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Switzerland: FAQs,
Insider Tips & Links
Here are some
useful links and information we thought would be useful when traveling
to Switzerland. If you need more information, please contact Ana,
Travel Advisor for Switzerland. |
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National Holidays
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Official
holidays are:
December 31 & January 1st - New Year's Day
January 2nd - Second New Year's Day
Good Friday (Friday before Easter)
Easter Monday
May 1 - Labor Day
Ascension Day
Whit Monday
August 1 - National Day
December 24 - Christmas Eve
December 25-26 Christmas Holiday
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| Telephones |
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You
can buy phone cards at all Swisscom offices throughout the country –
usually in railway stations and near major shopping areas.
This is the best and cheapest way to call home. Hotels add surcharges
to the phone calls placed from guestrooms and is sometimes quite
expensive. Use any pay phone on the street and just insert the card and
make your call. It’s really easy. |
Swiss
Currency |
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Swiss currency is the Franc (CHF).
Visitors can use credit cards and cash readily throughout Switzerland.
You can change money in the airport, banks, hotels and the train station.
Banks give the best rates but you may want to shop around - we like the
MIGROS BANK. |
Government
Did
you know:
Switzerland is the world's oldest democracy. |
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In an effort to protect its
traditional rights and foster a national identity, Switzerland established a
democracy, nearly seven hundred years ago. Today, this tiny land-locked
country has the world's oldest democracy and its mechanisms have become a
blueprint for the free world. The constitutionally authoritative network of 24
cantons is further divided into self-administrative regions known as communes.
The whole seemingly complex system actually translates into a working
democratic tradition in its purest form - government by the people for the
people. |
| Neutrality |
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Neutrality - declared as a means
of self-preservation in the 16th century - may be the foundation of the Swiss
politic and an unequivocal stance that has prompted many worldwide
humanitarian organizations to base themselves, like the Red Cross and the
World Health Organization. |
| Weather
& Climate |
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In terms of climate,
Switzerland is very cold in the winter months and quite hot in the
summer.
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The People
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The Swiss themselves are
very polite and business like. They can also be very arrogant simply
because they know their country is so wonderful. It may also be difficult
to make friends with them. Yes, you will be an acquaintance but a
friend rarely. In the German speaking part, they have an odd etiquette
of calling someone Herr or Frau until the moment when they 'formally'
give you permission to use their first name. One will perhaps not
notice this if one speaks English and uses first names from the start
- as an American or British person would naturally do. The Swiss are educated to a very high
standard and are usually very cultured. The Swiss are
educated to a very high standard and are usually very cultured.
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Language
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There are four national
languages in Switzerland: Swiss-German, French, Italian and the rare
Romansch whilst over 700 dialects add even more color to the mix - the official
language of Switzerland is German. Multi-culturalism is the way of
life. This is revealed in an enormous, dynamic diversity within Swiss
borders in part due to the regionalisation and their respective
traditions, customs and festivals and to the predominance of three
strong cultures - German, French and Italian. The delightful
characteristics of each permeate the individual villages, cities and
towns of each canton creating a unique national culture.
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Time Zone
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GMT + 1 hour; EST + 6 hours.
Summer time (+ 1 hour): end of March to end of October
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Electricity
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220 volts, AC, 50 cycles
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Tipping
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Tipping is rarely
necessary as hotels, restaurants and bars are required by law to
include a 15% service charge. Even taxis normally have a service
charge included. For
extraordinary quality of service small tips are certainly well
appreciated.
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Tax & VAT
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There is a Value Added Tax
of 3,6% on accommodation and breakfast, 7,6% on all other facilities.
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Drinking
water
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Water from the tap is potable
- that is to say - You can drink it! The German word for water
is "wasser".
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Public Toilets
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Now that we talked about
water lets talk about toilets. Public restroom in Switzerland are
generally very clean. Sometimes a fee of .20 CHF is required to enter -
so always have a few of these coins handy. Toilet in German is "toilette".
"Manner" is man; "Frauen" means lady.
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Health Tips
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Most health risks in
Switzerland are related to altitude: altitude sickness, hypothermia and
sunburn. Bring your sunscreen with you. Drink lots of water. Layer your
clothing in winter and stick to natural fabrics - cotton and wool - if
possible.
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TIP
Tourist Season
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Summer lasts roughly from
June to September, and offers the most pleasant climate for outdoor
pursuits. Unfortunately, you won't be the only tourist during this
period - so prices are higher, accommodation harder to find, and it's
and crowded. You'll find much better deals and less crowds in the
shoulder seasons of April-May or late-September-October.
Winter lasts from late
November to April in the Alps. Christmas is typically very crowded at
the ski resorts.
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FAQ
How
safe is Switzerland
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"How safe is
Switzerland? Do I have to worry about pick-pockets and robbers?"
- Adnan, Tehran
Switzerland is a very safe country and the
crime rate is very low. Gun ownership is very high. Don't be surprised
to see people clamber onto trains with assault rifles - they are going
off for the annual three-week military refresher course.
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TIP
Can I Buy Train Tickets in the
USA or Canada?
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To Purchase Train Tickets for
Switzerland in the USA or Canada...
Call US Toll Free: 1-877-456-RAIL
or 1-800-361-RAIL in Canada.
For More Detailed Information and Online Reservations visit http://myswitzerland.raileurope.com/us/
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More
Useful Links for Travelers
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