travel advice for switzerland

14 things to know before going to Switzerland

May 5, 2024 • 7 min read

Use our local tips to ensure your Swiss vacation is unforgettable © emperorcosar / Shutterstock

Little did I know when I moved to Switzerland a decade ago that I’d still be here now. But with its supermodel looks, fine weather, easy-peasy public transport, multilingual mindset and penchant for cheese and wine, this is a country where it’s easy to get comfortable – even if things are a bit on the pricey side.

Get a taste of Swiss life for yourself with these top tips everyone should keep in mind before visiting Switzerland.

1. Prioritise what you want to see

It’s possible to drive the breadth of Switzerland in just a few hours, but this small country packs in a lot, from culture-rich cities and little mountain villages to epic alpine landscapes and vast lakes. Thanks to the smooth transport network, it’s all very accessible, allowing you to explore a city center in the morning, ride across a lake at lunchtime and be up a mountain come the afternoon. So whether you’re coming for a weekend-long city break, or taking your time to explore by train, car or bicycle, Switzerland suits the lot.

2. Pack for all weathers

Generally speaking, Switzerland is seasonally predictable, with hot summers and cold winters, but there are always exceptions to keep you on your toes. Violent storms on summer days can catch you off guard, while temperatures can plunge in the mountains at night even after a very hot day – snow isn’t uncommon at altitude in August. Prepare for all eventualities, and always pack a little more clothing than you think you’ll need if you’re exploring alpine areas. The federal weather service is a go-to for accurate local forecasts.

3. Download the SBB app and look for Supersaver tickets

The easiest way to buy train tickets is on the app provided by SBB/CFF/FFS , Switzerland’s rail service. Input your credit card details the first time you use it and then it’s just a couple of taps to buy any ticket. If you purchase on the day of travel, journeys are the same price throughout the day (i.e. no early bird or off-peak deals), but if you can plan in advance, search for Supersaver tickets that can shave a fair few francs off the price. Multi-day transport passes and day passes can also save you money.

4. Book hotels and mountain cabins well in advance

Switzerland’s a popular place, so accommodation gets booked up in advance. Always plan ahead, especially if you’re on a budget. That doesn’t just apply to cities and famous resort towns – even a dorm bed in a rustic cabin high in the mountains can be highly sought after in peak season. Don’t forget to pack a sheet sleeping bag, which is obligatory in most high-mountain cabins.

5. Be prepared to splash the cash

Everyone knows Switzerland is pricey. There are ways to travel frugally here, but it’s prudent to accept that certain things are unavoidably expensive. Even though it might hurt to shell out for food, accommodation and travel, it'll be worth it when you’re standing on top of a mountain taking photographs so achingly beautiful your friends will later say you’ve photoshopped it – trust me.

6. Don’t assume everyone is multilingual

When it comes to communication, Switzerland isn’t straightforward. Though the country has a distinct national identity, its four official languages – French, Swiss German, Italian and Romansh – divide the country into discrete linguistic areas. Though there’s some crossover in towns such as Biel/Bienne and Fribourg that straddle the language border, in rural areas the so-called röstigraben can be so stark that you might encounter a francophone village on one side of the border and a Swiss-German-speaking one five kilometers down the road. And while many Swiss are multilingual, don’t assume that everyone speaks each other’s language – many people are more likely to speak English than another Swiss national language.

7. Sprechen Sie Deutsch? Swiss German is not the same

German speakers may come to Switzerland thinking they’ll have no problems understanding the Swiss, but that may not be so. German – or Hochdeutsch , high German – is quite different to Swiss German, or Schweizerdeutsch , so even native German speakers might be left scratching their heads at times. Not only that, but Swiss German isn’t a single language – it encompasses various different dialects across the region. However, don’t despair if you greet someone with Grüezi (hello) only to get Grüessech in response – people will appreciate the effort, even if you get it wrong.

8. Remember what country you’re in

When discussing Switzerland’s language regions with a local, never refer to, for example, the "French" area – always say French-speaking or francophone. This is a proudly independent, neutral country and any suggestion that it is part of another nation does not go down well!

9. Call places by their local names

Likewise, you’ll make friends more quickly if you call things by their proper names, not their anglicized ones. Say Lake Geneva to a Lausanne resident and you’ll get a stern look and a pointed reply about Lac Léman. Likewise, Lake Lucerne is actually Vierwaldstättersee, and Lake Constance is Bodensee.

10. Tip if you want to, but it’s not obligatory

There isn’t a big tipping culture in Switzerland. Leaving 10% on top of the meal bill, if you’ve enjoyed a meal, will be very much appreciated but it’s not obligatory – and certainly not if you’ve only had drinks at a bar. Prices are high enough and salaries in the service industry are decent.

11. Drink wine with a fondue

Switzerland’s cheesiest dish comes with numerous etiquette rules – don’t double-dip, don’t drop your bread in the pot, never leave the crusty bit at the bottom ( la religieuese ) uneaten – but the most important rule must be: only drink wine with it (preferably a dry Swiss white like Chasselas, the country’s most widespread homegrown grape). It supposedly helps with digestion (see also: schnapps). Apparently drinking water would cause the cheese to solidify in your stomach. Or perhaps (evidently, if you ask me) it’s simply that the Swiss love drinking wine and use any excuse to do so.

12. Don’t buy bottled water – tap water is just as good

One of the greatest rip-offs in Switzerland must be bottled water. It’s expensive and buying it is wholly unnecessary since the tap water is just as tasty and abundantly available. Carry a reusable bottle and fill up wherever you can – including from the many fountains you’ll see in cities, towns and mountain villages all over the country. Unless otherwise stated, it’s drinkable and delicious. Despite this, don’t be surprised if restaurants grumble when you order tap water – apart from in the canton of Ticino , they aren’t legally obliged to provide it for free and some will either charge you, or refuse to serve it, if you don’t also order another drink.

13. Keep an eye on your bags when traveling from the airport

Switzerland is generally a safe, honest country, but it’s worth keeping an eye on your suitcases when you’re traveling on the train from the airport, as thieves sometimes see newly arrived tourists as prime targets. Sit near the luggage rack or put your bags on the shelf above your head.

14. Stay safe in the mountains – and watch out for cows

Part of the thrill of touring Switzerland is spending time in the mountains, but don’t underestimate the unpredictability of nature. Make sure you’re well equipped with good boots and suitable clothing in case the weather turns. Check the forecast and trail conditions before you set out, and abide by any local rules such as avoiding areas where there might be rockfalls or other hazards.

Ideally, tell someone where you’re going and when you’re likely to be back. Consult trail maps on Wanderland.ch and save 1414 – the emergency number for Rega , Switzerland’s air rescue service – in your phone just in case.

Oh, and if you see cows with calves in the fields, give them a wide berth – though rare, there have been instances of hikers being trampled by irate mother cows.

Here is more expert advice to help you plan your trip to Switzerland:

Save this guide to the best things to do in Switzerland. Plan a road trip (or seven) with this guide. Check when is the best time to go depending on your interests and budget. Give your wallet a break with these free things to do in Switzerland . And find out why you should take the train (plus other transport tips ) for Switzerland.

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Switzerland

Entry requirements.

This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of the current rules for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Switzerland set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the  Swiss Embassy in the UK .

COVID-19 rules

There are no COVID-19 testing or vaccination requirements for travellers entering Switzerland.

Passport validity requirements

Switzerland follows Schengen area rules . Your passport must:

• have a ‘date of issue’ less than 10 years before the date you arrive – if you renewed your passport before 1 October 2018, it may have a date of issue that is more than 10 years ago
• have an ‘expiry date’ at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Visa requirements

You can travel without a visa to the Schengen area , which includes Switzerland, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This applies if you travel:

• as a tourist
• to visit family or friends
• to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events
• for short-term studies or training

At passport control, use the ‘All passports’ lane.

The requirements for working in Switzerland are different.

If you’re travelling to other Schengen countries as well, make sure your whole visit is within the 90-day limit. Visits to Schengen countries in the 180 days before you travel count towards your 90 days. If you overstay the 90-day visa-free limit, you may be banned from entering Schengen countries for up to 3 years.

Make sure you get your passport stamped on entry and exit. 

If you’re a visitor, border guards will look at your entry and exit stamps to check you have not overstayed the 90-day visa-free limit for the Schengen area.

If your passport is missing a stamp, show evidence of when and where you entered or left the Schengen area (for example, boarding passes or tickets) and ask the border guards to add the date and location in your passport.

At Swiss border control, you may also need to:

• show proof of your accommodation, for example, a hotel booking or proof of address if visiting your own property
• show proof of insurance for your trip
• show a return or onward ticket
• prove that you have enough money for your stay – around 100 Swiss francs a day

Staying longer than 90 days in a 180-day period

To stay longer, you must meet the Swiss government’s entry requirements. Check which type of visa or work permit you need with the Swiss Embassy in the UK .

If you are in Switzerland with a residence permit or long-stay visa, this does not count towards your 90-day visa-free limit.

See passport stamping if you live in Switzerland .

New Schengen entry requirements

Plans for the introduction of the new EU Entry/Exit System (EES) for all non-EU nationals, including British nationals, travelling in or out of the Schengen area has been delayed. Information will be updated when available.

Read more information on the EU Entry/Exit System .

Vaccine requirements

At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the vaccinations and certificates you need in  TravelHealthPro’s Switzerland guide .  

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods that you can take into and out of Switzerland . You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

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