Switzerland
Last checked:
- Capital
- Bern
- Currency
- CHF · Swiss franc
- Languages
- German, French, Italian, Romansh
- Plugs
- Type J, C · 230 V
Emergency numbers
Top 5 places
- Matterhorn and Zermatt · Zermatt
Car-free village under the Matterhorn; Gornergrat railway gives close views.
- Jungfrau region · Interlaken / Lauterbrunnen / Grindelwald
Waterfall valley, hiking and the Jungfraujoch railway to Europe's highest station (expensive).
- Lake Lucerne and the Chapel Bridge · Lucerne
Medieval covered bridge, old town and boat trips to Rigi and Pilatus.
- Château de Chillon · Montreux / Veytaux
Medieval castle on Lake Geneva, reachable by boat or lakeside walk.
- Rhine Falls · Neuhausen (near Schaffhausen)
Europe's most powerful waterfall; boats go to the rock in the middle.
Getting around
Trains
SBB Mobile
Official app for trains, buses, boats and many mountain railways nationwide. Saver day passes and Supersaver tickets are much cheaper if booked ahead.
Public transport
Swiss Travel Pass / Half Fare Card
Swiss Travel Pass gives unlimited trains, buses, boats and many museums for 3-15 days. The Half Fare Card halves most fares and is often better value if you travel less. Compare before buying.
Public transport
Local transport (ZVV, TPG, etc.)
Trams and buses in Zurich, Geneva, Basel and Bern. Many hotels give a free local transport card (e.g. Geneva Transport Card, Basel Card).
Ride-hailing app
Uber
Operates in Zurich, Geneva, Basel, Lausanne and some other cities. Drivers need professional licences. Cheaper than taxis, which are very expensive.
Ride-hailing app
Bolt
Launched in Zurich in 2024 with low promotional fares; coverage elsewhere is limited (varies).
Taxi
Taxi
Metered and among the most expensive in Europe. Use for short trips or when public transport is not running.
Bike share
PubliBike / Lime / Voi
Bike and e-scooter sharing in the main cities, paid by app (varies by city).
Money and cash
Currency: CHF · Swiss franc
Cards and phone payments are accepted almost everywhere, including trains, mountain railways and most huts. Locals also use the TWINT app, which needs a Swiss bank account. Euros are often accepted in tourist spots and at stations, but change is given in francs at a poor rate. Withdraw francs from bank ATMs and choose to be charged in CHF.
Tipping
Tipping is optional in Switzerland. By law since 1974 service has been included in all displayed prices, and staff earn proper wages. Locals round up or add about 5-10% for good service, mainly in restaurants. No tip is expected for average service.
| Restaurants | Round up (CHF 47 to 50) or add up to about 5-10% for good service. Tell the server the total when paying. |
|---|---|
| Cafés and bars | Round up to the next franc or leave small coins. |
| Taxis and ride apps | Round up or add a small amount. |
| Hotels | About CHF 1-2 per bag for porters and CHF 1-2 per night for housekeeping (optional). |
| Tours and guides | About CHF 5-10 per person per day for a very good guide (optional). |
| Food delivery | CHF 1-2 for small orders, up to about 5-10% for large ones (optional). |
Service charge: what’s true
Service is included in menu prices by law since 1974, so there is no separate service charge on the bill. The bill total is the full price.
Pressure tactics to watch for
No widely reported pressure from staff. Card terminals increasingly suggest tip options of 15-20%, which is much higher than local custom. You can choose no tip or tell the server the rounded total before paying. Leave cash if you want the tip to reach the staff directly.
Useful phrases
- Zahlen, bitte. / L'addition, s'il vous plaît. The bill, please (German / French).
- Stimmt so. / Gardez la monnaie. Keep the change (German / French).
- Machen Sie fünfzig. Make it fifty.
Etiquette
- Greet when entering shops and when meeting people: 'Grüezi' in German areas, 'Bonjour' in French areas, 'Buongiorno' in Ticino.
- Be punctual; trains and appointments run on time.
- Keep noise down on Sundays and after about 22:00; Sunday is a rest day and most shops are closed.
- Recycle carefully; rubbish must go in official bags in many towns, and littering is fined.
- On mountain trails greet other hikers and stay on marked paths.
- Do not jaywalk; use crossings.
- Face coverings are banned in public in Ticino and St. Gallen (fines CHF 100-10,000).
Scams and how to handle them
Fake police phone calls
Where: Mainly French-speaking Switzerland, by phone
How it works: Callers claim to be police and say your cash, jewellery or cards are at risk, then send a 'courier' to collect them for safekeeping. Nearly CHF 10 million stolen since 2023.
How to avoid it: Real police never collect valuables. Hang up and call 117.
Fake police or ticket checkers in person
Where: Trains, stations and streets, historically in Geneva
How it works: Impostors ask to see your ID, ticket or wallet and remove cash during the check.
How to avoid it: Ask for official ID and never hand over your wallet.
Fake deaf charity collectors
Where: Outdoor cafes and squares
How it works: People with signs ask for cash for deaf organisations. The Swiss Federation for the Deaf says it never collects this way.
How to avoid it: Do not give cash; keep phones off tables.
'Free' bracelets from fake monks
Where: Geneva and other tourist areas
How it works: Someone in monk robes ties a bracelet or gives a card, then demands a donation.
How to avoid it: Refuse anything handed to you and walk on.
Three-cup game
Where: Busy city spots
How it works: Rigged betting game with fake winners, starting at about 100 francs.
How to avoid it: Do not play or watch closely.
Holiday rental fraud
Where: Online listings
How it works: Cheap listings with stolen photos ask for advance payment or passport copies.
How to avoid it: Book through reputable platforms and pay only through them.
Distraction pickpocketing
Where: Zurich HB, Geneva Cornavin and Geneva airport, trains to Geneva, ski resorts
How it works: Teams bump or distract you while another person steals a bag, phone or watch.
How to avoid it: Keep valuables zipped, do not leave bags on luggage racks out of sight, watch luggage at stations.
Safety
- Serious crime is low, but petty theft is rising in bigger cities, at Geneva airport and on trains, especially to and from Geneva.
- Keep an eye on luggage on trains; theft from overhead racks happens at stops.
- Luxury watches and designer bags attract thieves on shopping streets such as Bahnhofstrasse in Zurich.
- Mountain accidents are common: check weather, avalanche warnings and trail ratings, and get insurance covering helicopter rescue (Rega: 1414).
- Drug laws are strict and penalties severe.
How widely English is spoken
Widely spoken in cities, tourist areas and transport; younger people are usually fluent. Swiss German dialect differs a lot from standard German, but people switch to standard German or English for visitors.
Sources
- GOV.UK Foreign travel advice: Switzerland, safety and security
- Wikivoyage: Switzerland
- The Local Switzerland: Seven tourist scams to be aware of
- SWI swissinfo.ch: Scammers posing as Swiss police steal CHF10 million since 2023
- Newly Swissed: Complete guide to tipping in Switzerland
- The Local Switzerland: Ride-hailing service Bolt to challenge Uber in Zurich
We check these guides against official and well-known sources, but rules and prices change. Spot something out of date? Email support@tourits.app.