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Travel Essentials › Switzerland

Travel Essentials

Switzerland: What To Know Before You Go

Plugs: Type J (Type C also fits), 230 V. Emergency: One number for everything 112, Police 117, Ambulance 144, Fire 118. Tipping: Service is included; rounding up to the nearest franc or 5-10% for good service is customary. Tap water: Generally safe to drink.

Open The Switzerland Trip Kit

Plugs And Power

Type J (Type C also fits), 230 V

Emergency Numbers

Tipping

Service is included; rounding up to the nearest franc or 5-10% for good service is customary.

Water And Health

Tap water

Generally safe to drink

Vaccines

Routine vaccines only; tick-borne encephalitis for hikers in forested/rural areas

Malaria

None

Apps To Download Before You Go

• TWINT: The Swiss mobile payment app used for shops, markets, parking and paying friends.
• SBB Mobile: Timetables and tickets for all Swiss trains, buses, trams and boats, including EasyRide check-in.
• Uber: Operates in Zurich, Geneva, Basel, Lausanne and Bern; taxis are otherwise expensive.
• WhatsApp: The most used messaging app in Switzerland.
• MeteoSwiss: The official forecast app, essential before hiking or skiing in the mountains.
• SwitzerlandMobility: Official hiking, cycling and ski-touring routes with detailed topographic maps.
• PubliBike: Bike-sharing in Zurich, Bern, Lausanne and other cities.
• Migros: The largest supermarket chain's app, with Coop as its rival; both are everywhere.
• Smood: Swiss food delivery service, alongside Uber Eats and Just Eat.

Customs And Etiquette

Greetings. Shake hands with everyone when you arrive and leave, including each person in a group. Friends and family usually kiss on the cheek, typically three times; men greeting men mostly shake hands.

Punctuality. Being on time (for trains, meetings, and social invitations) is taken very seriously.

Sunday and evening quiet. Most shops close on Sundays, and loud activity (mowing lawns, loud music) in residential areas is discouraged evenings and Sundays.

Recycling and rules. Waste sorting is strict and often regulated by law; follow posted rules for bins and bags.

Safety And Scams

Switzerland is extremely safe, with very low violent crime; petty theft occurs mainly at crowded tourist sites and train stations.

Pickpocketing. Keep bags zipped and valuables close in crowded stations and tourist landmarks; scams beyond this are rare.

Fake parking/ticket inspectors. Rare, but if unsure, ask to see official identification before paying any on-the-spot fine.

Women travelers. Very safe; normal city precautions suffice.

LGBTQ+ Travelers

Legal · Safe

Switzerland is very LGBTQ+-friendly; same-sex marriage became legal in July 2022, and strong anti-discrimination protections apply nationwide, especially in cities like Zurich and Geneva.

What Things Cost

2026-09

Best Time To Visit

June to September is best for hiking and lake weather; December to March suits skiing in the Alps.

Phrases

Basic German phrases · Basic French phrases · Basic Italian phrases · Basic Romansh phrases