TRAVELLING IN SWITZERLAND

The capital of Switzerland is Bern.

🛂 Switzerland is not a member of the European Union and is not part of the euro zone.

However it is part of the Schengen Area (an area of free movement in Europe) which is why if you travel from an EU country / Schengen Area country, you can enter Switzerland freely with your national ID card or passport.

Residents of non-EU or non-Schengen countries, such as the United Kingdom, must have a passport issued within the last ten years and valid for at least three months after your planned departure date from Switzerland.

Living on Swiss Time

🚨 EU roaming rates (mobile phone) do not apply in Switzerland. Roaming and WiFi charges are high.

⏰ There is no time difference between Switzerland and France.

🔌 Electrical outlets are the same as in France, so no adapter needed.

📢 In Switzerland, 4 languages are spoken depending on the region: Swiss German, French, Italian and Romansh. Rest assured, English is widely spoken.

🛂 In Switzerland, rules are strictly enforced. It's best to respect them!


Counting in Swiss Francs

📍 Switzerland is not a member of the eurozone. The currency is the Swiss Franc (CHF).

👛 Many small shops do not accept card payments – you'll need to carry some cash.

💳 Check with your bank about any fees applied to your card purchases in Switzerland.

🍻 It is customary to leave a tip in restaurants and bars.

Transport Information

By car

🚘 For those arriving by car,

In Switzerland, unlike France, motorway signs are green and national road signs are blue (as in Germany)

In town, road markings are yellow.

The maximum speed on motorways is 120km/h.

⚠️ To drive on Swiss motorways, you must have a motorway vignette. Plan ahead and check the dedicated websites before you leave.

You can buy the vignette at the border or at motorway service stations.

💸 The vignette costs 40 CHF. It is valid from 1 December 2024 to 31 January 2026.

There is also a digital version. The e-vignette for motorways is available on the FEDRO website by following this link.

By train

🚆 When possible, you should prioritise public transport (train) over car.

🎟️ To book your train tickets, you must go through SBB (SchweizerischeBundesbahnen) - CFF in French.

Tickets can be purchased online on the CFF app or at automatic ticket machines in Swiss railway stations.

Tickets for other public transport, such as trams and buses, can also be purchased at railway stations, on the CFF app or at automatic ticket machines at the respective stops.

By plane

✈️ There are 3 international airports in Switzerland: Zurich, Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg and Geneva.


By van and motorhome

🚌 Parking for vans and motorhomes is heavily regulated and varies by canton. We recommend checking the rules in advance.