Yeah, I know this is a pretty blatant ad, but I think I spent enough time in bars with the people on this forum to get away with it

Anyway, we (Google) just launched Google Maps for Switzerland! (at last!)

What does that mean? After all, you could see maps of Zurich before right? And we've had hi-res aerial imagery for a while now.

Well, it means:

1. You can search for businesses now. For instance, try searching for:
   
   "pizza near schmiede wiedikon"
   
   http://maps.google.com/?q=pizza+near+schmiede+wiedikon
   
   or
   
   "ikea zurich"
   
   http://maps.google.com/?q=ikea+zurich
   
   Handy when looking for a service, but you don't know where to get it.
   
   You can write reviews on local businesses as well if you like.
2. Now you found where you want to go, how to get there?
   
   We have uploaded the SBB public transit data, so you can map routes using that now (this is what I actually wanted the most):
   
   "Resedastrasse 1, Zurich to Bellevue, Zurich" then click "take public transit"
   
   http://maps.google.com/?q=from:+Rese...urich&dirflg=r

There are a bunch of other features that existed before today, but you might not have been aware of. For example, do you like classical music? Try searching for "flute recital lucerne" - at the bottom you'll find a placemark added to the map by somebody else (ie, it's not from a directory) marking the location of a James Galway recital.

Anybody can add their own marks to the map like that - check out "trout in lake konstanz" for another example.

One last thing - you can access the Swiss-localized version of the site by using http://maps.google.ch/

Have fun!

It may well be a blatant ad, but it is definitely worth noting (even though I have never had the pleasure of joining the OP in a bar ).

I was using Google Maps to find the time (by train) from Bern to Fribourg when I discovered a new (to me) option: walking!

Initially I got the car route, but there was a box with three options: by car, by public transit and walking. The latter is labeled as beta, with warning: "Walking directions are in beta. Use caution – This route may be missing sidewalks or pedestrian paths."

Obviously most useful in towns where pedestrians do not have to obey one way signs.

These are great! I just tried asking it to take me from my own house to the building where I have my French class in a nearby town, and it was perfect. I'm very impressed.

kodokan

I am hoping for a cycling option soon.

does anyone know if or when googlemaps.ch will have the street view feature?

And the mountain bike one... ...Oh wait there are no streets where we go biking!

try the satellite view of http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/ to plot your course. a lot of trails are visible. i use it to plot longer runs, esp in new towns. unfortunately, not as good for single track and heavily wooded areas.