Travel Facts
US State Dept Travel Advisory
The US State Department currently recommends US citizens exercise normal precautions in Switzerland.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html
Passport/Visa Requirements
For the latest passport and visa requirements for this country, please consult the U.S. State Department’s “Learn About Your Destination” search tool, available through the link below.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages.html
US Embassy/Consulate
[41] (031) 357-70-11; US Embassy Bern, Sulgeneckstrasse 19, CH-3007 Bern, Switzerland; https://ch.usembassy.gov/
LGBTQIA+ Travelers
Telephone Code
41
Local Emergency Phone
Ambulance: 144; Fire: 118; Police: 117
Vaccinations
The CDC and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for Switzerland: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, tickborne encephalitis, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia, COVID-19, and influenza.
http://www.who.int/
Climate
Temperate, but varies with altitude; cold, cloudy, rainy/snowy winters; cool to warm, cloudy, humid summers with occasional showers
Currency (Code)
Swiss francs (CHF)
Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, J
Major Languages
German (or Swiss German), French, Italian, English, Portuguese, Albanian, Serbo-Croatian, Spanish
Major Religions
Roman Catholic, Protestant, other Christian, Muslim
Time Difference
UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time); daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March, ends last Sunday in October
Potable Water
Yes
International Driving Permit
Suggested
Road Driving Side
Right
Tourist Destinations
Matterhorn; Jungfraujoch; Interlaken; Lucerne; Lake Geneva; Chateau de Chillon; Zurich; Lake Lugano; Bern
Major Sports
Soccer, ice hockey, tennis, skiing, schwingen (wrestling)
Cultural Practices
Swiss people tend to be polite, reserved, direct, and a little guarded at first.
Tipping Guidelines
A service charge is typically added at restaurants so no tipping is needed, but you can round up the bill for the wait staff. Round up a taxi fare or add 5%. Tipping is usually expected for hotel staff. A bellhop should receive 1-2 francs for each bag carried.
Souvenirs
Chocolate; cuckoo clocks, music boxes, and other wood carved items; cheese; Swiss army knives; watches/clocks; paper cut pictures; embroidered fabric; schnapps spirits
Traditional Cuisine
Rösti — grated potato patties sometimes including herbs and spices, onions, ham, or cheese and pan-fried in butter or oil; the dish is cut into wedges for serving
Please visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination.
World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination.
US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens.
To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs:
American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA)
How to get help in an emergency?
Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers:
from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444
Page last updated: Wednesday, June 26, 2024
