The heaven on earth
I got an opportunity to visit Switzerland on an exchange program during undergraduate days. It was my first trave outside India. The idea of spending about a month in one of the most beautiful places in the world was highly exciting. We were a group of 10 students, so enough fun to be with. We encountered some Indians on trains who were sweet enough to invite our big group home and travel with us to show us around. Prominent places to visit in Switzerland include Mt. Titlis, Jungfraujoch, Zermat, Rhine falls, Interlaken, Lausanne, Geneva
We were based out of Lausanne, given a travel pass by our university for canton of Vaud. We bought a 3 day Swiss pass to travel over the weekends. We had only so much money and even probably the time given we could travel only during weekends
During later years, I got to visit Switzerland multiple times during my next exchange program in Germany and for work, coincidentally in Lausanne too
It feels like home when I visit south Switzerland
My parents visited Switzerland on a Europe group tour through Veena World
Best time to visit
Beyond winters from late April- October. Avoid late March- early April when there are rains and flowers are yet to bloom
Visa
Schengen visa is valid for travel within Switzerland. You will need to visit VFS office in person and submit all the documents
Getting In
Zurich airport is the hub for Swiss Air. Many other cities are well connected through trains if you are coming from neighboring countries
Currency- Swiss Francs (CHF)
Although Schengen visa works here, Euro does not. Some shops in large cities might accept Euros, but get CHF exchanged at airport/ city centre
Getting around
Swiss trains are efficient, on time and well connected to any place in the country. You can buy multi day pass, 3 days to 15 days if you are planning to use trains extensively. There is an option to purchase 1 month half fare card too
Train tickets and passes can be purchased on SBB website
Places to see
The list is endless! Every Swiss town is a postcard worthy place warranting a visit. Every city wil have a lake, a cathedral, a train station and museum worth visiting. We will list only the places we have seen
- Mt. Titlis: Cheaper than Jungfrau and supposedly with better views
- Rhine falls
- Interlaken, Lucerne: Chapel bridge, Lion monument
- Laterbrunnen, Murren
- Around Lake Geneva and Lausanne: Vallorbe caves, Chillon castle. This place has many vineyards
- Gruyere: For cheese making demonstration, mountains and views
- Chocolate factory- Maison Cailler, Broc: You can taste free samples
- Scenic trains like Golden panorama- Lucerne to Montreux, Glacier express
- Evian-les-Bains day trip into France
Things to know
- German, French, Italian and Romansh are 4 national languages in Switzerland. Romansch is descendent of Latin
- Swiss use referendums to decide on almost everything, including whether cows should have horns. It is deep rooted in their culture to move by consensus
- Switzerland is a part of Schengen region, but uses its own currency Swiss Franc
- Fondue is a Swiss dish where bread is dipped in molten cheese. You can also try raclette, rosti made out of potatoes
- CERN- the European Organization for Nuclear Research, International Olympic Committee are located in Geneva
- Montreux hosts an annual Jazz festival in July, the second largest in the world after Montreal in Canada
- You can go to Evian-les-Bains in France from Lake Geneva side. The famous Evian water is from this place
- Migros, Coop are omnipresent supermarkets to purchase essentials. Apple are cheap, almost same as India. Chocolates are cheap as well- don’t buy them from touristy places
Where we stayed
Most of my stay was in university provided accommodation.
Holiday Inn Express Luzern-Neuenkirch is the only hotel we have tried. Hotels are typically of same standard- pick any 3 star hotel and you will be ok
How much does it cost
Switzerland is expensive compared to European neighbors. Expect to spend $1300-1500 for 3-5 days
- Flights: $600
- 3 day Swiss pass: $275
- Food: $50
- Other transport: $50 if sticking to public transport
- Hotels: $200 at $60 per night
- Visa: $100
- Insurance: $20