Switzerland Tourism

Switzerland tourism is synonymous with the magnificent Swiss Alps, marvellous natural landscapes and picture-postcard destinations. The best time to explore the beauty of this mesmerising destination is the period between June and August. This is the peak season for tourists as the weather is pleasant during this period. Winters see temperatures between -1 to 4 degrees Celsius. You can also visit the destination during the winter as the season bring out the fairytale quotient to Switzerland with the sparkling lights, skiing and a lot more. Multiple festivals also take place during this time.

Indian citizens will require a visa for a Switzerland vacation. Only citizens of EU and EFTA countries are exempted from visas for their trips. If you have a Schengen member state visa, then you can enter the country for a maximum of 90 days. If you apply from India, you will require the standard Schengen visa with a validity of up to 90 days. You should apply between 15-180 days prior to your trip. The fee is around 80 Euros for adults. There are visas for longer stays as well for a spectacular Switzerland tourism experience.

The magic of Switzerland tourism is that you can seamlessly travel to other European countries without a hitch! If you are planning a trip to Switzerland and have some additional time in hand, then you can easily hop over to Germany, France, Italy, Austria and even Liechtenstein. For instance, you can access Lyon in only 90 minutes from Geneva. This is one of the biggest food hubs in France with some of the best restaurants. Travel to Lake Como in just 40 minutes from Lugano as well. Enjoy the beautiful villages and the majestic mountains here. Meersburg in Germany is only an hour away from St. Gallen and is a village that looks straight out of a fairytale! The views here are simply stunning!

You will require a few essential tips for a fabulous Switzerland tourism experience. These tips will help you enjoy your vacation better. Choose from various travel pass options before you visit Switzerland. These include the Swiss Travel Pass, Half Fare Card, Swiss Travel Pass Flex and more. This will save you time and money in equal measure. You should remember that despite a travel pass, you may still have to pay a few charges for mountain transportation including cable cars, some railway routes and gondolas. You should have a weather tracking app installed to constantly update yourself on the weather conditions at your preferred destinations. Food is costly at restaurants in Switzerland. Try and pick up food from supermarkets if you have a cooking setup in your hotel or service apartment. You can also buy ready-to-eat salads and sandwiches at reasonable prices.

Switzerland is one of the most amazing countries that you will visit in your lifetime. Hence, keeping a few packing tips in mind is always essential for a wonderful Switzerland tourism experience. For winters, make sure that you carry a thick scarf, woollen clothing, gloves and of course, high boots. Carry an umbrella for sudden bouts of rain as well. For summers, you will be comfortable with a light jacket, slightly heavier clothing, scarves, boots, sunglasses, dresses, backpacks and some other essentials. Make sure that you have sunscreen along with the necessary chargers for your devices.

Many people wonder about the ideal duration of a Switzerland trip. In most cases, a week is recommended for checking out the top destinations that are a part of Singapore tourism. This time will be enough for exploring Lake Geneva, Bern, Valais, Zermatt and more. If you have time in hand, then you can make it a 10-day trip, especially if you want to visit destinations in some nearby countries.

What is Switzerland tourism without feasting on the best local dishes of the country? You should start with the fondue, a classic specialty in the country. It is crafted by putting country bread into delightful melted cheeses that are tempered with garlic and wine before being bubbled over heat. You can pair it up with white wine and have a fabulous meal, especially during winter. Papet Vaudois (prepared with sausages and potatoes) is another tasty treat in Switzerland. You will love this hearty dish for sure. Rosti is another traditional and famous dish of Switzerland, made by thinly grating and pan-frying potatoes till they turn golden in colour. You should particularly try the Rosti Valaisanne which has Rosti with fried egg, bacon, melted raclette cheese, pearl onions and gherkin. Switzerland is also famous for its roasted flour soup. This contains onion, beef stock, butter and flour along with a Gruyere topping. The soup has several legendary tales behind its creation as well.

Switzerland tourism is not only about adventure, picture-perfect backdrops and the charming mountain air. It is also about buying some fantastic souvenirs to take back home. Nothing is more popular in Switzerland than its delicious chocolates. You can buy as many as possible to take back home for your loved ones. You should also try and buy the famed Swiss cheese and wine, which are excellent gifts for family and friends too. At the same time, you can purchase a classic Swiss watch at a more affordable price or go for the globally renowned Swiss Army knife. The country is also known for its home décor items and premium footwear, especially belonging to brands like Lele Pyp. Freitag is another great place to shop for luxury bags of various types. And, if you’re in Zurich, stop by the Bahnhofstrasse 31, which has jewellery, clothing, chocolates, perfumes and a lot more on offer.

Making the most of your Switzerland holiday requires brief research on the country’s transportation system beforehand. Switzerland tourism offers amazing connectivity. You can always rely on the train network that takes you across the entire country and its picturesque landscapes. Buses also ply throughout the country with stations majorly situated next to the railway stations. Your travel passes will also have validity across both train and bus networks. You can always rent a car and drive to other destinations. However, it is compulsory to have third-party insurance along with a UK/EU/global driving license (that you have held for more than a year). You also need to purchase the vignette from customs officials for driving on the Swiss motorway. You can travel to other places via metered taxis or Uber cabs. Most lakes in the country have ferry and boat services too. You can also take local flights between cities like Zurich and Geneva.

If you are already doing your homework on Switzerland tourism, then you should ensure that you understand the currency of the country thoroughly. Switzerland’s official currency is the CHF or Swiss Franc. One CHF comprises 100 Centimes. CHF has denominations of 1, ½, 2 and 5 francs, along with 10, 20 and 5 centimes. You will find 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 1000 francs as banknotes here. You can exchange your money into Swiss francs before your trip. Also, Euros are accepted at many places in Switzerland.