Switzerland
Bern · CHF (Swiss Franc) · German, French, Italian, Romansh
Hub airports: ZRH, GVA, BSL · Suggested stay: 5–8 days
Switzerland is gobsmackingly scenic and brutally expensive — a $30 burger is normal in Zermatt. But the trains are punctual to the second, the views are postcard-perfect, and a Swiss Travel Pass turns the country into one giant rolling spectacle.
Glacier Express train through the Alps, window seat, every minute of it.
Where to go
Best time to visit
Late June to mid-September for hiking — most high cable cars don't open until late June. December–March for skiing. May and October are 'shoulder' months when many mountain restaurants close. Train scenery is stunning year-round.
Score combines weather, crowds, and price (1–5). See the full matrix across all countries.
US-citizen tips
Switzerland is NOT in the EU but IS in Schengen — your 90/180 days here count toward the total. Currency is CHF, not euros (though euros accepted at many tourist spots, change is in CHF at bad rates). Get a Swiss Travel Pass (3, 4, 6, 8, or 15 days) — pays for itself if you do 2+ scenic trains. Tipping not expected; round up.
Local etiquette
Quietness is a virtue — keep voice down on trains. Recycling is a moral matter. Sundays everything closes including most grocery stores. Be on time; 5 minutes late is rude.
Getting around
SBB Mobile app — best train app in Europe. The Swiss Travel Pass also covers boats, most museums, and city transit. Cars only useful for very remote alpine areas.
Daily budget (USD)
Common pitfalls
- ⚠Restaurant prices: $25–$35 for a basic main is normal. Picnic from Coop or Migros to balance the budget.
- ⚠Don't underestimate altitude — Jungfraujoch at 11,332ft will make you slow down.
- ⚠Cell coverage drops in alpine valleys; download SBB and Swiss Topo offline.
🆘 Emergency reference
Works from any phone (locked, no SIM), free, multilingual operators, dispatches police/fire/medical.
Mountain rescue: 1414 (REGA — air rescue, donate-supported, will bill non-members; recommended to buy day-pass insurance via REGA app).
Lost passport, arrested, hospitalized, victim of a crime → contact embassy first, then home insurer. After hours: the main line routes you to a duty officer.
🗣️ Essential phrases
German / French / Italian (region-dependent)