Visiting Switzerland: The Essential Travel Guide

Why go to Switzerland

Switzerland squeezes very different landscapes into a small country: glaciers and high Alpine summits, the large lakes of the central plateau, the Jura hills and a Mediterranean-feeling south in Ticino. There are four national languages: German dominates in 19 of the 26 cantons, French in the west, Italian in Ticino and southern Graubünden, while Romansh is spoken by a small minority. Moving between regions often means a change of language, food and architecture, all on the same transport network.

That network is the other great strength. Trains, buses, boats and mountain railways reach almost everywhere, mountain villages included, so a hire car is rarely necessary. Our in-depth guides, shown below this article, cover each city and region in detail.

When to go

• Summer (June to August): the warmest and busiest season, ideal for high-level walking, lake swimming and festivals. Some mountain passes may still be closed early in the season.
• Late spring and autumn (late May to June, September to October): fewer crowds and softer light, a good balance for walking and city breaks.
• Winter (December to March): skiing, snowshoeing and Christmas markets. Book early for the best-known resorts, particularly around UK school holidays.

Between seasons, some cable cars close for maintenance, so check dates before building a trip around a particular summit.

How long to stay

• 3 to 4 days: one city and its surroundings (Zurich, Lucerne or Geneva and Lake Geneva) plus a mountain excursion.
• One week: two or three regions, for example Lucerne, the Bernese Oberland and Zurich.
• 10 to 14 days: a full circuit through German- and French-speaking Switzerland, Valais and Ticino, perhaps with a scenic train.

Fewer bases and more nights in each pay off: mountain weather often decides which day is right for going up.

Getting there and getting around

From the UK

There are flights from UK airports to Zurich, Geneva and the EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse. By rail, take the Eurostar to Paris, then the TGV Lyria high-speed train to Geneva (about 3 hours 10 minutes) or Zurich (about 4 hours). Driving? A motorway vignette (sticker or e-vignette) is compulsory and costs CHF 40 for the year.

Entry rules after Brexit

Switzerland is outside the EU but inside the Schengen area. British visitors can stay visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, with time in other Schengen countries counting towards the total. Your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before you arrive and be valid for at least 3 months after you plan to leave the Schengen area. The Entry/Exit System now records fingerprints and a photo at the border; if you travel via St Pancras, this is done before you leave the UK. Always check the latest GOV.UK travel advice for Switzerland.

Getting around

Swiss public transport runs to a regular-interval timetable, with train, bus and boat connections planned together. Two passes are worth knowing for visitors living outside Switzerland:

• Swiss Travel Pass: unlimited trains, buses and boats, free entry to more than 500 museums, free trips up Rigi, Stanserhorn and Stoos, and up to 50% off most other mountain railways.
• Swiss Half Fare Card: CHF 150 for one month, with 50% off trains, buses, boats and most mountain railways. Often better value if you will not travel much.

Children under 6 travel free; those aged 6 to 15 travel free with a parent holding the free Swiss Family Card. Seat reservations on scenic trains such as the Glacier Express and Bernina Express are extra. See the official Swiss Travel Pass site for current details.

Budget: what to expect

Switzerland is expensive: accommodation, eating out and especially cable cars to the famous summits soon add up. Transport is easier to keep under control with a pass. 2026 adult standard-class (2nd class) Swiss Travel Pass prices:

To save money: picnic with supermarket food, use the museums included in the pass, choose the summits the pass covers free over the most famous ones, and avoid peak holiday weeks. The currency is the Swiss franc (CHF), not the euro; cards are widely accepted, but check your bank's foreign transaction fees.

Where to stay: the main regions

• Zurich and the north: the largest city, next to the main airport, a handy base for Basel, Lucerne or the Rhine Falls.
• Lucerne and Central Switzerland: Lake Lucerne, boat trips and summits reached by rail; a very central choice for a first visit.
• Bernese Oberland: Interlaken, Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen for the high mountains, with the capital, Bern, close by.
• Lake Geneva region: Geneva, Lausanne, Montreux and the terraced Lavaux vineyards, in French.
• Valais: car-free Zermatt and the great Alpine valleys.
• Ticino and Graubünden: Italian-speaking Lugano and Locarno, and St. Moritz and the Engadine further east.

For regional inspiration and practical information, the national tourist board, MySwitzerland, is the reference. Then explore our detailed city and region guides below.

Frequently asked questions