Switzerland Travel Guide

Some facts about Switzerland

Two exports are likely to come to mind when you think of Swtizerland. Swiss watches are some of the finest and most prestigiuous in the world, with famous brands like Rolex and Omega wrapped around the wrists of the rich and famous, and then there's the chocolate. As a travel company we have a soft spot for Toblerone, a must-buy at the airport, which together with Lindt and Nestlé has made Swiss chocolate a global favourite.

But do look beyond the stereotypes. With four official languages, Switzerland is one of Europe's most culturally and linguistically diverse countries. German is the most widely spoken language, but you're more likely to hear Italian in Ticino, French in Vaud and Romansh in the Grisons, and each area has its own unique identity.

It's a good place for a good trip too. Switzerland is second on our Good Trip Index, the Holiday Extras guide to travelling ethically, sustainably and well. The country gets top marks for human freedom, animal welfare and quality of life, and comes in just behind Malta for LGBTQ+ travel, so you'll be welcomed with open arms no matter who you are.

Practical Info

Culture and etiquette

Religion

Switzerland is a predominantly Christian country, with around two thirds of the population identifying as either Catholic or Protestant. There's a large Muslim community too, and many people aren't religious at all.

Tipping

A service charge is usually included at restaurants and hotels, but it's common to leave a little extra for good service.

Smoking

Smoking is banned in most indoor public places, including bars, restaurants and public transport.

Jabs, visas and other advice

For up-to-date advice on jabs, visas and other foreign advice, we recommend following the government's website.

Emergency numbers

In a general emergency, call 112. For an ambulance call 144, for fire call 118 and for police call 117.

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Getting to Switzerland

The fastest way to get to Switzerland from the UK is to fly. It takes around 1 hour 40 minutes to fly from London to Geneva and Zurich.

You can also travel to Switzerland by train. The quickest route is to take the Eurostar from London to Paris, stop off for some escargot, then catch the high-speed train to Switzerland. From Paris it takes around 3 hours to get to Geneva and Basel, and 4 hours for Zurich.

You can also drive there, but it'll take a fair bit longer. Take the Eurotunnel from Folkestone, or the ferry from Dover, to Calais and from there it takes just over 7 hours to drive to Basel in northern Switzerland. Sounds like a long drive to do at once, but don't worry – the Champagne region is en route if you fancy splitting the journey up.

Getting around Switzerland

Switzerland has an excellent rail network, with trains travelling between major towns and cities as well as into the countryside and mountainous winter resorts. The roads are generally good quality too so hiring a car is an option, although trains are often more efficient and driving can be difficult in mountainous areas.

The public transport in major towns and cities is excellent too. You'll find trams and trains in Basel, Geneva, Zurich and more, which tend to be good value.

What's the weather like in Switzerland?

The weather in Switzerland can vary quite a lot depending on where you are, particularly if you're up in the mountains, but generally speaking there are four distinct seasons.

Summer is usually warm, with temperatures ranging between 20°C and 30°C, while you can expect a snow-capped wonderland in the height of winter. Spring and autumn tend to sit somewhere between these two extremes, with colourful flowers blooming in spring and red hues taking over in autumn.