Switzerland FAQs

For US, Canadian and UK passport holders a visa is not required for stays of up to 90 days as Switzerland is part of the Schengen border free zone. For any other nationalities who do require a visa before arrival please make sure you have enough time to complete the process before arrival.

Please note that requirements can change and we recommend that our guests contact the local embassy in the country where you live for the most recent and up to date information.

Passports 

US and Canadian passport holders will need more than 3 months left on your passport from your intended departure date. UK passport holders cannot travel if their passport is more than 10 years old, regardless of the expiry date. 

We will confirm certain elements of your trip such as domestic flights, permits or train tickets using your current passport details. If a member of your party changes their name in their passport after booking (for example, through marriage or adoption) this could mean having to reissue important parts of the trip at an extra cost and subject to availability. 

Yes, once your trip is confirmed it is essential that you take out comprehensive travel insurance to cover you in case anything unexpected happens. 

We always recommend that our guests get the maximum level of coverage that you feel comfortable investing in. Read more about travel insurance for US travellers here and for travellers from other countries here.

Yes, it is always recommended to talk to your Travel Doctor before taking a trip. You should discuss your itinerary and international travel arrangements to hear any recommendations or advice they may have.

No vaccinations are required for travel to any of Switzerland. 

Flights within Europe are usually with standard commercial airlines and airports are generally large and easy to transit. Two hours is the recommended time needed before check in for European flights. Most airlines will allow seat selection up to 48 hours prior to departure although seats are subject to change on most airlines. If you do have flights within your trip we will be sure to share the relevant ticket information with you before travel.

Travel pack

Before you head off on your adventure you will be sent a travel pack. The travel pack is full of great information and is also a beautiful keepsake. It is not necessary to travel with vouchers or confirmations on your trip but we do recommend having a printed copy of your travel itinerary to hand when you arrive into Switzerland.

Bon Voyage email

Around 2 weeks before you depart we will email you an electronic version of your travel pack including your domestic flight tickets. Once you’ve received this email your Travel Designer will reach out to arrange a time for you to talk on the phone to go over any last minute questions and talk you through the information we’ve sent over.

The currency in Switzerland is the Swiss Franc and no other currency will be accepted. ATMs are generally easy to find (they will often charge a small fee for withdrawals) and credit cards are accepted widely in the main cities, towns and larger shops and restaurants. 

Towns and airports will often have a bureau de change and you can exchange US Dollars and other currencies here, you will need to show ID (typically a passport) when you exchange currency in Slovenia.

If you’re travelling to very remote areas then ATMs become less frequent so we recommend making sure you have the cash you need before leaving larger cities or towns.

In Switzerland tipping is not compulsory but can be expected. It’s a good way to show gratitude for good service. You can use our guide below to help you plan.

• In restaurants we recommend rounding up to the nearest 5 or 10 CHF rather than add a percentage 
• Tipping in cafes or bars is not common. Some places may have a tip jar where you can drop some change or for table service you could tip 1 or 2 CHF.
• In taxis you can round up to the nearest franc, or for exceptional service 5% is a good amount.
• For porters, 1 CHF per bag is recommended.
• For a full day tour you should expect to tip your guide around 50 CHF or 30CHF for a half day.

Although Switzerland has a mild climate with cool winters and warm summers it’s important to remember that it’s a mountainous country and this can affect weather and temperature. Winter time in the mountains in Switzerland can be very cold and there can be heavy snowfall. However, in summertime, at sea level, Switzerland can feel quite hot.

From July to August the daytime temperature range is 18 to 28 °C (65° – 82° F) and from January to February the range is -2 to 7 °C (28° – 45° F). In spring and autumn, the daytime temperature range is 8 to 15 °C (46° – 59° F). 

What to pack will also depend on your itinerary and the sorts of activities you will be taking part in. For a personally tailored packing list please speak with your travel designer or concierge who will be able to help you.

We highly recommend that you make restaurant reservations in advance of your trip. Once your trip is confirmed you will be introduced to your concierge who will be able to assist you in not only making the reservations but also  making  recommendations based on your preferences.

Taxis are easy to find in the cities and commonly used. Hotels and restaurants will be happy to help you flag down a taxi. We don’t recommend taking buses in cities and we will endeavour to make sure the transfers you need within your trip are arranged by us ahead of time.

Switzerland uses plugs C and J, three pin round plugs and the standard continental type plug with two round pins can also be used. Wifi is generally easy to find in hotels, cafes and major restaurants. Cell phone coverage can be a little patchy in remote areas. It’s recommended to speak with your cell phone provider to ask about roaming charges. If certain types of connectivity are very important to you at certain times during your trip please let your travel designer or concierge know so that they can help you to plan.