Solothurn is on the main SBBtrain line between Biel/Bienne and the big rail junction at Olten. It’s also served by regular mini-trains from Bern operated by RBS, but these don’t appear on the big departures board in Bern station; aim instead for platforms U1–4 down to the right. Solothurn’s oddly huge train station is a few minutes’ walk south of the river, with a change bureau and bike rental (both daily 5am–8.50pm) and, just to one side, the main post office (CH-4501 Solothurn 1).

Rötistrasse is the highway heading north from in front of the station, but quieter Hauptbahnhofstrasse, one street to the left, will deliver you to the pedestrian-only Kreuzackerbrücke, leading into the heart of the Old Town. River boats from Biel/Bienne dock at the Romandie jetty beside the railway bridge, two west of the Kreuzackerbrücke. The tourist office is at the foot of the cathedral steps, Hauptgasse 69 (Mon–Fri 8.30am–noon & 1.30–6pm, Sat 9am–noon; 032/626 46 46, www.solothurn.ch/tourism), and runs excellent ninety-minute walking tours of the town beginning from the Baseltor (May–Sept Sat 2.30pm; Fr.5).