Switzerland Tours & Holidays

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).

However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

When dining out, service charges and taxes are usually included in the bill. Rounding up the bill or adding 5-10% is customary, although optional.

Internet access is very good in Switzerland, with cyber cafes and Wi-Fi hotspots easily found in most cities and major towns.

Mobile phone coverage is generally very good in most cities in Switzerland. Mountainous regions may have patchy coverage, however. Ensure global roaming is activated before you arrive.

Modern, flushable toilets are the standard in Switzerland.

Cup of coffee in a cafe = 3-4 Fr

Beer in a bar or restaurant = 5-7 Fr

Simple lunch in a cafe = 10-15 Fr

Dinner at a restaurant = 30-50 Fr

Tap water is considered safe to drink unless otherwise marked.

Major credit cards are widely accepted by stores and hotels in Switzerland. Smaller cafes and shops may not accept credit cards, so ensure you carry enough cash to cover small purchases.

ATMs are very common in Switzerland so finding one won't be a problem in most towns and cities.

• 1 Jan New Year's Day
• 2 Jan Saint Berchtold's Day
• 6 Jan Epiphany
• 1 Mar Republic Day
• 19 Mar Saint Joseph's Day
• 14 Apr Good Friday
• 17 Apr Easter Monday
• 1 May Labour Day
• 25 May Ascension Day
• 4 Jun Pentecost Sunday
• 5 Jun Whit Monday
• 15 Jun Corpus Christi
• 29 Jun St. Peter and St. Pau
• 1 Aug National Day
• 15 Aug Assumption
• 7 Sep Jeûne genevois
• 17 Sep Federal Day of Thanksgiving, Repentance and Prayer
• 18 Sep Day after the Federal Fast
• 25 Sep Saint Nicholas of Flüe Day
• 1 Nov All Saints Day
• 8 Dec Immaculate Conception
• 25 Dec Christmas Day
• 26 Dec St. Stephen's Day
• 31 Dec Restoration of the Republic

*Please note these dates may vary. For a current list of public holidays in Switzerland go to World Travel Guide's website.

Absolutely. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.

For more information on insurance, please go to: Travel Insurance

Intrepid takes the health and safety of its travellers seriously, and takes every measure to ensure that trips are safe, fun and enjoyable for everyone. We recommend that all travellers check with their government or national travel advisory organisation for the latest information before departure:

From Australia?

Go to: http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/

From Canada?

Go to: https://travel.gc.ca/

From the UK?

Go to: http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/

From New Zealand?

Go to: http://www.safetravel.govt.nz/

From the US?

Go to: http://travel.state.gov/

The World Health Organisation also provides useful health information.