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Can I travel to Switzerland? The entry requirements explained

Find out what tests you need to take, which forms you need to fill in and whether you need to be vaccinated to go on holiday in switzerland.

E ven in the early days of international tourism, Switzerland sold itself on the promise of fresh Alpine air and healthy outdoor exercise — and those qualities are just as welcome now as they ever were. The country seems to have claimed the greater share of Europe’s most beautiful lakes, to say nothing of 4,000m-plus peaks and glaciers. You don’t necessarily need to be a keen skier or hiker to appreciate them either, with steep mountain railways almost everywhere, and the panoramic Glacier Express linking Zermatt and St Moritz. For all the scenic pull of the southern and more mountainous half of the country, the more gently laid-out areas have great appeal as well, as do Swiss cities: storybook streets in Bern and Lucerne, museums and galleries in Geneva and Basel, and a mix of outdoors lifestyle with some urban grit in Zurich.

But how easy is it to go to Switzerland right now? Here’s everything you need to know on pre-departure testing, Covid regulations and travel requirements.

Main photo: Zermatt, in southern Switzerland (Getty Images)

What are Switzerland’s entry requirements?

Fully vaccinated travellers no longer need to test before entering Switzerland. The country recognises the UK’s proof of vaccination or recovery, though not as a screenshot or photo. All travellers also need to fill in an entry form Switzerland’s Travelcheck system has more information, as does the UK Foreign Office .

What are the Covid restrictions once there?

To access restaurants, bars and cultural or leisure spaces, you will have to show a certificate of vaccination or recovery, via an app or on paper. It’s compulsory to wear a face mask in other freely accessible enclosed settings, such as public transport (including cable cars) and shops. Nevertheless, the country is generally open for business in all areas. Some cantons may apply stricter rules than the national minimums. Switzerland’s vaccination rates are not particularly high compared to its neighbours.

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Can I go to Switzerland? Travel restrictions from the UK explained

By Sarah James

Switzerland has lifted travel restrictions, but does this apply to all travellers? Here's what you need to know. 

What are the rules for return travel to the UK from Switzerland?

As of 4am on Friday 18 March 2022, all Covid travel rules in the UK were lifted. This means that travellers do not need to test, quarantine or fill in a passenger locator form , regardless of their vaccination status.  

What are the rules for travel to Switzerland?

Similarly, Switzerland has also now lifted its Covid travel rules, which were some of the strictest in Europe in late 2021. 

Since Monday 2 May 2022, travellers do not need to show proof of vaccination, present a negative Covid test or fill in a passenger locator form. The only documents required for travel will be a passport, which must meet the post-Brexit validity requirements and have at least three months left before expiry from the date of return to the UK. 

We recommend checking travel rules before you fly as these may change at short notice. 

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Important information for flight guests travelling to Switzerland

Negative Covid-19 test result and registration of electronic contact details required before travelling. Exceptions for fully vaccinated passengers.

SWISS would like to draw your attention to that restrictions are still in place for travel to and transit in Switzerland for many countries. 

Please take note of the ​ detailed information on this page . Generally, a negative Covid-19 test result must be presented and an entry form ( ​ ePLF ) must be filled in. Exceptions are in place for, among others, fully vaccinated passengers and guests under 16 years of age .  Further details can be found on the pages of the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) . Please u se the interactive Travelcheck form of the FOPH to find out about the rules applicable to you.

Transfer via Zurich: Simplified rules for vaccinated passengers

Passengers only transiting in Switzerland within 24 hours and without leaving the airport are exempted from the test requirements. The entry form still needs to be completed. Passengers in transit from a Non-Schengen to a Schengen country need to be fully vaccinated. Flight guests should note that only a confirmation will be issued when checking in online. The actual boarding pass will be issued at the check-in counter. Flight guests should note that only a confirmation will be issued when checking in online. The actual boarding pass will be issued at the check-in counter.

SWISS recommends that flight guests allow for additional time and inform themselves in advance of the type of mask that has to be worn onboard their flight.

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Switzerland travel guide: Everything you need to know before you go

With world-class skiing, intriguing cities, scenic train rides and wide peaks and pastures of glorious nature, this european stunner has many underrated charms, article bookmarked.

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Switzerland’s Bernina Express train

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Consider monstrous glaciers, Tiffany-blue lakes, time-trapped mountain villages, Unesco-listed winelands and grand dame hotels – and you’ve only scratched the surface of Switzerland . This is a country of superlative Alpine beauty, with sights connected by hairpin roads, screw-shaped rail tunnels and heart-soaring cable cars. A huge part of the country’s appeal is the journey itself, not the destination.

Come for city life too, from riviera glamour in Zurich and watch shopping in Geneva, to art in Basel and luxury on tap in ski resorts Zermatt, Verbier, St Moritz and Gstaad. Ride a gourmet cheese train from Montreux, a horned dairy cow in Appenzell (because, why not?), or chuck yourself out of a helicopter above the notorious Eiger. All quirks are catered for.

Current travel restrictions and entry requirements

Travellers arriving in Switzerland are no longer subject to any Covid-19 restrictions. No proof of vaccination, recovery or testing is required for entry and the country has done away with all mask wearing and social distancing.

Best time to go

Arguably, it’s the ever-changing four seasons carousel that makes Switzerland so darn appealing. Come in winter for feather-light powder, snow globe Christmas markets and as-good-as-it-gets Alpine adventures in quaint mountain eyries. February and March herald carnival season, with Fasnacht an eye-poppingly macabre event of all-night revelry that belies Switzerland’s supposed conservatism (the one in Basel is particularly raucous).

The spring thaw around April brings with it the arrival of hut-to-hut hiking and the start of inner city swimming rituals – the river waters in Bern, Basel and Zurich are almost good enough for Evian to bottle. Peak summer is for ‘schwingen’ fests (seriously fun bouts of Swiss Alpine wrestling), then the nation unites on Swiss National Day on 1 August. Autumn, meanwhile, is for the wine harvest around Lake Geneva. There are some 1,500 producers here, with the steeply-tiered vineyards of Lavaux in particular containing fabulous, almost-secret cellars.

• Read our ultimate guide to Lucerne

Top regions and cities

Many people’s first impressions of Switzerland are at Zurich Airport – one of the world’s slickest – and there’s no let-up in the positive vibes afterwards. This is a city of Medieval nooks and crannies, with Gothic churches, a spectacular lake and river setting, and the smartest restaurants, bars and shops in the Alps. Bahnhofstrasse is the country’s answer to Fifth Avenue, home to Confiserie Sprüngli, a wonderland of luxemburgerli (squishy macarons) and chocolate truffles, while the Niederdorf is storybook central with its crooked streets, squares and glorious riverside promenade. In summer, swim with the after-work crowd at a historic lido, or pop into Kunsthaus Zurich gallery or Cabaret Voltaire – ground zero for the Dadaist art movement. For here-and-now trends and nightlife, make for Zurich West or Langstrasse.

• Read our ultimate guide to Zurich

Home of the Red Cross and the United Nations, the businesslike capital of French-speaking Switzerland can come across as all work and no play. But the jewel of the country’s Lake District is fun for more than just CEOs and diplomats. Get lost in its pedestrian Old Town, a mini maze of cute squares and neo-classical cathedrals, then scale the heights of Cathédrale St-Pierre, where Protestant John Calvin once preached. Time is a given in Geneva – it’s the world’s historical horology capital and home to more spiffy watch ateliers than anywhere else. While away a few hours at the Patek Philippe Museum, which charts the story of 500 years of Swiss watchmaking. Beyond the city limits, there’s also CERN, the mind-boggling particle physics laboratory; the creased hills of Saint Cergue; and enough lakeside vineyards and castles to make you wish you’d stayed longer.

• On a confectionary tour of Geneva with the Swiss city’s new Choco Pass

With its postcard good looks, this is the Switzerland of Heidi illustrations. Grazing cows pose with oversized bronze bells; dairy farmers and cheesemakers prepare feasts for hikers’ mountain huts; and goatherders ply ancient mountain tracks from silvery lakes to snaggletooth peaks. Primarily, this canton attracts outdoor adventurers; the mountain-cradled resorts of Laax-Flims, Lenzerheide, Arosa, Disentis, Klosters and Davos fill year-round with hikers, bikers, paragliders, skiers and snowboarders worked up into a frenzy. To the south, the contours wiggle towards the Engadine Valley, home to swit-swoo St Moritz, with its catwalk fashion designer boutiques and – for hardcore toffs – horse polo on ice.

• Feature: Explore Switzerland’s underground cheese cathedral

Bernese Oberland

Brimming with many of the country’s sock-knocking Alpine experiences, the Bernese Oberland is Switzerland at its most captivating – it appears before the mind’s eye fully coloured-in, epic and wild. Swarms of travellers beeline to Interlaken, but the vast glaciers and deep-cut valleys of the Jungfrau, Monch and Eiger are better savoured when staying in the squirreled-away towns of Grindelwald, Wengen or Murren. Ride a cogwheel railway inside a mountain to the Jungfraujoch (aka the “Top of Europe ”). See the purpose-built 007 location of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service atop the Schilthorn. Dangle on a via ferrata above the Aletsch Glacier, the largest in the Alps. Or hike through Lauterbrunnen’s meadows, which once inspired J.R.R. Tolkien to create Middle Earth – with a little imagination you could find yourself staring into an elvish valley. And from here, the country’s most famous peak, the Toblerone-shaped Matterhorn, is to the south in the swish, car-free resort of Zermatt in Valais.

• A ski-free winter break to Switzerland’s eco-focused Jungfrau region

Lake Lucerne

All journeys in impossibly-pretty Lucerne should begin and end with a paddle steamer cruise on the Vierwaldstetersee, a puzzle-piece-shaped lake backed by jaw-dropping precipices and cliff-hugging cable cars. There’s great hut-to-hut hiking, historic railways, mountain-biking and wild swimming and, with a rolling topography of high valleys, some of the prettiest Alpine villages in the country. Two highlights are Stoos and Engelberg, the latter home to the Titlis Cliff Walk, the highest suspension bridge in Europe. At the lake’s tip, the road zigzags up to the resort town of Andermatt, with its five-star hotels and golf courses, before disappearing into the Gotthard Tunnel, the portal to the country’s south.

• What lies beneath: Exploring Lake Lucerne by submarine

Best under-the-radar destinations

It might be the capital, but does anyone ever mention Bern? Hardly. But Switzerland’s too-often-overlooked capital has a wealth of attractions, from a beautifully preserved Old Town, with its astronomical Zytglogge Clock and Swiss Parliament, to inner city swimming or rafting the Aare River. Once the haunt of Albert Einstein – cue a museum in tribute – it remains a laid-back place for serious thinkers and there are plenty of café-lined squares and gardens to chew over Switzerland’s notoriously Daedalian politics. Another highlight: Bern is also known as the city of fountains, so expect plenty of spritzing stunners.

• The ultimate guide to Bern

People often speak of Switzerland’s German and French cultures, but its Italian culture is all too rarely mentioned. Ticino, the country’s only Italian-speaking canton, delivers a gutfull of dolce vita flavours: think mountaintop monasteries, crystal-clear wild swimming spots, and grotto-style restaurants serving pizza, pasta and gelato. Highlights abound: there’s Locarno and Ascona, two of the country’s most sophisticated lakeside towns; Bellinzona, with its three grand Unesco castles crowned with turrets and roller coasting ramparts; and the Verscaza Dam, home to a ludicrous bungee jump usually soundtracked by a barrage of expletives.

While it’s well-travelled by the Swiss, this northeastern pocket of gentle mountains, cheese farms and wild meadows is an almost unknown to Brits – and yet it’s distinguished from what you see elsewhere in Switzerland because it remains deeply-rooted in medieval tradition. (Fun fact: the women of Appenzell Innerrhoden were only allowed to vote for the first time in 1991). The town of Appenzell itself is the place to start a tour, but it’s the Alpstein massif, with its cliff-defying Aescher Berggasthaus and vermillion mountain tarn Seealpsee, that delivers the ultimate drama. For an unforgettable day hike with an in-your-face view, take the Kronberg Luftseilbahn from Jakobsbad, then amble back to the base station.

Best things to do

Drive the e-grand tour.

In the shadow of Europe’s largest mountain wilderness, life-affirming road trips are not in short supply here. But a standout is Switzerland’s clean, green e-Grand Tour, a 1,000-mile route that absorbs a dense network of super chargers, Alpine passes and dozens of Unesco sights. Options are tenfold, but a highlights reel from Zurich might include: peacock-blue Lake Lucerne; the corkscrewing valley of Andermatt; and motoring the Furka Pass, where Sean Connery’s James Bond chased Auric Goldfinger in the 1964 spy classic. Before reaching destination’s end, consider detours to saw-edged mountain utopias Crans-Montana, Gstaad or Grindelwald.

Conquer a big mountain

What can’t be done in the Swiss mountains in winter? These days, in addition to skiing , snowboarding, ski touring and dog sledding, those seeking goosebump thrills can somersault out of a helicopter, zip-line across a plunging valley, scuba a frozen lake, toboggan in the dark, or even learn to drive a snow-grooming piste machine through the night. With so many resorts, competition to come up with the latest quirk is fierce, but those that can always be relied on for both newfangled and old-school pleasures are Verbier, Zermatt, Saas Fee, Davos, Laax and St Moritz.

• A trail running trip to Verbier makes for an exhilarating thrill ride

Eat cheese (and lots of it)

In particular, fondue or raclette, which is served up with heart-stopping abandon. There are cosy restaurants and showstopping fromageries in almost every corner of the country, but there’s also a cheese-themed cycling trail through the renowned pasturelands of Gruyères and carb-loading dairies in Appenzell, home to an almost spicy Swiss tradition. Fondue-friendly Fribourg is also a standout, as is Brienz, for its Parmesan-like Sbrinz.

Getting around

Monstrous lakes, mighty peaks, maze-like valleys: by nature , Switzerland is time consuming to travel around. To combat this, the Swiss have built one of the world’s greatest public transport systems and few other countries have such an efficient, high-speed and downright enjoyable countrywide network. In fact, many of the best journeys in the country can only be done by train. A few to add to your bucket-list are the Glacier Express, from Zermatt to St Mortiz; the Rhaetian Bahn, from Chur over the Bernina mountain pass; and the Montreux-Berner Oberland-Bahn’s dedicated cheese train.

How to get there

The cheapest and quickest way to get to Switzerland is on a budget flight into Geneva, Basel or Zurich. Train travel to the country is increasingly popular, with services from London to Geneva the most efficient; Eurostar can connect passengers via Paris’s Gare de Lyon in 5.5hrs, not including connections. To travel to Basel or Zurich, the fastest trains are via Brussels and Cologne.

Money-saving tip

Switzerland is unashamedly expensive. When embracing the great outdoors, take a picnic lunch as its mountain cafes and restaurants are notoriously costly (£5-7 for a Coca-Cola is the norm). And, shockingly, even tap water isn’t always free. So bring your own bottle.

What’s the weather like?

Arctic temperatures in the mountains during snow-packed winters and Mediterranean-lite days of sunshine in summer. Expect hot often humid days in June, July and August, with temperatures up to the early 30s, followed by warm autumn weeks around the 20s. In some years, snows can change the mood completely, arriving as early as October.

What time zone is it in?

Switzerland’s time zone is GMT+1.

What currency do I need?

Swiss Francs (CHF).

What language is spoken?

Switzerland has four national languages: German, French, Italian and Romansch, which is spoken only in parts of Graubunden. Which is to say the Swiss are linguistic wizards and many speak three-plus languages, including English.

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Best Time to Visit

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Your Trip to Switzerland: The Complete Guide

If you've ever ogled over photos of Switzerland's Alpine peaks, rolling meadows, and pristine lakes, you'll be happy to know that it's even more beautiful in person. The central European country is small compared to its neighbors, but it packs a lot into its 16,000 square miles, including 13 UNESCO World Heritage Sites , more than 1,500 glaciers, and at least that many lakes.

All these geologic wonders add up to some of the more stunning scenery in the world. And that's enough to bring travelers—about 12 million of them per year —to Switzerland. When you factor in the countless opportunities for hiking, skiing, and boating; hearty Swiss food; modern, interesting cities; and what is probably Europe's best public transportation system, you're met with an accessible, exciting, and altogether satisfying vacation destination.

Planning Your Trip

• Best Time to Visit :  The best time to visit Switzerland depends on what you want to do while you're here. Ski slopes are open November through March (though there is year-round skiing in a few places), while hiking and swimming are glorious in the summer months. But to beat the crowds, consider a visit in spring or fall.
• Language:  Switzerland's cantons, or states, are mostly either French- or German-speaking. In the southern Ticino canton, Italian is the first language and in the Graubünden/Grisons canton, Romansh, a form of ancient Latin, is still spoken by about 60,000 people. The good news for travelers is that English is widely spoken, especially in hotels, restaurants, stores, and tourist attractions.
• Currency:  Despite being in the middle of western Europe, Switzerland is not part of the EU, though it participates in the European Common economic market. The official currency here is the Swiss franc (abbreviated CHF). That said, your euros will probably be accepted at most places, though they'll give you change in francs.
• Getting Around :  The clean, convenient, and comprehensive Swiss Travel System is the pride of Switzerland, and rightly so. The system includes trains, buses, lake and river ferries, funiculars, cogwheel trains, ski lifts, and gondolas that permit access to virtually every corner of the country. Because the system is so complete, we recommend touring Switzerland by public transportation, instead of by rental car. From airports and larger train stations, taxis are always available for those who don't feel like schlepping their bags.
• Travel Tip:  If you plan to do a lot of travel within Switzerland, consider purchasing the Swiss Travel Pass , which grants the holder unlimited first- or second-class travel across the country's network of trains, buses, and boats, and most scenic railways. Plus, you'll get admission to more than 500 museums, as well as discounts on mountain excursions. However, if you just plan to visit a couple of places in the country, you can get by with individual train/transit tickets.

TripSavvy / Michela Sieman

Things to Do

While every traveler has their own reasons for visiting Switzerland, the big draws here can more or less be broken down into three categories: scenery, outdoor activities, and Swiss history and culture. Your trip will likely start or end in one of Switzerland's big cities, where that history and culture are on full display. Be sure to plan at least one (or several) excursions into the Swiss countryside, either on an easy or challenging hike, a boat ride across an iconic lake, or a cable car ride up to some of the highest peaks in Europe.

Here are some ideas for planning your Swiss itinerary:

• Explore one of the country's culturally rich cities. If you're flying into Switzerland, you'll most likely arrive in Zürich or Geneva. Zürich , Switzerland's largest city, is a delightful place to spend a few days taking in art and history museums, dining in centuries-old restaurants, and strolling down the River Limmat. Geneva , in French-speaking Switzerland, is the diplomatic center of Europe, with plenty of history and classical appeal, and an idyllic setting on the shores of Lake Geneva.
• Hike, bike, swim, or ski. No matter what time of year you visit, you'll find a huge range of outdoor activities in Switzerland—though admittedly, swimming is a bit brisk from October to June! There are biking and hiking routes for every level of fitness, extensive networks of ski "arenas" across the Alps and the Jura mountains, and rivers and lakes waiting for you to jump in for a swim or a paddle.
• Choose a mountain excursion. In Switzerland, it doesn't matter if you're not a skier or hiker. You can answer the call of the mountains just the same, thanks to dozens of scenic mountain excursions that whisk you—by cogwheel rail, cable car, or ski gondola—for close-up looks at the Matterhorn , the Eiger, the Aletsch Glacier, and more. At most places, you can have lunch on the mountaintop while you enjoy the view. Don't leave Switzerland without partaking in at least one of these thrilling rides.

For more trip-planning ideas, check out our full-length articles on the top things to do in Switzerland , Switzerland's most scenic train rides , and Switzerland's top lakes .

What to Eat and Drink

Swiss cuisine is hearty, to say the least. Cheese, chocolate, potatoes, and meat feature heavily on Swiss menus everywhere, and risotto is popular in the cantons bordering Italy. Swiss wine, from vineyards mostly south of the Alps, is so popular among the Swiss that only 2 percent is exported!

Here are some of the foods and beverages you shouldn't miss in Switzerland:

• Fondue. This classic dish of melted cheese, served with bread and vegetables for dipping, is as iconic as the Matterhorn. Fondue originated in French-speaking Switzerland , but it's pretty much ubiquitous across the country.
• Raclette. Sort of a cousin of fondue, raclette is melted cheese served on a plate with bread, potatoes, and gherkins. Its roots are high in the Alps, where farmers would make meals from their abundant cheese reserves.
• Rösti. Pancakes made of grated, fried potatoes, rösti may be served as a side dish or, when paired with eggs, meat, or cheese, as the main course.
• Chocolate. Thanks to milk from grass-fed Alpine cows, plus a few "secret" recipes, Swiss milk chocolate is among the creamiest in the world. Brands to look for include Toberlone, Lindt, Sprüngli, and Läderach.
• Swiss wine. Largely produced in the more temperant cantons south of the Alps, Swiss wine is equally celebrated in its red and white varieties. Chasselas and pinot noir are among the most common grapes, but across the country's wine-growing region, micro-vineyards specialize in small-batch wines. Be sure to sample the wine while you're here— Swiss wine is hard to find outside Switzerland.

Read more in our guides to the top foods to try in Switzerland and where to eat in Zürich .

Where to Stay

Switzerland's accommodation options range from rustic mountain bunkhouses for hikers to luxurious 5-star hotels with spas, Michelin-star dining, and every imaginable amenity. In between those extremes, there are concept hotels, ski-in/ski-out lodges, and a host of B&Bs, small inns, and vacation rentals.

If you're staying in a city, we usually recommend basing yourself in the historic center so that you're within walking distance of popular tourist attractions, restaurants, and bars. But cities like Zürich also have creative, modern districts outside of the center, which make for interesting bases as well. In an Alpine destination such as Zermatt, Saas-Fee, or Gstaad, we like cozy, traditional hotels that really impart a sense of place.

For a taste of what Zürich has to offer, check out our articles on Zürich's top neighborhoods and best hotels.

Getting to Switzerland

International flights to Switzerland, especially those originating outside of Europe, will likely arrive in Zürich or Geneva. Some intra-Europe flights might land at Basel's airport, which is actually located just over the French border.

You can reach Switzerland by train from the neighboring countries of Austria, Germany, France, and Italy. Note that if you're traveling to Switzerland from an adjacent country, your ticket will likely only cover you until your first stop in Switzerland; for example, if you're traveling from Milan, Italy, your ticket will take you as far as Lugano. After that, you'll need a travel pass or ticket from the Swiss Travel System if you want to change trains.

If you're driving to Switzerland, you need to purchase or make sure your car already has a motorway vignette —a sticker that permits access to Swiss highways.

Learn more by checking out our guides to Zürich airport , traveling to Switzerland from Italy , and Zürich's public transportation .

Culture and Customs

While there are no special "rules" for visiting Switzerland, travelers here might find the Swiss somewhat reserved, especially when compared to Mediterranean cultures to the south. Here are a few basic customs and courtesies to keep in mind:

• Be on time. Trains aren't the only thing that runs on time in Switzerland. Plan to arrive on time, or even a few minutes early, for restaurant reservations or other reserved activities.
• Don't be noisy. In restaurants, on public transportation, and especially in the evenings in residential areas, keep your voices at a conversational level.
• Tip in moderation. While tipping waitstaff is appreciated in Switzerland, it's not expected. Tips for your hotel cleaning staff and bellhops are the norm, however.

Money Saving Tips

Here's something you should know about Switzerland before you start planning your trip: it's expensive. Hotels, dining, trains, and attractions are all costly compared to many other European countries, but there are a few ways you can save money:

• Travel in the shoulder seasons. Visit Switzerland in the spring or fall to save money on airfare and hotels.
• Drink tap water. Unless otherwise posted, tap water in Switzerland is clean and safe to drink. Bring a reusable water bottle and fill it up at any tap.
• Pack a picnic. Before you head out for a day of adventures, stop at a grocery store and pick up bread, cheese, cold cuts, or whatever else you want for a picnic. Just don't forget to grab a chocolate bar for the road!

https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/ch

https://www.worlddata.info/europe/switzerland/tourism.php

Switzerland Tourism. "Language distribution." Retrieved on November 9, 2021.

Switzerland Tourism. "Currency." Retrieved on November 9, 2021.

BBC. "Tracing fondue’s mysterious origins." February 12, 2013.

Switzerland Travel Guide

The 17 Best Countries to Visit in Europe

The Top 20 Things to Do in Switzerland

The Best 17 Places to Visit in Switzerland

How to Travel From Florence to Paris by Train, Bus, Plane, and Car

France Guide: Planning Your Trip

One Week in Switzerland: The Ultimate Itinerary

The 10 Best Restaurants in Switzerland

How to Travel Between Italy and Switzerland by Train

The Best Time to Visit Switzerland

Matterhorn: The Complete Guide

Your Trip to Zurich: The Complete Guide

The Most Beautiful Lakes in Switzerland

How to Use Swiss Trains and the Swiss Travel Pass

The Complete Guide to Switzerland's Nature Parks

Skiing in Switzerland: The Complete Guide

Introducing Switzerland

About switzerland.

• Images of Switzerland
• History, language & culture
• Weather & geography
• Doing business & staying in touch

Plan your trip

Travel to switzerland.

• Where to stay

While you’re there

• Things to see & do
• Shopping & nightlife
• Food & drink
• Getting around

Before you go

• Passport & visa
• Public Holidays
• Money & duty free

Book your flights

• Bern-Belp Airport
• EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg
• Geneva International Airport
• Zurich Airport

Ski Resorts

• Grindelwald
• Meiringen-Hasliberg

Switzerland travel guide

Combining expansive greenery, slick cities and bucketfuls of fresh air, Switzerland is a stylish tourist destination that offers countless outdoor adventures and contemporary urban breaks.

Switzerland’s Alpine vistas are so picture perfect, they appear to have been plucked from a postcard or the pages of a storybook. But these disarming landscapes are alive and kicking, as the myriad spots for skiing, hiking or mountain biking can attest. Ski resorts like Zermatt (home to the lofty Matterhorn), Verbier and celebrity-studded St Moritz provide everything from big, bad Olympic runs to encouragingly gentle novice slopes. And when the snow melts at low altitudes, the white-tipped mountain peaks remain against a backdrop of blue skies, providing a superb setting for summertime hiking.

The ancient capital Berne provides almost endless opportunities for sightseeing, shopping and traditional folk entertainment, while Zurich leads the way in art, design and nightlife, from opera and world-class theatre to stylish bars and nightclubs. Geneva is the sleekest and most upscale of Switzerland's cities, acting as home to a thriving community of expats, many of whom work for the numerous international organisations that are headquartered there.

Yet Switzerland’s cultural offerings don’t stop there. When it comes to contemporary art, polished Basel reigns supreme, with more than 40 museums and galleries nestled in this compact city. For a few days every year, Basel takes centre stage for the eminent Art Basel fair. French-flavoured Montreux also steals a moment in the cultural spotlight when it becomes the centre of focus for the jazz world during the Montreux Jazz Festival. Elsewhere, dotted around green foothills, are countless spruce towns and folkloric villages, where ancient farm culture survives and cattle still loiter amid flower-filled pastures. 

Small, mountainous and wealthy, Switzerland is renowned for its enviable quality of life, with public services ticking along like clockwork. Come for the creamy, complex cheeses, smooth chocolates and luxury watches; stay for the exquisite culture, incredible scenery and sheer sense of fun.

41,284 sq km (15,940 sq miles).

8,588,758 (UN estimate 2019).

208 per sq km.

Federal City Bern.

Federal republic.

Viola Amherd since January 2024.

Travel Advice

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ( FCDO ) provides advice about risks of travel to help British nationals make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice .

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide as well as support for British nationals abroad which includes:

• advice on preparing for travel abroad and reducing risks
• information for women, LGBT and disabled travellers

Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter , Facebook and Instagram . You can also sign up to get email notifications when this advice is updated.

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.

This advice reflects the UK government’s understanding of current rules for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK, for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Switzerland set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Embassy of Switzerland in the UK .

COVID-19 rules

Countries may restrict travel or bring in rules at short notice. Check with your travel provider for changes.

If you test positive for COVID-19, you may need to stay where you are until you test negative. You may also need to get treatment there.

Read TravelHealthPro’s general COVID-19 advice for travellers .

There are no COVID-19 testing or vaccination requirements for people entering Switzerland.

More information is available from the Federal Office of Public Health or by calling the Coronavirus Infoline on +41 58 463 00 00 (7am to 5pm GMT). Assistance is available in English.

Public spaces

Cantons (administrative area) may impose further restrictions. Check cantonal websites for more details.

Passport validity requirements

If you’re planning to travel to an EU country (except Ireland), or Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City, you must follow the Schengen area passport requirements .

Your passport must be:

• issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the country (check the ‘date of issue’)
• valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’)

You must check your passport meets these requirements before you travel. If your passport was issued before 1 October 2018, extra months may have been added to its expiry date.

Contact the Embassy of Switzerland in the UK if you think that your passport does not meet both these requirements. Renew your passport if you need to .

Check with your transport provider or travel company that your passport and other travel documents meet their requirements.

Passport stamping

Check your passport is stamped if you enter or exit the Schengen area through Switzerland as a visitor. Border guards will use passport stamps to check you’re complying with the 90-day visa-free limit for short stays in the Schengen area. If relevant entry or exit stamps are not in your passport, border guards will presume that you have overstayed your visa-free limit.

You can show evidence of when and where you entered or exited the Schengen area and ask the border guards to add this date and location in your passport. Examples of acceptable evidence include boarding passes and tickets.

You can find more information on travel documents on the cantons website website. If you live in Switzerland, read our Living in Switzerland guide for passport stamping information.

Visa requirements

You can travel to countries in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. This applies if you travel:

• as a tourist
• to visit family or friends
• to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events
• for short-term studies or training

UK nationals do not need a visa to enter Switzerland. At passport control, UK nationals should use the ‘ALL PASSPORTS’ lane, whatever their residence status.

If you’re travelling to Switzerland and other Schengen countries without a visa, make sure your whole visit is within the 90-day limit. Visits to Schengen countries within the previous 180 days before you travel count towards your 90 days.

To stay longer (to work or study, for business travel or for other reasons), you must meet the Swiss government’s entry requirements. Check which type of visa or work permit you may need with the Swiss Embassy website .

If you are travelling to work in Switzerland , read the guidance on visas and permits.

If you stay in Switzerland with a residence permit or long-stay visa, this does not count towards your 90-day visa-free limit.

Additional documents required by tourists

At Switzerland’s border control, you may need to:

• show proof of your accommodation, for example, a hotel booking confirmation or proof of address if visiting your own property (for example, a second home)
• show proof of insurance for your trip – check FCDO’s travel insurance guidance
• show a return or onward ticket
• prove that you have enough money for your stay – around 100 Swiss francs a day

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods that you can take into and out of Switzerland. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty. There is information about Swiss customs regulations on the cantons website .

Vaccination requirements (other than COVID-19)

At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the vaccinations and certificates you need in TravelHealthPro’s Switzerland guide .

There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. You should stay vigilant.

UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad

Terrorism in Switzerland

Terrorist attacks in Switzerland cannot be ruled out.

There is a low rate of serious crime in Switzerland. However, there have been increased reports of theft, especially in larger cities, at Geneva airport and on trains to and from Geneva.

Protecting your belongings

Take sensible precautions to avoid mugging, bag snatching and pickpocketing. Be particularly vigilant at airports, railway stations and crowded public gatherings. Do not leave your valuables unattended.

Laws and cultural differences

Public offences.

Covering your face in public places in the Swiss cantons of Ticino and St Gallen is illegal, including for tourists. This includes balaclavas, full veils or any other garment or mask that is used to hide the face. You could be fined 100 to 10,000 Swiss francs if you don’t comply.

Outdoor activities and adventure tourism

Trekking, mountaineering and extreme sports.

Hiking, mountaineering and other adventure sports can be risky. Visitors can get into difficulty and need the help of the emergency services when hiking and mountaineering. British visitors have been involved in accidents, been hospitalised or have died.

Check the company you are using is well-established and that you’ve arranged for your travel insurance to cover specific activity.

For sports activities like skiing, potholing and mountaineering, and for sports classed as particularly dangerous (for example off-piste skiing, mountain biking, climbing, paragliding or BASE jumping), your insurance should include:

• mountain rescue services
• helicopter costs
• repatriation to your country of residence or possible transfer to neighbouring countries for treatment

Read FCDO advice about staying safe while skiing and preparing for winter sports abroad .

Extreme weather

Check weather forecasts and conditions and make sure you’re properly equipped for the worst-case scenario. A map, compass, GPS and telecommunication equipment should always be used when travelling outside urban areas. Don’t undertake any activity alone and consider hiring a guide for expert advice. Always leave copies of your itinerary with someone.

These alpine hazards exist throughout the year:

• avalanches and snow drifts
• landslides and flooding
• glacial crevasses and hollows
• thunderstorms and lightning
• altitude sickness
• sun exposure
• sudden weather changes

Forest fires

There are a number of ongoing forest fires in Switzerland. There is more information on the Federal Government’s Natural Hazards Portal . Check with your travel provider before travelling and follow the advice of local authorities at all times.

Forest fires can lead to rockfall in mountainous areas. Official advice on the safety measures currently in place can be found on the Federal Office for the Environment’s website . You should:

• take care when visiting or driving through woodland areas
• make sure cigarette ends are properly extinguished
• not light barbecues
• take care when you are travelling or hiking in a mountainous area

Causing a forest fire when a ban on open fire is in place is illegal, even if unintentional, and can lead to fines of up to 20,000 Swiss francs.

If you see a forest fire, call the fire department on 118.

Forest fires can also cause travel disruption in wider areas.

Avalanches are a risk, particularly during heavy snow. Off-piste skiing is very dangerous due to the risk of avalanches. Follow safety instructions and warnings. Consider carrying search equipment. Avalanche beepers (receivers) are the most common rescue devices and when properly used, are the fastest way of locating an avalanche victim.

Conditions on roads in mountainous areas can quickly become difficult in winter. Carry water, food, warm clothing and medicines in your vehicle.

Check the latest avalanche risk at the Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology .

For more information, visit the official Switzerland Tourism website .

Transport risks in Switzerland

Road travel.

If you are planning to drive in Switzerland, see information on driving abroad and read the RAC Switzerland guide .

Licences and documents

If you are visiting Switzerland, you can drive on a full, valid UK driving licence, insurance and vehicle documents. If you’re living in Switzerland, check the Living in Switzerland Guide for information on requirements for residents.

Driving a British car abroad

You may need a UK sticker to drive your car outside the UK. UK stickers have replaced GB stickers. Check the government guidance on displaying number plates for more information on what to do if you are driving outside the UK.

Driving regulations

Road users have to comply with Switzerland’s traffic laws , such as speed limits, rules on alcohol intake and child security. Traffic regulations are strictly enforced. Any serious breach of the regulations can result in heavy fines or imprisonment.

You must buy and display a vignette (sticker) to travel on Swiss motorways or face large fines. You can buy a vignette at most border crossings, petrol stations, post offices, by phone (+800 1002 0030) or buy a vignette online .

If you’re involved in a car accident, use the orange emergency phones to ask for help.

Road conditions

Roads outside urban areas are narrow and winding. Road conditions can deteriorate fast (even in summer) especially during heavy rainfall and snowfall at higher altitudes. Reduce your speed significantly to suit the conditions.

Alpine winters make driving difficult. Equip your car with winter tyres and snow-chains. Check road conditions before you depart. Carry water, food, warm clothing and medicines in your vehicle.

See the latest information on road conditions on the cantons website .

Accessibility

The official Switzerland Tourism website has useful information for travellers in wheelchairs or with impaired mobility .

Before you travel check that:

• your destination can provide the healthcare you may need
• you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation

This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.

Emergency medical number

Dial 112 or 144 and ask for an ambulance.

Contact your insurance or medical assistance company promptly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.

For more information read guidance on healthcare when travelling in Europe .

Vaccinations and health risks

At least 8 weeks before your trip check:

• the latest information on vaccinations and health risks in TravelHealthPro’s Switzerland guide
• where to get vaccines and whether you have to pay on the NHS travel vaccinations page

Altitude sickness

Altitude sickness is a risk in parts of Switzerland, including the ski and hiking areas around:

• Belalp-Blatten
• Engelberg-Titlis
• Lauchernalp

Read more about altitude sickness on TravelHealthPro .

Insect and tick bites

There is an increased risk of tick bites from April to October. The Federal Office of Public Health warns of a significant number of lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) cases annually. For more information read about insect and tick bite avoidance on TravelHealthPro .

The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.

Read best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro .

The NHS has information on whether you can take your medicine abroad .

Healthcare facilities in Switzerland

FCDO has a list of English-speaking doctors in Switzerland .

COVID-19 healthcare in Switzerland

Local restrictions, such as face masks or proof of vaccination, may be required in hospitals or care homes.

Health insurance cards

Apply for a free UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) before leaving the UK. If you already have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) , it will still be valid as long as it remains in date.

The GHIC or EHIC entitles you to state-provided medical treatment necessary during your trip. Any treatment provided is on the same terms as Swiss nationals. If you do not have your card with you or you’ve lost it, contact the NHS Overseas Healthcare Team .

It’s important to take out appropriate travel insurance for your needs. A GHIC or EHIC is not an alternative to travel insurance and you should have both before you travel. An GHIC or EHIC does not cover all health-related costs, for example, medical repatriation, ongoing medical treatment and non-urgent treatment. Read more about what your travel insurance should cover .

GHIC and EHIC cover state healthcare only, not private treatment. You will be responsible for the cost of any treatment provided by a private doctor or private clinic.

Travel and mental health

Read FCDO guidance on travel and mental health . There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro .

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.

Emergency services in Switzerland

If you need to contact emergency services, call these numbers:

General emergency: 112

Ambulance: 144

Police: 117

Contact your travel provider and insurer

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.

Refunds and changes to travel

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans , including:

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim

Support from FCDO

FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:

• finding English-speaking lawyers , funeral directors and translators and interpreters in Switzerland
• dealing with a death in Switzerland
• being arrested in Switzerland
• getting help if you’re a victim of crime
• what to do if you’re in hospital
• if you are affected by a crisis , such as a terrorist attack

Contacting FCDO

Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter , Facebook and Instagram . You can also sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.

Help abroad in an emergency

If you are abroad and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the British Embassy Berne .

You can also contact FCDO online .

FCDO in London

You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)

Find out about call charges

Risk information for British companies

The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating overseas on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.

Related Articles

Going underground

Built in 1976, the Sonnenberg bunker in Lucerne, Switzerland, is one of the world’s largest civilian nuclear shelters, once intended to protect 20,000 people against nuclear threat at the height of the Cold War. Forty years on, Caroline Bishop imagines what it might have been like to be holed up there for two weeks with 19,999 others.

Summer adventures in Switzerland

Trade your snowboard for sunglasses in Switzerland with our guide to snow-free summer fun, writes Lucy Levin

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Welcome to Switzerland Travel Centre! You are welcome to contact us by e-mail or by phone on +44 207 420 4900 .

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At Switzerland Travel Centre we create tailor-made trips using our unparalleled knowledge of the broad range of different experiences available in this beautiful country. Discover Switzerland's spellbinding scenery on some superb railway journeys, such as the world-famous  Glacier Express or the fantastic Bernina Express . We are sure to create a holiday that's perfect for you with our multitude of experience-packed railway offers and unique tours.

For individual products see our selection of  Swiss Travel Passes  which cover almost all railways in Switzerland along with buses and boats and our hotel-only platform with more than 2,000 fabulous Swiss hotels  to complement your travel plans.

Visa – Entry to and residence in Switzerland

Switzerland and the United Kingdom

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• Visa & entry to Switzerland

Important Information regarding appointments

The availability of appointments is updated on a daily basis based on the processing capacity at TLScontact and the Embassy of Switzerland. If you do not find an available appointment, you will need to log in again.

It is the responsibility of the traveller to book a visa appointment in advance according to planned travel.

Appointments for short stay (up to 90 days) visa applications can only be booked through our Visa Application Centre TLScontact .

Queries for earlier appointments will not be answered

UK citizens

Entry:  UK citizens do not require an entry visa for Switzerland for either short stays (up to 90 days in any 180-day period in the whole Schengen Area) or for long stays (over 90 days). For information on the  validity of travel documents of third-country nationals  (non EU/EFTA citizens) see Question 3.14 in the Frequently Asked Questions on Entry.

Residence, study and work:  All enquiries about obtaining a permit for living, studying and working in Switzerland must be addressed directly to the responsible  cantonal immigration and labour market authorities . See also the  Frequently Asked Questions for UK citizens .

British Travel Document holders

Holders of British Travel Documents blue and red cover (Convention of 28 July 1951 and Convention of 28 September 1954)   do not need a visa for short stays in Switzerland up to 90 days in any 180-day period. If you are planning on entering the Schengen Area through another Schengen state, you must check the entry requirements for British travel document holders with the respective authorities in that state.

Various regulations apply for entering Switzerland. A basic distinction is made between citizens of the European Union (EU) and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries and those of other countries. The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) is the responsible authority in Switzerland.

Since Switzerland’s adherence to the Schengen and Dublin agreements came into force (12 December 2008), Swiss representations abroad are able to issue certain categories of visa, depending on the length of stay and purpose of the journey in Switzerland. Please select one of the following options.

Schengen visa for a stay of up to 90 days

For persons wishing to enter Switzerland for a short stay of up to 90 days within a 180-day period: for example, in a context of tourism, a visit to relatives or friends, short-term language studies, participating in a conference or in sporting/cultural events, etc.

National visa for a stay of more than 90 days

For persons wishing to enter Switzerland for a stay of more than 90 days within a 180-day period. It is subject to the authorisation of the cantonal migration authority competent for the intended place of residence. For example: long-term student, family reunification, marriage in Switzerland, etc.

Airport transit visa

For citizens of certain countries who need a transit visa even if they are staying in the international transit area of the airport and do not enter the Schengen territory.

Labour / Work permits

Admission of foreign workers to an employer in Switzerland is subject to the authorisation of the competent cantonal authority. The entry visa is granted only when the requested authorisations have been delivered.

Start of page Last update 02.11.2023

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Covid-19: Travel Conditions

For vacations and travel in Switzerland, you'll find all the current information hereafter. 

Clean & Safe

Last update: 22 April 2022 Tourism takes place in Switzerland without restrictions. 

• Entry from Schengen / EU / EFTA: possible without restrictions.
• Entry from third countries: With effect from 2 May 2022, all remaining countries are removed from the SEM risk country list. This means that entry into Switzerland from all countries in the world will again be possible as before the pandemic.

Testing in Switzerland

Travel purpose testing: We recommend the test centre at Zurich Airport, information can be found here . Cantonal Test Centers Suppliers of tests in Switzerland

Covid Certificate

In Switzerland there is no Covid certificate, you can move freely without conditions .

Mountain railways

Please contact the service providers directly (online/by phone) for information regarding their business hours and safety protocols.

The mountain railways are operating.

Public transportation.

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Public transport services are operating.

Air traffic.

Please contact the airlines directly (online/by phone) about the current air traffic situation.

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Winter: excursion tips.

Wide slopes, deep snow, cool halfpipes, awesome cross-country ski trails, varied tobogganing runs and fabulous winter hiking trails – all within quick and easy reach. Switzerland is the ultimate winter paradise.

FOPH recommends a pragmatic approach to the certificate requirements.

COVID testing (COVID antigen speed test) is available for all foreign guests at dedicated test facilities specified by the cantons. Please consult with your hotel or the local tourist office to find a test center. Further information on CoVid-19 testing can be found here .

You can apply for the Swiss COVID certificate using an online form .

• Non EU-certificates can only be converted into a Swiss Covid certificate if people are vaccinated with an EMA approved vaccine  (Pfizer, Moderna, Janssen/Johnson&Johnson, AstraZeneca and all licensed vaccine such as Covishield, etc.) 
• The cost for the conversion is 30 Swiss Francs per person and has to be paid in advance
• The canton where you will be staying in will issue the certificate
• The processing time can take up to 5 working days

If you have any questions, please contact our service center under: 1-800-794-7795 (free) or via [email protected]

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Switzerland travel advice

Practical information, planning your trip.

Though Switzerland is popular with large-group tours, our specialists can offer the advice and planning you need to avoid the crowds and find experiences. We’ve criss-crossed the country and can help you discover the most compelling aspects of the culture, landscape and history. Our specialists will be happy to share their first-hand knowledge to create a trip that’s designed just for you.

Switzerland has four national languages. The most widely spoken is Swiss-German, but you’ll hear French in the western regions, Italian in the south and, in the southeast, a tiny percentage (0.5%) of the population still speak Romansh. However, English is widely spoken, making travel and conversation simple.

Food & drink

Across Switzerland, you’ll find the cuisine influenced by the language that’s spoken in each region, with fresh pastries in the Francophone areas, veal and spätzli in the German-speaking areas and Mediterranean influences in the Italian areas.

That said, Switzerland does offer its own distinctive cuisine that spotlights the country’s local produce, especially cheese. Some of the most popular Swiss meals, like fondue and raclette, put cheese literally in the middle of the communal meal. In a raclette dinner, diners array themselves around a large round of semi-soft cheese that’s heated slowly. You scrape off the melty exterior to eat on any number of things, including potatoes, cornichons, pickled onions and dried meat.

Sharing platters of dried meats are popular across the country as a between-meal snack or appetiser, including a salted and aged dried beef that’s served sliced thinly, like prosciutto.

Chocolate is also popular, and Switzerland leads the world in per capita consumption of chocolate, eating on average about 9 kg (almost 20 lb) per year.

Festivals & holidays

Each Swiss canton (region) sets its own public holiday, so you’ll find inconsistencies across the country, but most observe Easter, Ascension Day, Whit Monday and Christmas, as well as Carnival, known in the German-speaking areas as Fasnacht. Swiss National Day is commemorated on 1st August.

Many Swiss festivals celebrate winter’s outdoor pleasures and you’ll find sled and ski races across the country in the snowy months of January, February and March. Grindelwald’s International Snow Festival spotlights elaborate snow sculptures in January and the White Turf race in St Moritz sees horses thundering across a frozen lake each February.

In the warmer months, the country erupts into many fêtes and festivities that celebrate various aspects of Swiss culture, including yodelling, folk music, Gruyère cheese, traditional costumes and even the ascent of the cattle into the mountains. You’ll also find a bounty of music festivals from different genres.

Swiss Francs (CHF) are the national currency, but many places accept euros as well. Also, cash is more common than credit cards here and in some small, remote towns, you may not be able to pay with a card.

Tips in restaurants are generally included in the prices, but it’s common to round up a bit. The same holds true for taxis, but tips for housekeeping are not common.

Communications

Switzerland’s country code is +41. Be sure to omit the 0 from the beginning of the phone number.

The whole country has strong data (4G) connectivity and we recommend checking with your mobile phone provider to see whether they offer international phone and data service in Switzerland as part of your plan or at an additional cost. Wi-Fi is free in most hotels, restaurants and some train services

Travel Advice

Our country specialists can advise on any safety concerns you may have. For current information, please refer to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office website .

When to go to Switzerland

You'll find temperature and rainfall information, together with a month-by-month guide on visiting, on our guide for when to go to Switzerland.

More Information

Flight Time 2 hours upwards dependent on airline (London to Zürich)

Time Zone UTC +1