A Complete Switzerland Travel Guide For Flawless Trip

At a Glance

Welcome to Switzerland

Yeah, Switzerland... The moment you hear the name, you start jumping with excitement and happiness!!! Is it right? Why not - A small landlocked country sits in the heart of Europe bordered by Austria, France, Germany, Italy, and Liechtenstein - one of the most exciting, adventurous, beautiful and dreamy destination places to visit among number of tourists worldwide with its high-peak mountains, magical lakes, countless outdoor activities and calm cities with a sound history. The land of four languages is all about a lifetime unforgettable experience that goes out-of-the-box with tasty delicious Swiss cheese & chocolates, cuckoo clocks, and contemporary Swiss music.

Whether you are visiting Switzerland to witness its unexplainable scenery, charming villages or dramatic mountain & cliffs with fresh air, or Alpine lakes, all you will get is the mesmerizing overjoyed journey once in a lifetime. But Switzerland is much more than this. The major cities here are vibrant and full of life while the transport links are easy to approach and provide excellent breath away. Switzerland is a diverse and multilingual city where everyone speaks English along with one of four official languages.  It has plenty of beautiful places to visit each of which is offering something new to every traveler.

If you are planning a trip to Switzerland, you should first consider these "Switzerland Travel Tips" to save your money, time and energy. In this post, we will provide you the some simple & stress-free travel planning tips with a round of Switzerland. Let's give it a shot.

Table of Contents

• Quick Facts about Switzerland

• A Guide to Switzerland Travel & Tips

• Top Places to Experience in Switzerland

• Other Best Attractions to Witness in Switzerland

• What about Food in Switzerland?

• Where to Stay In Switzerland?

Quick Facts about Switzerland

• Capital - Bern

• Currency - Swiss Franc (CHF) One CHF Swiss Franc is made up of 100 cents while you can get the coins of 5 cents, 10 cents, 20 cents, 50 cents, CHF1, CHF2 and CHF5 denominations and notes in CHF10, CHF20, CHF50, CHF100, CHF200, and CHF1000 denominations.

• Language Spoken - German, French, Italian, Romansch

• Electricity Sockets - The generated electricity in Switzerland is 56% from hydroelectricity while 39% from nuclear power. The hydroelectricity is the most crucial domestic source of energy in this country. It is 230V AC and 50HZ. The plus you find here are two round pins while Swiss plugs are three round pins. If you want to avoid the struggle of buying a new adaptor throughout your holidays, we recommend you to consider Universal Travel Adaptor.

• Climate - The Swiss climate is generally moderate and can vary between the cities. You can experience the warm summer days with cold nights or cold sunny winters with snow from December to March.
   

  Recommended Read: Basel Travel Guide

   

• Transportation - Switzerland has a dense network of roads and railway transport with a total length of 24,500 kilometers and more than 2600 stations and stops. Noble Transfer is the perfect alternative solution for all those travelers who want to enjoy their journey in luxurious and comfortable ways. You can land in Switzerland with air transport by boarding a flight to Zurich airport - Switzerland's largest international flight gateway.

• Visa - Switzerland permits 90 days visa-free travel to all EU citizens including 90 days visa-free travel to those who are approved by the Schengen scheme and those not in this zone. To travel in Switzerland, you must carry a passport with you as a legal requirement with Photo ID.

• Safety - Switzerland is the safest country to visit with no bad decisions. People maintain a higher level of standard, low crime & risk of terror. Well, if you are a fitness freak you can experience injury in winter sports. This is why travel insurance from World Nomads or Safety Wing is a great idea to prevent injury and joy of your traveling.

• Local Laws and Customs - As a visitor in Switzerland, you are expected to follow a set of rules & regulations and customs here. Such as:

1. Smoking is banned throughout the country and most enclosed spaces in public like restaurants, bars, cinemas, schools, and shopping centers.

2. It is considered illegal to cover your face in public places in the Canton of Ticino. If you fail to comply with this law, you will be punishable by a fine ranging from 100 CHF to 10000 CHF. There are no exemptions for tourists.

A Guide to Switzerland Travel & Tips

What Is The Best Time To Visit Switzerland?

There is no fixed time to visit Switzerland, like any other country, you can visit it at any time. It is a year-round destination but you should plan your stay here according to the activities you want to enjoy.

• June to September i.e. in the summer is the perfect time to enjoy the hiking in the mountains with low rainfall.

• From November to March is also a good time to explore the country with cold and plenty of snow. You can also explore the local life of peoples in the small villages on the edge of Alps.

How to Maintain a Budgeted Journey?

Keep Some Cash with You All the Time

Switzerland is easy to get around the country with affordable traveling options. You can find here free public transport like trains, buses, boats, and mountain transport as well as luxury private transfer services at affordable costs. But still, it is always advisable to carry a few cash or bank credit/debit card with you so that you can withdraw cash from Switzerland's ATMs called Bankomats while the credit cards are accepted worldwide

Switzerland is an expensive country to visit even if you stay in the hotel, cook your own meal and use local public transport, it will approximately cross $70-100 per day. The food, as well as hotels, are quite expensive but with proper planning, the throughout traveling experience is worth 100%.

How to Get There?

Switzerland is quite a small country so getting around here is not so difficult. You need to board a flight to Zurich airport if you are an international traveler. It has a sound approach via flights in Zurich and other cities from Europe while for domestic travelers; it is quite easy and simple to get around Switzerland. You can take a bus or train by accumulating information from the official sites.

What to Pack for a Round Travel to Switzerland?

Switzerland is the famous tourist destination globally for its beautiful landscapes, snowy mountains, lakes and chill cities, and classic lifestyle. Whether you are visiting the country in summers or winters, there is a list of stuff that you should carry for your trip to Switzerland. In winter, do not forget to shop high-quality warm coats with solid boots as Switzerland has really extreme cold weather in winter. In summers, you are free to take your designer wardrobe with classic clothing collection to flaunt your beauty. Go to the online shopping sites like Amazon or Ubuy and add clothing items to your itinerary.

Top Places to Experience in Switzerland

Here we have picked out some of the best attractions to visit in a wonderful country. Keep reading to take a glance at them. Let's start:

1. Interlaken - It is one of the most popular tourist resort known for its watchmaking center, sparkling combination of lakes, mountains, and towns. Most of the tourists love to explore this city to take breathe in the fresh air and luxury treatment of the spa. This city offers plenty of activities to travelers for enjoying the mesmerizing views of three famous Swiss mountains - Eiger, Jungfrau and the Monch. From Bungee jumping to paragliding, skydiving, skiing, and snowboarding, there is endless fun in the Swiss Alps. When it comes to sightseeing, this city is blessed with historical museums, amazing castles, and exciting locations.
    
2. Zurich - With more than 50 museums and over 100 art galleries, Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland. It is a global hub for finance where you can explore the cobbled streets with colorful houses designed in different shapes & sizes. You can shop the internationally famous Swiss brand goods and walk along to the Old Town with countless attractions and monuments. Be it stained glass windows in the Fraumunster Church or country's history at the Swiss national museum or boat ride on Lake Zurich, it is an ideal place for spending your holidays with luxury Zurich airport transfer services at low cost to visit nearby tourist spots.
    
3. Basel - Near to the borders of both France and Germany, Basel is the must-visit place in your trip to Switzerland lies on the Rhine River. The glorious Basel is a hub for art in Switzerland and an interesting place to visit for every type of traveler as it offers an awesome collection that you can't afford to miss. Be it a visit to the museum of contemporary art for modern art lovers or jaw-dropping building architecture by Renzo Piano for architecture geeks, there is something to explore for everyone. You must check out the Mittlere Brucke Bridge and big zoo with exciting animals across the world.
    
4. Geneva - Home to more than 20 international organizations with European headquarters of the United Nations and international Red Cross Committee, Geneva is the must-visit place in your itinerary. It is known as the "Smallest of big cities" and "Cities of Park" has the second largest population in Switzerland. Being a "Green city", the environment lovers like to embrace the lands of parks with the cathedral of St. Pierre. It is a great city to be explored by bike or taking a boat ride to Lake Geneva.
    
5. Zermatt - Located at some of the highest mountains in the Alps i.e. Matterhorn, it is the perfect tourist destination to enjoy several outdoor snow & mountaineering activities including skydiving, ice skating, hiking and paragliding and many more. It just not ends here. It is a good place to explore by walking along to the various sites and spend some chill time in the mountain village. You can have all types of Alpine adventures with delicious food and spectacular views. It takes only 30 minutes or less to walk these sites.
    
6. Lucerne - A gorgeous and beautiful city with almost something to offer to everyone. Sitting on the banks of Lake Lucerne, this city is surrounded by natural wonders with a hint of local history and culture. It is considered one of the world's most famous and prettiest cities for Chapel bridge and Water tower. The Old Town hosts old walls and nine towers four of which are accessible. Be ready to do some window shopping with delicious chocolate in the mouth by climbing to the top of one tower for incredible scenes.
    
7. Montreux - Like Zurich, Geneva, and Lucerne, Montreux is also situated on the banks of lake i.e. Lake Geneva which makes it a perfect Swiss vacation resort to explore with the beauty of mountains and magical water. It is a great place to explore for nature lovers. Take a visit to Promenade to admire the beauty of trees, flowers and carefully placed sculptures with Belle Epoque architecture while you can also travel countryside by taking a ride along the Golden pass Railway. Chateau de Chillon is one of the great places to visit.

   Recommended Read: Zurich Travel Guide

8. Bern - No trip to Switzerland would be complete without visiting this picturesque medieval city. Lies on the river bend, it is full of medieval buildings that you can walk along and spend your entire day. The most famous attraction of this city is Zytglogge, an ancient clock tower with moving puppets. You can find the ultimate blend of land and water. Home to the meeting place of Swiss parliaments, it hosts the cathedral of Bern with interesting museums.
    
9. Lugano - Due to the growing popularity of international celebrities, it is known as the "Monte Carlo of Switzerland". The city is located on Lake Lugano and blessed with a large number of Swiss heritage sites including cathedrals, libraries, and various monuments. It is home to several financial institutions and hosts classical music festivals.
    
10. Lausanne - It is the best place to visit if you are an Olympic lover as it is home to the International Olympic Committee headquarters. Lies on the lake Geneva, this city has plenty of things to offer. This iconic city is the gateway to some of the world's most famous ski slopes. You can take a visit to amazing cathedrals, hiking trails, bike paths, and wonderful local markets and catch this beautiful city in your memory.

Other Best Attractions to Witness in Switzerland 

• Join Fasnacht Spring Carnival - If you want to explore the loudness & craziness of local people with a hint of cultural activities & music, you should definitely be a part of Fasnacht Spring Carnival in Basel Where the Swiss dressed in Fasnacht costumes let-loose with blasting brass music and perform three-day party annually on the Monday to Wednesday. They parade around town with cliques.
   
• Play with Water at Rhine Falls - You will get the opportunity to explore the waterfall everywhere you go in Basel. It is situated on the high Rhine River - Europe's largest waterfall. Just pack a picnic lunch and get along to see the view of this beauty. With a ride on a boat, you can closely take a look at giant rocks in the middle of the falls.
   
• Enjoy Most Of The Mountains On Mt Pilatus - Located outside the city of Lucerne, this beautiful mountain hosts high snow slopes with mesmerizing views of the high Alps.  You can take a cable car from the city to reach the top or hike its trails. There are a plethora of activities you can enjoy on Mt Pilatus including hiking, skydiving, ice skating, snowboarding and many more.
   
• Go to St. Gallen - It is the seventh-largest city in Switzerland that hosts amazing museums, colorful murals, and jaw-dropping architecture. Although this city does not have access to that much number of tourists like the other cities around the country, it is fun to visit here.
   
• Walk Along Old Villages - You must take a visit to the Graubunden area of the country where you will be overjoyed by seeing the houses dating back to the 13th century. Although the ancient official language people speak here is called Romanch which has disappeared everywhere else in the country but the locals take pride in keeping their tradition alive.

What about Food in Switzerland?

When it comes to a variety of food options with different tastes & budgets, Switzerland is the paradise for every food lover. You can explore the majority of restaurants & cafes serving delicious local & international cuisine with special European dishes. The amazing food culture and cuisine offerings are making this country a perfect place for food lovers. With a combination of German, French and North Italian cultures, it has an amazing food culture vary from region to region.

Best Places to Eat In Switzerland

• Supermarkets/Markets - Eating in Switzerland is very pricy so the good idea will be shopping and cooking on your own. There are many supermarkets and local markets where you can save lots of money by buying snacks and other ingredients to make a meal.

• Cafes - In Switzerland, you can find some of the world's known cafes as Swiss people love cafes. Be ready to taste the coffee with delicious sweets and Swiss sandwiches.

• Restaurants - Check out the best restaurants with good food serving if you are looking for a meal with your travel partners.

Must-Try Food in Switzerland

1. Fondue - Do you want to taste the Swiss food culture? If yes, you must go to the Swiss Fondue. For centuries, Swiss is living in the mountains and relying on Fondue by using bread and cheese in colder months. You cannot deprive yourself to taste ceramic fondue pot filled with melted cheese with dipping bread.

2. Rosti - If you like the crisp, golden and delicious fried potatoes, you must taste this iconic national dish of Switzerland. This thinly grated pan-fried potato dish can be found throughout the country anytime you want to eat in breakfast and mealtimes. You can eat it with salty bacon, fried eggs or melted raclette cheese.

3. Raclette - It is the melted cheese served with gschwellti (jacket potatoes), gherkins, onions, and pickled fruit. The locals gather around the wood-burning fire to taste it.

4. Zürcher Geschnetzeltes - If you are looking for a proper belly-warming meal with good taste & flavor, this local recipe is the perfect solution. It is an iconic national dish made of sliced veal, calves' kidneys and sweetbreads sautéed in the onions, butter, white wine, cream, and mushroom.

5. Tartiflette - You can taste this staple dish at most ski resorts particularly in Swiss Romande. It is the combination of thinly sliced potatoes, smoky bacon, onions, and creamy Reblocohon cheese.

Where to Stay In Switzerland?

Whether you are a leisure businessman or an individual traveler, Switzerland has great options for accommodation for every type of traveler when it comes to planning a stay in hotels. From dorms or private rooms in hotels to budget or luxury hotels and lodges, the options are endless. As Switzerland is an expensive city to get by, you need to think twice before choosing an accommodation. It is best to choose your accommodation in advance.

In this blog post, we have figured out some of the best hotels to ensure a relaxing night during your stay. Let's have a look:

1. Hostels - You can find the best hostels in the bigger cities as well as other regional areas in Switzerland at the best affordable prices. The rooms are well-maintained, organized with a neat & clean environment. Just pay for individual rooms with separate bathrooms.

2. Hotels & Apartments - You will find the best chain of hotels & apartments with independent hotels & apartments in the cities across the countries. Some of the best hotels are the Hotel des Alpes, Coronado Hotel, and Hotel Splendid or Central Hotel Post Chur, etc. All you get is clean, comfortable and modern rooms with a wide range of facilities.

3. Luxury Hotels & Restaurants - Switzerland is the country that hosts 5-star properties and has been considered in the top lists of accommodation across the world. La Réserve Genève, Hotel Les Trois Rois and Grand Hotel Des Bains Kempinski St. Moritz are some of the best luxury hotels in Switzerland.

Now you know all the essential things about traveling to Switzerland. So plan your luxury trip with Noble Transfer and get ready to enjoy the beauty of snowy mountains and lakes with the best concierge assistance and guidance.