Helpful Travel Information
On this page, we will give you helpful travel information about Switzerland, from immigration regulations to electricity and drinking water situations to public transport and information on the countries climate. You will also learn more background information about the country and the Swiss population.
Immigration And General Information
This section will cover general helpful information for travelers, such as time zones, emergency phone numbers, public holidays, and much more.
Passport & Visa
All visitors need a valid passport or ID card for citizens of the European Union and Schengen Countries. For stays up to three months, no Visa is generally required, but the regulations differ from country to country. Please consult the embassy in your country of origin or the Swiss Federal Office of Foreign Affairs for the most accurate information.
Customs Regulations
Aside from items for personal use, such as clothes, any person over 17 years of age may also bring a limited amount of alcoholic and tobacco products without declaration. The limits per person are currently as follows:
– 5 liters of alcoholic beverages with less than 18% alcohol
– 1 liter of alcoholic beverages with more than 18% alcohol
– 250 cigarettes or 250 grams of other tobacco products
Electricity
Like most of Europe, Switzerland operates on a 230V/50 Hz voltage.
Plugs with types C (2 pins) and J (3 pins) are used in Switzerland. (J sockets can also accommodate Type C 2-pin plugs.)
Round plugs with three pins are the standard size for power sockets. Many electrical travel devices use the standard continental plug, which has two circular pins and may be used without issue. Most hotels have adapters available.
Smoking Policy
In Switzerland, smoking is prohibited in enclosed spaces used as public gathering places or multi-person workplaces. As a result, smoking is not permitted in eateries, public spaces, or workplaces. The same regulations apply to electronic cigarettes,, too. Smoking on public transportation and in train stations excep designated smoking areas on the platforms is also prohibited.
Alcohol And Tabacco
Supermarkets and kiosks sell alcoholic beverages. The legal age to purchase wine and beer is sixteen years old. Staff may ask for an official ID occasionally.
Regarding tobacco products, Switzerland does not have a national minimum age requirement. The minimum age varies per canton and is 16 or 18.
Time Zone
In Switzerland, Central European Time (CET) is in effect during the winter. Summer Time (CET + 1) is observed from the end of March to the end of October. The exact dates for this time change are slightly different every year. In 2024 the change to summer time will take place on the 31st of March, and winter time will be effective from the 27th ofOctober 2024.
Public Holidays
Switzerland has several official holidays, including Easter, Christmas, New Year’s, and August 1st, which is Swiss National Day. There are a number of additional regional public holidays. You can find a complete list per canton here. On national public holidays, many supermarkets and attractions remain closed or with adjusted opening hours.
Food And Drinks
Whether normally Swiss, Italian, Asian, or other colorful culinary enjoyments, You can track down everything in Switzerland. Territorial food is vast and shifting. Typical lunch hours in Switzerland are between 11 am and 1 pm. Most people have dinner between 6 pm and 9 pm in the evening.
WiFi
Numerous paid and free WiFi hotspots are spread nationwide, and many restaurants and hotels provide free WiFi access. To use any public network, you must register, as Swiss laws require. There are also accessible public networks at more than 80 Swiss train stations. Alternatively, you can also purchae or rent a Swiss SIM sim card for unlimited internet access. But It’s worth comparing providers: Prices change constantly and may differ significantly.Â
Currency
Unlike in the countries of the European Union, the national currency is Swiss Francs. In USD or Euros. However, the change is almost always given in Swiss Francs.
At the time of writing, one Swiss Franc is worth roughly 1.17 USD, 1.06 EUR, and 0.91 GBP. Please use this free currency converter for the most recent exchange rates.
Credit Cards
Although cash payments for smaller amounts are not uncommon in Switzerland, major credit cards are accepted almost everywhere. Apple Pay and Google Pay are also getting increasingly popular. To avoid currency exchange fees it, is usually advisable to make payments in Swiss Francs, making payments in Swiss Francs is typically advisable. Surcharges for card payments are not allowed, but we recommend you check with your credit card company about the fees that apply to your specific card for payments abroad.
Tax Free Shopping
As of 2024, the VAT in Switzerland is 8.1%. It is always included in the final price on the price tag. Some industries, like hotels, also have a lower VAT of 2.6%. You are entitled to a refund of your VAT if you ask for a tax-free form at a shop and if you export the purchased goods within 30 days after. A minimum value of CHF 300 per purchase is mandatory for the VAT return. You will find more information on the process and the requirements on the Swiss Federal Tax Information site.
Languages Spoken in Switzerland
Despite the country’s small size of only 41’285 square kilometers (or 15.940 square miles), Switzerland is a very diverse country in the heart of Europe. The fact that four official languages and dozens of dialects reflect this influence very well. According to the latest information from the Federal Statistical Office in Switzerland, more than 66% of the population frequently speaks at least two official languages.
The breakdown of the languages spoken in Switzerland looks as following:
(Swiss) German as main language
French as main language
Italian as main language
Romansh as main language
In the visual map on the right you can see the location of the different language regions in Switzerland. Out of 26 cantons, 19 are predominantly German speaking. There are also officially bilingual cantons and cities. Cantons of Bern, Fribourg and Valais are examples for it.
Climate in Switzerland
Due to the vast diversity of landscapes and different microclimates, it is challenging to make precise and general statements. Still, generally speaking, the climate in Switzerland isn’t extensively hot, cold, or humid. Temperatures vary from 18 to 28 °C (65° – 82° F) in summer and -2 to 7 °C (28° – 45° F) in winter for large parts of the country. Switzerland’s southern part tends to have a slightly more Mediterranean climate.
Winter
The winter season in Switzerland lasts from December to February. Nowadays, in urban areas, it is rare, but in the Alps and south-east parts, temperatures can drop to -20 °C.
Spring
From March to end of May daytime temperatures often range between 8 and 15 °C (46° – 59° F). April tends to bring unstable weather conditions.
Summer
Often, summer in Switzerland is quite sunny and hot, with a tendency for thunderstorms in the evenings. With the increasing impact of climate change, more extended periods with temperatures over 30 °C are becoming more frequent.
Autumn
September to November is traditionally considered autumn. Fruit ripens, and the leaves of deciduous trees change color during that time. Foggy conditions can occur particularily in the lowlands., particularly
Transportation in Switzerland
Public Transportation
The public transportation system in Switzerland is well-developed, and trains, boats, buses, and trams run frequently between 5 am and midnight and also on weekends. Even most small villages and remote areas are connected to the public transportation system at least once per hour. Between major cities, trains often operate every 30 minutes. It’s possible for local buses and trams to operate on a slightly different schedule during weekends.
A single train ticket between Zurich and Basel without discounts starts at 36 Swiss Francs (around $40) per person. However, many guests opt for a Swiss Travel Pass, which is valid on the entire Swiss public transportation system except for some mountain railways and cablecars.
Rental Car
Rental car companies are widely spread nationwide, but pick-up stations can mostly be found at Switzerland’s international airports and major cities. The big global rental car company brands, such as Sixt, Europcar, Alamo, Avis, etc., are all present in Switzerland. General speed limits in Switzerland are 120km/h on highways, 50km/h in cities and villages, and 80km/h outside cities or villages.
The prices for a rental car start at around 50 Swiss Francs (around $55) per day, excluding mandatory and optional insurance and expenses for gas. The number of loading stations for electric cars is also steadily increasing. Streets are well-maintained; however, you might need snow chains in some areas during winter. Most hotels also offer parking spots for their guests, either for free or for an extra charge.
Prices in Switzerland
There is probably no other prejudice about Switzerland I have heard more often than the high price level. Of course, this statement doesn’t come completely out of the blue, but keep in mind the average salary level in Switzerland is also higher than you would expect. To give you a better understanding, I will give you some average guidelines for the pricing in Switzerland and also some cool resources on how you can save money.
Accommodation
One night in a double room with breakfast in a mid-range hotel costs around 170 Swiss Francs on average (around $180). You will generally have a hard time finding hotels below 120 Swiss Francs per night, but youth hostels, camping, and capsule hotels sometimes offer cheaper rates.
Food at Restaurants
An a la carte main course at a mid-priced restaurant costs between 30 and 50 Swiss francs ($30 to 55). You can calculate around 80 Swiss francs per person per meal. Set lunch menus are often cheaper and cost between 20-30 Swiss Francs ($20-32). Also, take-away restaurants or restaurants adjoining supermarkets are often cheaper.
Sightseeing and Attractions
Costs for attraction have a large range between zero and more than 200 Swiss francs ($215). Museums generally cost 10-40 Swiss francs ($11-45), but with a Swiss travel pass or other discount card the costs can be greatly reduced. Mountain excursions cost around $40-150 per person for a round-trip without a discount card.
Entertainment
If you are up to a drink after dinner, expect to pay 5-15 Swiss francs ($5-16) for a glass of wine or beer. Cocktails are in the $10-20 price range. Cinema or concert tickets cost between $20-150 per person, depending on the activity.
Transportation
Costs for public transportation tickets vary depending on the traveling distance. A ticket from Zurich to Basel costs around $35 per person, longer distances can cost more than $100 per ticket.
Gas
One liter of (unleaded 95) costs around 1-3 Swiss francs ($1-3). One tank filling on a mid-sized car would cost around 60-80 Swiss francs ($62-85).
Ressources to save money while traveling in Switzerland
We are revealing our favorite apps we use ourselves to save money in Switzerland.
Too good to go
Too Good to Go is a global initiative to prevent food waste. You can purchase unsold items at 1/3 of the original price. Many restaurants and bakeries in Switzerland are participating.
BlaBlaCar
Blabla Car is a ride-sharing app where you can find riding opportunities at very low prices. You basically contribute a couple of bucks for gas, and that’s it. It is a very cool concept, but due to the (yet) limited number of users, you maximize your success chances if you use Zurich, Geneva or Basel.
Qbon App
Qbon app offers either 50% discount coupons or 2for1 prices for a lot of restaurants, leisure activities, retail, and travel services. It’s definitely worth checking it out, and you can make excellent deals occasionally (but avoid the restaurant’s section from personal experience).