🇨🇭 Switzerland travel essentials
Everything you need to plan a trip to Switzerland — climate, currency, packing essentials, public holidays, voltage and plug types, and what locals actually wear.
Top cities in Switzerland
Local style + dress code
Zurich dresses polished. Pack waterproof + warm layers; weather changes fast.
Dress code: smart casual
Public holidays in Switzerland
Plan around national holidays — many businesses close, transport gets busier, and prices for flights/hotels can spike.
Money & currency
The Swiss Franc (CHF, symbol CHF) is the official currency. Live exchange rates are updated daily.
Cost of living & travel — Zurich
Estimated daily budgets per person across three travel tiers. Lodging assumes single occupancy or shared dorm; food covers 3 meals + a coffee/drink; transit covers metro and short rides; activities cover one paid attraction per day.
| Per person per day | 🎒 Budget | 🏨 Mid-range | 🥂 Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lodging | $75 | $240 | $625 |
| Food | $40 | $100 | $250 |
| Transit | $14 | $22 | $90 |
| Activities | $22 | $50 | $135 |
| Daily total | $151 | $412 | $1100 |
Estimates as of 2025-2026, in USD per person. Actual spend varies with season, neighborhood, and trip style.
Visas & entry rules
Top-passport entry rules for Switzerland — quick reference, but always confirm with the destination's official consulate before booking flights:
| Passport | Rule | Stay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 US passport | Visa-free | up to 90 days | — |
| 🇬🇧 UK passport | Visa-free | up to 90 days | — |
| 🇪🇺 EU passport | Visa-free | up to 90 days | — |
| 🇨🇦 Canadian passport | Visa-free | up to 90 days | — |
| 🇦🇺 Australian passport | Visa-free | up to 90 days | — |
Last reviewed 2025-2026. Visa rules change with little notice; this table is informational and not legal advice.
Plan a trip to Switzerland
Use one of our planning tools to figure out exactly when and how to go:
What to pack
Each city has month-by-month packing lists computed from local climate data — temperatures, rainfall, peak hazard seasons, and Switzerland's dress code.