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No other country does the great outdoors quite like Switzerland.

Whether you're walking through scenic alpine meadows, scaling tough mountain passes, taking on the ski slopes or kayaking on crystalline lakes, Switzerland offers stunning scenery, panoramic views and the chance to commune with nature in one of its purest forms. With rich chocolate and fine cheese waiting as reward, Switzerland is the place for the active and the indulgent.

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Our Switzerland trips

Map of Best of Switzerland including Switzerland

Best of Switzerland
10 Days From 3212

Discover pristine Switzerland starting in Zurich and visiting St Gallen, Lucerne,...

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Map of Italian Lakes: Hike, Bike & Kayak including Italy and Switzerland

Italian Lakes: Hike, Bike & Kayak
8 Days From 2648

Pamper the appetite and treat the senses on this exquisite journey through Italy’s Lake...

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Travel lightly with Intrepid. We’ve offset the main sources of carbon emissions from this trip on your behalf, including transport, accommodation & waste. Read more

Articles on Switzerland

Sep 21, 2018

6 places to tick off your Swiss bucket list

Think of Switzerland and you’ll conjure up images of the snowy Alps, Swiss...

Mar 06, 2018

Once upon a time: 5 fairy-tale towns and cities...

Whether you’re roaming around Budapest’s beautiful castle district or visiting...

Sep 13, 2015

Photo proof that Switzerland is the most...

Warning: may include dangerous levels of natural beauty. Consume at own risk.

Switzerland travel highlights

Revel in charming Lucerne on Switzerland tours with Intrepid

Lucerne

Revel in the historic splendour of charming Lucerne

Walk through Bern on Switzerland tours with Intrepid

Bern

Discover museums and monuments while walking through Bern

Experience the awe-inspiring beauty of Interlaken on Switzerland tours with Intrepid

Interlaken

Experience the awe-inspiring beauty of Interlaken

St Moritz

Switzerland holiday information

At a glance

Best time to visit Switzerland

Geography and environment

Top 5 Culinary Classics of Switzerland

Health and Safety

Further reading

Switzerland travel FAQs

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 of 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.

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

  • 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 are for 2017. For a current list of public holidays in Switzerland go to: http://www.worldtravelguide.net/switzerland/public-holidays

Responsible Travel

Intrepid is committed to travelling in a way that is respectful of local people, their culture, local economies and the environment. It's important to remember that what may be acceptable behaviour, dress and language in your own country, may not be appropriate in another. Please keep this in mind while travelling.

A woman drinking water from a reusable water bottle

Top responsible travel tips for Switzerland

  1. Be considerate of Switzerland’s customs, traditions, religion and culture.
  2. For environmental reasons, try to avoid buying bottled water. Instead, fill a reusable water bottle or canteen with filtered water.
  3. Always dispose of litter thoughtfully, including cigarette butts.
  4. Learn some local language and don't be afraid to use it - simple greetings will help break the ice.
  5. Shop for locally made products. Supporting local artisans helps keep traditional crafts alive.
  6. Refrain from supporting businesses that exploit or abuse endangered animals.
  7. Please ask and receive permission before taking photos of people, including children.