Switzerland Travel Tips and Insider Guides
Click a city or region to browse our insider travel tips and guides about Switzerland.Read Our Insider's Guide To Switzerland
Passports & Visas Switzerland is not a member of the European Union and, therefore, has border controls with all its neighboring European nations. However, if your stay is shorter than three months you only need to bring your valid passport with you. This applies to citizens of the following countries: countries of the American Continent (except Belize, Dominican Republic,... [Read the full story]
Our Insider's Articles about Switzerland
When one thinks of the great foodie destinations of Europe; Spain, Italy, and France seem to come to mind first. But Switzerland... [Read the full story]
The Black Madonna has been a figure of mystery for centuries. Some say she’s simply a statue of the Virgin Mary carved from... [Read the full story]
Switzerland, famous for its stunning landscapes, has one national park, the biggest nature preserve in the country. The Swiss... [Read the full story]
Lenzerheide, a village in Switzerland’s eastern canton of Grisons, is not as well known as some mountain resorts, but to winter... [Read the full story]
Switzerland is well known for winter pursuits; venues for skiing and mountain climbing are plentiful and legendary. But there... [Read the full story]
About Switzerland
A land of snowy peaks, serene lakes, cities straight out of fairytales, immense wealth, and excellent and varied cuisine, Switzerland is uniquely dynamic for its size. Its Alps are the highest in Europe, its public transportation is almost always on time, and Italian, German, and French cultures are all strongly influential. It’s best to divide your time between the mountains, the lakes, and the cities. Here are tips to help guide you on your trip to Switzerland.
Switzerland is landlocked and borders France, Germany, Austria, Lichtenstein, and Italy. Mostly mountainous, Switzerland does have a bit of a plateau in its center, running between the Alps and the Jura Mountains. The biggest city is smooth-running Zurich, located in the north of the country. Churches, museums, and the Old Town provide endless daytime activities, and beer halls, fondue restaurants, and red light district, which is home to plenty of art galleries and cafes, bustle throughout the night. Other major cities worth visiting include Basel, Geneva, and Bern.
The area best known for skiing is the Bernese Oberland in central Switzerland. It includes the famous ski resort towns of Grindelwald, Gstaad, and Interlaken. The beauty of this area never seems to stop: The picture-perfect lakeside town of Lucerne is nearby, providing pure relaxation; the Jungenjoch train station (the highest in Europe) can be reached from nearby Grindelwald; the capital of Switzerland, Bern, with its giant mechanical clock and famous Bear Pit, can be reached by train in an hour and a half.
In the western Switzerland, Lake Geneva has attracted visitors for centuries, thanks to dramatic rock formations, distant, snowy mountain peaks, and immaculate castles built right at the water’s edge. Other famous bodies of water in Switzerland include Lake Maggiore, Alpstein-Fjord, and Lake Lucerne. Lake Geneva and Lake Maggiore have Italian and Swiss shores.
As of September 2011, U.S. travelers visiting for 90 days or less do not need a visa. Switzerland is not part of the EU, and the official currency is the Swiss Franc. Swiss German is the most widely spoken language, and French, English, and Italian are also widely spoken. The best way to get around Switzerland is by bus, train, or car. Trains and buses run even to the smallest villages. Switzerland is one of the few countries where using public transportation exclusively does not take away from your experience. Driving is a good option too, but be prepared to drive in snow if traveling during the winter months.
