Essential Travel Tips for a Great Time in Switzerland

After years of living in Switzerland and exploring the Alps, lakes, cable cars, viewpoints, and hidden villages, I have learned that Switzerland rewards travelers who plan smartly. This article shares my personal Switzerland travel tips based on what actually works when traveling around the country. These are the same recommendations I give friends and family when they visit. No generic advice. No recycled lists. Just practical guidance from real experience.

1. Always the Webcams Before Heading Up a Mountain

Even on a sunny day in the valley, clouds can completely block the view at a mountain summit. On the other hand, when it is cloudy and foggy with basically zero visibility in our town (we live near Zurich), it's actually the perfect opportunity to head up to our local mountain, Mount Uetliberg, where you often get an amazing view above the clouds and a lot of sunshine while it is cloudy further down near the city.

Not knowing what the view from the top of the mountain will be can be especially frustrating when cable cars and mountain railways are expensive, and you do not want to spend a lot of money and time to go up for zero visibility. Also, when it is foggy in the valley, you might doubt if it is worth going up the mountain.

That is why I always recommend that before heading up any mountain in Switzerland, you always check live webcams. I usually search for the mountain name plus the word "webcam" on Google. This shows real visibility, not just forecasts.

This practical tip has saved me and my visitors a lot of money and disappointment over the years.

This photo was taken on Mount Pilatus on a foggy day, when visibility in Lucerne was almost zero. At the summit, however, it was bright sunshine with absolutely amazing views.

2. Book Accommodation Directly Instead of Using Third-Party Platforms

Booking hotels like the Baur au Lac directly on their website often comes with added benefits and better prices.

In Switzerland, hotels are not required to offer their best price on Booking.com or other platforms. Because of this, booking directly often gives you better value. My usual approach is to research hotels on Booking.com or TripAdvisor and then book directly on the hotel website.

Booking directly often means better prices, free breakfast, room upgrades, and more flexible cancellation policies.

3. Avoid Relying on Airbnb for Holiday Homes and Apartments

Airbnb exists in Switzerland, but it is often not the best option. Prices are usually higher because of service fees, availability is limited, and additional charges for cleaning, bedding, or linen are common. Better alternatives are local platforms such as e domizil, Interhome, and official tourism websites of each region. These platforms usually offer a larger selection, clearer pricing, and no platform fees. I usually start by looking at the official tourism site for the region I am planning to visit in Switzerland. Some have really great overviews of available holiday homes, and you can even book directly with the site (the service is often free for the homeowners, hence the better pricing). Only if I cannot find a place on the tourism sites, I would then go and check Interhome or e-domizil.

One important detail to check is whether bedding and linen are charged separately. This is still very common in Switzerland, especially in holiday apartments.

4. Always Check for Regional All-Inclusive Guest Cards

This is one of the biggest money-saving tips in Switzerland. Many regions offer guest cards that include free public transport, free cable cars, and discounts or free entry to attractions. These cards are especially common in summer. Examples include the Ticino Ticket, the Engadine Card, and the Villars sur Ollon guest card.

During one family stay in the Engadine, we used cable cars every day and saved over one thousand Swiss francs in just five days. Hotels usually include these cards automatically. For holiday apartments, the property must be registered, and local tax must be paid. Always check this before booking. A full overview of Swiss guest cards is available here.

5. Train or Car: Which is Best for You?

The famous Bernina Express snakes through gorgeous alpine scenery on its way to St. Moritz.

For the first four years I lived in Switzerland, I did not own a car. We traveled everywhere by train, and it worked extremely well. Trains are reliable, scenic, and easy to use. Connection times are short, and with the Half Fare Card, prices are reasonable.

Once we had a child, we switched to using a car more often (actually always). With kids, a car is usually more convenient. It allows more flexibility, makes luggage easier to manage, and avoids strict schedules. My honest rule is simple: adults traveling light usually enjoy trains more, while families with kids often find a car much easier.

6. Use Swiss Discount and Deal Websites

There are several Swiss platforms I use regularly.

• Deindeal (the Swiss version of Groupon) offers hotel, spa, and activity deals, mostly via digital vouchers.

• Too Good To Go is excellent for discounted food and groceries at the end of a day

• Galaxus and Digitec usually offer some of the cheapest electronics prices in Europe due to low Swiss VAT.

• Just Eat.chis my go-to food delivery app and often has discounts on less frequented days like Mondays or Tuesdays.

7. Swiss Travel Pass Versus Swiss Half Fare Card

Choosing the right transport pass makes a big difference. The Swiss Travel Pass is ideal if your itinerary includes multiple regions such as Lucerne, Interlaken, Zermatt, and Montreux. It includes unlimited trains, buses, and boats, free entry to more than five hundred museums, and free mountain rides such as Rigi, Stoos, and Stanserhorn. A detailed guide is available here.

For longer stays or more flexible trips, the Swiss Half Fare Card often saves more. It gives fifty percent off almost all trains and mountain lifts. Official information is available on the SBB website. Families should also check the Swiss Family Card, which allows children aged six to sixteen to travel for free with an adult pass holder.

8. Must-Have Apps for Switzerland

When friends or family visit, I always recommend these four apps.

• The SBB app allows you to buy tickets, use check-in/check-out travel that automatically calculates the cheapest fare.

• MeteoSwiss is the most reliable weather app for Switzerland, especially in the mountains.

• SwitzerlandMobility is my personal favorite and includes hiking, biking, and winter routes with difficulty levels and closures.

• JustEat.ch is useful for food delivery and discounts.

A full app overview is available here.

9. Book Supersaver Tickets Early

Switzerland does not offer last-minute train deals. Prices are lowest when you book early. Supersaver tickets and Saver Day Passes can save up to seventy percent compared to flexible tickets when avaialble. The available supersaver tickets are limited, so the earlier you book, the higher the chances for you to get them. They are usually available for less frequented routes and especially times (outside of rush hours). We usually book them the evening before our trip.

Supersaver prices are indicated by the black % symbol. As you can see here, a trip to Bern costs me CHF 20 instead of CHF 26.50 — a saving of 25%.

12. The SBB excursion portal

This has become one of my favorites lately and will help all of those who come here without the Swiss Travel Pass. The SBB excursion portal offers discounted ail and entrance to over 300 attractions in and near Switzerland. Up to 50% discounts are available. For example, we went to the Zurich Zoo and paid 62 CHF for 2 adults and 1 child (entrance and full-day Zurich ticket) instead of 92 CHF (30% savings). They have amazing deals for many local attractions like Lindt Home of Chocolate (50%, read our visitor guide) or going up to Stoos (and to the Instagram-famous ridge hike).

11. Cash, Tipping, and Tap Water

• Carry a small amount of Swiss francs, especially in the mountains. Some huts prefer cash, and card terminals do not always work due to bad connections.

• Tipping is not required in Switzerland. Rounding up is common and appreciated.

• Tap water is safe, clean, and available everywhere. Public fountains are perfect for refilling bottles.

  
  

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Switzerland really expensive?

Switzerland is expensive, but with the right transport passes, guest cards, and booking strategies, costs can be reduced significantly.

Is the Swiss Travel Pass worth it?

For multi-region itineraries and first-time visitors, yes. For longer stays, the Half Fare Card may be cheaper.

Is Airbnb recommended in Switzerland?

Usually not. Local platforms and official tourism websites offer better value and transparency.

Do I need cash in Switzerland?

Cards work almost everywhere, but cash is still useful in mountain huts and small rural businesses.

Can you drink tap water in Switzerland?

Yes. Swiss tap water is among the cleanest in the world.

Final Thoughts

Switzerland is not cheap, but it is predictable. If you understand how transport passes, guest cards, accommodation pricing, and regional deals work, you can save hundreds or even thousands of francs without missing out on the best experiences. Everything in this guide reflects how I personally travel Switzerland today. It is based on experience, not theory.