Switzerland
Switzerland
Mountains, panoramic trains, elegance
Switzerland doesn't do things by halves. Its mountains are the highest, its trains the most punctual, its villages the most photogenic. But behind the postcard lie dizzying alpine hikes, lakes of an impossible blue and a food scene that goes well beyond fondue.
At a glance
Exchange rates and flight times are approximate.
Why Switzerland
Panoramic trains
The Glacier Express, the Bernina Express: journeys that are trips in their own right, between snow-covered passes and hanging valleys.
Lakes & alpine villages
Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen, Lucerne: scenery so perfect it looks retouched. It isn't.
Cities & culture
Trendy Zurich, medieval Bern, cosmopolitan Geneva. Every Swiss city has its own personality and its own secrets.
The right season for Switzerland
June to September (alpine summer, perfect for hikes and lakes). December to March for skiing and chalets. Avoid: April-May (late snow, some trains closed) and October (first snowfalls, high passes and mountain inns shutting down). September is ideal: stable weather, thinner crowds.
Continental alpine climate: mild summers (15-25°C), cold winters (-2 to +2°C in the valleys, far lower at altitude). Pack layers and a rain jacket all year round. Rain is frequent but brief. The alpine sun is intense, sunscreen is essential.
The must-sees
Jungfraujoch
The Top of Europe, 3,454 m. A cogwheel train from Interlaken, glaciers, the Sphinx Observatory. Not to be missed: the feeling of touching the sky.
Lake Geneva & Montreux
French and Swiss shores, castles, lakeside promenades. Belle Époque Montreux between the Alps and turquoise water. Stay for the sunset.
Lauterbrunnen & Stechelberg
The most beautiful alpine valley: 300 m waterfalls, sheer rock walls, silence. A crowd-free base for the Jungfrau or Mürren.
Zermatt & the Matterhorn
A small car-free village facing the Matterhorn. Hiking, the Gorner glacier, mountain biking. One of the finest mountain settings in the world.
Zurich & Basel (cities)
Zurich: an urban lake, an old quarter, street art, fusion restaurants. Basel: art, modern architecture, the romantic Rhine.
Glacier Express
The legendary train linking Zermatt to St. Moritz: 8 hours of pure alpine scenery at 2,000 m, tunnels and soaring viaducts.
Local flavours to try
- Fondue and raclette (Valais): fireside classics, better up in the mountains than in a tourist restaurant
- Rösti (German-speaking Switzerland): crispy potatoes, eggs and bacon, Swiss comfort food at its best
- Swiss tiramisù & desserts (Ticino): a proudly Italian tradition, indulgence without the guilt
- Chocolate and pralines (Lindt, Toblerone, artisan makers): cocoa is serious business here, from the big names to small chocolatiers
- Lake fish: perch from Lake Geneva, Arctic char landed the same day, lakeside freshness and local cooking.
- Wines from Valais & Lavaux: small alpine vineyards, mineral-driven whites, a discovery far from the clichés
Practical tips
- Jungfrau Pass or an unlimited Alps pass: a one-off investment for unlimited access to trains and cable cars over 3-7 days. Worth €500+ if used well.
- Type J plugs (specific to Switzerland) + type C compatible. 230 V, same as Luxembourg. Thin round pins (type C) fit; bring a Swiss adapter for bulky Schuko plugs (type E/F).
- Tipping is optional but customary: 5-10% in restaurants, 2-5% for taxis. Service is included by law: tipping is pure generosity.
- The SBB app (Swiss railways): real-time tickets, precise routes, delay alerts. Essential for getting around independently.
- Tap water is free and drinkable everywhere. Refilling your bottle is an eco-friendly habit welcomed wherever you go.
- Small change for parking/toilets: 50 cents to 1 CHF is common. Cards are accepted almost everywhere (even in small cafés).
Frequently asked questions · Switzerland
Switzerland is expensive: how do you travel without going broke?
Hostels and small hotels: €40–60 a night. Mountain picnics (Migros/Coop supermarkets are reliable). Regional trains are cheaper than the panoramic routes. Realistic daily budget: €120–150 with discipline, €180–200 in comfort.
Do you need a car?
No. Swiss trains are the most beautiful way to travel: just as efficient, cheaper (fuel + parking), more relaxing. The four famous pass roads (Grimsel, Gotthard, Furka, Simplon) can partly be done by train. A car only helps for remote roads in Ticino.
Which month is best for hikes and lakes?
June–September, ideally July–August (less wind, passes 100% open). September = stable sunshine, thinning crowds, autumn colours in the mountains. May–June: flowering pastures, late snow still lingering up high. October: risky (early snow).
Panoramic trains: the real deal or overrated?
The Glacier Express and the Bernina Express genuinely live up to their reputation. Deliberately slow journeys, huge panoramic windows, landscapes that hardly look real. If the budget allows, book first class: more space, fewer people. They're worth it.
Language: which region if I only speak English?
French-speaking Switzerland (Vaud, Geneva, Valais): French, with English-speaking guides everywhere. German-speaking Switzerland: German dominates and English is a bit patchier, though stations and tourist restaurants manage fine. Ticino (Lugano): Italian plus some French. And everywhere: a smile works wonders.
Altitude risk (mountain sickness)?
The Jungfraujoch at 3,454 m can affect a small share of visitors. Climb gradually, drink plenty of water, breathe slowly. Alpine lakes and valleys (max 2,500 m): zero risk. Hotels and trains mean gradual ascent, perfect for acclimatisation.
Switzerland is expensive, that's true. But with the right itinerary, every franc is money well spent. Leave that to us.
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