Roads were greatly improved in the early part of the century, with many of the major passes opened to wheeled transport.

But the economy could not have developed as it did in the 19th century without the railways. The first Swiss line was built in 1847. Between 1854 and 1864 the length of the network went from 38 to 1300 km (24 to 800 miles), built and run by private enterprise.

Despite the importance and popularity of rail travel, many of the private railway companies ran into financial difficulties. The state bought up the main ones, and the Swiss Federal Railways came into operation in 1902.

The growth of the railways went hand in hand with the development of tourism. Although foreign trips remained beyond the means of most people, prosperous members of the middle class could and did travel abroad.

By the end of the century, Switzerland was attracting about 350,000 foreign visitors a year. The development of winter sports - in particular by the British - made resorts attractive in winter as well as summer. Many locals found work in the hotel industry or as mountain guides.