The Best Time to Visit Switzerland
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Whenever you're dreaming of cosmopolitan cities, glistening lakes, and verdant mountain vales—that's the best time to visit Switzerland. If the mood strikes you to dip into Lake Geneva in the summertime, or cozy up in the winter for a dinner of raclette-covered everything, you need to go to Switzerland as soon as you can. As for the actual logistics of how to time your visit to this landlocked European country of centuries-old culture and commerce, it all depends on what you want to get out of your trip.
To get the inside scoop on the best time to visit Switzerland, I spoke to one of Condé Nast Traveler’s Top Travel Specialists, Tara Koehler of Royal Travel, who counts Switzerland as one of her topics of expertise. Here, she helps us break down when to visit, how long to stay, and what to do when you’re in this fascinating destination.
Jump to a section:
When visiting Switzerland for the first time, where should I go?
How many days do I need to spend in Switzerland as a first-timer?
Jon Batiste
When is the best time to visit Switzerland?
As with any destination, the best time to visit Switzerland depends on what you plan to do once you’re there. Given the country’s cities, towns, mountains, lakes, and more, Koehler says, “I can give an argument for almost every month of the year being the best time to visit.”
If you want to experience Switzerland’s cities like Geneva and Zurich while avoiding the crowds, travel in January and February. “Crowds are minimal and cafes still have cozy spots outside offering blankets and heat lamps and the famous Swiss Glühwein to warm you up,” Koehler says. In the month of December, the festive season will inevitably draw more crowds, but the bustling spirit of the charming Swiss Christmas markets will undoubtedly bring you good cheer.
For those coming to Switzerland to ski, all winter long would be the best time to go. “Believe it or not, Switzerland is not an expensive place to ski,” Koehler says. “Lift prices often beat those in Colorado and Utah, plus many Swiss towns let kids ski for free, on top of offering other great ski deals.”
In the summertime, the weather is fabulous and temperate—and the music is even better. In the first two weeks of July, the resort town of Montreux (just 30 minutes east of Lausanne by car or train) hosts the Montreux Jazz Festival, which Koehler highly recommends: “The festival is iconic and lights up Lake Geneva, bringing the Swiss Riviera front and center for these two special weeks each year.”
When is the cheapest time to visit Switzerland?
According to Koehler, the most affordable flights from the United States to Switzerland are typically found in the window from January, February, and March. “This is also when you’ll get some great hotel deals all over the country,” she says, “but be mindful that these months are still considered peak season in ski villages.” So if you’re conscious of your budget and traveling during the winter, you might skip St. Moritz and Zermatt and instead enjoy the city scenes of Geneva or Zurich, where lodging and dining options at all price points will be more plentiful.
When is peak season in Switzerland?
As with most European destinations, June, July, and August are the peak season in Switzerland, when prices tend to be higher and crowds tend to be bigger, given that much of the continent and the Northern Hemisphere are traveling during summer holidays. “In Switzerland, some argue May and September are now also considered peak season,” Koehler adds. “But there are still fewer crowds in May and September. And obviously, for ski towns, December to March is peak season.”
Zurich
When visiting Switzerland for the first time, where should I go?
The best cities to fly into are Geneva or Zurich, whose airports often have connectivity to other global hubs through airlines like Swiss Air and Lufthansa. Either or both cities are a great place to start for first-time visitors, with plenty of hotels, restaurants, and things to do.
Beyond that, Koehler says, “Lucerne is a top destination; it’s not far from Zurich Airport and it has so much to offer, since it’s situated on a beautiful lake with mountain activities available within 30 minutes of town.” There’s also the resort town of Montreux on Lake Geneva, and Italian-speaking Lugano in the Southern part of the country, just two and a half hours away from Zurich. “All of these cities ooze Swiss charm with their own distinct personalities and offer both lake and mountain activities and views,” Koehler says.
How many days do I need to spend in Switzerland as a first-timer?
Three or so nights in a Swiss destination can suffice, but to get a more comprehensive visit, Koehler says a week to nine nights would be ideal: “This will allow you to visit lakes and mountains and get to see at least three to four different cities and regions. I’d try to incorporate stops in the German-speaking, French-speaking, and Italian-speaking parts of the country.” Of course, if time or budget does not permit a longer, big-picture stay, you’ve only more reasons to return to Switzerland again and again.
What else should I know before visiting Switzerland?
Part of being a responsible traveler is respecting the social and cultural norms of the destination you’re visiting. As such, Koehler advises that, “The Swiss are quiet people, so remember: Don’t be loud on public transportation or in restaurants.” Relatedly, do be punctual and get to your reservations on time; you don’t want to get there too late and find that you have no room at the inn, so to speak. “Trains and buses run on time, pretty much always,” Koehler says, so if you’re taking public transportation like trains to hop around the country, get to the station a little bit early, or the train could leave you behind.
Originally Appeared on Condé Nast Traveler
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