Welcome to Switzerland! | Willkommen in der Schweiz!

A guide to customs, daily life and travel in der Schweiz

Information, resources and photos to help you have better experience in Switzerland – called die Schweiz (dee SCHVEYTS) in German. Although it is located in the heart of Europe, Switzerland is not a member of the European Union, and it does not use the common euro currency, preferring its own Swiss franc (CHF), one of the world’s most stable currencies.

Although Bern is the capital of Switzerland, it is only the fifth largest city in the country, with a population of about 133,000 in 2022. This view of the Old City (Altstadt) shows the Minster tower and the Aare River that flows through the city. PHOTO: Hyde Flippo

Switzerland may be a small country (slightly smaller than the US states of New Hampshire and Vermont combined), but it offers an almost unlimited range of geography, history and scenic attractions. Our guide focuses on the German-speaking portion of Switzerland. About 60 percent of the Swiss speak the Swiss German dialect (and standard German), but many also speak English.

Driving in Switzerland is a pleasure with the country’s extensive network of good highways and autobahns. (But they do charge an autobahn toll.) The Swiss national rail system (SBB) plus private Alpine railways can zip you quickly to the next town or from one end of the nation to another. Air travelers usually arrive and depart at Zurich’s Kloten Airport. Besides Switzerland’s own “Swiss” airline, American, British Airways, Delta, EasyJet, Lufthansa and other international airlines have connections to and from Switzerland.

NEW! Lake Constance (der Bodensee) – Our three-part guide to Europe’s third largest freshwater lake, shared by Austria, Germany, and Switzerland – called the Bodensee in German. Learn about the lake and its many attractions, including three key islands and scenic cities along its shores. Switzerland has about one-third of the lake’s shoreline.

More > Switzerland: Facts and Figures

Getting Started
So you’re off to Switzerland. Here are some things that can help before you get there:

• Know Before You Go – Passports, money, customs and more
• How to get to Switzerland > By Air | By Car | By Rail

Zurich International Airport (ZRH): Official Website (zurich-airport.com)

Destinations in Switzerland

• NEW! Lake Constance (der Bodensee) – Our three-part guide to Europe’s third largest freshwater lake, shared by Austria, Germany, and Switzerland: the lake, the cities, the islands, plus other attractions.
• City Guide: Bern – Watch for this guide coming soon.
• City Guide: Zurich – Watch for this guide coming soon.

Topics: Switzerland for Tourists

Interesting and helpful information related to traveling in Austria:

• Autobahn Tolls in Austria and Switzerland – The autobahn sticker
• Richard Wagner, the famous German opera composer, spent his years of exile in Switzerland. Find out where he lived.
• Switzerland – History and culture
• History of Switzerland with notable Swiss, past and present
• Dialects – Swiss German is a variation of the German language
• Holidays and Celebrations – Key holidays and other official and unofficial observations in Austria, Germany and Switzerland

Please explore our site for more about Switzerland and its people!

Next | Travel & Tourism