First-Timer's Guide to Switzerland: Essential Travel Tips

Switzerland is easy for first-time visitors: trains run on time, signs are clear and English is widely understood. A few local quirks, from the currency to Sunday closing, still catch newcomers out. Here is what to know before you land.

Money and cards

• The currency is the Swiss franc (CHF), not the euro. Some shops and attractions accept euros, but change comes back in francs at a weak rate.
• Cards and contactless payments, including Apple Pay and Google Pay, are accepted almost everywhere in cities.
• Carry some cash for mountain huts, farm shops, markets and small village cafés.
• Cash machines are easy to find at stations and in town centres; if one suggests charging you in your home currency, choose francs instead.

Plugs and power

Switzerland uses its own Type J sockets at 230 volts. Slim two-pin European plugs usually fit, but chunkier round plugs from Germany or France often don't, so bring a Swiss adapter or a universal one with a Swiss setting. Travellers from the UK, the US and elsewhere need an adapter, and US devices that aren't dual-voltage also need a converter.

Tipping and paying the bill

Service is already included in restaurant and taxi prices, so there is no expected tip. Locals round up or add a few francs when service was good. Ask for the bill when you are ready, as staff won't rush you, and splitting it between friends is common and rarely a problem.

Apps worth downloading

• SBB Mobile: timetables, tickets and live platform information for trains, buses and boats
• MeteoSwiss: official weather forecasts and warnings, essential for mountain days
• SwitzerlandMobility: hiking, cycling and winter-walking routes
• Rega: raises the alarm with the air rescue service and shares your location in an emergency
• A translation app and offline maps, plus a ride app such as Uber for the bigger cities

Etiquette in a nutshell

Greet staff when you enter a shop and say goodbye when you leave. Be punctual, keep your voice down on public transport and recycle the way your host asks. Most shops close on Sundays and earlier on Saturdays, but supermarkets at large railway stations and airports usually stay open, which is handy if you arrive at the weekend.

Arrival tips

• From Zurich or Geneva airport, the train is usually the easiest way into town; buy your ticket in the app or at a machine before boarding.
• Pick up a visitor card from your hotel if one is offered, as it often includes local transport.
• If you land on a Sunday, stock up at the airport or main station supermarket, since most other shops will be closed.
• Fill a reusable bottle from the tap or a public fountain instead of buying water.
• Pack layers even in summer, because mountain viewpoints can be cold and windy.
• Check your phone plan: Switzerland isn't in the EU, so many European tariffs charge extra for roaming here.

Stay connected in Switzerland

From buying train tickets in an app to checking forecasts and translating signs, a Swiss trip runs smoothly on mobile data. Install your HelloSIM eSIM at home; on arrival, switch the line on, set it for mobile data and turn on data roaming for that line only, keeping roaming off on your home SIM. The plan is data-only, so your usual number still handles calls and WhatsApp stays exactly as it is.