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Western Europe

SwitzerlandTravel guide

Explore Switzerland visa rulesCommon scams in Switzerland

Switzerland is a mountainous country with large lakes, historic towns and four national languages. It offers excellent public transport and many outdoor activities, but travel can be expensive.

Why go

  1. Explore the Alps in the south and the Jura mountains in the northwest.

  2. Enjoy lakes, rolling hills and old towns.

  3. Travel through mountain scenery by train, bus, bike or car.

  4. Try Swiss cheese dishes and chocolate.

  5. Experience German-, French-, Italian- and Romansh-speaking regions.

Best time to go: Late May to early October is the most convenient period for exploring. July and August can be crowded; winter is popular for skiing and other winter sports.

Getting there

By air

  • The main international airports are Zurich, Geneva and Basel. Smaller airports include Bern and Lugano.
  • Geneva airport is a gateway to both the Swiss and French Alps.
  • Basel airport also serves Mulhouse and Freiburg. Customs procedures can differ depending on which destination you book.

By land

  • International trains connect Switzerland with France, Italy, Germany and Austria. Sleeper trains also serve the country.
  • High-speed trains connect Paris with Geneva, Lausanne, Basel, Bern and Zurich.
  • Flixbus runs international services to and through Switzerland. It cannot carry passengers on journeys entirely within Switzerland.

Customs

  • Switzerland is outside the European Union customs union. Customs checks can take place at the border and inside the country.
  • Cars may be stopped and searched, although border delays are usually short.
  • Follow Swiss rules for bringing goods into the country, including purchases from neighbouring countries.

Getting around

  • Trains and buses

    Trains cover much of the country. PostAuto buses serve many places without trains. Train and bus services connect closely, making transfers straightforward. Public transport timetables may follow national or local holidays.

  • Car

    Drive on the right and follow posted speed limits. Traffic rules are strictly enforced, and fines can follow you abroad. A motorway permit, called a vignette, costs 40 Swiss francs for the year. It is available as a sticker or digital registration. Keep headlights or daytime running lights on whenever you drive. Failing to do so can bring a 40-franc fine. Disable speed camera warning functions in navigation apps. Using these alerts is illegal. On mountain bends, hold back and let PostAuto buses pass. They have priority. City parking commonly costs 25–40 Swiss francs per day. Some destinations do not allow cars.

  • Walking and cycling

    Hiking paths across the Alps are usually well marked and maintained. Switzerland offers mountain biking and scenic cycling routes. Check mountain weather before setting out, as conditions can change within minutes.

  • Domestic flights

    Domestic flights are limited because airports are close together and public transport is well developed. Trains are usually cheaper and can be just as fast and convenient. A train journey can be combined with buses or other transport to reach your destination.

What to see and do

  • The Swiss Alps

    See high mountains, glaciers and dramatic scenery in southern Switzerland.

  • The Jura mountains

    Explore the mountain landscape in the northwest of the country.

  • Lake Geneva vineyards

    The region is known for its wine and attractive vineyards.

  • Furka Pass

    This mountain pass between Uri and Valais offers an Alpine journey almost 2.5 kilometres above sea level.

  • Graubünden

    Discover a mountain region with Romansh language traditions and distinctive local food.

  • Skiing and winter sports

    Downhill skiing is a major attraction, with many other winter sports also available.

Food and drink

  • Fondue

    Dip bread into a shared pot of melted cheese. The cheese is commonly mixed with white wine, garlic and cherry liquor.

  • Raclette

    Melted cheese is scraped onto boiled potatoes and served with pickled vegetables.

  • Älplermakkaronen

    A dish of macaroni, potato and melted cheese, served with apple compote.

  • Rösti

    A potato dish similar to hash browns, often with Emmentaler cheese.

  • Zürcher Geschnetzeltes

    Sliced veal in mushroom sauce, usually served with rösti.

  • Graubünden specialities

    Try barley soup, pizokel dumplings, cured meat called Bündnerfleisch or the rich nut pie Bündner Nusstorte.

Money

Swiss franc, written as Fr. or CHF. One franc is divided into 100 smaller units.

  • Card payments are common, although Switzerland also uses cash widely.
  • Cash machines accept foreign cards. Money can be exchanged at train stations and most banks.
  • Some hotels, shops, restaurants and ticket machines accept euro banknotes, but not euro coins. Change may be given in Swiss francs.
  • Check card receipts for your full card number and dispose of them safely.

Tipping: Service is included in the bill, and tipping is optional. If pleased with the service, you can round up or leave a few francs; rounding a coffee bill to the nearest franc is common.

Typical costs

  • Accommodation, groceries, train tickets and souvenirs are often more expensive than in neighbouring countries.
  • Hostel beds start at about 30 Swiss francs per person per night.
  • Two-star hotels start at about 80 Swiss francs per person per night.
  • Three-star hotels start at about 120 Swiss francs per person per night.
  • Four-star hotels start at about 180 Swiss francs per person per night.
  • Five-star hotels start at about 350 Swiss francs per person per night.
  • Department store cafeterias are usually cheaper than separate restaurants. Kebab shops and pizza restaurants are often cheaper choices in towns and cities.

Language

  • German is the most widely spoken national language. Swiss German dialects are common in everyday conversation, while Standard German is widely understood.
  • French is spoken mainly in western Switzerland, including parts of Bern and Valais.
  • Italian is spoken mainly in Ticino and parts of Graubünden.
  • Romansh is spoken in parts of Graubünden, where many speakers also know German.
  • English is widely spoken and taught in schools. Younger people generally speak it more confidently.
Kein Trinkwasser
German: not drinking water.
Non potable
French: not drinking water.
Non potabile
Italian: not drinking water.

Staying safe

  • Switzerland has low crime, but pickpockets target distracted visitors. Watch your belongings in crowds, especially in summer.
  • If you feel threatened, go into a nearby restaurant. Emergency operators generally speak English.
  • Check mountain weather and possible avalanche areas at a tourist office or local train station before heading out.
  • Carry your passport or identity card. Police can ask for identification and may take you to a station if you cannot show it.
2 common scams in Switzerland, and how to avoid them

Local customs

Do

  • Ask permission before photographing or recording an identifiable person. Respect people's privacy.
  • Arrive on time. Punctuality is taken seriously.
  • Follow local quiet hours and accommodation rules. Keep noise down on Sundays, when many businesses close.
  • Put rubbish and recycling in the correctly labelled bins.
  • Ask whether someone speaks English before starting a conversation in English. Attempts to use the local language are appreciated.
  • Be clear, polite and reliable. Keep promises and use polite words when making requests.
  • Use formal forms of address with people you do not know well unless invited to do otherwise.

Don't

  • Do not ask personal questions about someone's background or beliefs unless you know them well.
  • Do not assume someone's nationality from the language they speak.
  • Do not litter. Some cantons impose fines.
  • Do not be noisy or disruptive during quiet hours or on Sundays.

Staying healthy

  • Food and drinking water are generally safe. Restaurants follow strict rules.
  • Do not drink water marked 'Kein Trinkwasser', 'Non potable' or 'Non potabile'. Avoid temporary cattle troughs in mountain meadows.
  • Public hospitals admit people in emergencies, and the country has many hospitals and clinics.
  • Major railway stations in Zurich, Basel and Lucerne have some 24-hour clinics for non-urgent illness without an appointment.

Phone and internet

  • Prepaid mobile cards are sold in Swisscom, Salt and Sunrise shops in most cities. They usually cost about 10–40 Swiss francs.
  • Other prepaid options include Migros, Coop, Aldi Mobile, Yallo and Lebara Mobile.
  • Buying or activating a local mobile card requires a copy of your identity card or passport.
  • Mobile coverage reaches almost all of the country, including many mountain areas.

Where to stay

  • Most tourist areas have a tourist office that can book a hotel for you by phone for a small fee.
  • Booking directly with a hotel can be easier and cheaper. Hotel staff generally speak English well.
  • Choices include hotels, country inns, spas, bed and breakfasts, campgrounds and youth hostels.
  • Accommodation is expensive compared with many European countries. Major cities and popular ski resorts can be particularly costly.

Schengen Area

One visa, 29 countries

A Schengen visa from any member lets you travel across all of them, with no passport checks at the borders between them. With it, a trip to Switzerland can also take in:

  • Up to 90 days in any 180
  • One visa for every member
  • No border checks between members

Whether you need the visa at all depends on your passport. Check the entry rules for Switzerland before you plan the route.

Trips to Switzerland

Day-by-day itineraries by snuck, shaped around you.

5 nights
Lucerne Lakeside and Zurich AfternoonsLucerneMount RigiZurichFrom, per person~US$2,290
 6 nights
Lake Mornings and Mountain EveningsMontreuxChillonLavauxZermattFrom, per person~US$3,140
 8 nights
Lakes, Eiger and MatterhornLucerneGrindelwaldLauterbrunnenJungfraujochFrom, per person~US$3,670

Outdoor adventures in Switzerland

Switzerland offers Alpine hiking, famous ski resorts, mountain climbing and cycling. Lakes and rivers add swimming and boat trips, while weather in the mountains can change within minutes.

  • Verbier skiing

    SkiingValaisnear Verbier

    Winter

    Use Verbier as your base for skiing.

    • Ask the tourist information office or local train station about mountain weather and areas at risk of avalanches.

  • St. Moritz skiing

    SkiingEngadin valley, Graubündennear St. Moritz

    Winter

    Head to the ski resort of St. Moritz in southeastern Switzerland.

    • Check local mountain weather and avalanche advice before heading out.

  • Davos skiing

    SkiingGraubündennear Davos

    Winter

    Head to Davos, a large ski resort.

    • Check local mountain weather and avalanche advice before heading out.

  • Swiss hiking trail network

    HikeAcross Switzerland

    Late May to early October is the main visiting period.

    Plan your own walk with the free swisstopo app or paper maps. Follow marked paths through valleys, forests and mountain passes.

    • Ask locally about mountain weather before setting out.
    • Mountain weather can change within minutes.

  • Eiger North Face

    ClimbingBernese Highlandsnear Grindelwald

    Experts only

    Grindelwald is the resort at the foot of the Eiger. Climbing access and arrangements are not detailed.

    • This route has a history of severe hardship and deaths.
    • Check mountain weather before heading out.

  • Jungfrau-Aletsch Alpine scenery

    More to doBernese Alpsnear Interlaken

    The protected Alpine area lies above Interlaken. Specific access routes are not detailed.

    • Check local mountain weather before heading out.

  • Lake Lucerne steamboat trip

    More to doCentral Switzerlandnear Lucerne

    About 3 hours for the full Lucerne–Flüelen trip

    Take a traditional steamboat from Lucerne along the lake towards Flüelen. Brunnen and Flüelen also have direct train connections with Lucerne.

  • Aare River swimming

    More to doBern Regionnear Bern

    Hot summer days

    Swim between Kornhausbridge and the Lorraine public pool, or between Eichholz and the Marzili public pool. Finish at a public pool if you want a shower afterwards.

    • Cost: Public pool entry is free.
    • The old-town bend from Englische Anlagen to Lorraine is only for good swimmers accompanied by experienced locals.
    • The Bremgartenschlaufe is also only for good swimmers accompanied by experienced locals.

  • Salève walking trails

    HikeFrench border near Genevanear Geneva

    Take bus 8 to Veyrier Douane or Veyrier Tournettes, or line 41 to Veyrier-École. Use the Salève cable car to reach the ridge and its walking trails.

    • Carry your passport: Salève is across the border in France.

  • Genève Plage

    BeacheLake Genevanear Geneva

    May–September

    Take bus 2 or 6 to the beach on the eastern bank of the lake.

  • Gurten hill trails

    HikeBern Regionnear Bern

    From Bern railway station, take tram 9 towards Wabern. Get off at Gurtenbahn, walk a few steps uphill and take the Gurtenbahn train to the top. Hiking paths spread out across the hill.

    • Cost: Hill access is free. Gurtenbahn return tickets: Fr. 9 adults; Fr. 4.50 children. BernCard is valid.

  • Lucerne and national cycling network

    CyclingCentral Switzerlandnear Lucerne

    A day trip is an option.

    Rent a bicycle at Lucerne railway station. Explore the suburbs or follow the national cycling network for a day trip.

  • Sauvabelin Forest walk

    HikeWestern Switzerlandnear Lausanne

    Explore Sauvabelin Forest north of central Lausanne. Visit the tower, then walk down towards the city centre through the Fondation de l'Hermitage park.

    • Cost: The Sauvabelin tower is free to access.

  • AGAS Sunday hikes around Geneva

    HikeWestern Switzerlandnear Geneva

    Sundays

    Join a hike organised by Association Genevoise des Amis du Salève. Meet at the bus 8 terminus at Veyrier-Douane for a sharp 10:00 start.

    • Cost: Free.

Airports, metros and trains in Switzerland

Airports with scheduled flights

  • GVAGeneva International AirportGenevaMain international airport
  • ZRHZürich AirportZurichMain international airport

Metro and subway

  • LausanneLausanne Metro14 stations5.9 kmsince 2008

Trains

Rail network
5,317 km
Electrified
5,317 km
High-speed lines
164 km
Top speed
230 km/h

People and safety in Switzerland

Religion

Most people are Christian. Mixed.

  • Christian61%
  • No religion32%
  • Muslim6%

LGBT+ travellers

Legal and protected

  • Same-sex couples can marry.
  • Legal gender change is recognised.
  • Laws protect against discrimination.

Women travellers

Ranked #19 of 181 countries for women's safety, inclusion and justice.

84% of women say they feel safe walking alone at night where they live.

Who can visit without a visa

Travellers from 93 of 198 countries can visit Switzerland easily: no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Visa not required82
  • Freedom of movement11
  • Visa required105

Who can visit easily, by part of the world

For each part of the world: how many countries' travellers can come easily. Easy means no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Europe43 of 45 countries
  • Americas26 of 35 countries
  • Oceania10 of 14 countries
  • Asia12 of 50 countries
  • Africa2 of 54 countries

Questions

When is a good time for a first visit?

Late May to early October is the most convenient period for exploring. July and August are busiest, while winter suits skiing and other winter sports.

Do I need to hire a car?

Trains and connecting buses reach much of the country. Some destinations, including Zermatt and Wengen, are car-free.

Can I pay by card?

Card payments are common, and you may travel for days without needing cash. Cash machines also accept foreign cards.

Can I manage with English?

English is widely spoken, especially by younger people. It is polite to ask whether someone speaks English before starting.

Can someone book a hotel for me if I do not book online?

Tourist offices in most tourist areas can arrange a hotel by phone for a small fee. Booking directly with a hotel can also be easier and cheaper.

Is tap water safe to drink?

Virtually all tap water is safe, including water in hotels and many public fountains. Avoid water marked as unsuitable for drinking and temporary cattle troughs.

Where can I find cheaper meals?

Try cafeterias in Coop, Migros or Manor department stores. Kebab shops and pizza restaurants are also often cheaper options in towns and cities.

Do I have to leave a tip?

No, service is included and tipping is optional. You can round up the bill or leave a few francs for good service.

What should I check before a mountain outing?

Ask a tourist office or local train station about weather and possible avalanche areas. Mountain weather can change within minutes.

Can I buy a local mobile card in a shop?

Yes, mobile provider shops sell prepaid cards in most cities. You need a copy of your identity card or passport to buy or activate one.

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