How to Reach Switzerland
Zurich (ZRH) and Geneva (GVA) are Switzerland's main international airports, both superbly connected globally. Switzerland's legendary train network — the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) — then connects every corner of the country with Swiss punctuality. The Swiss Travel Pass offers unlimited rail, bus and boat travel and is exceptional value for visitors.
The Swiss Travel Pass pays for itself quickly — it covers scenic mountain railways, lake steamers, and even many cable cars. Buy it before you arrive.
Top Things to See & Do
1. Jungfraujoch — Top of Europe
The highest railway station in Europe (3,454m) sits between the Jungfrau and Mönch peaks and offers views across the Aletsch Glacier — the longest in the Alps — that are genuinely breath-stopping. The cogwheel train journey up through the mountain is itself an engineering marvel.
2. Lucerne & Lake Lucerne
The most classically beautiful Swiss city, with its medieval wooden bridges, lion monument, and backdrop of snow-dusted Alps reflected in a perfect blue lake. An easy day trip from Zurich and utterly magical.
3. Interlaken & the Bernese Oberland
The adventure capital of Switzerland, sitting between two lakes with the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau towering above. Base for paragliding, skydiving, white-water rafting, and some of the world's finest hiking trails.
4. Geneva
Switzerland's cosmopolitan second city on the shores of Europe's largest Alpine lake. The Jet d'Eau fountain, the Old Town, CERN, and the UN headquarters make it as intellectually stimulating as it is beautiful.
5. Zermatt & the Matterhorn
The car-free ski village beneath the iconic pyramid of the Matterhorn is one of the most dramatic mountain settings in the world. In summer, the Glacier Express scenic train from Zermatt to St. Moritz is a legendary journey.
What to Eat in Switzerland
- Fondue — melted Gruyère and Emmental cheese in a communal pot, the Swiss national ritual
- Raclette — melted cheese scraped over potatoes and pickles, a mountain classic
- Rösti — crispy pan-fried potato cake, the Swiss answer to hash browns
- Swiss chocolate — Lindt, Toblerone, and countless artisan chocolatiers
- Zürcher Geschnetzeltes — Zurich's signature dish of sliced veal in cream and mushroom sauce
Best Time to Visit
Winter (December–March) for skiing. Summer (June–September) for hiking and lake swimming. Spring and autumn are less crowded and offer stunning wildflower meadows or golden larch forests.
