Switzerland Quick Guide

Switzerland is an Alpine country, home to the world's tallest mountains, many lakes and medieval villages. Its urban cities feature Gothic cathedrals, with impressive landmarks such as city centre Bern and its beautiful wooden bridge. Swiss watches are world famous, and banking and finance are important industries. Switzerland is separated into seven areas, each with its unique style. Zurich is the most populous, containing Geneva city centre.

In your Swiss travel guide to Switzerland, you will see that Zurich is home to Switzerland's airport, Schiphol. The busiest time to fly here is in the summer, from May until September. Getting there by coach is by well-known routes like the Zurich International Airport Schiphol or the Lindenhof-Greece route. The Basel convention allows Swiss citizens to travel abroad without showing proof of citizenship, which makes traveling to Switzerland a lot easier than it used to be. Getting around is pretty easy, with most of Switzerland being within an hour's drive of any big city.

Getting around is fun and safe with most of Switzerland being modern and having convenient public transport systems. Trains are the most popular way to get around, but buses and boats are also available if you prefer to drive yourself. Taxis in Switzerland are quite affordable, particularly if you travel during the week, as there is no such thing as a "heavily increased tax". If you travel abroad in the summer months, look out for cheap deals on trains and coach services, especially from major cities.

A typical Switzerland travel guide will explain that you should make a booking at a hotel at least a few days before you leave, as this will guarantee that you won't be paying over the odds when it comes to paying for your stay. To avoid hidden fees, ask to see the booking page in the hotel where you're checking in, or even better check online. Many hotels offer packages when it comes to hotels and flights, and these can prove extremely economical. Most people who stay in China or other low-cost countries to stay away because they expect to pay over the odds. In Switzerland, you will have to pay considerably less, mainly because you will be getting a better price and much more room for your money.

A Switzerland travel guide will normally give advice on local transportation, as well as the best time for you to get from one place to another. However, if you want to take the train into Switzerland, you need to know when and how many platforms there are along the way. The Geneva to Zurich train station is the busiest and it can get quite crowded, especially in the evening, so that's why it is advised you arrive early. If you are planning to travel by train to Geneva or Basel, you'll want to be able to arrange a train ride to your final destination; most trains will allow you to leave and arrive at any time throughout the day.

As mentioned above, the capital city of Switzerland is Geneva and although Switzerland has many smaller cities as well, Geneva is considered to be the heart of Switzerland. If you travel from Basel, Switzerland to Geneva, then you will arrive in just over two hours. You will be able to walk to the French border, which is an excellent way to experience Switzerland's culture and villages without having to go through the trouble of visiting them. However, if you would like to see some of the less populated areas of Switzerland, such as the Zermatt region or the Muck Alps, then you may have to make some detours. However, if you make sure to read this post about Switzerland Travel Guide, you will find that there are no detours to make.

If you are traveling by train to get to Geneva or Basel, then you can use the information found in this post to plan your trip. This includes: which trains run between Geneva and Basel, the times these trains are available, the cost of each train ticket, and how to save money on your ticket. To ensure you get to see all of Switzerland, this post recommends you read a Switzerland travel guide like the one found at the end of this article. The information in this post also covers: the historical and art museums in Switzerland, the mountain landscape found in the country, and even the fact that you can bike from one end of Switzerland to the other! (Bmx is not allowed in Switzerland! ).

Some travelers prefer to book their flights online. However, if you don't want to waste your time driving from one airport to another or spending too much money on transportation costs, you should consider purchasing your tickets online. One website that offers affordable airline tickets is the Swiss Travel Guide. In addition, if you book your ticket in advance, you can get a special deal on your hotel and rental car costs. So make sure you visit this site before your trip to save yourself some time and money on your next holiday!

What vaccinations do I need?

Up to date information for vaccinations before you travel to Switzerland are available from the NHS Fit for Travel website.

Is it safe to travel?

Best time to visit?

The best time to visit Switzerland is during the shoulder seasons, between April and June, and September to October, when the weather is at best, and there aren't too many tourists

Do I need a Visa?

If you hold a British Citizen passport, you don't need a visa to enter Switzerland.

See which forms you may need for entry into Switzerland.

What currency do i need?

The official currency of Switzerland is the Swiss Franc (CHF). If you're looking to transfer or spend money in Switzerland you can grab amazing Swiss Franc deals via Wise.com (GBP to CHF).

What about the wildlife?

The ibex can be found roaming the mountains and plains of Switzerland. About two centuries ago, they were hunted to extinction only to be reintroduced at the beginning of the 20th century. Most of the reintroduced animals were smuggled from Italy. Today, there are about 40,000 of these animals in the Swiss Alps.

What is the traditional food?

German food? Rosti, Valaisanne-style: Thinly grated potatoes, pan-fried until crisp and golden, rosti is one of Switzerland's iconic national dishes. Though no one knows when the first rosti was cooked-up, farmers in the canton of Bern would traditionally eat it for breakfast.

What Languages are spoken?

The four national languages of Switzerland are German, French, Italian and Romansh. You can learn some basic German before you travel to Switzerland and really impress the locals!

How much do you tip?

The currency in Switzerland is the Swiss Franc (For table service, round up to the nearest 1CHF. Restaurant Server: Although a service charge is typically included in the final bill, most Swiss people tip a little extra for good service. Consider tipping 8 to 10 percent depending on how fancy the restaurant is and how much you appreciated your server's work).

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Useful Numbers

  • Police: 117
  • Ambulance: 144
  • Fire: 118
  • UK Embassy: +41 31 359 77 00

Time Difference

The GMT time difference is 1 hours

Travel Apps

Grab a travel app or two


Learn German

Learn some German before your trip to Switzerland


Switzerland Guidebook

Stay informed before, during and after your trip to Switzerland by buying a guidebook.