7 Tips for First Time Travelers Planning to Visit Switzerland

Planning a trip to Switzerland can feel exciting, but it can also feel like there’s a lot to think about all at once. If you’re planning a European trip and wondering where to start, I’m here to help you slow things down and get organized without the overwhelm.

In this episode, I share simple, practical travel planning tips to help you cover the basics, including passport validity requirements, what you need to know about Schengen area travel entry procedures, and how the upcoming ETIAS Authorization may affect your plans. These are the kinds of details that are easy to overlook but can cause stress if you leave them too late.

We also talk about key things to add to your travel preparation checklist, and what to keep in mind when packing for Europe. I also share some itinerary planning tips that will be especially helpful for first time travelers.

If you’re looking for a calmer, more confident approach to your Switzerland or European vacation planning, want to enjoy meaningful cultural travel experiences, and prefer trips that feel well thought out but not overplanned, this gives you a solid starting point for a smooth and enjoyable Swiss vacation.

Happy travels,
Carolyn

👉 Show notes - Episode 165

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Transcript

Welcome to the Holidays to Switzerland podcast. If you're planning a trip to Switzerland, this is the podcast for you. I'm your host, Carolyn Schönafinger, the founder of holidays to switzerland.com.

In each episode, my expert guests and I share practical tips to help you plan your dream trip to Switzerland. You'll get helpful advice about traveling around Switzerland and hear about the most popular destinations, as well as some hidden gems. We'll introduce you to plenty of wonderful experiences that you can enjoy as part of your Swiss vacation. Each episode is packed with expert tips, itinerary ideas, and inspiration to help make your Swiss vacation planning easy. So let's dive in.

Hello and welcome to this week's episode of the podcast. I'm so glad you're joining me today, because we're talking about something that can truly make or break your holiday: good planning. Switzerland is an incredible destination. It's compact, beautiful, and full of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, but it does require a bit of forethought. So in today's episode, I'm sharing my top tips for planning a smooth, stress-free, and really memorable trip to Switzerland.

This episode is the perfect warm-up for what's coming next: a four-week series called "Four Steps to Planning Your Trip to Switzerland," where I'll take you through each stage of the planning process in much more detail. So think of today as your overview or your foundation, and make sure you stay tuned for the next four episodes as well.

Okay, so let's dive in. We're going to start with what is probably one of the most essential steps, but it's surprising how many people overlook it. So, Tip one is to check your passport and understand the new Schengen EES requirements. Now, before you do anything else, before you book your flights or hotels, just take a moment to check your passport's validity.

Most travelers will need at least six months validity beyond their return date and at least two blank pages in their passport. There are different requirements, of course, for every country, but that's a general overview of what many, many countries require. So do check your passport and make sure it's got enough validity on it.

Next, there's a new system, which was introduced in October throughout Europe, called the Schengen Entry Exit System, or EES. It's essentially a digital way of recording the movements of non-EU visitors when they enter and leave the Schengen area, and this includes Switzerland. So what does this mean for you? It may mean slightly different border procedures compared to what you've experienced before, and potentially some queues as the system is fully rolled out. It's nothing to stress about, though. You just need to be aware of it. Arrive at the airport with plenty of time and keep an eye on official guidance from airport officials.

If you're traveling in the last quarter of 2026, the much talked about ETIAS travel authorisation is also expected to be required for many of our listeners. The rollout of the ETIAS Travel Authorization has been put back time and time again, so I won't spend too much time talking about it. But basically, it will be required by travelers from most countries that currently don't require a visa to visit 30 European countries, including Switzerland.

So those of us from Australia, the United States, Canada, the UK, Singapore, and Brazil, and many other countries, will need to obtain an ETIAS Travel Authorization. But it's expected to cost less than 10 euros and last for three years. When it's introduced, the Travel Authorization will be applied for online, so it will be very easy for all of us travelers to obtain. Getting these basics sorted early on gives you peace of mind and avoids any last-minute surprises. Could you imagine if you're about to walk out the door to the airport to catch your flight to Switzerland and then you looked at your passport and realized you didn't have six months validity on it? That would be devastating.

Now I'll include links to both the new entry exit system website and the ETIAS Travel Authorization website in the show notes. So if you need more info about those, you can go and check those links out.

Tip number two is plan ahead to avoid disappointment. Switzerland is one of those destinations where planning ahead can really pay off. Many of the country's most popular panoramic trains, for example, and even some hotels can book out well in advance. By locking in your accommodation and your seat reservations on those panoramic trains early, you'll save yourself from disappointment.

By planning ahead, you can be ready to book those all-important seat reservations on the day that the booking system opens, which, just to make things confusing, is different for every panoramic train. But I'll cover that in more detail in the coming weeks. If there's a particular hotel you'd like to stay at, or if you're traveling in summer and you want to guarantee a room with air conditioning, or perhaps you want to make sure you're staying in a hotel that has an elevator, booking early is key. I recommend you reserve all the non-negotiable parts of your trip as early as you possibly can.

Tip number three for a successful trip to Switzerland, in my opinion, is to slow down. Less really is more, and one of the biggest mistakes I see travelers make is trying to squeeze too much into their itinerary. Switzerland may look small on the map, but it's packed with things to do, and every region deserves you to spend a good amount of time there.

Instead of racing from city to city and village to village, slow things down. Spend three, four, or even five nights in a single base. Not only does this make your trip feel more relaxed, but it also gives you flexibility, especially in the mountains, where the weather can play a really big role. I know you'll want to see as much as possible, especially if this is your first trip to Switzerland, but don't overestimate how much you can realistically see within your timeframe. There's nothing worse than returning home exhausted after a vacation. And also remember, Switzerland is the perfect destination to return to again and again.

Tip number four is to know what style of vacation you want. Now, the best vacations don't usually happen by accident. Having an idea ahead of time of what you'd like to see and do and your travel preferences will really help set you up for a great trip. Would you prefer to spend some time in the cities, or do you want to hike in the mountains every day? Are you someone who prefers four-star hotels, or would the convenience of an apartment suit you better?

Does driving in Switzerland make you feel apprehensive? If so, using public transportation might be best. Your vacation should be designed for you and your traveling companions, not for anyone else. So spend a little time jotting down your travel preferences and really understand what you want to get out of your trip to Switzerland.

The next tip is to pack wisely. Packing for Switzerland is all about being prepared for changing weather, especially in the mountains, where sunshine can turn to cloud or showers very quickly. No matter what season you're visiting, make sure you bring layers, a waterproof jacket, and sturdy walking shoes. Even if you're not a big hiker, you'll probably find yourself walking more than you expect. And if you are doing mountain excursions, good, sturdy footwear makes a huge difference.

And try not to over pack. Switzerland's train system makes traveling around incredibly easy, but you'll appreciate having lightweight luggage when you're hopping on and off platforms or moving between villages. The trunk size of a rental car is not always as big as you might expect, so trying to fit too many large suitcases into the boot of a car can be very problematic.

Tip number six is to embrace local culture. One of the most rewarding parts of visiting Switzerland, in my opinion, is experiencing its culture, whether that's food, tradition, or outdoor activities. So take some time to enjoy a fondue or a raclette in a cozy chalet. Visit a local market night. Look out for festivals or folk events that are happening while you're there, or perhaps join a cheese-making demonstration or a chocolate workshop, who could resist?

And of course, make sure you get outside, even if you're not an experienced hiker. There are countless beautiful, well-marked walking paths suitable for everyone. Enjoying the landscapes on foot helps you truly immerse in Swiss life.

Tip number seven is to go with an open mind. Switzerland is wonderfully diverse: four languages, different regions, varied food traditions, and weather that can change in an instant. Things might be more expensive than you expect. Trains may be more punctual than you're used to. You might find yourself in a village where the local language changes from German to French or Italian, depending on who you talk to, and that's the beauty of travel.

Embrace it. Stay flexible, let yourself be surprised. Some of the most memorable moments happen when you allow the unexpected to be part of your adventure.

So just to quickly run through those tips again:

• Number one, check your passport and understand the Schengen EES requirements.
• Number two, plan ahead and book all those non-negotiables as early as you possibly can.
• Number three, slow down and avoid packing too much into your itinerary.
• Number four, know what style of vacation you want.
• Tip number five, pack smartly for varied weather conditions.
• Tip six, embrace local culture and experiences.
• And Tip number seven, go with an open mind.

These tips really do form the foundation of a successful trip to Switzerland. As I mentioned earlier, over the next four weeks, I'll be breaking down the entire planning process step by step in my "Four Steps to Planning Your Trip to Switzerland" series. So if you haven't already, make sure you subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss those episodes. They're going to be really helpful.

You can find lots of extra planning resources on the Holidays to Switzerland website, including destination guides, itineraries, and travel tips. And if you'd like some assistance with your Swiss vacation planning, our trusted partners can help. Check out the range of rail and self-drive packages, small group tours, private tours, and hotels that we love and recommend. There are some great discounts available for our podcast listeners too. You'll find all the info and links in the show notes at holidaystoswitzerland.com/episode165 .

Thank you so much for listening today. I hope these tips help you feel more confident and really excited as you plan your own Swiss adventure. I'd love to hear when you're planning to visit Switzerland and what's on your itinerary. So why don't you send me an email to podcast at holidays to switzerland.com and let me know your plans. Until next time, happy travel planning. Cheers.