Traveling to Switzerland: A Guide with 20 Practical Tips
Actualizado el
Traveling to Switzerland: Guide with 20 essential tips
If you have in mind traveling to Switzerland, I’ll tell you about all those practical tips that will come in handy when organizing your vacation there. After two trips to the country of Heidi, I’ve compiled a lot of practical info to keep in mind so you don’t make mistakes or pay too much. And be careful because with how expensive it is to travel to Switzerland, knowing a few things to save some money will come in very handy.
So here is a good list of tips so that traveling to Switzerland is easier: transport, money, weather, accommodation… In any case, if after reading it you still have doubts, leave me your question in the comments and I will be happy to help. And if you need even more help, stop by my from which I can organize your trip to Switzerland on your own.
Luckily, traveling to Switzerland by plane is very simple as it has several airports and three of them have direct connections from Spain: Geneva, Basel, and Zurich.
Which one to fly to will depend on several factors such as your city of origin, the ticket price, or the route you want to take later. The good thing is that Switzerland is a small country with a good network of both roads and public transport, so going from one area of the country to another will always be easy for you.
With luck, the cheapest part of your trip to Switzerland will be getting there because with flexibility and enough advance notice you can find quite cheap flight offers. The first time I was there, I flew to Basel because I combined the stay in Switzerland with a few days in Alsace and the Black Forest.
Another way of traveling to Switzerland cheaply is by arriving from Italy by buying a flight to Milan with one of the low-cost airlines. From there, you can reach your final destination by train or by car. In barely an hour you will already be in Swiss lands. That’s how I did it my last time when I was there for three weeks using Sion, in the canton of Valais as a base of operations.
Requirements to enter Switzerland
If you are traveling from Spain or are a European Union citizen, you do not need to meet any special requirements to travel to Switzerland. You can enter the country with your ID card or a valid passport and stay for up to 90 days without any problem
However, if you are not a European Union citizen and you are going to travel to Switzerland, you need to apply for aSchengen visa as long as your stay is for a maximum of 90 days. Nevertheless, I recommend checking the updated information here.
Do I need insurance to travel to Switzerland?
No, it is not mandatory and you can enter the country without it, but it is 100% recommended. Why? Because in Switzerland, healthcare is completely private and very, very expensive (like everything in this country). Although the European Health Insurance Card is valid in this country, you should know that you will have to take care of a significant part of the bill in case of needing medical assistance and that you will not recover this expense. This is warned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
“Generally, a fixed amount or a percentage of the expenses derived from healthcare must be assumed, on equal terms with the insured persons of the State to which you are traveling. These amounts are non-refundable.”
Furthermore, regardless of any incident that requires medical attention, you should think about other types of situations that require a good travel insurance policy: lost luggage, theft, cancellations, delays…
Traveling to Switzerland is very expensive, so I don’t think you would like to lose money from bookings already made. For all these reasons, I encourage you to always take out travel insurance that gives you peace of mind and coverage against those unforeseen events that can ruin your vacation.
Make sure to add the cancellation option which appears as an extra if you want to get your money back in case you have to cancel the trip to Switzerland due to some unforeseen event covered by the policy.
One of the things I like most about this insurance is that in its app you have both a 24-hour medical chat to consult with a professional as well as the option for a video call. I have used it on more than one occasion, especially when traveling with children, saving me unnecessary hospital visits and giving me great peace of mind.
When to travel to Switzerland
The first time I visited Switzerland was in mid-September and the second in the middle of August. I really want to return in winter to explore the country with snow.
Based on these two experiences, I think that mid-September is a good time to travel to Switzerland because it’s not excessively cold yet, mountain trains that later close, such as the Schynige Platte, are still open, and accommodation prices are somewhat cheaper than in the height of summer.
Although I haven’t gone in spring, I think it would also be a good time to travel to Switzerland, such as late May early June, for the same reasons as mid-September: good weather, better prices, and less tourism. In addition to pastures full of flowers, the thaw will mean you see the waterfalls at their peak, and if you plan to go to places like Lauterbrunnen, the valley of 72 waterfalls, this will be an advantage.
Even so, during my stay in August I never felt overwhelmed by finding too many people if that’s a concern for you. It doesn’t seem like a crowded country to me in that sense
However, choosing when to travel to Switzerland largely depends on the activities you wish to do. If you are looking for skiing and snow sports, obviously winter is your time. Anyway, I think that Switzerland is a good destination at any time of the year. However, before buying your tickets, make sure that all those essential places you want to visit are open and accessible at that time, as many cable cars and mountain trains are closed during the colder months.
How many days do I need to travel to Switzerland?
There is no single correct answer because it depends on many factors. Switzerland is a place where you could travel non-stop for two months, but it is also ideal for short getaways. Why not spend a weekend discovering Basel or a long weekend exploring the places to see in Zurich?
But if I had to give you a minimum number of days, I would say at least one week. With seven days you can already visit some of the essential sites in Switzerland, although with that duration I wouldn’t try to do a long tour; instead, I would focus on one or two areas at most.
If you want a recommendation, for a first one-week trip to Switzerland, I would choose to base myself in Interlaken which offers lakes, mountains, the three giants of the Bernese Alps, medieval villages like Thun or Spiez, and incredible spots like Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald, the summit of the Jungfrau, gorges, and dizzying viewpoints. Additionally, you can combine it with cities like Bernand Lucerne, having a very complete and beautiful route.
How to get around in Switzerland?
As I said before, this country boasts very good roads and a very good public transport system, with the train leading the way. So, it goes without saying that there is no single right answer because whatever you choose, you will be able to reach the most essential places.
If my experience is helpful, in my two trips to Switzerland I have combined car and train, since both times I used the Swiss Travel Pass. This transport pass offers access to trains and other means of transport, including boats, as well as free entry to 500 museums and very good discounts on cable cars and mountain trains. In this article, I’ll tell you in detail how the Swiss Travel Pass works, how much it costs, and if it’s worth it.
Trains in Switzerland work like a dream, there are incredible panoramic routes, and it’s ideal for getting around without stress while enjoying the scenery. If you travel with children, you save on their ticket and, in some trains, there are carriages with a children’s play area.
However you move, here are a few tips regarding transport in Switzerland that will come in very handy.
Another essential if you are going to travel to Switzerland by car is to get a parking disc to be able to park on the street. It is a blue cardboard with a clock where you have to set the time you leave the vehicle and which you must leave visible on the front windshield. You can purchase it at supermarkets, gas stations, or places of interest. With luck, you can even get it for free at some monuments or museums. In my case, it was given to me at the souvenir shop of the Chillon Castle.
In the streets of Switzerland, you will find three different parking zones that you will distinguish by color. The only ones where you can park for free in Switzerland are the blue zones but at specific times, for a limited time, and always with the parking disc. From Monday to Saturday, between 8:00 and 18:00, parking is allowed for free but only for one hour. However, in reality, it will be an hour and a half because the parking disc marks 30-minute intervals, so if you arrive at five past, you are allowed to set the disc to half past and gain that extra time. On Sundays and public holidays, you can park for free in the blue zone from 19:00 to 7:00.
The white zones are always paid but look closely at the conditions and rates because they vary from one place to another. Normally you will find the details on the parking meter. And be careful as in the yellow ones, parking is not allowed. In many cases, it will be better to leave your car in guarded paid parking lots that offer better rates and where you don’t have to worry about returning before the hour and a half is up.
Fill up the tank whenever you see a good price
There are large price differences in diesel and gasoline in Switzerland, especially when changing cantons. Cantons in Switzerland would be something similar, very loosely speaking, to the autonomous communities in Spain.
That’s why every time you find a gas station at a good price, I recommend you fill up the tank because the next one might be quite a bit more expensive.
Watch your speed
If you decide to travel to Switzerland by car, I recommend you comply with traffic regulations, especially speed limits because there are usually controls and radars on many roads. I’m telling you from experience…
The essential transport app
If you are going to use theSwiss Travel Pass, or at least take trains, I recommend the SBB Mobile app, the federal railway company’s app where you can check real-time schedules not only for trains but for other means of transport. It will be of great help when moving around the country and knowing how to get from one place to another, which combination suits you best, and even buying tickets if you don’t have the Swiss Travel Pass.
When traveling to Switzerland, forget about the Euro
Although Switzerland is in Europe, it does not belong to the European Union and therefore they do not use the Euro. The official currency is the Swiss Franc (CHF). Check the exchange rate at the time of traveling to Switzerland, but to give you an idea, one Swiss franc is equivalent to approximately 1.07 euros.
At this point, you already know that prices in Switzerland are very high, so it’s a good idea to try to save as much as possible; currency exchange is another aspect in which to do so.
Card or cash?
The use of credit cards in Switzerland is extremely widespread and you won’t have any problem paying by card practically anywhere. There were only a couple of occasions where I absolutely needed coins, and that was at street parking meters which curiously did not accept cards.
For that reason, I do recommend carrying cash and try to have some loose change to avoid any other awkward situations.
As for the card, I used Revolut which is a multi-currency debit card that allows you to transfer money and change it from the app, avoiding high commissions.
Beware of roaming, it can be a nightmare
you won’t have free roaming
Vodafone, the only Spanish operator that does offer free roaming in Switzerland to its customers.
The only downside I’ve found to this country so far is the prices. Yes, traveling to Switzerland is expensive; that’s an obvious fact I won’t deny. However, it is possible to lower the budget by following some of these suggestions:
– Stay using home swapping. During my second three-week stay in Switzerland in August 2023, I didn’t spend anything extra on accommodation. I found a dream house with a garden in Sion that served as my base of operations for 20 nights, during which I alternated four nights in Zermatt in an apartment and another three in a semi-detached house in Zurich.
Do you know how home swapping works?
If you have never heard of cooperative accommodation that allows you to travel all over the world by staying in private homes while you leave yours, I invite you to read this article where I explain in detail how home swapping works.
I always use the platform HomeExchange where for just an annual subscription of €160 (which in many cases would cost you one night in a hotel) you can make all the reciprocal exchanges you want or as many as your guestpoints allow.
– If you prefer a hotel or apartment in Switzerland, the advice is to book as far in advance as possible to find more moderate prices. However, any room, no matter how simple, will certainly exceed a hundred and some euros.
–Expand the search range regarding the location of the accommodation. Moving away from the main city or the most touristy spot can help you find somewhat cheaper accommodations. Transport in Switzerland works very well and there is sure to be a train or bus that connects quickly. During my stay in Interlaken, I saved a lot by staying a few kilometers on the outskirts and enjoyed it just as much.
–Do the math and if it pays off, buy the Swiss Travel Pass. Although it may seem expensive at first, depending on the route and the plans you have, you can save quite a bit of money. Keep in mind that in addition to riding trains, buses, and trams, you can go on boats, which means paying nothing more for excursions on Lake Brienz or Lake Lucerne, free entry to many museums and places of interest, conquering Pilatus and Rigi, the peaks of Lucerne, and also having significant discounts on activities as expensive as going up the Jungfrau.
– Much of Switzerland’s attractions are on the peaks, and reaching them, unless it’s on foot (hiking is one of the best free activities to do), will eat up a large part of your budget. You have to choose because all of them are too expensive. Plan well which mountains you want to go up because, in addition to the Swiss Travel Pass discounts, many areas have their own passes like the Peak Pass in Zermatt or the Jungfrau Travel Pass, a seasonal pass that in 2024 will run from March 29 to November 3. In that same area, there is also the Berner Oberland Pass
–Bring a reusable water bottle. Water is one of the few free things in Switzerland and it is also very good, so to save on drinks take a reusable bottle and use the public fountains. And yes, in restaurants you can also ask for tap water to make the bill lighter.
-Become a fan of picnics. Eating at a restaurant is undoubtedly one of the most expensive things in Switzerland, so even if you treat yourself occasionally, be prepared to carry food in your backpack. This country is full of areas equipped with tables for outdoor dining and in many places you will even find barbecues already supplied with wood so you can grill something.
–Go to the supermarket at the last minute because it is common for them to offer discounts on fresh items or those with a near expiration date at that time. Compare a lot and check all prices carefully because there are very large differences from one brand to another. Lidl and Aldi seemed the most economical to me.
-If you are near the border, do your shopping in the neighboring country. It may seem crazy but it can pay off. Before leaving Italy we did it and it effectively saves money.
-If you are going by car from Spain, load the trunk with non-perishable food. On my last trip, I flew direct with my three children to Milan, while my partner drove our car from Spain full of provisions. Anyway, don’t go crazy either because prices in Spain currently (January 2024) are not an abyss away from those in Switzerland.
Don't forget the plug adapter
If you don’t want to have problems charging your batteries, you should know that although our plugs usually work, it was quite common to find places where the pins would not fit because they were too thick. For that reason, to avoid problems I recommend taking a type J adapter with thinner pins, which is the most common there.
Pack your suitcase wisely
It is essential to pack warm clothes, a raincoat, a windbreaker, and suitable footwear. Although it has very beautiful cities like Zurich, Bern, or Lucerne, traveling to Switzerland is synonymous with nature, so go prepared to enjoy it. You are going to climb many mountains and it would be a crime not to do so because you didn’t bring a good coat, only have sandals, or left your raincoat behind. Even if you are going to travel to Switzerland in summer, don’t forget to bring different layers and everything I just mentioned.
Remember to include in your suitcase a good dose of flexibility to adapt your itinerary dreamed of to the inclemencies of the weather. Wind, rain, snow, or a storm can ruin your plans, go mentally prepared. Check the weather forecast in advance and take a look at the webcams that many peaks have. It may not be worth spending a fortune on a cable car if when you get to the top you are not going to see absolutely anything.
Don't lose track of time
Another tip for traveling to Switzerland that I wish someone had given me before going is check the closing times of the places, especially those for cable cars and mountain trains. During my trip to Switzerland in August, I was surprised that many of these cable cars made their last return trip around 4:00 PM.
It might not seem important to you, but if you don’t look closely before going up, you might get distracted and have to hike down, which depending on where you are could be quite long. Avoid risks, you are in the mountains, don’t take it lightly. Calculate your times well if you are going to go on a hiking route to ensure you are back with plenty of time before the last cable car departs.
In Switzerland, they hold punctuality in high regard and schedules are strictly followed.
Respect their way of life
Like every country, in Switzerland there are also certain social ‘norms’ that will be useful for you to know to respect their way of doing things and avoid a stray look or even an uncomfortable comment. One of them is that they like silence and in Spain, this suits us a bit less. Try not to speak too loudly or make a lot of noise. If you are going with children, it will be a bit harder to achieve (personal experience once again).
You should know that in some places they even have quiet hours during which no noise should be made. Usually, it is at night and in certain places also at midday between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM. Be aware that Sundays are a national day of rest, practically everything closes and even in some places it is forbidden to do tasks that involve a lot of noise such as DIY, using the washing machine, or mowing the lawn. That day, a large part of the Swiss population takes the opportunity to go out into nature.
Politeness in Switzerland involves saying hello when you cross paths with someone. This country has four official languages, German, French, Italian, and Romansh, so depending on the canton you are in, that greeting will vary.
Taking out the trash is not that easy
In this country, fortunately, waste management is taken very seriously. Don’t even think about throwing something on the ground (obviously, you shouldn’t do it in your own country either) because it can result in a fine.
If you stay in an apartment, you should know that recycling is a religion and you should ask how, where, and into which container each type of garbage is thrown because I assure you it is not that simple. In addition, each area has different official garbage bags—be careful with this—which are bought in supermarkets or post offices. Their price is also quite high because it is the way to pay the tax involved in proper waste management. This way, generating less waste is incentivized; the more you throw away, the more you pay because you need more bags. And wait, there may also be specific days and times to take out and dispose of each type of garbage. In short, inform yourself well.
*This article includes affiliate links. If you book something through them, it will cost you the same price, but you will help me maintain this blog with the small commission you generate.
Switzerland with Kids: 2026 Guide with Family Plans and Tips After having been to Switzerland three times as…
Gestionar consentimiento
Para ofrecer las mejores experiencias, utilizamos tecnologías como las cookies para almacenar y/o acceder a la información del dispositivo. El consentimiento de estas tecnologías nos permitirá procesar datos como el comportamiento de navegación o las identificaciones únicas en este sitio. No consentir o retirar el consentimiento, puede afectar negativamente a ciertas características y funciones.
Funcional
Always active
El almacenamiento o acceso técnico es estrictamente necesario para el propósito legítimo de permitir el uso de un servicio específico explícitamente solicitado por el abonado o usuario, o con el único propósito de llevar a cabo la transmisión de una comunicación a través de una red de comunicaciones electrónicas.
Preferencias
El almacenamiento o acceso técnico es necesario para la finalidad legítima de almacenar preferencias no solicitadas por el abonado o usuario.
Estadísticas
El almacenamiento o acceso técnico que es utilizado exclusivamente con fines estadísticos.El almacenamiento o acceso técnico que se utiliza exclusivamente con fines estadísticos anónimos. Sin un requerimiento, el cumplimiento voluntario por parte de tu proveedor de servicios de Internet, o los registros adicionales de un tercero, la información almacenada o recuperada sólo para este propósito no se puede utilizar para identificarte.
Marketing
El almacenamiento o acceso técnico es necesario para crear perfiles de usuario para enviar publicidad, o para rastrear al usuario en una web o en varias web con fines de marketing similares.
