Switzerland lies at the heart of Europe. The country’s geographical diversity is remarkable. With numerous mountains, lakes and rivers, Switzerland offers an impressive range of natural landscapes that are ideal for outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing and climbing.
Switzerland comprises German, French, Italian and Rhaeto-Romanic language and cultural areas. The country is divided into 26 cantons and has a total of four official languages: German, French, Italian and Romansh. Its rich history and culture is reflected in its many museums, castles and historical sites.
Around 60 percent of Switzerland’s land area is covered by the Alps. They offer a breathtaking backdrop of snow-capped peaks, green alpine meadows and crystal-clear mountain lakes. Famous mountains such as the Matterhorn, the Eiger and the Jungfrau attract countless visitors every year. The Alps are not only a paradise for mountaineers and hikers, but also offer excellent conditions for winter sports enthusiasts.
Switzerland is also known for its numerous lakes. The three largest lakes – Lake Geneva, Lake Constance and Lake Neuchâtel – are surrounded by picturesque towns and offer a wide range of water sports. But smaller lakes such as Lake Lucerne or Lake Zurich also have their own charm and offer breathtaking panoramas.
The plains and valleys of Switzerland are characterized by picturesque villages, extensive pastures and dense forests. The Central Plateau in particular, which stretches between the Jura and the Alps, is characterized by agricultural land and offers a tranquil, rural atmosphere.
The Jura is a low mountain range that stretches across the west of Switzerland and parts of France. It offers a gentle, green landscape with extensive forests, deep gorges and wide plateaus that are ideal for hiking and cycling.
During a visit to Switzerland, the food and drink culture is not to be missed. Swiss cuisine is renowned for its quality and variety. Specialties such as fondue, raclette and rösti are widespread, as are the famous Swiss chocolates and cheeses. Switzerland is also known for its wines, especially the white wines from Valais and the red wines from Vaud.
Our excursion tips in Switzerland
Mon Dieu, I am in Montreux! The way is often the goal, so also on my journey across Italy, only to turn north again at some point, towards home.
Travel information
Arrival
The transport system in Switzerland is very well developed. Even remote villages can usually be reached by train or post bus. The larger cities have a dense public transport network.
By train
From Germany, for example, direct trains run the routes from Berlin, Hamburg or Frankfrurt am Main to Zurich or Basel.
Direct connections are offered from Zurich to Austria, and direct connections also exist to France and Italy.
The Swiss Travel Pass offers train travelers free travel on most rail, postal bus and shipping lines for the period of validity.
Rail travel in Switzerland is relatively expensive and trains are often very crowded.
By bus
There are a few long-distance bus lines to Switzerland, which mainly serve the major cities.
National long-distance bus lines operate much less, here the priority is on rail transport.
By car
The Swiss road network is well developed. There are several highway border crossings with neighboring countries.
By plane
The largest airport in Switzerland is located in Zurich. From here there are worldwide connections.
Other airports are located in Geneva and Basel with regular scheduled flights.
By ship
There is a ferry connection across Lake Constance, which allows entry by ship.
By bike
When cycling around Lake Constance or extending the Rhine cycle path, it is easy to get to Switzerland by bicycle.
Within Switzerland there is a well-signposted network of bicycle paths.
On foot
The network of hiking trails in Switzerland is very dense and well developed. Red-white-red marked mountain trails and blue-white-blue alpine routes are demandin
Entry requirements
German citizens do not need a visa to enter Switzerland but a valid passport or identity card.
Holders of German residence or settlement permits can also enter visa-free for stays of up to three months, as well as
- Holders of German travel documents for refugees if the residence is in Germany,
- Stateless persons, provided that their place of residence is in Germany and they are holders of a German travel document,
- Holders of a German travel document for foreigners in conjunction with a valid residence title.
For stays longer than 90 days, please refer to the information provided by the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FD
Entry requirements for non-EU nationals entering Switzerland
Persons who are not nationals of an EU member state, an EEA state or Switzerland generally require a valid and recognized travel document to enter Switzerland. This travel document, usually a passport, must be valid for at least three months after the planned departure from Switzerland and must have been issued within the previous ten years.
In addition, third-country nationals generally require a visa if this is required under Swiss entry regulations. However, there are exceptions: Third-country nationals who are exempt from the visa requirement do not require a visa for visits of up to 90 days.
It is important to note that access to the labor market in Switzerland is not free for non-EU/EFTA nationals and that annual quotas apply to the number of first-time short-stay and residence permits for gainful employment.
Toll
In Switzerland there is a compulsory vignette for the use of highways and motorways. This applies to cars, motorbikes, motor homes and all other privately usable vehicles (including car trailers) up to a maximum weight of 3.5 tonnes for any number of journeys within a calendar year (annual vignette, from 1 December of the previous year to 31 January of the following year).
You can buy the vignette at gas stations, post offices, rest stops, border crossings.
Best time to travel
Switzerland, characterized by its diverse geography and Alpine climate, offers unique attractions and experiences at any time of year.
Spring (March – May)
In spring, temperatures in Switzerland are often still quite cool. Average temperatures during these months are between 8 and 15 degrees Celsius. Precipitation reaches an average peak of around 70 mm in April.
Summer (June – August)
The summer months are ideal for hiking in the Alps, with daytime highs of between 18 and 20 degrees Celsius and night-time lows of between 8 and 10 degrees Celsius. The sun shines for an average of 6.8 hours a day in July, the sunniest month. There is an average of ten to thirteen days of rain per month.
Fall (September – November)
In the fall, the rainfall drops to an average of 60 mm. Temperatures begin to drop and the landscape changes, resulting in beautiful autumn colors.
Winter (December – February)
In winter, the average temperature is often well below freezing. Snow in Bern and Zurich does not last longer than two or three weeks. There is even less snow in Geneva and Lausanne. There is no snow at all near the Italian border and lakes are almost never covered in ice.
Currency
The Swiss franc is the currency of Switzerland. It is divided into 100 centimes and abbreviated CHF.
Tip
In Switzerland, the tip is already included in the price. If you round up to the nearest franc, the restaurant staff will surely be pleased.
Language
In total, Switzerland has four national languages: German, French, Italian and Rhaeto-Romanic..
Phone, WiFi
There are 3 major mobile network providers with their own network: Swisscom, Salt, Sunrise. In addition, service providers offer SIM cards for private customers at a wide range of rates.
Coverage is very good throughout the country. Even in the Alps, there are hardly any dead spots.
Power Plug
Type C and J plugs are used in Switzerland. Type C is compatible with sockets in Germany. For type J sockets, travelers from Germany need an adapter.