Switzerland is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful and underrated countries in Europe. Aside from the delicious food, museums, and landscape, Switzerland as a whole has some of the most diverse attractions, people and sites in all of Europe. Though often considered the quintessential European country, Switzerland has a culture entirely its own, and there are some crucial things you need to know before you plan your trip.
7 Things You Should Know Before Traveling to Switzerland
They aren’t on the euro.
Though euros are sometimes accepted in touristy cities like Zurich and Bern, Switzerland uses the Swiss Franc. Traveler’s Tip: If you do only have euros, ask if you can exchange at a local shop in a touristy city, like Bern or Zurich, rather than a bank, to avoid transaction fees.
They take going green to a whole new level.
Whether it’s glass, paper, green waste or aluminum, simply throwing something in the garbage is just not an option in Switzerland. Aside from having around 8 different trashcans in supermarkets and public areas, the Swiss take their recycling seriously and expect tourists to as well, which is why their country has been able to maintain such a clean beauty. Don’t worry, they won’t hesitate to call you out for it if you forget. Traveler’s Tip: When in doubt, ask a local. They’re happy to help boorish tourists not be wasteful.
Don’t take advice from Lonely Planet.
Take advice from locals. Why? Because Lonely Planet appeals to tourists, and leads you to monuments and statues, no matter how insignificant they actually are to the Swiss. Switzerland is full of beautiful, historical, meaningful sites, but the best ones are off the beaten path. Traveler’s Tip: The Lion Monument in Lucerne is considered a joke. Don’t waste your time. It’s also far from the good chocolate.
Train fares are tricky.
Switzerland’s train tickets are sort of like pop quizzes: sometimes they check your ticket, and sometimes they don’t, but not having one can result in a hefty fine. Tickets are almost always checked on long distance trains, but tickets on local trains, especially the trains with the “eye” mark, are checked at random. Traveler’s Tip: If you do “forget” to buy a ticket, just play the tourist card and say you lost it. Not speaking German, French or Italian will be your best asset.
Punctuality is key.
When dinner starts at 8, it actually starts at 7:55. Whether you’re meeting for business or making reservations at a restaurant, being on time is considered not only respectful, but totally mandatory. Traveler’s Tip: If you arrive over 15 minutes late for a dinner reservation, it’s best to just pretend you didn’t have one to begin with.
Eat the chocolate. Drink the milk.
Happy cows are definitely from Switzerland, and their specialty food is all things dairy: fondue, cream, milk, yogurt, cheese and chocolate take center stage at most traditional Swiss meals, and you should probably enjoy all of it. Traveler’s Tip: Go on a walking chocolate tour in Lucerne.
Sunburn is a real thing.
Because of the high elevation, there’s a chance you accidentally discover the worst sunburn of your life. Traveler’s Tip: Wear sunscreen. Don’t ignore that.
