Highlights
Zermatt and the Matterhorn
A car-free resort at the foot of the Matterhorn, reached by train. The Gornergrat railway climbs to a viewpoint above a ring of glaciers and peaks, and the Five Lakes Walk shows the mountain reflected in still water.
Jungfrau region
From Interlaken, trains run to Lauterbrunnen's waterfall valley, the car-free villages of Wengen and Mürren, and up through the Eiger to the Jungfraujoch, one of the highest railway stations in Europe.
Lucerne
The wooden Chapel Bridge and old town sit on a lake ringed by mountains. Pilatus can be climbed by one of the steepest cogwheel railways in the world, and Rigi by boat and train.
Lake Geneva
Geneva, with its jet d'eau fountain and international organisations, faces the Alps across the lake. Further along, the terraced Lavaux vineyards above Lausanne are UNESCO-listed, and the Château de Chillon near Montreux stands on a rock in the water.
Bern
The federal city's medieval old town is a UNESCO World Heritage site, with arcaded streets, a clock tower with moving figures and a fast green river, the Aare, that locals swim and float down in summer.
Glacier Express and Bernina Express
Two scenic train routes: the Glacier Express between Zermatt and St Moritz over the Oberalp Pass, and the Bernina Express from Graubünden over the Alps to Tirano in Italy, part of a UNESCO-listed railway.
Ticino
Italian-speaking Switzerland, south of the Alps, with palm-lined lakefronts in Lugano and Locarno, stone villages in the Verzasca and Maggia valleys, and the castles of Bellinzona.
Engadin
A high valley in Graubünden, home to St Moritz, the Romansh-speaking villages with painted sgraffito houses, and the Swiss National Park, the oldest national park in the Alps.
Interesting facts about Switzerland
- Switzerland has four national languages: German, French, Italian and Romansh, the last spoken by well under one percent of the population.
- Swiss women gained the right to vote in federal elections only in 1971, and the canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden was the last to grant votes on cantonal matters, in 1990, after a court ruling.
- Switzerland is not in the European Union, but it is part of the Schengen area.
- The Gotthard Base Tunnel, opened in 2016, is the longest railway tunnel in the world, at about 57 kilometres.
- Switzerland has no single de jure capital; Bern is officially described as the 'federal city'.
Best time to visit
Summer (late June to September) is the season for hiking, high mountain railways and lake swimming, when most Alpine passes and trails are open. July and August are busiest. Winter (December to April) brings skiing in resorts such as Zermatt, Verbier, St Moritz and Davos, and Christmas markets in the cities. Spring and late autumn are quieter, but some mountain lifts and hotels close between seasons, typically in April to May and November. Ticino is noticeably milder than the north all year.
Practical information
| Capital | Bern (federal city) |
|---|---|
| Currency | Swiss franc (CHF) |
| Languages | German, French, Italian, Romansh |
| Plugs | Type J, C |
| Voltage | 230 V, 50 Hz |
| Emergency | 112 general, 117 police, 118 fire, 144 ambulance, 1414 Rega air rescue |
| Driving | On the right |
| Tipping | Service is included in prices. Rounding up or adding a little for good service is common but not required. |
Getting around
Switzerland's integrated public transport network is one of the best in the world: trains, buses, boats and many mountain railways run to connected timetables, and you can plan everything in one app. The Swiss Travel Pass and Half Fare Card may save money depending on your route, so compare before buying. Many resorts, including Zermatt, Wengen and Mürren, are car-free. Driving on motorways requires a vignette, now available electronically. Mountain passes may close in winter.
Staying connected in Switzerland
Mobile coverage is excellent in towns and cities and surprisingly good in the mountains, including at many summit stations and along major rail routes, with 4G widely available and 5G in towns. Signal can still drop in deep valleys, on high glacier routes and on remote trails. Free Wi-Fi is available in many stations, hotels and cafés. Switzerland is not in the EU, so EU roaming rules do not automatically apply and home plans can charge high roaming fees. Install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land.
See Switzerland eSIM plans · How to install an eSIM
Useful apps for Switzerland
- SBB Mobile: Timetables and tickets for trains, buses, boats and many mountain railways across the whole country.
- MeteoSwiss: Official weather forecasts and warnings, useful for planning mountain trips.
- Rega: The Swiss air rescue app can alert rescuers and send your location in a mountain emergency.
- SwitzerlandMobility: National hiking, cycling and winter routes with maps.