Europe · Western EuropeUsable guideCountry in Central Europe
Photo: User:Drat70Globe-trotter, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answers to what travellers most often look up about Switzerland.
Cards and cash
Money can be exchanged at all train stations and most banks throughout the country, and all ATMs accept foreign cards, so getting cash should not be a problem.
Tipping
Swiss service personnel enjoy a relatively highly set minimum wage compared to other countries, so tips are rather modest.
French, Swiss German, Italian, Romansh
Switzerland has four official languages: German, French, Italian, and Romansch. Many Swiss people are multilingual.
Some providers will not work but a local SIM card can be used instead.
Mobile networks
Water is drinkable everywhere, even out of every tap, especially so of public fountains, unless explicitly marked with "Kein Trinkwasser", "Non potable" or "Non potabile".
Generally there is no problem with food and water in Switzerland. Restaurants are controlled by strict rules.
Do you know nothing about the Swiss? Discretion is kind of our thing. That’s what we do. Tough luck.
Attractions, food, stays and travel essentials, with ratings, reviews, opening hours and directions.
as close as the nation gets to having a capital, with an amazingly well-preserved old-town and arcades along almost every street; great restaurants and bars abound
has an exceptional medieval centre, on the orthogonal bend of the river Rhine arriving from the east and leaving towards the north. Can also be used as a gateway to the Black Forest (Germany) and Alsace (France)
this centre of arts and culture is an international city home to around 200 governmental and non-governmental organisations, and is also the birthplace of the World Wide Web at CERN and the International Red Cross
the outdoor and action sports capital of Switzerland, with everything from skydiving and bungee jumping, to hiking, white-water rafting, and canyoning
scenery, dining, dancing, boating and the Swiss wine country are the draws
main city of the central region with direct water links to all of the sites of early Swiss history
a gorgeous old-town on a pretty lake; much Italianatà combined with Swiss seriousness
main city of north-eastern Switzerland, renowned for the Abbey of St. Gall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it also functions as the gate to the very special Appenzell region
large ski resort where the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum takes place
the classic resort at the foot of the Eiger
a region of terraced vineyards on the shore of Lake Geneva and a UNESCO cultural heritage site
glitzy ski resort in the Engadin valley in south-eastern Switzerland
a protected area around the largest glaciated area in the Alps; this high Alpine park offers stunning views and is also a UNESCO natural heritage site
famous mountain resort at the base of the mighty Matterhorn
The Swiss Alps are in Switzerland, stretching over several regions.
Places in Switzerland on the World Heritage List.
Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe
Listed 2007
prehistoric pile dwellings around the Alps
Listed 2011
Monte San Giorgio
Listed 2003
Lavaux
Listed 2007
The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier
Listed 2016
Saint John Abbey
Listed 1983
Glarus thrust
Listed 2008
Jungfrau-Aletsch protected area
Listed 2001
Old City of Bern
Listed 1983
Three Castles of Bellinzona
Listed 2000
Rhaetian Railway in the Albula / Bernina Landscapes
Listed 2008
La Chaux-de-Fonds / Le Locle, Watchmaking Town Planning
Listed 2009
List from Wikidata (CC0). Photos from Wikimedia Commons.
Public transport and paid services in Switzerland.
Public transport
The Swiss will spoil you with fantastic transport – swift, disturbingly punctual trains, clean buses, and a half dozen different kinds of mountain transport systems, integrated into a coherent system.
By plane
As Switzerland has probably the most well-developed public transportation system in the world, and the country's airports are not that far apart anyway, there is very limited domestic air traffic.
By car
If you like cars, Switzerland can seem like a bit of a tease. It offers some of the greatest driving roads in the world, but you can literally end up in jail for speeding, even on highways.
Apps for booking a taxi or a ride in Switzerland.
Finding apps for Switzerland…
Other ways to travel:Hiking and cycling
Operators checked against their official websites in October 2026; services that have stopped running are not listed. Logos and Wikipedia links: Wikidata (CC0)
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Zurich · International · ZRH
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Calculated from climate averages: mild daytime highs and lower rainfall. It does not account for festivals, crowds or prices.
Average conditions in Bern
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high | 2° | 4° | 8° | 13° | 17° | 21° | 23° | 22° | 18° | 14° | 8° | 3° |
| Avg. low | -4° | -4° | -1° | 3° | 7° | 12° | 13° | 13° | 9° | 5° | 0° | -3° |
| Rainfall (mm) | 77 | 62 | 80 | 83 | 130 | 117 | 121 | 126 | 83 | 94 | 82 | 87 |
| Humidity | 85% | 83% | 81% | 78% | 79% | 77% | 75% | 75% | 79% | 81% | 85% | 84% |
Choose your passport and destination to see whether you need a visa.
Budget
$115
Per person, per day
Mid-range
$310
Per person, per day
Luxury
$815
Per person, per day
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $55 | $170 | $465 |
| Food and drink | $30 | $75 | $180 |
| Local transport | $15 | $30 | $75 |
| Activities | $15 | $35 | $95 |
Estimate from World Bank price levels (2025). Actual costs vary by city and season. World Bank
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We do not label countries as safe or unsafe. Below is the official advice from two governments, with the date it was last updated. Always read the full advice before you travel.
US Department of State
Level 1 of 4Exercise normal precautions
Exercise normal precautionin Switzerland. Switzerland is generally a safe destination for travelers. Switzerland's mountains can be dangerous because of avalanches, landslides, and sudden weather changes. Review our Travel Guidance for Switzerland to learn how to prepare for a safe trip.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
No advice against travel. Read the full advice before you go.
G7 Summit The G7 Summit will be taking place in Evian, France, between 15-17 June 2026. A number of attendees will be transiting through Geneva. In preparation, the Swiss authorities are preparing to close several border crossings with France over the dates surrounding the Summit, which is likely to lead to severe delays at the crossings that remain open. You should plan your journey carefully and consider avoiding travel between France and Switzerland on these dates if possible. The Swiss authorities have given permission for a protest linked to the G7 in central Geneva on the afternoon of Sunday 14 June. There may be other unauthorised protest activity related to the G7 around the period from 12-19 June. Stay away from any areas where protest activity is underway and follow the instructions of the authorities. The Republic and Canton of Geneva (in French) has further information on the Swiss preparations for the G7 Summit. Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: see general advice for women travellers read our guide on disability and travel abroad see general advice for LGBT+ travellers read about safety for solo and independent travel see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad Travel insurance If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. About FCDO travel advice The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about…
Stories, itineraries and practical advice for travelling in Switzerland.
Travel tipsStep-by-step Schengen visa application guide for 2026, covering embassy selection, €90 fees, photo specifications, bank statements and insurance.
6 min read
InspirationFive small towns where you can unpack for a few days, walk everywhere, and hear yourself think, all reachable without a car.
7 min read
Nature & adventureSwitzerland is a surprisingly good place for cycling, largely due to its good cycling network. Swiss bike efforts are often stylized under the heading "Veloland Schweiz" which is Swiss standard German for "bike country…
Wikivoyage
Nature & adventureSwitzerland offers a great choice of ski resorts, from the small village to the large station. Most of Switzerland's ski resorts are surrounded by impressive landscapes such as large ice fields and high mountains (48…
Wikivoyage
Travel tipsIf you like cars, Switzerland can seem like a bit of a tease. It offers some of the greatest driving roads in the world, but you can literally be thrown in jail for speeding, even on highways.
Wikivoyage
Travel tipsSwitzerland will spoil you with a fantastic transport system - swift and disturbingly punctual trains, clean buses, and half a dozen different kinds of mountain transport systems, all integrated into a coherent system.
Wikivoyage
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