Switzerland🇨🇭
📚 A Little Background
Switzerland is noted for being one of Europe's richest and most expensive countries. The Swiss are known for being exceptionally organized and everywhere you turn you will be pleased with the attention to order and detail that makes Swiss culture unique. Totaling 16,000 square miles, Switzerland is twice the size of my home state of New Jersey. Switzerland might be little in size, but it packs a punch when it comes to things to see and do here. And of course it has the best chocolate, and some of the best views in the world!
📍 Location
Switzerland is a landlocked country wedged smack in the middle of 5 countries: Germany (to the north), Austria and Liechtenstein (to the east), Italy (to the south), and France (to the west).
🗣️ Language
Switzerland is home to four official languages: German (about three-fifths of the population speaks this), French (spoken in the western part of Switzerland), Italian (spoken in the southern part of Switzerland), and Romansh (spoken by a small population that speaks this in the southeastern mountains). You will notice though that Swiss natives will speak to each other in Swiss German.
English is the most common non-national language spoken in Switzerland.
💰 Currency
Introduced in 1850, the Swiss franc (CHF) is the official currency of Switzerland, and is the only franc remaining in Europe.
🛩️ Main Airport
Zurich Airport (ZRH) is the largest international airport in Switzerland and is the main travel hub for Switzerland.
🗓️ When to visit
Tourist season
"Tourist season" runs from roughly May to September. In the mountain areas though it starts around June. Looking for fewer crowds? Plan your trip for early May or early October. In these months you will find more hotel room openings, less crowds of people and more mild weather. Between summer and ski seasons (roughly April to November), Zermatt and mountain towns will be dead.
Summer
The summer months do have their advantages: you get the best Swiss weather, alpine trails that are snow-free, and the days with the most amounts of sunlight for exploring.
Hiking season: all summer long but it is busiest July-August.
Winter
If you're looking to come for ski season (December to March) just be aware that the mountain resorts are more crowded and more expensive, while the cities are quieter. The weather during these months tends to be colder and more dreary, while the sun also sets earlier which can shorter your days of exploring.
🏨 Recommended Stay
I recommend staying 6+ days to really get to experience Switzerland and all of its beauty!
💸 Average Daily Cost Per Person
You should plan to spend around $225 (208CHF) per day on your vacation in Switzerland.
🚞 Transportation
Switzerland offers Europe's most efficient rail system and an outstandingly punctual one at that.
Swiss Travel Pass
The Swiss Travel Pass offers consecutive-day or flexi pass coverage of Switzerland's trains, boats, and buses, a 50 percent discount off most lifts, and a Swiss Museum Pass that covers admission to 500 museums or so on the days your pass is valid.
Swiss Half Fare Card
The Swiss Half Fare Card offers up to 50% discount for travels by train, bus, boat and most mountain railways. It is available for use of public transportation in more than 90 towns and cities, and is valid for 1 month.
Eurail Global Pass
The Interrail Switzerland Pass is perfect for discovering Switzerland's many snow-covered peaks, green valleys and picturesque lakes.
- Available for 3, 4, 5, 6 or 8 travel days within a month.
- Travel on any number of trains for every day of travel.
☕️ Average Cappuccino/Latte Price
For coffee lovers, cappuccino coffee costs on average $5.10 (4.80 CHF) and espresso costs about $3.60 (3.30 CHF) on average.
🚓 Safety
Switzerland is one of the least dangerous countries in Europe and the world. According to the 2023 Global Peace Index, Switzerland ranks 10th out of 163 countries, which is considered a very high level of safety.
💸 Tipping
In Switzerland, tipping is not a must as service is always included in the price. In many restaurants however, it is customary to pay a tip. The customary tip size in Switzerland is equal to around 10 percent of the bill, or the amount owed for the bill is rounded up, with the difference making up the tip.
🗺️ Places to See:
• Zurich (Zürich)
My current home and in my opinion a great place to explore! I feel like Zurich gets overlooked and only gets used as a starting and ending point to trips because of its exceptional transportation hub. Allow me to convince you why this city is a great place to check out!
• Lucerne (Luzern)
Lucerne is Switzerland's tourist capital. Here you will find Switzerland's most photographed destination (The Chapel Bridge and Water Tower), and find ease in taking day trips throughout Central Switzerland from Lucerne. Allow me to convince you why this city is a great place to check out!
• Bern
• Murten
• Lugano
• Lausanne
• Zermatt
• Geneva
• Montreux
• Davos
• Andermatt
• Basel
• St Gallen
• Ticino
• Locarno
• Ascona
• Crans-Montana
• Bernese Oberland
• Interlaken
• Grindelwald
• Mürren
• Wengen
• Lauterbrunnen
• Brienz
• Thun
• Gstaad
Custom Guides:
Are you looking to plan your own trip to Switzerland but are unsure of where to start? Allow me to help!
Let me know about your trip!
Did the information I gave you help to plan your trip?
Feel free to tag me or dm me pictures from your trip on instagram @dreamingwishingtraveling
Happy Traveling!
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