First time visiting Switzerland (CH) and not sure what to expect? Here is a compilation of tips and observations from our experiences living here to help you set (or cast away) some expectations.
Good to Know
- Switzerland also goes by the initials CH. (It’s Latin for the Helvetic / Swiss Confederation.)
- Currency: Switzerland uses the Swiss Franc. Surrounding countries use euros. (Credit cards are widely accepted in tourist areas but just watch out for the foreign transaction fees. In CH, if you only have euros on you, you can ask if you can pay with euros. Typically it’s done on a 1:1 exchange rate and if change is required, it is given in Swiss Francs.) How to get currency? Depending on the amount of cash is needed and the bank terms, withdrawing from a local ATM can be convenient and cost-effective. Here are several options for consideration.
- Tap water: Tap water is drinkable. Tip: bring a refillable water bottle. Zurich and Lucerne have 1200+ and 200+ fountains respectively (just to name a couple towns). If it’s not suitable for drinking, there will be a sign that says “kein Trinkwasser or non-potable” as example.
- Language: English is widely spoken in the tourist areas. But it’s still courteous to first ask if they speak English: “Sprechen Sie Englisch?” (German if you’re in central/eastern CH) / “Parlez-vous anglais?” (French if in western Switzerland) / Parla inglese? (Italian if in southern Switzerland). If they don’t, Google Translate is really helpful!
- Tipping: Switzerland does not have a tipping culture. But if you liked the service, for example at a cafe/restaurant, round up the bill. Other tipping guidelines (taxi, baggage porters, etc here).
- Sundays: Many places are closed on Sundays, including markets. The Zurich main train station and airport have stores and markets on Sundays. There are an increasing number of cafes that are permitted to open on Sundays as well.
- Time and date: The 24-hour clock is used here: 2pm = 14:00. The date format is DD/MM/YYYY. So January 5th, 2024 = 05/01/2024.
- Carry some coins around in case you need to use the public bathrooms.
Walking Around Town
- Use crosswalks when possible. At crosswalks, pedestrians have right-of-way over cars, so they should be stopping for you. But it’s still good practice to look both ways before crossing. At some intersections, the left/right turn signal for cars turn green even though the walk sign is green for the same crossing.
- Note that trams have right-of-way over pedestrians! There is a reason why they are on time. They don’t wait.
Using Public Transportation
- Google Maps works well for helping provide bus/train/tram options.
- Tickets must be purchased before boarding. (Here is a post on how to buy tickets.) The exception is on buses, where you could also pay the fare on board. But they only take cash and don’t always give change. (Try to buy your bus ticket beforehand.)
- Be sure to sit in the right train class (1st or 2nd class). The train cars will have a big “1” or “2” on them. Tip: train platforms can be long. To know where best to stand on the platform, look at the upcoming train’s signage. It will show the train carts and what class train will be stopping where. (The letters can be found on the platform.)
- For example, the S8 train below has 4 cars, which has its 1st class car stopping in the A zone. If you’re riding 2nd class, then wait between A and B; don’t walk towards C zone.
- A couple tips to ease your exit: wait by the door (or in queue for the door) by the time the train pulls into the station so you can step out as soon as the doors open. After that, the people start getting on the train and the flow of traffic works against you. If your stop is the end of the line, you have more time.
- To get on or off Swiss trains push the button by the door open it (it doesn’t always open on its own). To get on or off Swiss buses, push the button. Sometimes, bus drivers skip a stop if no one needs to be picked up/dropped off. (Conversely, if no one is waiting at a bus stop, the bus also doesn’t stop. So it’s a good habit to try to get to the bus stop at least a couple minutes early.)
- Traveling with a stroller? No problem. But on some of the older trams, there might be a stroller icon (designates there’s extra space for strollers) but there a few steps that need to be climbed. If you aren’t able to get the stroller + kiddo up the steps on your own, just ask someone around you to help with, “Können Sie mir helfen?” or “Pouvez-vous m’aider?”
Dressing
- Layers are our friends, especially when heading up to the mountains! Use MeteoSwiss to check the weather while you are traveling through Switzerland. (They have a mobile app too.)
- Also, air conditioning is used much more sparingly in CH than in the US. It’s partly due to the infrastructure as there are a lot more older buildings. Many Swiss hotels do not have AC, especially those in the 3* and some 4* categories. And many cafes and restaurants have none or a light amount of AC as compared to what you might be used to in the US. (Fun fact: only 1 in 10 homes in Switzerland have AC.)
Eating:
- In restaurants and cafes, servers do not automatically bring you the check; you need to ask for it.
- The pace of food service is slower than what you might be accustomed to. With the exception of a few more tourist-centric places, most have only 1, sometimes 2, seating a meal. It’s not uncommon that you could be seated and wait a little before receiving the menu. Time between courses is also a little slower. But if you are eating on a schedule, a quick tip is to skip ordering an appetizer. (You could also let them know you are on a schedule.) Many places by the business buildings offer a “quick business lunch” with a 2-3 course offering that is designed to be served quickly for people who eat out during their lunch break. Also, as many people grab their work lunches at 12:30pm, try to get lunch before then if you don’t have a reservation.
- Water may be free outside at all those fountains, but they are rarely free when sitting down at an establishment. Bottled water is typically ordered -with or without gas (carbonation), or you could ask for tap water (“haben sie hahnner Wasser?”) – but it is not always free.
- Prepping a picnic: grab some freshly-baked bread rolls from a market’s bread section and add some cheese or deli meat. There is also a refrigerated section that sell sandwiches, sliced fruit, salads, and other dishes available for those on the go. Don’t forget the utensils! Like eggs? Markets have hard boiled eggs available in the egg section, which is not in the refrigerated section; they are on the shelves. These eggs are painted and look like nicely decorated Easter eggs.
- Groceries: Coop and Migros markets can be found throughout Switzerland.
- Tip: prices are the same whether in the city center or in the villages. And some also have a quick service restaurant. So while walking along pricey Zurich’s Bahnhofstrasse, a reasonably priced meal can still be enjoyed at a Coop Restaurant at the big Coop off Rennweg stop. Aldi and Lidl are also available but their grocery sections are not as extensive.
Driving:
- Rent the smallest car that can fit your family and your luggage. Parking spots are tighter here than in the US.
- Parking lots are mostly all paid; very few are free. Blue parking spots means it needs a blue disc (typically get 1 hour free parking; turn the disc to the nearest half hour of when you started parking there e.g. you parked at 1:45; put the disc at 2pm). For parking meters, use coins or ParkingPay/EasyPark etc apps. (EasyPark can be used in other countries so might be good to use if you’re driving across the Swiss border.)
- Pay for parking garage parking before getting into your car to exit.
- Watch your speed. There are a lot of speed cameras around.
- Use the left lane for passing; do not pass a car from the right on the highways.
- Be mindful of the crosswalks. Pedestrians have right of way. And kids start walking to school on their own in kindergarten and many go back home or need to walk elsewhere for lunch breaks, so children will be walking around when school is in session (in Zurich, that is mid-August until mid-July).
- Roundabouts/traffic circles: You will find yourself driving through a lot of them in Europe! In Switzerland, unless otherwise indicated, traffic in the circle has the right of way. Signal when you are about to exit the roundabout just like you would for a turn. Two-lane roundabout? Stay on the inside lane if you’re not exiting soon.
Hope these tips help you navigate CH during your first time here! Did I miss any? Let me know in the comments!