SWITZERLAND
Best Time to Visit:
There is no bad time to visit Switzerland – the country is stunning year round. Switzerland experiences the full range of seasons, so you can have several different experiences:
SUMMER + AUTUMN | best for hiking, sightseeing, and visiting the towns in the Bernese Oberland region. Weather is mild with many sunny days!
WINTER | best for skiing, enjoying the snow, and visiting the Swiss towns at Christmastime.
SPRING | best for budget travelers. There is a good bit of rainfall in the spring – it’s what keeps everything so green!
Getting Around
Public transportation is fantastic in Switzerland and I actually highly recommend using it as the train journeys are SO beautiful! I highly recommend purchasing the Swiss Travel Pass – it allows you to take any train, bus, or ferry in the country! Many gondolas and other special tickets are also half priced if you have the pass. Download the SBB app to have easy access to timetables and all your travel info!
Travel Requirements
Make sure your passport has six months of validity, regardless of how long you will be staying in Switzerland!
Know Before You Go
CURRENCY | CHF (Swiss Franc), Visa and Mastercard widely accepted
PLUG TYPE | Type C and J (C fits in both)
PHONE COVERAGE | Swisscom
SUSTAINABLE + ETHICAL TRAVEL IN SWITZERLAND
- Use public transportation to decrease emissions. The public transportation system in Switzerland is FANTASTIC – so there is really no need to rent a car. In fact, about 90% of the electricity that powers the trains is generated by hydropower!
- Respect the wildlife – do not touch or feed the cows or sheep.
- Visit in the shoulder seasons (May, September-November) to prevent overtourism. We visited in September and had perfect weather and fewer crowds! This also helps support the Swiss economy during the slower seasons!
- Purchase souvenirs from local vendors rather than mass produced shops (and there are a lot of mass produced shops in Switzerland).
