The Complete Travel Guide to Switzerland
Switzerland has breathtaking landscapes, charming villages, and pristine blue lakes. This is the one of the most beautiful countries I have been to thus far in terms of lush landscapes and picturesque views. It is a destination for adventurers, culture enthusiasts, and nature lovers.
LANGUAGE
Switzerland has such a multilingual population, with German, French, Italian, and Romansh being the official languages. I found that English is widely spoken, especially in tourist areas and major cities. Swiss German is the dialect many locals use in the more German speaking parts. It’s not an official language so it’s hard to pick up on.
CURRENCY
The Swiss Franc (CHF) is the official currency but the Euro is also accepted. I found that credit cards were widely accepted almost everywhere.
CUISINE
For starters, the food here is amazing and definitely reflects the country's diverse cultural influences, blending French, German, and Italian flavors. Of course Switzerland is known for its chocolate and cheese! From creamy fondues, delicate chocolates and mouthwatering pastries, Switzerland is for food lovers. Don't forget to sample local specialties like Swiss chocolate, cheese, and Rösti—a classic Swiss dish made from grated potatoes.
WEATHER
The weather reflects the seasons we experience here - warm in the summer, rainy in the spring, cool in the fall, and a wonderland in the winter.
WHEN TO GO
To me, there’s never a bad time to go to Switzerland so it’s dependent on what you want to do. Most people will say the summer is the best time because the weather is the most cooperative. But if you like to ski, people will say winter is the best time.
June to early September: Peak tourist time when it’s warm and you can do many outdoor activities. However, there will be more crowds and typically more expensive.
April to June or mid-September to October: These are the off-peak times with less crowds but still good weather. I went in April and it was rainy but I still got good weather with sunny warm days!
November to March: The slopes attract a lot of tourists who like to participate in skiing and snowboarding. Not to mention, the Christmas markets.
PLUGS
The plug type you need is Type J - here is a link.
You can also get a universal plug adapter if you are traveling to more than 1 county - linked it here for you.
WHERE TO STAY
The best way to visit Switzerland is to make a city your home base and use their amazing public transit to get to the other cities from there. I used a few bases to explore multiple regions of the country and here are my recommendations:
Lucerne
This was my first home base and it’s right in the middle of everything. It’s also charming and smaller than Zurich. From here you can day trip to: Mt Pilatus, Mt Rigi, Jungfraujoch, Interlaken, Bern, and Zurich.
Zurich
If you want a more hustling and bustling stay, Zurich is for you. Zurich and Lucerne are only about a 45 minute train ride from each other so I would just pick one. Day trips include: Rheinfall, Interlaken, Bern, Mt Titlis and Mt Pilatus, and Basel. If you are trying to choose between the two, choose Lucerne.
Interlaken
This is more of a remote town but I used it as a base to explore the various villages in the surrounding area. From here, you can visit Lauterbrunnen Valley, Jungfraujoch, Grindelwald, Brienz, Bern, Lake Thun /Spiez, and Schilthorn.
Geneva
I did not make it to this part of Switzerland as it did not fit within my itinerary. I still think it’s a great home base for day trips to: Chamonix and Mont Blanc, Montreux, Lausanne, Gruyeres (yes, like the cheese), Annecy, and Bern.
Lugano
This is in the Ticino region next door to Italy and it was a destination I was dying to go to but also did not fit into my itinerary. It is about 3 hours from Zurich. From Lugano, you could day trip to: Locarno, Bellinzona, San Bernardino, Milan, La Dolce Vita.
TRANSPORTATION
Switzerland’s public transit is unmatched. Getting around was one of the easiest experiences I have had. They have an efficient and extensive public transportation network, making it easy to explore the country. The Swiss Travel Pass offers unlimited travel on trains, buses, and boats, as well as free admission to many museums and attractions. It was well worth it!! I highly recommend using their transportation, it’s easy, very clean, and will save you money. Alternatively, you can rent a car as it does allow for more flexibility, but I don’t think it’s necessary.
SAFETY
Switzerland is known for its safety and stability, making it one of the safest countries in the world for travelers. Crime rates are low, and the country has excellent healthcare facilities and emergency services.
