Techniques for using planar photonic switch fabrics with reduced waveguide crossings are described. In one embodiment, a system is provided that comprises a memory that stores computer-executable components and a processor that executes computer-executable components stored in the memory. In one implementation, the computer-executable components comprise an arrangement component that arranges a first planar switch fabric topology. The computer-executable components further comprise a transformation component that interleaves a plurality of inputs of the first planar switch fabric topology and a plurality of outputs of the first planar switch fabric topology to form a second planar switch fabric topology, the second planar switch fabric topology having a lower number of waveguide crossings than the first planar switch fabric topology.