Where to stay in Switzerland

Switzerland has accommodation options for every budget. There are lots of awesome backpacker hostels around the country for those on a budget. Particularly in the big cities of Geneva, Bern, and Zurich, there are some great options. Touristy areas like Interlaken and Lucerne also have lots of hostels.

Hostels are great places to meet other travelers, especially if you’re traveling alone. The hostels in Switzerland are super modern, with great amenities, safe lockers to store your things, and helpful, friendly staff members.

For those with a bit more money to spend, hotels around Switzerland are plentiful. There are also plenty of Airbnbs, Bed and Breakfasts, and Guesthouses for those who want a more cozy, intimate experience.

Those looking to save even more money while traveling in Switzerland can consider a work exchange.

Worldpackers Work Exchanges in Switzerland

Volunteering with Worldpackers is an excellent way to spend your time in Switzerland.

Since you are working in exchange for accommodation, you can save money and get to stay in the country for free! This is huge because Switzerland is not a cheap country to visit.

Not only will you save money on accommodation, but you will also get the opportunity to live and work alongside locals and other travele

What to eat in Switzerland

Food in Switzerland is heavy and delicious. The most famous foods to try in Switzerland are definitely cheese and chocolate!

Swiss chocolate is world-famous, with Lindt and Toblerone being two of the most well-known brands. With a higher milk content than most other chocolates, Swiss Chocolate is incredibly rich and creamy. There are chocolate factories and chocolate shops all over the country, so definitely indulge!

Swiss cheese is a special type of alpine cheese that has lower acidity and lower salt content than other cheeses. Famous types of Swiss cheese include Emmenthal and Gruyère. You can buy them in any food store in Switzerland. Cheese is served in many forms in Switzerland, the most popular being fondue. Cheese fondue is something you have to try when you travel to Switzerland!

This big pot of melted cheese is served with bread and veggies that you can dip into the cheese. There are amazing restaurants all over the country where you can try traditional cheese fondue.

Besides cheese and chocolate, other must-try dishes in Switzerland include:

• Papet Vaudois: a warm dish of stewed leeks and potatoes with sausage on top
• Zopf bread: braided bread often served with jam and fruits
• Tartiflette: a baked dish of thinly sliced potatoes, bacon, onions, and chees
• Leckerli: sweet, sticky biscuits with hazelnuts
• Älpermagronen: A dish similar to macaroni and cheese with onions and potatoes

How to get around in Switzerland?

If you’re wondering how to travel in Switzerland, there are many ways to get around!

Public transport is plentiful here, and all the big cities and many smaller towns are well connected by train and bus.

Flights into Switzerland are easy and cheap from elsewhere in Europe. Zurich and Geneva are travel hubs, as are Bern and Basel. You can easily get a flight here when arriving in Switzerland.

You can take domestic flights within the country, though they are expensive.

Switzerland isn’t that big, so the best way to travel to different cities within the country is by train or bus. For example, a train from Geneva in the west of the country to Zurich in the north is only about 3 hours.

Trains are the fastest and most efficient way to travel between cities. Buses are a bit slower and cheaper. Buses are preferred for shorter journeys between smaller towns.



Renting a car is another option. The roads are easy to drive and well-maintained, though renting a car is still more expensive than public transport.

So for getting around Switzerland, you should be all taken care of by train or bus!

Best things to do in Switzerland

Here are some of the top activities to add to your Switzerland itinerary!

1. Ski or snowboard in the Alps
   If you love to ski or snowboard, you’ll be in heaven in the Swiss Alps! Jungfraujoch is one of the top places to hit the slopes. Head to the town of Grindelwald and then take the train up from there.


2. Explore Geneva
   Geneva is one of Switzerland’s most spectacular cities. Explore the interesting museums, walk through the Old Town, and enjoy the views on the shores of Lake Geneva. Book a boat tour of Lake Geneva for more incredible sightseeing.


3. Visit Chillon Castle
   This gorgeous castle on the shores of Lake Geneva is one of the best castles to see in Switzerland. Tour the massive castle grounds and admire the lakeside views.


4. Kayak on Lake Brienz
   Just next to Interlaken is Lake Brienz, one of the two alpine mountain lakes that give Interlaken its name (“Between The Lakes”). This turquoise-blue lake is perfect for kayaking!


5. See Oberhofen Castle
   Located on the shores of Lake Thun next to Interlaken, the amazing medieval Oberhofen Castle is one of the most photographed sights in Switzerland.


6. Enjoy the views in Lucerne
   This lakeside city is one of the most scenic places in the country. Enjoy the art, museums, architecture, and lakefront promenades. If you can, try to attend the Lucerne Festival, one of the world’s top international classical music festivals.


7. Go wine tasting
   Switzerland has some amazing wineries scattered around the country where you can tour vineyards and taste local wine. Geneva, Vaud, The Three Lakes Wine, Valais, and Ticino are some of the country’s best wine regions.


8. See Rhine Falls
   This is probably Switzerland’s most famous waterfall. Head to the nearby town of Schaffhausen and walk to the falls from there, or book a boat tour and get up close.


9. Hike Mount Pilatus
   Near Lucerne is Mount Pilatus, a beautiful mountain where you can hit the trails and hike up to incredible viewpoints over the Alps. You can also take the cable car up if you’re not up for hiking.


10. Go on a scenic train ride
    Europe has an extensive train network, and you can see some of the best scenery by train. Switzerland has some amazing train journeys where you can see the best of the landscape and countryside. The Bernina Express is one of the most popular train journeys, as is the train ride up to Jungfrau Railway.


11. Hike up to the Matterhorn
    The massive, jagged peak of the Matterhorn is one of the most epic hikes you can do in Europe. You can also take the cable car up.


12. Try adventure sports in Interlaken
    Interlaken is the Adventure Capital of the country, and there are so many fun ways to get the adrenaline pumping here. Go bungee jumping, sky diving, canyoning, waterfall rappelling, whitewater rafting, paragliding, and more.

Thanks for reading this Switzerland travel guide!

Hopefully, we’ve answered some of your top questions and helped you figure out how to travel and what to do in Switzerland.

Whether you’re on a backpacker budget or willing to fully indulge, there is so much beauty, culture, and history to be discovered in Switzerland! Thanks for reading this Switzerland travel guide!

Source: worldpackers.com

Also Read: THE ULTIMATE SWITZERLAND TRAVEL GUIDE: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW PART 1

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