every 15 minutes from 09:00 am to 09:00 pm. Plan for extra time due to the additional transfer.
Taxi
Travel Time: 20 minutes
Estimated Fare: €70 - €90
Key Point: Given Zurich's high taxi fares, especially from the airport, many travellers pre-book private taxi services to avoid the steep costs of regular taxis.
Private Transfers
Distance: 12 km
Travel Time: 17 minutes
Key Point: Private Zurich Airport transfers offer a smooth journey with online booking, vehicle options, English-speaking drivers, and 24/7 support. Policies such as fixed pricing and a 48-hour cancellation option enhance the travel experience.
7. MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company
Industry: Logistics & Transportation
City: Geneva
A top container shipping line based in Geneva, MSC offers global services with local knowledge through a network of transport resources.
How to get to MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company
Nearest Airport: Geneva (GVA) Airport - Approximately 9.16 km Away
Bus
Travel Time: 35 minutes
Estimated Fare: Free (with a free ticket) - CHF 3 (€2.60) otherwise
Key Point: No direct bus to MSC Mediterranean Shipping. Buses 5 and 10 to Geneva train station (Gare Cornavin). Transfer is needed from there. Daily buses from 05:00 - 00:00, night buses from 00:00 - 02:20. Buses every 9-15 mins.
Train
Travel Time: 20 minutes
Estimated Fare: Free (with a free ticket) - CHF 3 (€2.60) otherwise
Key Point: No direct train to MSC Mediterranean Shipping Co. Travellers take trains from the airport to Geneva's central train station (Gare Cornavin) and find transfer options to their final destination. Trains run from 05:00 to 01:00 and depart every 12-20 min, with long waits and crowded trains at peak hours.
Taxi
Travel Time: 30 minutes
Estimated Fare: €60 - €70
Key Point: Geneva taxis are costly in Europe due to high fares affected by public holidays, Sundays, and night-time rates.
Private Transfers
Distance: 9.16 km
Travel Time: 26 minutes
Key Point: Choosing Geneva Airport private transfer makes travel to MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company from the airport easy. Online booking, diverse vehicles with limo transfers, English-speaking drivers, and 24/7 support ensure a seamless journey. Fixed pricing and, a 48-hour cancellation policy for flexibility and assurance.
Photo by Nathan Aguirre via Unsplash.
8. Rolex
Industry: Watch
City: Geneva
Rolex, based in Geneva, is a Swiss watch brand known for luxury, precision, and robust collections.
How to get to Rolex
Nearest Airport: Geneva (GVA) Airport - Approximately 7.79 km Away
Bus
Travel Time: 35 minutes
Estimated Fare: Free (with a free ticket) - CHF 3 (€2.60) otherwise
Key Point: No direct bus to Rolex. Buses 5 and 10 to Geneva's train station (Gare Cornavin) then transfer. Buses run daily 05:00-00:00, night service 00:00-02:20. Departures every 9-15 minutes.
Train
Travel Time: 20 minutes
Estimated Fare: Free (with a free ticket) - CHF 3 (€2.60) otherwise
Key Point: No direct train to Rolex, travellers take trains from the airport to Geneva's central station (Gare Cornavin), trains run from 05:00 to 01:00 every 12-20 mins. Expect wait times and crowded trains at peak times.
Taxi
Travel Time: 30 minutes
Estimated Fare: €60 - €65
Key Point: Geneva taxis: known for high fares, among the priciest in Europe. Metered fares vary with traffic, weather, and rising costs. Prices differ for holidays, Sundays, and nights.
Private Transfers
Distance: 7.79 km
Travel Time: 23 minutes
Key Point: When choosing a private transfer at AirportTransfer.com, your journey from the airport to Rolex is hassle-free. Online booking, different vehicle options, English-speaking drivers, and 24/7 customer support guarantee your convenience. Customer-friendly policies offer set prices and a 48-hour cancellation for flexibility.
9. Alliance Boots
Industry: Wholesale pharmaceuticals, retail drugstore and beauty
City: Zug
A top European drug wholesaler based in Zug; Alliance Boots operates globally, shaping healthcare and retail sectors with pharmacies and beauty supply stores.
How to get to Alliance Boots
Nearest Airport: Zurich (ZRH) Airport - Approximately 49.27 km Away
Train
Travel Time: 52 minutes
Estimated Fare: €19 - €36
Key Point: No direct train to Alliance Boots. Take IR13 from Zürich Flughafen to Zürich Hb, then transfer to Zug(Ch) train via Zuerich Hb. Trains run from 5:00 am to 00:45 am, 24-hour access.
Tram
Travel Time: 1 hour and 14 minutes
Estimated Fare: €19 - €34
Key Point: No direct tram to Alliance Boots. Take the line 10 tram from Zürich Flughafen, Bahnhof to Zürich, Bahnhofplatz/Hb, and transfer to the Zug-bound train. Trams run from 09:00 am to 09:00 pm, the least convenient post-flight.
Taxi
Travel Time: 40 minutes
Estimated Fare: €290 - €350
Key Point: Taxi fares in Zurich are one of Europe's highest, especially from the airport. Travellers often choose Zurich airport private taxi service for better deals with fixed prices based on their destination.
Private Transfers
Distance: 49.27 km
Travel Time: 23 minutes
Key Point: Pre-booking private transfer is safer from Zurich Airport to Alliance Boots. AirportTransfer.com offers online booking, Zurich airport coach transfers, various vehicles, English-speaking drivers, and 24/7 support. Policies include fixed pricing and 48-hour cancellation for flexibility and peace of mind.
10. Adecco Group
Industry: Staffing
City: Glattbrugg
A leading employment agency based in Glattbrugg, Adecco Group connects businesses with global talent.
How to get to Adecco Group
Nearest Airport: Zurich (ZRH) Airport - Approximately 2.57 km Away
Tram
Travel Time: 15 minutes
Estimated Fare: €2 - €3
Key Point: Take line 10 tram from Zürich Flughafen, Bahnhof to Glattbrugg, Unterriet. Transfer to reach Adecco Group. Tram travel is efficient but not ideal after a long flight.
Bus
Travel Time: 10 minutes
Estimated Fare: €2 - €5
Key Point: Hop on the bus from Zürich Flughafen to Glattbrugg. Arrange a transfer option to reach Adecco Group. Buses operate daily, every 10 minutes.
Taxi
Travel Time: 5 minutes
Estimated Fare: €35 - €50
Key Point: Taxis from Zurich Airport to Adecco Group are costly due to high kilometre rates in Europe. Travellers prefer private transfer taxi services for better deals and fixed prices according to destination.
Private Transfers
Distance: 2.57 km
Travel Time: 4 minutes
Key Point: Private transfer from Zurich Airport to Adecco Group includes online booking, various vehicles, English-speaking drivers, and 7/24 support. Private transfers offer peace of mind with fixed prices and a 48-hour cancellation policy for flexibility.