Welcome to Switzerland

If you’re an adventurer at heart, but enjoy the finer things in life as well, Switzerland is for you. The entire country serves as one gigantic playground.

Hike to the Morteratsch Glacier outside St. Moritz. Ski and snowboard in Graubunden, the Bernese Oberland and Central Switzerland. Schuss down trails in the shadow of the Matterhorn in Zermatt. If you want a healthy dose of alpine scenery, but without as much effort, take a legendary train ride aboard the Glacier Express, which chugs across the six-arched limestone Landwasser Viaduct.

Venture to the top of Europe, the Jungfraujoch, via a half-hour train ride plus high-speed elevator that lands you at 11,697 feet. Feel the urban vibes of Basel, Zurich and Geneva, where medieval old towns rub shoulders with avant-garde museums and trendy restaurants. Celebrate Mother Nature in all her glory throughout Switzerland.

Unique Facts

• There are around 7,000 lakes in Switzerland. The largest is Lake Geneva (shared with France) and the largest entirely within the country is Lake Neuchatel.
• Nearly 25 percent of Switzerland’s population was born in other European countries, mainly France, Germany, Italy and Portugal, giving it one of the highest proportions of international residents in the world.
• Many famous inventions came out of Switzerland, including the potato peeler, Velcro, the Swiss Army knife, milk chocolate, the bobsled and more.
• If you want to own a guinea pig in Switzerland, you legally must have at least two of them. The law prohibits owning a social pet unless you have two, including mice, ferrets, fish, canaries and pigs.
• The Gotthard Tunnel is the longest in the world at 35.4 miles long and 1.4 miles under the Alps.
• More chocolate is eaten in Switzerland than in any other nation in the world. The Swiss consume an estimated 24.2 pounds per year.

Language

Switzerland’s official languages are German, French, Romansh and Italian.

When To Go

Switzerland is pleasant year-round, spending on which type of activity you’d like to partake in. Hiking and general sightseeing are best in the warm summer months. The ski season lasts from November through April; the peak months are January to March.

Airports

Zurich Airport
Geneva Airport
Basel Airport

Passport Validity

Passport must be valid at time of entry for six months beyond arrival date.

Visa Required By US Citizen?

None for stays of 90 days or less.

Vaccinations

The CDC recommends the following vaccines for most travelers when visiting Switzerland: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and Rabies.

Electrical Outlets

Power plugs and sockets: types C and J. Standard voltage: 230V. Frequency: 50Hz.

Currency

Official local currency: Swiss Franc

Getting Around

Road conditions throughout Switzerland are generally excellent. Lane markings and sign placements may differ from those in the United States. Pedestrians, bikers and trams typically have the right of way. The alpine mountain roads, while well maintained, can become treacherous during the winter months due to snow and ice.

Switzerland has an efficient public transportation system and a huge rail network that reaches every corner of the country. Postauto buses serve cities, suburbs, villages and alpine areas. Most larger cities have public bus service. Zurich, Basel and Bern operate tram systems. For the best experience, you may choose to explore most cities and towns on foot or bicycle.

Driver’s License

A valid US driver’s license is required.

US Embassy Info

U.S. Embassy Bern
Sulgeneckstrasse 19
3007 Bern, Switzerland
Mailing address: P.O. 3259, 3001 Bern, Switzerland
Emergency Telephone: + (41) (31) 357-7011
Fax: + (41) (31) 357-7280

Local Visitor Info

Tourist information can be found at the following locations:
Bern: On the street-level floor of the train station.
Chur: Lower level at train station.
Grindelwald: In the Sportzentrum
Lausanne: In the train station.
Lucerne: Near the Hauptbahnhof
St. Moritz: In St. Moritz-Dorf
Winterthur: At the Hauptbahnhof
Zermatt: Central Bahnhofplatz, opposite train station
Zurich: At the Hauptbahnhof

Local Emergency Phone Numbers

General Emergency: 112

Safety and Security

The crime rate is low in Switzerland. It most often takes the form of pickpocketing, vehicle break-ins, bicycle theft and other petty theft. Do not leave personal belongings unattended.