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Travel in Switzerland: the complete practical guide

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The Chapel Bridge and its tower over the Reuss river in Lucerne
Contents

In short: Switzerland is best explored by train, from Geneva to Zurich and Lucerne. It is in the Schengen area but not in the European Union: plan for Swiss francs, check your mobile plan, and buy the vignette if you use the motorways.

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When to go to Switzerland

  • Summer (June to September): the season for lakes, hiking and mountain railways.
  • Winter (December to March): ski season and snowy villages.
  • Spring and autumn: quieter, ideal for the cities. Some mountain lifts close between seasons.

Entry requirements

Switzerland is part of the Schengen area, but not the European Union.

  • EU citizens: a valid ID card or passport.
  • Other travellers: a passport and, depending on nationality, a visa. The European Entry/Exit System (EES) has registered non-EU travellers at the borders since April 2026, and the ETIAS travel authorisation is announced for late 2026 for visa-exempt travellers.

Check the rules that apply to you on official websites before you go.

Arriving in Switzerland

  • Geneva: trains link the airport to Cornavin station in 6 to 7 minutes. A free 80-minute ticket is issued by a machine in the baggage area.
  • Zurich: trains reach the main station in 10 to 13 minutes, several times an hour.
  • From France: the TGV Lyria links Paris to Geneva in just over 3 hours, and to Zurich in about 4 hours.

Getting around Switzerland

  • Trains are the best way to travel: punctual, frequent and connected to buses, boats and mountain railways. Visitor travel passes can be worthwhile if you move around a lot.
  • By car, a motorway vignette is required (electronic or sticker). Mountain roads are superb, but some passes close in winter.
  • In the cities, trams, buses and boats are enough: a car is unnecessary.

Money, internet and practicalities

  • Currency: the Swiss franc. Cards are accepted almost everywhere; euros are sometimes accepted, but change is given in francs.
  • Internet: Switzerland is not in the EU. Your EU plan may not apply: check it, or get a travel eSIM.
  • Languages: French in Geneva and western Switzerland, German in Zurich and Lucerne, Italian in Ticino.

What to see in Switzerland

  • Geneva: the Jet d’Eau, the old town, the Palace of Nations and CERN.
  • Zurich: the old town on the Limmat, the lake and the museums.
  • Lucerne: the Chapel Bridge, Lake Lucerne, Pilatus and Rigi.
  • And also: Bern, Lausanne and Montreux on Lake Geneva, Zermatt and the Matterhorn, the Bernese Oberland (Interlaken), Ticino.

Suggested itineraries

5 days: Geneva (2 days), then Lucerne (2 days) with a trip up Pilatus, and a day in Zurich, by train.

8 days: add Bern and the Interlaken area, or Lake Geneva from Lausanne to Montreux.

Where to stay in Switzerland

Stay near a station or tram stop to make the most of the trains: our Geneva, Zurich and Lucerne pages present the best areas for your travel style.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a passport for Switzerland?

EU citizens can travel with a valid ID card or passport. Switzerland is part of the Schengen area: other travellers need a passport and, depending on nationality, a visa. The European Entry/Exit System (EES) has registered non-EU travellers since April 2026, and the ETIAS authorisation is announced for late 2026.

Does my EU mobile plan work in Switzerland?

Not necessarily: Switzerland is not part of the European Union, and EU roaming rules do not apply there. Some plans include it anyway: check with your operator, or install a travel eSIM before you go.

Do I need a vignette to drive on Swiss motorways?

Yes: an annual vignette is required to drive on Swiss motorways and expressways. It is available as an electronic version (e-vignette), bought online before you arrive, or as a sticker at the border.

How do I get from Geneva Airport to the centre?

Trains link the airport to Cornavin station in 6 to 7 minutes. In the baggage claim area, a machine issues a free ticket valid for 80 minutes on Geneva's public transport.

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