Switzerland
Switzerland fits much of the Alps' finest scenery into a country smaller than Scotland, linked by famously punctual trains. Zermatt frames the Matterhorn, the Glacier and Bernina Expresses rank among the world's great rail journeys, and the lakes of Lucerne and Geneva add a gentler side. It is eye-wateringly expensive, so plan transport and meals carefully.
Overview
Switzerland packs four language regions, 48 peaks over 4,000m and an outstanding public transport network into a compact space. A first trip usually links a city or two, such as Zurich, Lucerne or Geneva, with time in the mountains: the Jungfrau region around Interlaken and Lauterbrunnen, Zermatt and the Matterhorn, or the Engadine around St Moritz. The great scenic railways join these up, and Bern's arcaded medieval old town and the Italian-speaking lakes of Ticino make easy additions. Summer is for hiking and lake swimming; winter brings some of Europe's best-organised skiing.
Everything works, and you pay for it: Switzerland is among the most expensive countries in the world, and a sandwich, a mountain railway ticket and a hotel room will all cost more than you expect. The trade-off is effortless travel, spotless towns, excellent tap water and paths so well marked that independent hiking is easy. Peak summer and school-holiday ski weeks are busy, while May, early June and autumn are quieter, though some lifts close for maintenance. It suits hikers, rail enthusiasts and food lovers. Many visitors are surprised by how quiet Sundays are and how good supermarket picnic food can be.
Map of Switzerland
Top 5 highlights
- 1Nature
Zermatt and the Matterhorn
A car-free resort beneath the 4,478m Matterhorn. Ride the rack railway to Gornergrat for the classic view, walk the Five Lakes trail for reflections, and in winter ski across the border to Cervinia in Italy.
- 2Adventure
Jungfrau region
Lauterbrunnen's sheer valley of 72 waterfalls, car-free Wengen and Mürren, and the Eiger's north face make up Switzerland's classic Alpine scenery. The railway to Jungfraujoch reaches Europe's highest station at 3,454m; it is expensive, so pick a clear day.
- 3Nature
Glacier Express
An eight-hour panoramic train between Zermatt and St Moritz, crossing the Oberalp Pass and the curving Landwasser Viaduct. Regular regional trains run the same tracks for less, and the Bernina Express to Tirano is a shorter alternative.
- 4City
Lucerne
A medieval old town on the lake, crossed by the 14th-century Kapellbrücke, a wooden covered bridge rebuilt after a fire in 1993. Take a paddle steamer across the lake and ride the world's steepest cogwheel railway up Mount Pilatus.
- 5Food
Lavaux vineyards
UNESCO-listed terraces of Chasselas vines falling steeply to Lake Geneva between Lausanne and Montreux. Walk between villages such as Cully and Epesses, taste at family-run cellars, and continue to the lakeside Château de Chillon.
Biggest cities
Zurich
Livelier than its banking reputation suggests: swim in the Limmat's river baths, explore the old town and the Kunsthaus, and eat in the converted factories of Zurich West.
Geneva
Lakeside home of the UN, the Red Cross museum and CERN's free exhibitions; the Jet d'Eau, the old town and boat trips on Lake Geneva fill a day or two.
Basel
Swiss, French and German at once, with outstanding art at the Fondation Beyeler and Kunstmuseum, a handsome old town on the Rhine and summer swims downstream.
Ranked by urban-area population where available. Figures are rounded estimates, and sources define city limits differently, so rankings of similar-sized cities can vary.
When to go to Switzerland
Best time: Jun–Sep, Dec–Mar.
Average climate in Bern
Festivals & events
- Feb–MarBasel Fasnacht
Switzerland's biggest carnival starts at 4am on the Monday after Ash Wednesday with the Morgestraich, when the city lights go out and lantern-lit piccolo and drum cliques parade for three days.
- JulMontreux Jazz Festival
Two weeks of concerts on the shore of Lake Geneva each July, from big-name ticketed shows to free stages and late-night jams along the lakeside promenade.
- AugSwiss National Day
On 1 August, the anniversary of the 1291 Federal Charter, towns and villages light hilltop bonfires, set off fireworks and hold brunches on farms across the country.
How much does Switzerland cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Fondue
Gruyère and Vacherin Fribourgeois melted with white wine and kirsch in a shared caquelon, scooped up with bread on long forks; a winter ritual best eaten 'moitié-moitié'.
Raclette
Valais cheese melted under heat and scraped onto boiled potatoes, eaten with gherkins and pickled onions, ideally with a glass of local Fendant.
Rösti
Grated potato fried into a crisp golden cake in butter, originally a Bernese farmers' breakfast and now served alongside almost everything.
Getting around
Trains, PostBuses, lake boats and many mountain railways run on a single integrated timetable, so most visitors never need a car. A Swiss Travel Pass gives unlimited travel and covers or discounts many mountain railways; the Half Fare Card halves most fares. Book Supersaver tickets in the SBB app. Drivers need a motorway vignette, and Zermatt, Wengen and Mürren are car-free.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- JC230V — bring a UK-to-J/C adapter
- Emergency numbers
Source: FCDO “Getting help”
- Dialling code
- +41
- Time zone
- UTC+1 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Generally safe to drink
- Driving
- On the right
- Tipping
- Service is included in prices, so tipping is optional; round up or add 5–10% for good restaurant service, and round up taxi fares.
- Etiquette
- Be punctual and greet shop staff when you enter. Respect quiet hours, usually after 10pm and on Sundays, sort your recycling carefully, and don't cross against a red pedestrian light.
- Main airports
- Zurich Airport (ZRH), Zurich; Geneva Airport (GVA), Geneva; EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg (BSL), Basel
Visas & entry for Switzerland
Shown for a British passport.
No visa needed
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.
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Tetanus
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- Bat LyssavirusTick-borne encephalitis
- Yellow fever certificate
- No yellow fever certificate is required to enter.
- Malaria
- No malaria risk
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Switzerland
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Fri 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day |
| Fri 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
| Thu 6 May 2027 | Ascension Day |
| Sun 1 Aug 2027 | National Day |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Useful phrases in Swiss German
| English | Swiss German | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Grüezi | GROO-et-see |
| Thank you | Merci vilmal | MAIR-see FEEL-mahl |
| Please | Bitte | BIT-teh |
| Excuse me | Exgüsi | ex-GOO-see |
| How much is this? | Was choschtet das? | vass KHOSH-tet dass |
Know before you go
- Price out your itinerary before buying a Swiss Travel Pass: for slower trips, a Half Fare Card plus Supersaver tickets often works out cheaper than the pass.
- Swiss sockets accept slim two-pin Europlugs but not chunky Schuko-style plugs, so a standard UK-to-Europe adaptor may not fit; pack a Swiss Type J adaptor.
- Picnic from Coop and Migros supermarkets, which are far cheaper than restaurants (Migros supermarkets sell no alcohol). Shops close on Sundays, but station branches stay open.
Switzerland travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Switzerland?
The best time to visit Switzerland is generally Jun–Sep, Dec–Mar. Peak months are January, February, June, July, August and September. Average highs in Bern range from 2°C to 24°C across the year.
How much does a trip to Switzerland cost per day?
Roughly £95 a day on a tight budget, £210 mid-range and £420+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in Switzerland?
Swiss franc (CHF).
What plug type does Switzerland use?
Type J and C sockets at 230V. UK visitors need a travel adapter — UK Type G plugs will not fit.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Switzerland?
Traffic drives on the right in Switzerland, unlike the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in Switzerland?
Generally safe to drink.
Do I need a visa for Switzerland?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: You can travel without a visa to the Schengen area, which includes Switzerland, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for Switzerland before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/switzerland/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for Switzerland?
TravelHealthPro recommends Tetanus for most travellers, with Bat Lyssavirus and Tick-borne encephalitis sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
