Top 11 Travel Tips & Info Before Traveling to Switzerland
Category: Travel Information
Traveling to Switzerland can be an exhilarating experience filled with delightful sights, especially when you’re armed with the right information. This country is one of the top tourist destinations in the world, but it’s important to be prepared for some unexpected surprises. With a plethora of attractions, activities, and excursions waiting to be explored, planning your trip before arrival is highly recommended. Below are some essential facts and travel tips you should know before you go.
1. How to Travel Within Switzerland?
The best ways to discover the beauty of Switzerland are by train, bus, and boat. The Swiss public transportation system is modern, efficient, and safe, allowing for seamless travel throughout the country.
Harmonized Timetable
Wherever you go, connections are guaranteed. If there’s no train service available, you can easily continue your journey by bus, boat, or mountain railway, making transfers straightforward and convenient across Switzerland.
Regular Interval Timetable
Trains depart at consistent intervals, specifically at the same minute after each full hour, with main inter-city connections occurring every half hour. At major transport hubs, trains arrive every hour and half an hour. Bus and boat schedules align perfectly with these train timelines. You can find complete timetables at sbb.ch or via the corresponding mobile app.
2. Swiss Gastronomy & Restaurants
Switzerland’s culinary scene offers a wonderful blend of its diverse cultural influences, particularly from Italian, French, and German cuisines. One day, you might sample hearty sausages and local beers, and the next, enjoy pasta paired with fine Merlot in a charming grotto in Ticino.
Virtually every major city in Switzerland, including Zurich, Lucerne, Interlaken, Bern, Montreux, Geneva, and Zermatt, boasts a variety of restaurants. You can find options for vegetarian, non-vegetarian, and halal meals, as well as dining experiences ranging from continental and American to Mexican, Chinese, Arabian, Indian, and many Asian cuisines.
3. Swiss Weather and Climate
Switzerland experiences a moderate climate, avoiding extremes of heat, cold, or humidity. Summer temperatures from July to August typically range from 18 to 28 °C (65 – 82 °F), while winter temperatures in January and February fall between 2 to 7 °C (28 – 45 °F). Spring and autumn temperatures hover between 8 and 15 °C (46 – 59 °F). Due to the varying altitudes, temperatures can differ based on location.
Visitors are advised to pack a sweater, sturdy walking shoes, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a compact umbrella or light raincoat.
Switzerland experiences four distinct seasons, making it a year-round travel destination. Peak and low seasons exist, but the country caters to all types of travelers throughout the year.
• Spring (March to May): Trees bloom, meadows turn green, and winter occasionally returns in April, while summer-like conditions can appear as early as May.
• Summer: Temperatures rise between 25 and 30 °C (77 – 86 °F), sometimes exceeding 30 °C (86 °F) during heat waves, enhancing the vibrant alpine vegetation.
• Autumn (September to November): Fruits ripen, and deciduous trees change color.
• Winter: Traditionally cold and snowy, but current trends indicate milder temperatures and less snow in lowland areas.
4. Travel Adapters and Plugs:
Switzerland uses two plug types: type C (two round pins) and type J (three round pins). The standard voltage is 230 V, with a frequency of 50 Hz. It’s advisable to purchase a universal adapter with surge protection and to use a converter for hair dryers and curling irons.
5. Currency
Switzerland uses the Swiss Franc (CHF). Although it isn’t part of the European Union and not required to adopt the Euro, many prices are displayed in euros for convenience. Merchants may accept euros, but they are not obligated to; change is typically given in Swiss Francs.
The Swiss Franc comes in the following denominations:
Currency Converter
Coins: 5, 10, 20, 50 cents, and 1, 2, 5 francs
Banknotes: 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 1000 francs
Currency exchange options include:
– Any Swiss bank
– Airports
– Major railway stations (Western Union)
– Major hotels
Swiss banks offer the best exchange rates for your traveler’s checks or cash in foreign currencies (only banknotes). Keep in mind that official exchange offices and hotels may charge fees for their services.
6. Location and Geography
Switzerland is a relatively small nation situated in the heart of Europe, bordered by Germany to the north, Austria and Liechtenstein to the east, Italy to the south, and France to the west.
The country showcases a wide array of landscapes, including mountains, farmland, glaciers, and valleys. The three main geographic regions include:
• The Alps, covering approximately 60% of the country’s land area, with only 11% of the population residing there.
• The Swiss Plateau (30%), stretching from Lake Geneva in the southwest to Lake Constance in the northeast, is home to two-thirds of the Swiss population along with most of the main towns, cities, and industrial centers. It is characterized by rolling hills, several large lakes, and rivers.
• The Jura (10%), situated in the northern part of the Swiss Plateau, features hilly landscapes, valleys, plateaus, and peaks.
7. Time Zone
Switzerland observes Central European Time (CET) during winter. From late March to late October, it follows Central European Summer Time (CET + 1 hour).
Sunrise: 7:00 h
Sunset: 19:45 h
(Times are based on Bern)
Due to its northern position, sunrise and sunset times vary significantly throughout the year. Summer days can last up to 16 hours, while winter nights can be long and dark, with nights in December lasting nearly 16 hours in Bern.
8. Population:
As of 2015, Switzerland had approximately 8.3 million residents, with the majority living in the German-speaking regions. Zurich is the most populous canton, while Appenzell Innerrhoden is the least populous.
About three-quarters of the Swiss population resides in urban areas, but overall, city populations are manageable. Unsurprisingly, the mountainous cantons of Graubünden, Ticino, and Valais, which comprise 40% of Switzerland’s area, only account for 10% of its population.
Population in Larger Cities (2016):
• Zürich: approx. 402,000
• Geneva: approx. 199,000
• Basel: approx. 171,000
• Lausanne: approx. 133,000
• Bern: approx. 133,000
• Winterthur: approx. 110,000
• Lucerne: approx. 82,000
• St. Gallen: approx. 75,000
• Lugano: approx. 64,000
9. Languages in Switzerland:
German is spoken in the northern, eastern, and central areas, making up 63% of the population. English is also widely spoken, with about two-thirds of residents estimated to have some proficiency. Switzerland has four official languages: German, French, Italian, and Romansh, with varying prevalence across different regions.
The Roman and Italian dialects developed in the southern regions, resulting in the presence of these languages. Consequently, Switzerland has a rich linguistic diversity, while the cultural aspects of each region are colored by these languages. Overall, the Swiss are known for their friendliness, politeness, and a touch of reserve. Punctuality is highly valued in both social and business interactions.
In smaller shops and offices, it’s customary to greet staff with “hello,” “please,” “thank you,” and “goodbye.” If you receive an invitation to a Swiss home, it is polite to bring a small gift such as flowers, sweets, or a bottle of wine.
10. Shopping:
Shops typically operate from 9:00 AM to 6:30 PM on weekdays, with some extending their hours on Thursdays. On Saturdays, closing time is generally 5 PM. In larger towns and cities, as well as at train and gas stations, many shops stay open longer. Major credit and debit cards like Visa, MasterCard, and American Express are widely accepted.
11. Phone and Emergencies:
When dialing into Switzerland, the country code is +41. Here are some useful emergency contact numbers:
* General emergency: 112
* Police: 117
* Fire service: 118
* Ambulance: 144
* REGA (helicopter rescue service): 1414
* Vehicle breakdown service: 140
