Plan the perfect trip to Switzerland | Switzerland Holiday Guide

Have you ever heard about a country where it has more than one national language? Well, there are many in the world today, however, none like the one we bring you this time. Time to meet Switzerland, officially the Swiss Confederation, it is a fantastic country located at the confluence of Western, Central, and Southern Europe, and has a population of 8.5 million inhabitants.

The Swiss country is one of the most incredible destinations due to the wonders it has to offer, from the high snow-capped peaks, the beautiful blue lakes, and the glaciers, to many other places that make this country surrounded by mountains and valleys a world-class tourist destination. Besides, do not forget the delicious Swiss chocolate, which delights the palate. Keep reading and learn more about all the things you can do that will make your vacation an unforgettable adventure!

How to get there

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Switzerland has eight airports in total, and here we are going to show you our top 3 of the best airports in this country.

First on the list, we have the Zurich Airport. It is the largest international airport in the country, serves the largest city (Zurich), and connects it with the rest of the country. It is a clean and organized airport with different stores and restaurants inside, although they are a bit expensive.

The second is the Geneva Airport. In December 2014, it handled 15 million passengers. It is the second most popular and busiest airport in Switzerland. If you travel there, you can easily take a bus or train free that will take you to the city center.

Finally, we want to mention the EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg. This airport is technically located in France; however, it serves three countries, France, Germany, and Switzerland, because it is near the border tripoint between these countries. It is very close to Basel (Switzerland), you can get there by bus.

These three airports know how it is to handle millions of passengers, so we know that they will exceed your expectations.

Visa Information

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Switzerland is part of the Schengen area, and that means that visitors from some countries can enter this country without a visa, for a limited time (90 days) and with tourist purposes. You need to have a valid passport and a return ticket. If you are part of those citizens that require a visa, maybe because of your nationality, because you need to stay for more than 90 days or you want to go there to study or work, we suggest that you apply for a Schengen Visa. This tip is also for those who would like to travel to different countries that are part of the Schengen area.

Best time to visit the country

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Each of the four seasons in Switzerland offers different attractions. Let’s start with spring. During this season (March to May), you can expect temperatures from 8°C to 15°C. This time is perfect to go hiking in places such as the Lake Lucerne and Lake Thun.

Now, talking about the summer season (June to August), you can expect warm weather, which is ideal for activities such as hiking, biking, and enjoying the beautiful views from the peaks. The most attractive and highest peaks are those in the Bernese Oberland.

Fall is during September, October, and November. The temperatures expected are very similar to spring, excellent for high altitude hiking. Finally, during winter (December to February), expect very cold weather, so go prepared! Winter sports (skiing, snowboarding) are on top.

The preferred months by tourists are from January to March, but definitely, there is always something to do in Switzerland.

Safety

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Switzerland is well known for being one of the safest countries in Europe (and the world!). However, there are always essential tips to keep in mind when you are traveling. Let’s list some of these tips.

Always keep your belongings with you: that means your wallet in your front pocket and your bag straps over your neck so you can hold it firmly close to you.

Stay on marked paths: through the country, especially in rural and mountainous areas, are marked paths. Follow the when hiking.

Obey traffic rules: there are security cameras in most of the streets, make sure you follow the rules so that you do not get a fine.

Budget

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Most people and travelers say that Switzerland is one of the most expensive countries in the world. It is partially true. The Swiss have high incomes and low taxes, but there are many things more expensive than in any other country. For your trip as a tourist, you can expect to spend around CHF196 ($215) per day, which includes standard accommodation, food, transportation, and entertainment. A trip for one week for one person is around CHF1,371 ($1,504.5) and for two weeks CHF2,743 ($3,009).

Let’s see how much you can afford with CHF196 ($215) per day:

• Hotel or Hostel: CHF127 ($137.06)
• Food: CHF40 ($43.17)
• Local transportation (taxis, buses, subway): CHF17 ($18.35)
• Entertainment (shows, movie tickets): CHF44 ($47.48)

Let’s break down some more specific food and drinks prices:

• Meal at an inexpensive restaurant: CHF10 ($10.8) – Barbecue (street food).
• Mid-range restaurant: CHF50 ($53.96) – Three-course meal.
• Soft Drink: CHF4.09 ($4.41) – 0.33-liter bottle.
• Beer: CHF7 ($7.55) – 0.5-liter draught.

Currency

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The official currency in Switzerland is the Swiss Franc. One Swiss Franc is equivalent to 1.08 USD. You should know that USD is not accepted in the country, and if you take some Euros there, they will accept them at a very bad exchange. Besides, probably if you pay with euros, your change will be in Swiss francs. If you want to get cash, the best way is by using an ATM, or if you have USD, exchange them at any Swiss bank. However, you will need very little cash during your trip. The most common payment method is the credit card, being MasterCard, Visa, and American Express widely accepted.

Interesting facts about the culture

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This country has a diverse culture with unique cultural features. Let’s learn some interesting facts about it. It is a multilingual country: Yes, the national languages in the country are German, French, Italian, and Romansh.

They eat more chocolate than any other country: They also produced the most and best chocolate in the world. They are the gourmet paradise: The most popular dishes are the cheese fondue (melted cheese with bread), Älplermagronen (a mix of potatoes, cheese, cream, and onions), and Birchermüesli (a mix of lemon juice, condensed milk, grated apples, and almonds).
One of the best places to live: It has a modern market economy, low crime rates, and unemployment, besides beautiful landscapes.

Popular for winter sports: The most popular are Snowboarding, skiing, and mountaineering. Those are some interesting facts that are good to know before going to Switzerland. We are sure you are going to enjoy learning more about the culture during your trip!

What to do in Switzerland

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Switzerland can be a very fun place you can do many fun outdoor activities to practice extreme sports with due safety. You can ski some snowy mountains or snowboard them, you can also go hiking the Alps, climbing, paragliding, cycling, and much more.

The best outdoor activities

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• Discover great activities in the Matterhorn (in the Alps), in Valais: Perhaps the most famous mountain in the Alps for its pyramidal shape. In this mountain, you can practice mountaineering, or go down skiing. In summer you can do hiking and at the foot of the Matterhorn, find the town of Zermatt that is an important tourist center.
• Climb to the “Top of Europe”, in Berna (Jungfraujoch): Go and take a train to this place, with an observation deck and a scientific observatory perched at an altitude of 3,454 meters.
• Visit the Interlaken: Enjoy one of the most popular resorts in Switzerland. Flower gardens, hotels, and cafes are waiting for you, in addition to the beautiful views that you will have. Hiking, climbing, rappelling, and kayaking are the main outdoor activities.

As you well know, one of the characteristics that make Switzerland stand out is its incredible mountains, and we cannot let you leave this country without seeing some of them.

The best mountains

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• Cervino or Matterhorn, in the Alps: the fifth highest peak in the Swiss Alps, and one of the most popular.
• Gornergrat, In Valais: It is a rocky ridge in the Pennine Alps, overlooking the Gorner Glacier. It can be reached by the highest open-air railway in Europe called “The Gornergrat Rack Railway”. It has an observatory with incredible views.
• Klein Matterhorn, in Valais: One of the most beautiful mountains in the Pennine Alps, and the highest place in Europe that can be reached by cable car.

Not all the fun of Switzerland should be outside, the Swiss country also has historical and interesting environments, go shopping, or taste delicious Swiss food.

The best places

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• Take a break in Lucerne, in Lucerne: Enjoy the sparkling blue lake surrounded by mountains, a car-free medieval old town, covered bridges, waterfront promenades, historic buildings with frescoes, and sun-drenched squares with bubbling fountains. This city is famous for its concerts; this quintessential Swiss city attracts renowned soloists, conductors, and orchestras to its annual International Music Festival.
• Get some fresh air in Saint Moritz, in Graubünden: One of the best mountainous places in the Swiss country, here you will be dazzled by the lakes like mirrors, glaciers, and alpine forest. Besides, palatial hotels and expensive restaurants are part of the course in this elegant resort town, which has hosted two Winter Olympics.
• You cannot leave Switzerland without visiting the capital Bern: This great capital has the old world charm. You will be able to stroll through the cobbled streets, explore the tallest cathedral in Switzerland, and see 16th-century fountains, the medieval clock tower Zytglogge with moving puppets, and much more.

How to get around in Switzerland

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Something good and interesting about this country is that its cities are well connected with trams, buses, and trains. The best way to get around is by train; however, traveling by bus is also affordable and comfortable.

If you are more into bikes, there are bike-sharing programs. You can rent your bike with an app and pay per kilometer. Finally, you should consider getting the Swiss Travel Pass or the Half Fare Card. These different systems allow you to travel by train, bus, boat, and even include the admission to many museums an excursion, for a period after paying a price. The price may seem expensive at the beginning, but it worth it!

How to stay connected in Switzerland

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We all know that nowadays we use the internet for everything. That is why probably you are thinking about the ways to stay connected in this new country.

One option is to use a pocket Wi-Fi. This small device allows you to connect your smartphone to the internet wherever you are. There is also free Wi-Fi in certain areas; however, you probably need to stay connected all the time! It is the cheapest form to be connected, but surely not the best.

You could use the roaming option from your current provider, but we warn you that it will be very expensive. So, what is the best way to stay connected? Buy a prepaid SIM card! At this point, you have two options: buy a local SIM card (Swisscom, Sunrise, and VTX are good options) or, order one of our international prepaid SIM cards, with enough data for your entire trip!

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Should I rent a car?

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You can rent a car, but it is a better idea to rent a bike or travel by train.

Which airports can I fly to?

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The main airports are the Zurich Airport, the Geneva Airport, and the EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg.

What are the most popular types of hotels?

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The most popular accommodation types are ski resorts and family hotels.

How much does a holiday cost?

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You can spend around CHF196 ($215), including standard accommodation, food, transportation, and entertainment.

What are the best things to do?

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If you are traveling to Switzerland, you can try playing some winter sports, go hiking, and visiting museums.