Switzerland travel guide

Switzerland Tourism | Switzerland Guide

You're Going to Love Switzerland

A mixture of languages, cultures, and traditions, Switzerland is the perfect place to visit for travelers that enjoy adventure. Whether you are going for a hot air balloon ride, hiking through the mountains, or skiing, you are sure to enjoy your trip in this country.

What to do in Switzerland

1. Discover Switzerland's Rich History

To learn more about this one-of-a-kind country during your vacation, head to Chillon Castle, a structure that is located directly on Lake Geneva and contains a cultural center filled with artifacts from Switzerland's past.

2. Enjoy Breathtaking Views

If you would like to see Switzerland from a new perspective, go to Palatus, a mountain that offers stunning views of Lucerne and has both a cable car and traditional rail system.

3. Modern Art Meets Historical Architecture

For those that enjoy art, you will not want to miss the Chapel Bridge, a historical piece of architecture that is lined with contemporary art installations.

4. Go Hiking in the Alps

Best known for its challenging hiking trails, Eiger is a mountain that can be found in the Bernese Alps and provides stunning snowy views of the nearby region.

5. Hit the Slopes

Skiing in Switzerland is a must, so make sure you go to the Aletsch Glacier, where you will find a resort that offers a selection of winter sports.

1. Discover Switzerland's Rich History

To learn more about this one-of-a-kind country during your vacation, head to Chillon Castle, a structure that is located directly on Lake Geneva and contains a cultural center filled with artifacts from Switzerland's past.

2. Enjoy Breathtaking Views

If you would like to see Switzerland from a new perspective, go to Palatus, a mountain that offers stunning views of Lucerne and has both a cable car and traditional rail system.

3. Modern Art Meets Historical Architecture

For those that enjoy art, you will not want to miss the Chapel Bridge, a historical piece of architecture that is lined with contemporary art installations.

4. Go Hiking in the Alps

Best known for its challenging hiking trails, Eiger is a mountain that can be found in the Bernese Alps and provides stunning snowy views of the nearby region.

5. Hit the Slopes

Skiing in Switzerland is a must, so make sure you go to the Aletsch Glacier, where you will find a resort that offers a selection of winter sports.

When to visit Switzerland

Switzerland in May
Estimated hotel price
$204
1 night at 3-star hotel
Switzerland in May
Estimated hotel price
$204
1 night at 3-star hotel

Unless you would like to participate in winter sports, the best time of the year to visit Switzerland is during the months of April, June, September, and October, as this is when the weather is mildest.

How to Get to Switzerland

Entry Requirements

For those that are citizens of a country that is in the Schengen Zone, you can go to Switzerland without a visa and stay for as long as you'd like. If you are not from one of these countries, you will need a valid passport to visit Switzerland and can stay for a maximum of 90 consecutive days.

Plane

The easiest way to travel to Switzerland is by plane, as there are many cities that contain large airports, such as Geneva, Zurich, and Basel.

Train

For those that are interested in using the rail system, it is possible to travel directly to Switzerland from all parts of Europe, including countries like France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Austria.

Car

Many popular attractions in Switzerland can easily be reached by car, but keep in mind that you must purchase a vignette for your vehicle if you plan to use it on a highway.

Bus

Buses are an affordable mode of transportation for traveling to Switzerland, and both Eurolines and Flixbus offer competitive prices for trips departing from numerous countries in Europe.

Entry Requirements

For those that are citizens of a country that is in the Schengen Zone, you can go to Switzerland without a visa and stay for as long as you'd like. If you are not from one of these countries, you will need a valid passport to visit Switzerland and can stay for a maximum of 90 consecutive days.

Plane

The easiest way to travel to Switzerland is by plane, as there are many cities that contain large airports, such as Geneva, Zurich, and Basel.

Train

For those that are interested in using the rail system, it is possible to travel directly to Switzerland from all parts of Europe, including countries like France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Austria.

Car

Many popular attractions in Switzerland can easily be reached by car, but keep in mind that you must purchase a vignette for your vehicle if you plan to use it on a highway.

Bus

Buses are an affordable mode of transportation for traveling to Switzerland, and both Eurolines and Flixbus offer competitive prices for trips departing from numerous countries in Europe.

Popular airlines serving Switzerland

Lufthansa
Good (7,165 reviews)
KLM
Good (1,350 reviews)
British Airways
Good (6,838 reviews)
Delta
Excellent (8,829 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,646 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (3,880 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,537 reviews)
Iberia
Good (2,667 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,885 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (818 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (9,226 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,533 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (8,127 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,315 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (380 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (1,334 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,238 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (877 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,193 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,303 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in Switzerland

While standard hotels can be found everywhere in Switzerland, many travelers opt to stay in a ski lodge or resort if they will be partaking in winter sports. Young people are able to save money while traveling by booking a bed in a student hostel, a type of lodging that can be found in most major cities.

Where to stay in popular areas of Switzerland

Most booked hotels in Switzerland

Sunstar Hotel Grindelwald
4 stars
Excellent (8.7, Excellent reviews)
$457+
Ameron Luzern Hotel Flora
4 stars
Excellent (8.4, Excellent reviews)
$312+
Holiday Inn Express Zürich Airport
3 stars
Excellent (8.3, Excellent reviews)
$203+
Radisson Blu Hotel, Zurich Airport
4 stars
Excellent (8.2, Excellent reviews)
$370+
Meininger Hotel Zürich Greencity
3 stars
Excellent (8.1, Excellent reviews)
$87+
Geneva Hostel
2 stars
Good (7.9, Good reviews)
$82+

How to Get Around Switzerland

Public Transportation

Major cities in Switzerland, such as Geneva and Zurich, have extensive public transportation systems that incorporate local bus, tram, and metro systems. It is possible to purchase either a daily or weekly pass, which will often allow you to also rent a bike at no additional cost. For example, in Geneva, a 24h public transport ticket will cost you approximately 10 CHF (10 USD).

Car

While Switzerland is known for having high quality roads and being very accessible by car, keep in mind that during the winter, driving conditions can be more dangerous than usual due to snow.

Plane

Many domestic flights are offered every day in Switzerland, and some of the most popular companies to book trips with are SWISS and Darwin Airlines.

Public Transportation

Major cities in Switzerland, such as Geneva and Zurich, have extensive public transportation systems that incorporate local bus, tram, and metro systems. It is possible to purchase either a daily or weekly pass, which will often allow you to also rent a bike at no additional cost. For example, in Geneva, a 24h public transport ticket will cost you approximately 10 CHF (10 USD).

Car

While Switzerland is known for having high quality roads and being very accessible by car, keep in mind that during the winter, driving conditions can be more dangerous than usual due to snow.

Plane

Many domestic flights are offered every day in Switzerland, and some of the most popular companies to book trips with are SWISS and Darwin Airlines.

The Cost of Living in Switzerland

When dining in a restaurant, you can expect the cost of a meal and a drink to cost you approximately 25-30 CHF (25-30 USD). Although most restaurants accept debit and credit cards, keep in mind that smaller boutiques may not. If necessary, you can exchange your money at the airport, but there are also plenty of ATMs around the city centers.