Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we visit Switzerland! There are so many cool cities and villages to include in a Switzerland trip – from the Alps to the global banking hub of Geneva. As you know, here at Wolters World, we like to prepare travelers with the good, and the bad, of visiting a new travel destination. So these are the five things you’ll love, and the five things you’ll hate about Switzerland travel.
Hate #1: Prices in Switzerland
This is really the only major complaint about Switzerland. It is expensive. If you are traveling on a tight budget, there are not many budget-friendly places to visit in Switzerland. If you think you’ll save money by eating fast food, you can spend $40 for two adult meals plus a Happy Meal. As long as you know the prices ahead of time and budget accordingly, Switzerland is an amazing destination.
How to Cut Costs While You Travel
Hate #2: Service in Switzerland
The service in Switzerland is what I would call “off-hand.” The customer is NOT king at most restaurants in Switzerland. It’s pretty typical for central Europe, but when you are paying so much, you tend to expect outstanding service and you will be hard-pressed to find it, especially in the more touristy areas. And remember, you will have to ask for your check at the end of the meal, they won’t automatically bring the bill. Tipping is usually included in the service charge added to your bill, so there’s no need to tip on top of the bill.
Hate #3: Rules in Switzerland
The Swiss really love their rules and they love to enforce them. Switzerland is the only place I’ve been actually fined for breaking a rule (vs. just being scammed for a fee.) If a hostel says “no noise after 10” they mean it and you can risk getting kicked out by breaking the rules. This adherence to rules and regulations is kind of why Switzerland is so famous for watches. As amusing as it may be, this Swiss obedience also translates to a very safe country, so we can’t complain too much about it.
Hate #4: Switzerland Nightlife
If you visit Switzerland expecting a big nightlife scene, there isn’t one, especially when coming from Portugal, Italy, Spain or Germany. When I ask students who studied abroad in Switzerland what their biggest complaint is, it’s the lack of nightlife. A lot of this is due to the high prices; students and young people can’t really afford to go out in Switzerland because it’s so expensive.
Hate #5: Switzerland Not Kid-Friendly
This can be a love or hate depending on how you travel, but we haven’t found Switzerland to be very kid-friendly. We have even been turned away from restaurants because they simply didn’t allow children at all. (If you aren’t visiting Switzerland with kids, you might see this as a bonus!)
Love #1: Switzerland Landscapes
Switzerland is easily one of the most beautiful countries in the world. There are mountains and lakes everywhere you turn. Hiking in the Swiss Alps is some of the best hiking in the world, with lush, green rolling valleys, waterfalls. Switzerland is full of iconic scenery like the Matterhorn, or the highest railway in the world to the Jungfraujoch. Although “Sound of Music” is about Austria, you’ll feel like you’re in the movie as you travel around the Swiss countryside.
Love #2: Swiss Villages
Switzerland has a few large cities, but the best treat of a Switzerland vacation is all of the little villages that you see around Switzerland. Little fortress towns are tucked into each valley, and usually, even the smallest Swiss village has a guesthouse or two, and local history museums. There are so many cool places to visit in Switzerland, you will have a hard time narrowing down a Switzerland itinerary.
Love #3: Mix of Cultures in Switzerland
Switzerland has a unique mix of cultures. Different regions in Switzerland have adapted German, Swiss and Italian cultures. Depending on where you are in the country, the culture can change quite suddenly, as well as the language that is spoken. It’s a bit of a shock to go from the flowery French area one day to the straightforward German area the next. A Switzerland trip is a great way to experience three distinct cultures in one country.
Love #4: Switzerland Transportation
Whether you are traveling within a large city or traveling between small villages in the Alps, you can do it on public transportation. It’s amazing how even the smallest village will have Post-Bus service daily, which you can then use to link up to the train system and go wherever you want to go. Not only does this mean you really don’t need to rent a car in Switzerland, but you can sit back and enjoy the views rather than trying to drive. As you plan out your Switzerland itinerary, research the Swiss Pass to see if it will save you any money on your Switzerland vacation.
Six Rules for European Train Travel
Love #5: Swiss Chocolate & Cheese
Switzerland is known for its chocolate and cheese, and the reputation is well-deserved. If you try anything with chocolate or cheese in Switzerland, it will be delicious. Fondue is very popular, as is Raclette. Chocolate makes a great souvenir to bring home from Switzerland; even the off-brand chocolate that you can find in local grocery stores is delicious!
Switzerland is a fantastic country and a great place for newer travelers to branch out into International Travel. The only real drawback is how expensive everything is in Switzerland. The other “hates” are just slight inconveniences, rather than a reason not to visit Switzerland. Want more tips for planning a European vacation? Check out these other blog posts: