Switzerland

Switzerland is part of the Schengen Area but is not in the EU. Visitors from many visa-exempt countries — including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Japan — can visit for tourism without a visa for up to 90 days within any rolling 180-day period. That allowance is shared across the entire Schengen Area, so time spent in France, Italy or Germany counts toward the same limit.

Longer stays, or visits for work or study, require a national visa arranged in advance. Your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure from the Schengen Area and have been issued within the last 10 years. Carry it at all times — Switzerland has land borders with five countries and spot checks do happen.

Two changes are worth knowing: the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) records biometric data for non-EU visitors at the border, and the ETIAS travel authorisation is expected to launch in late 2026 — once in force, visa-exempt visitors will need to apply online before travel. Check whether ETIAS applies before you go.

The currency is the Swiss franc (CHF), not the euro — some places near borders accept euros, but at poor rates and with change given in francs. Switzerland is one of the most expensive countries in the world, so build a generous budget before you go.

Cards (Visa and Mastercard) are accepted almost everywhere, including contactless on trams and at ticket machines. ATMs ('Bancomat') are widespread and reliable — withdraw from bank-branded machines and decline the machine's currency-conversion offer.

Tipping is modest and never obligatory — service is included in the price by law and staff earn a proper wage. The custom is simply to round up: round a café bill to the nearest franc or two, and round a restaurant bill up or add roughly 5–10% for good service. There is no need to calculate a percentage.

The Swiss are courteous and reserved, and greetings matter. Always greet people when entering a shop, restaurant or small hotel — a friendly 'Grüezi' (German-speaking areas), 'Bonjour' (French) or 'Buongiorno' (Italian) goes a long way. For introductions, offer a firm handshake with eye contact.

Punctuality is taken seriously — for trains, reservations, tours and social plans, being on time is a sign of respect. The Swiss value order and quiet: don't litter, keep your voice down on public transport, and be aware that many buildings observe quiet hours, especially on Sundays.

At the table, wait for the host to say 'En Guete' or 'Bon appétit' before eating, and make eye contact with everyone when toasting. If invited to a Swiss home, bring a small gift such as wine, chocolate or flowers.

Most visitors arrive via Zurich or Geneva airport — both have train stations directly beneath the terminal, putting you in the city centre within about 10 minutes. EuroAirport Basel is a useful third gateway.

Switzerland's pride is its rail network, run mainly by SBB — punctual, scenic and astonishingly comprehensive, with the same integrated system covering buses and lake boats and reaching even tiny mountain villages. The Swiss Travel Pass offers visitors unlimited travel by train, bus and boat for a set number of days, plus museum entry. Famous panoramic routes such as the Glacier Express run on this network.

Within cities, trams and buses are frequent and easy — buy tickets before boarding, as inspectors do check. If you drive, a motorway vignette is mandatory; but given the quality of the rail network, most visitors find they don't need a car at all.

Switzerland has three main mobile carriers — Swisscom (the largest), Sunrise and Salt — all offering strong 4G and 5G coverage, even through Alpine valleys and on most train routes. Swiss carriers generally sell physical prepaid SIMs to tourists in their own stores, available at airport shops after customs.

For convenience, many travellers use a travel eSIM bought and activated online before arrival. Because Switzerland is not in the EU, check whether a home plan's EU roaming actually covers it — it is sometimes excluded or billed at a higher rate. Free wifi is common in hotels, train stations and on many SBB trains.

Switzerland is one of the safest countries in the world for travellers — the US, UK and Australian advisories all place it at their lowest risk level. Violent crime against visitors is rare; there are no elevated advisories.

The real risk is petty crime, mainly pickpocketing and bag theft, which advisories note has been rising — stay alert in crowded tourist areas, at major railway stations, on trams and trains, and at airports. If you head into the mountains, take alpine hazards seriously: check conditions, heed local warnings and stick to marked trails and slopes.

Tap water is excellent and completely safe to drink, including from the thousands of public fountains in towns and cities (unless one is marked non-potable). Healthcare is world-class but expensive, so travel insurance with medical cover is strongly recommended. The emergency number is 112.

Power: Switzerland runs on 230V, 50Hz, using the Swiss Type J plug (three round pins). Helpfully, the standard two-pin European 'Europlug' (Type C) also fits Swiss sockets; travellers from the US, UK and elsewhere will need a Type J adapter.

Language: Switzerland has four official languages — German, French, Italian and Romansh — each dominant in different regions. English is widely spoken in cities, hotels and tourist areas, so language is rarely a barrier.

Best time to visit: June to September is ideal for hiking, lakes and scenic trains; December to March is ski season. The shoulder seasons — late spring and autumn — offer mild weather, fewer crowds and often the most stable mountain views.

Time zone: Switzerland is on Central European Time (UTC+1), shifting to Central European Summer Time (UTC+2) from late March to late October.