From the office — straight into the river: why people in Switzerland go home by water

In the Swiss cities of Basel and Bern, an unusual scene can be seen in summer: after the workday ends, people do not rush to buses or cars, but change clothes, put their clothes and laptops into waterproof bags and… head home with the current of the river. At first glance, it looks like a viral clip from social media, but for many locals this has long been part of urban culture.

Basel: the river instead of the road

The most famous version of this tradition exists in Basel. In the hot months, thousands of city residents use the flow of the Rhine to get to the right part of town quickly and pleasantly. They enter the water upstream, lie on their backs or simply float, and the current carries them several kilometers along the historic center.

The main symbol of this unusual way of getting around is the bright waterproof Wickelfisch bag («wrapped fish»). People pack clothes, shoes, phones, wallets and other belongings into it. Then the top of the bag is rolled up several times and secured with a fastener. Air remains inside, so the bag not only protects the contents from water, but also stays on the surface, floating alongside its owner.

Today, the Wickelfisch has become one of Basel’s symbols. It is sold in tourist shops, and in summer it can even be rented from the city’s tourist center.

Bern: a similar tradition on the Aare River

A similar scene can also be seen in Bern, where locals love floating down the Aare River. Special waterproof «Aare Bags» are also used here, allowing people to take their belongings with them without worrying that they will get wet.

Although online this way of getting around is often called a «way home after work,» the Swiss themselves explain that for most people it is more of a pleasant summer ritual and a way to cool off after the workday than a full replacement for public transport. Some really do finish their route not far from home, but many do it purely for leisure.

It all started with clean water

This tradition became possible thanks to the exceptionally clean Swiss rivers. Basel authorities even publish recommendations for safe swimming and monitor the water temperature, river level and current speed every day. Swimming is allowed only when conditions are suitable.

Basel also hosts an annual mass swim on the Rhine, during which thousands of participants head downstream at the same time. From the shore, it looks like a real multicolored river of bright waterproof bags.

Not urban transport, but a summer tradition

Despite viral social media posts, the claim that residents of Basel and Bern massively «commute home by swimming» is somewhat exaggerated. Yes, many people really do use the river current after work, but this is primarily a seasonal city tradition, a form of leisure and a way to escape the heat, rather than a full-fledged alternative to transport.

Nevertheless, this unusual habit has remained for many years one of the most recognizable summer features of Swiss cities and never fails to surprise tourists from around the world.