Switzerland
Switzerland is a landlocked country in Central Europe where Alpine peaks, glaciers and large lakes sit close to cities such as Zurich and Geneva.
Switzerland is a landlocked federal country in Central Europe, bordered by Germany, France, Austria, Liechtenstein and Italy. It has 26 cantons and three main regions: the Alps and Pre-Alps, which cover about 60 percent of the country, the Swiss Plateau where most people live, and the Jura Mountains in the northwest. Bern is the federal city and seat of parliament and government, though Switzerland has no official capital. Zurich is the largest city.
Trips often pair the mountains with the lakes. The Jungfrau, Eiger and Mönch peaks rise in the Bernese Oberland, and the Lauterbrunnen valley below them has 72 waterfalls. Lake Geneva is the largest lake and is shared with France. Geneva also hosts the Red Cross headquarters and the WHO. Trains reach the mountain valleys on a rail network that is almost fully electrified. Rain peaks in summer, and snow lies for months in the Alps, so plan around the season you want. For a week-long trip, one lake city and one mountain valley is a workable split.
Five things to know before Switzerland
- Price the Swiss Travel Pass against the Half Fare Card
The pass covers most trains, boats and city transport but only discounts many mountain railways. For a few long legs, the Half Fare Card often costs less. Is the pass worth it?
- Buy a motorway vignette before you drive
Swiss motorways need a vignette, either a sticker or an e-vignette tied to your plate. Both cost CHF 40 and run from 1 December of the previous year to 31 January of the next. Ask your rental company if the car has one.
- Leave the car in Täsch for Zermatt
Zermatt is car-free. Park in Täsch, five kilometers before the village, and take the shuttle train, which takes about 12 minutes. Zermatt
- Pack a Type J or Europlug adapter
Swiss sockets are recessed Type J. Slim two-pin Europlugs fit, but round German-style Schuko plugs do not.
- Check the summit webcam before you pay
Mountain trips such as the Jungfraujoch cost a lot and cloud can hide everything. Check live webcams in the morning and keep a flexible day. Interlaken and the Jungfrau
Switzerland travel guides
Practical guides from writers who live there.
The old town, the lake and where to stay.
Read the guideLucerneThe Chapel Bridge, lake boats and nearby peaks.
Read the guideInterlaken and the JungfrauMountain railways, weather and valley bases.
Read the guideZermattThe Matterhorn, car-free streets and trails.
Read the guideGenevaThe lake, the old town and trips into France.
Read the guideLuganoTicino's lake city, two funiculars and Gandria.
Read the guideBernThe federal city, free sights and an Aare swim.
Read the guideVisa checkerYour passport's entry rule, checked against official sources.
Read the guide
Destinations in Switzerland
CityLuganoExplore
CityBernese OberlandExplore
CityInterlakenExplore
CityMontreuxExplore
CitySt MoritzExplore
CityGrindelwaldExplore
CityLocarnoExplore
CityZurichExplore
CityBaselExplore
CityNeuchâtelExplore
CityLausanneExplore
CityChurExplore
CityZermattExplore
CityVeveyExplore
CityLauterbrunnenExplore
CityLucerneExplore
CityGenevaExplore
CityBernExplore
CityGruyèresExplore
Hostel beds, cheap eats, buses and free sights.
- Bed a night
- CHF 60
- Food
- CHF 35
- Transport
- CHF 10
- Sights
- Free
A 3-star room, casual restaurants, public transport and one paid sight a day.
- Bed a night
- CHF 150
- Food
- CHF 90
- Transport
- CHF 25
- Sights
- CHF 30
A 4-star room, good restaurants, taxis and a guided tour.
- Bed a night
- CHF 250
- Food
- CHF 180
- Transport
- CHF 80
- Sights
- CHF 100
When to go
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- JanuaryRain14 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh4°Low-3°Ski seasonJanuaryRain
- High
- 4°
- Low
- -3°
- Precipitation
- 100 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Ski season
- FebruaryRain12 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh7°Low-1°Ski seasonFebruaryRain
- High
- 7°
- Low
- -1°
- Precipitation
- 67 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Ski season
- MarchRain13 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh10°Low0°ThawMarchRain
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 0°
- Precipitation
- 80 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Thaw
- AprilRain13 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh14°Low3°SpringAprilRain
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 91 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring
- MayRain17 rainy daysHigh17°Low7°GreenMayRain
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 144 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Green
- JuneRain16 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh23°Low12°Hiking opensJuneRain
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 139 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hiking opens
- JulyRain16 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh24°Low13°WarmestJulyRain
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 134 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Warmest
- AugustRain13 rainy daysHigh24°Low13°HikingAugustRain
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 126 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hiking
- SeptemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh20°Low10°Clear, mildSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 100 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Clear, mild
- OctoberPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh15°Low6°Autumn colorOctoberPartly cloudy
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 104 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn color
- NovemberRain13 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh8°Low1°GrayNovemberRain
- High
- 8°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 110 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Gray
- DecemberRain13 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh5°Low-2°Markets, snowDecemberRain
- High
- 5°
- Low
- -2°
- Precipitation
- 106 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 4
- Days with storms
- 0
Markets, snow
Average daily high and low in Zurich, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Switzerland
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
1
- Feels like
- -2°
- Humidity
- 89%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Switzerland
12:23 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today2°-2°0%Tuesday: Fog. High 2°, Low -2°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed8°1°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 8°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu11°4°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri7°2°11%Friday: Fog. High 7°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 11%.
- Sat5°1°33%Saturday: Fog. High 5°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 33%.
- Sun7°3°35%Sunday: Rain. High 7°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 35%.
Updated 10:32 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.8245 CHF
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
NovemberSalzburg Christkindlmarkt
NovemberNuremberg Christkindlesmarkt
NovemberStrasbourg Christmas marketFestivals by month
- Jan
- FebCarnival of BaselBaselLucerne carnivalLucerne
- MarFumettoLucerneChalandamarzGraubünden
- AprSechseläutenZurich
- May
- JunAscona Jazz FestivalLocarnoGreenfield FestivalInterlaken
- JulVerbier FestivalValaisMontreux Jazz FestivalMontreux
- AugLucerne FestivalLucerneStreet ParadeZurich
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
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Switzerland FAQ
Is Switzerland in the EU or Schengen?
It is in Schengen but not the EU. Non-EU visitors register under EES at their first Schengen border, and days count toward the shared 90 in 180.
Can I pay in euros in Switzerland?
Some shops and ticket machines take euros, but change comes in francs at a poor rate. Pay by card in francs.
Is the Swiss Travel Pass worth it?
It depends on your route. It suits many train days and lake boats; for a few long trips plus mountain railways, the Half Fare Card often costs less.
How many days do I need in Switzerland?
A week covers one city, Lucerne and two mountain bases. Ten days lets you add Zermatt or the Glacier Express route without rushing.
When is the best time to visit Switzerland?
June to September for hiking and high passes, December to March for skiing. April, May and November are quiet but many lifts close.