Switzerland

Map & Travel Tips.

MySwitzerland.com
Public holidays.
2010
New Year January 1
Good Friday April 2
Easter Monday April 5
Ascension Day May 13
Whit Monday May 24
National Day August 1
Christmas Day December 25
Boxing Day December 26
2011
New Year January 1
Good Friday April 22
Easter Monday April 25
Ascension Day June 2
Whit Monday June 13
National Day August 1
Christmas Day December 25
Boxing Day December 26
Regional and local holidays, such as
January 2, May 1 (Labor Day), Corpus
Christi, Assumption etc. are observed in
many parts of the country.
How to get there.
Switzerland is a small multicultural, multi-
lingual country located in the very heart of
Europe. It shares common frontiers with
ve countries Germany, France, Italy,
Austria and the tiny Principality of Liech-
tenstein. Switzerland is therefore at the
crossroads of the con tinent. It is a focal
point of international air, road and rail traf-
c and easily accessible within hours from
major European cities and centres.
By air
Swiss International Air Lines is the na-
tional carrier of Switzerland serving 90
worldwide destinations in 42 countries
from its home hub in Zrich, and from Ba-
sel and Geneva inter national airports.
Zrich and Geneva airports are fully inte-
grated into the Swiss railroad network and
have their own railway stations. Trains to
the two city centres run every 10 to 20
minutes, with a travelling time of approxi-
mately 10 minutes. Hourly intercity and di-
General information.
rect trains leave right from either airport
station and will connect you to many cities
and towns. In Basel, a bus service links
the airport with the downtown area. The
bus stops right outside the main railway
station. The buses leave every 30 minutes
and the ride takes 15 to 20 minutes.
www.zurich-airport.com, www.gva.ch,
www.euroairport.com
By train
Thanks to its convenient central location,
Switzerland is also served by fast reliable
inter-European rail services from at least
a dozen countries. Most trains include
dining cars, bars and a wide range of
other amenities and for night travel
comfortable sleeping compartments.
By car
For travellers arriving by road, Switzerland
is linked to Europes extensive motorway
network. Cross-border travel is trouble
free, with the minimum of delay and for-
malities.
Car rental
You rent a lot more than a car! Europcar is
the leading car rental company in Switzer-
land with more than 60 locations and a
wide range of cars. Up to 3,200 vehicles
are ready to be rented we always have
the perfect car for you on
www.MySwitzerland.com/europcar.
Electricity.
The current used throughout Switzerland
is 220 volts (AC), 50 cycles. Most power
sockets are designed for three-pin round
plugs. The standard continental type plug
with two-pin round plugs, applied for
many electrical travel products, may be
used without problem. Adaptors are avail-
able in most hotels.
Telecommunications.
Before setting off, check that your mobile
is activated for telephoning abroad. Your
provider will give you information on this.
You may need an adapter to recharge your
mobile in Switzerland.
General information.
In Switzerland
The Swisscom Mobile network covers
over 99% of the populated area of Swit-
zerland. Upon entry to Switzerland the
mobile phone generally searches on its
own for a network. For example, SWISS
GSM will appear on the display. Informa-
tion on coverage of the mobile network of
Swisscom Mobile, Switzerlands leading
network provider, can be found at www.
swisscom-mobile.ch
Phoning home and within Switzerland
International calls may be made from any
public phone by dialling 00 followed by
the international dialling code. For exam-
ple, Germany +49, or France +33. The 0
of the local area code is omitted, for ex-
ample +49221123456. As a rule, the +
sign appears if you keep the 0 pressed
for a bit longer. When calling within Swit-
zerland it is not ne cessary to enter the
country code. However, you do need
to enter the local area code; if calling a
number in Bern, for example, you would
dial 0311234567. Phone cards can be
bought at hotel reception desks, post of-
ces and kiosks for CHF 10 or CHF 20.
Important telephone numbers.
The following numbers can be dialled for
information:
Emergency calls
117 Police in case of emergencies
118 Fire brigade
144 Ambulance (not in all areas)
Information services
1811 For numbers in Switzerland and
international numbers
140 Motoring assistance
162 Weather report
163 Conditions of trafc, roads and passes
187 Avalanche bulletin
Customs entry regulations.
Duty and tax free imports per person:
Used personal effects
Used personal effects, such as clothing,
underwear, toilet articles, sports gear,
photo and lm cameras, camcorders,
portable computers, musical instruments,
and other articles for general use.
Provisions
Foodstuff and non-alcoholic beverages for
the day of travelling.
Cash
In the case of the importation, transit and
export of liquid funds (cash, securities,
amongst others) with a value of more than
CHF 10,000, upon request information
must be given on the origin, the intended
use and the benecial owner. The right is
reserved to take other measures linked to
combating crime.
Tobaccos and spirits
200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 grams
of pipe tobacco
2 litres of alcohol (up to 15% vol.) and
1 litre of alcohol (over 15% vol.)
Other goods
For other private goods there is a total
value limit of CHF 300 per person.
Value added tax.
The VAT you pay on purchased goods in
Switzerland is 7.6%. You may ask at the
shops for your Global Refund Cheque
and reclaim the VAT. Your total purchases
in a shop must amount to more than
CHF 300 (including VAT). You must be
a resident outside Switzerland and the
goods must be exported within 30 days.
www.globalrefund.com
Three easy steps to claiming your refund
in Switzerland:
Step 1: Refund Cheque
Ask the shop staff for a Refund Cheque
when paying for your purchases.
Step 2: Customs Stamp
Show your purchases, receipt and pass-
port to Customs when leaving the country,
or at the nal point of departure when
leaving the European Union, and have
your Refund Cheque stamped.
Step 3: Refund Ofce
Show the stamped Refund Cheque, pass-
port and credit card at a nearby Refund
Ofce and ask for an Immediate Refund
on your credit card. Alternatively the re-
fund can be paid in cash.
Local procedures may vary. Please refer
to Local Information for country-specic
regulations.
Money.
Currency
Please note that Switzerland uses the
Swiss franc, usually indicated as CHF.
Though Switzerland is not part of the Eu-
ropean Union and thus is not obliged
to convert to the euro, many prices are
nonetheless indicated in euros so that vis-
itors may compare prices. Merchants may
accept euros but are not obliged to do so.
Change given back to the client will most
likely be in Swiss francs.
The Swiss franc comes in the following
denominations:
Coins: 5, 10, 20, 50 cents (Rappen) and
1, 2, 5 francs
Bank notes: 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 1,000
francs
Credit cards
Eurocard/MasterCard, VISA, American Ex-
press, Diners Club
The safest and easiest forms of money are
travellers cheques and credit cards. The
cards most used are Visa, MasterCard
and American Express. Many banks in
Switzerland have equipped their ATM ma-
chines with the Cirrus or Maestro system.
Many other Swiss banks offer ATM ma-
chines for cash advances with your credit
card. It is recommended to have a small
amount of cash on hand upon arrival in
Switzerland for immediate expenses, i.e.
taxies, city transportation, etc.
Places to exchange money
any Swiss bank
airports
main railway stations (Western Union)
major hotels
Swiss banks offer the best exchange rates
for your travellers cheques or cash for
foreign currencies (only bank notes). Of-
cial exchange ofces and hotels may
charge a fee for their services.
Business hours.
Generally, ofces are open 8am to noon
and 2 to 5pm on weekdays and closed
on weekends.
Shops
Shops in smaller towns and villages are
generally open from Monday to Friday
from 9am to noon and again from 2 to
6.30pm. In larger cities they do not close
for lunch and generally extend their hours
till 9pm on one evening of the week, usu-
ally on Thursdays. In Zurich the shops are
open till 8pm on weekdays.
On Saturdays most shops close between
4 and 6pm.
Banks
Banks are usually open Monday to Friday
from 8.30am to 4.30pm. Once a week they
extend their hours. Please check locally.
They are closed Saturdays, Sundays and
on public holidays. However, money can
also be changed at major train stations.
Look for the Change/Cambio signs.
Many banks have automated teller ma-
chines (ATMs) that accept overseas bank
cards. Before arriving, please check with
your local bank whether your bank card is
valid in Switzerland.
Post ofces
Post ofces are usually open from 8am
to noon and from 2 to 5pm on weekdays,
whereas branches that are located in
shops, are usually open the same hours
as the shops, including the extended
business times that are often offered once
a week. On Saturdays, post ofces in large
cities are open from 8.30am till noon, in
villages they may be closed. Please check
locally. All post ofces are closed on Sun-
days.
Prices for standard letters/postcards,
max. B5 (250x176mm) and max. thick-
ness 20mm.
Priority mail
Weight Europe Other countries
020g CHF 1.30 CHF 1.80
2150g CHF 2.40 CHF 3.50
51100g CHF 3.50 CHF 4.70
(October 2009)
Shopping.
Switzerlands superb products make it a
shoppers paradise.
English is spoken in most shops and de-
partment stores. Any stay in Switzerland
is incomplete without buying a famous
Swiss watch. Fine watches come in an in-
nite variety and are generally less expen-
sive than in other countries. Bucherer is
the countrys biggest and most famous
watch retailer offering a wide range of
watches from CHF 50 to 100,000.
www.bucherer.ch
Chocolates come in a variety of sizes,
shapes and avours. Excellent buys are:
textiles, embroidery, ne handkerchiefs,
linen, precision instruments, drafting sets,
multiblade pocket knives (www.victorinox.
ch), music boxes, woodcarvings, ceramics
and other handmade items as well as an-
tiques and art books.
Gastronomy.
Regional specialities
Zrich: Minced veal in cream sauce with
rosti, the golden light Swiss version of
hash brown potatoes. Bern: Smoked pork,
sausage and sauerkraut. Geneva: Filet
of perch and lake trout. Lausanne: Local
sausage on a bed of leeks and potatoes.
Ticino: Polenta, risotto and pasta. Gener-
ally everywhere: Crusty bread, great
cheeses and preserves for breakfast...
and of course real muesli. Try famous fon-
due, raclette, or cheese tartlets. Foods
can be light the delicious taste of the
Grisons air-dried meats and freshest
lake sh. Or sumptuous feasts classic
sausages and tender meats. Try a tray
of our many cheeses, perhaps a Tte de
Moine. Indulge in desserts that bring tears
of delight!
Tipping.
A service charge is normally included in
restaurant and hotel bills as well as taxi
fares. An extra tip is not expected but is
appreciated.
Passport, visa regulations.
For information on visas, permanent resi-
dence as well as on work permits and busi-
ness matters, please contact the Swiss
Embassy or the Swiss Consulate located
nearest you or check www.bfm.admin.ch
Temperatures.
The climate is moderate: from March
to June and September to December av-
erage temperature can vary from 5C
to 22C. From July to August the daytime
temperature ranges from 18C to 28C
and the JanuaryFebruary range is 2C
to +7C. Depending on the altitude the
temperature range may vary.
There is no excessive heat or humidity.
Southern Switzerland has subtropical veg-
etation and enjoys a year-round mild cli-
mate.
Security, health, insurance.
Switzerland has one of the lowest crime
rates of all industrialized countries. But
it is always wise to keep an eye on wallets
and luggage in busy areas. Drinking and
eating out is hygienic and the tap water
is safe. Immunization against contagious
diseases is only required if the trav eller
has been in an infected area within 14 days
prior to arrival in Switzerland. Personal
travel insurance is strongly recommended,
including coverage of personal accident,
sickness, loss or damage to luggage
and personal effects, and cancellation
charges.
Public transportation,
Swiss Travel System.
Anyone who has ever visited Switzerland
will tell you that its public transportation
service is one of the nest worldwide.
Fast, efcient and frequent, it connects
even the most remote places. Trains,
buses, boats and urban transportation
systems weave a dense network, carrying
visitors and locals anywhere they wish
to go.
The best way to discover Switzerland
is to purchase a Swiss Pass. The Swiss
Pass entitles visitors to unlimited travel
on the Swiss Travel Systems network of
trains, buses, boats and urban transport:
it also includes free travel on most of
Switzerlands legendary scenic routes, like
the Glacier Express, Bernina Express,
GoldenPass Line or Wilhelm Tell Express.
The Swiss Pass is also valid as a Swiss
Museum Pass and gets you into more
than 400 museums in Switzerland for
free. And with a Swiss Pass you are
also eligible for a hefty 50% discount
on most mountain top rides by cable
car or cogwheel train.
There are several discount options with
the Swiss Pass like the Swiss Saver Pass
for two people travelling together or the
Swiss Youth Pass for young people under
26. For visitors who wish to stay in one
specic region of Switzerland we recom-
mend the Swiss Transfer Ticket (round-
trip airport/border destination of your
choice) or the Swiss Card (with 50% dis-
count on additional tickets) at very attrac-
tive at rates. Children under 16 years of
age travel completely free if accompanied
by at least one parent. Swiss Travel Sys-
tem tickets will also give you discounts on
city tours in seven Swiss cities, on hotel
accommodation and with other bonus
partners.
Detailed information about the Swiss
Travel System offer is available online at
www.swisstravelsystem.co.uk. There you
will also nd a list of our worldwide points
of sale. The following rates are in EUR/CHF
and are guiding rates (in most countries
sales prices are converted into local cur-
rency). Please check your local sales point
or www.swisstravelsystem.co.uk.
Swiss Flexi Pass (EUR/CHF).
2nd class 1st class
1 adult Saver Pass* 1 adult Saver Pass*
3 days within 1 month 161/249 137/212 242/374 206/318
4 days within 1 month 195/302 166/257 293/453 250/385
5 days within 1 month 226/349 193/297 339/524 289/445
6 days within 1 month 257/397 219/337 385/596 328/507
People up to the age of 26 can obtain the Swiss Youth Pass at a 25% discount on the full fare. Exactly the same advantages
are offered as in our Swiss Pass.
*Saver Pass: valid for two to ve people travelling together (rate indicated is per person)
Swiss Pass (EUR/CHF).
2nd class 1st class
1 adult Saver Pass* 1 adult Saver Pass*
4 days 168/260 143/221 252/390 215/332
8 days 243/376 207/320 364/564 310/479
15 days 294/455 250/387 441/683 375/581
22 days 339/525 289/446 509/788 433/670
1 month 373/578 318/491 560/867 476/737
Swiss Card (EUR/CHF). Swiss Transfer Ticket (EUR/CHF).
2nd class 118/182 2nd class 82/127
1st class 165/255 1st class 124/192
Top Events of Switzerland.
The Top Events of Switzerland are seven world-famous events in the areas of art, lm
music, golf, track and eld and horse racing.
These individual summit meetings reect a certain lifestyle and, by virtue of the quality
of the works exhibited, the presentation of exceptional lmmakers, actors, musicians,
or the participation of top athletes, clearly belong to the best in the world.
Art Basel, June 1620, 2010
In June, the cultural city of Basel becomes the hot spot of the international art scene.
Film Festival Locarno, August 414, 2010
Every year since 1946 the Italian-speaking town of Locarno on Lake Maggiore becomes
the world capital of cinema for 11 days.
Lucerne Festival, March 1928 | August 12September 18 | November 2228, 2010
The worlds leading orchestras, conductors and soloists gather in Lucerne three times
a year to shape one of the most thrilling classical music festivals on the Swiss calendar.
Montreux Jazz Festival, July 217, 2010
Since its birth in 1967 as a three-day event, the Montreux Jazz Festival has become a
stupendous 16-day affair, headlined by jazz, blues, rock, world music, rap, electro, pop
and soul luminaries.
Omega European Masters, September 25, 2010
World-class golfers meet every year in Crans-Montana, drawn here by the unique ambi-
ance and the breathtaking natural scenery as well.
Weltklasse Zrich, August 19, 2010
Its not just amongst the athletes that tension mounts shortly before the starters gun
you could hear a needle drop in the stadium.
White Turf St. Moritz, February 7 | 14 | 21, 2010
Year after year the frozen surface of Lake St. Moritz provides the setting for Switzerlands
most lucrative and most exclusive horseracing events.
Switzerland at a glance.
Capital: Bern
Cantons
(States): 26
Languages: German (64%)
French (20%)
Italian (7%)
Romantsch (1%)
others (8%)
Religions: Roman Catholic (42%)
Protestant (35%)
others or none (23%)
Area: 41,200 km
2

(15,936 square miles)
Boundaries: total 1,852 km
Austria 164 km
France 573 km
Germany 334 km
Italy 740 km
Liechtenstein 41 km
Distance North
to South: 220 km (137 miles)
Distance East
to West: 346 km (216 miles)
For further information about Switzerland
please visit MySwitzerland.com.
Highest point: Dufour Peak, in the
Monte Rosa mountain
range, 4,634 m
(15,203 feet)
Lowest point: Lake Maggiore (Ticino)
193 m (633 feet)
Lakes: 1,484
Glaciers: 140
Telephone
code: +41 + the number
Voltage: 220 volts, AC, 50 cycles
Population
entire country: 7,4 million
Population in larger cities (approx.):
Zrich: 370,000
Geneva: 186,000
Basel: 170,000
Bern: 125,000
Lausanne: 115,000
Winterthur: 100,000
St. Gallen: 70,000
Lucerne: 58,000
Lugano: 53,000
Travel to Switzerland.
Scheduled ights operate from many UK and
Irish airports direct to Switzerland.
Swiss International Air Lines
Tel. 0845 601 0956
www.swiss.com/uk
British Airways
Tel. 0844 493 0787
www.ba.com
Aer Lingus
Tel. Northen Ireland and UK: 0870 876 5000
Tel. Ireland: 0818 365 000
www.aerlingus.com
Air Berlin
Tel. 0871 500 0737
www.airberlin.com
bmi
Tel. 0844 8484 888
www.ybmi.com
Darwin Airline
Summer only
Tel. +41 848 177 177
www.darwinairline.com
easyJet
Tel. 0871 244 2366
www.easyjet.com
Fly Baboo
Tel. 00800 445 445 45
www.ybaboo.com
Flybe
Winter only
Tel. 0871 700 2000
www.ybe.com
FlyGlobespan
Tel. 0871 271 9000
www.yglobespan.com
Jet2.com
Tel. 0871 226 1737
www.jet2.com
Smaller carriers also y from some regional air-
ports. For further details contact Switzerland
Travel Centre.
Passport and visa regulations.
Holders of a valid British passport and any
other EU nationals do not require a visa.
Travellers of other nationalities should enquire
at the Embassy of Switzerland.
Contact information
Embassy of Switzerland
16-18 Montagu Place
London
W1H 2BQ
Tel. 020 7616 6000
Fax 020 7724 7001
swissembassy@lon.rep.admin.ch
www.swissembassy.org.uk
Embassy of Switzerland
6 Ailsbury Road
Ballsbridge
Dublin 4
Republic of Ireland
Tel. 01 218 6382
Fax 01 283 0344
dub.vertretung@eda.admin.ch
www.eda.admin.ch/dublin
Embassy of Ireland
Kirchenfeldstr. 68
P.O. Box 262
CH-3000 Bern 6
www.embassyoreland.com
Fly-Rail Baggage
Passengers ying into Zrich or Geneva can
check their baggage through from their de-
parture airport direct to many Swiss towns and
cities, for collection at their convenience. Simi-
larly, on the return journey, air travellers can
check their luggage through to their nal desti-
nation airport. Currently charged at 12.00 per
item each way, this service is only available if
you travel to the airport by train. Note that some
budget airlines do not accept this service on re-
turn journeys. Visit www.rail.ch for more infor-
mation.
Arriving at Zrich or Geneva airport
Both Zrich and Geneva airports have their
own railway stations, with trains running direct
around the country. Regional railways and post-
bus services provide onward connections to all
Swiss destinations.
Rail travel
Switzerland Travel Centre can make reserva-
tions on Eurostar, TGV and other mainline serv-
ices as well as overnight trains from Paris to
Switzerland.
Switzerland Travel Centre can also reserve
seats on all of Switzerlands scenic panoramic
trains, including the Glacier Express, Golden-
Pass Line, Bernina Express, Swiss Chocolate
Train and William Tell Express.
For more information about rail services to and
within Switzerland please visit
www.swisstravelsystem.co.uk
Tourist information and
travel bookings.
For tourist information, ight & rail ticket sales,
hotel bookings, package holidays and to buy
a vignette allowing you to drive on Swiss motor-
ways, contact:
Switzerland Travel Centre
1st Floor, 30 Bedford Street
London
WC2E 9ED
Freephone 00800 100 200 30
(or 020 7420 4900)
Freefax 00800 100 200 31 (or 020 7420 4922)
Opening hours public counter:
Mon-Fri 9am-5pm
Opening hours call centre:
Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, Sat 10am-2pm
sales@stc.co.uk
www.MySwitzerland.com
All prices quoted are correct at time of publi-
cation (January 2010). More detailed informa-
tion on all subjects can be found at www.MyS-
witzerland.com or by contacting Switzerland
Travel Centre.
Book your train tickets
For a world-wide list of sales points and on-
line booking facilities in the various countries
please go to the website of
Swiss Travel System.
www.swisstravelsystem.ch/wheretobuy
www.swissinfo.ch:
news and information on Switzerland
Are you interested in whats going on in Swit-
zerland? Then you have come to the right
place. www.swissinfo.ch is Switzerlands mul-
timedia news and in formation platform in nine
languages. Here you will nd the latest
on Swiss politics, the economy, society, travel
and culture as well as science.
www.swissinfo.ch
Your direct contact to Switzerland
A commitment to constant improvement is the
driving force behind the SWISS philosophy of
delivering quality in every detail and typical
Swiss hospitality in order to make passengers
feel at home in the sky. Operating a technically
advanced eet from its Zurich hub and the air-
ports of Geneva, Basel and Lugano, SWISS
connects Switzerland with Europe and the rest
of the world. The award-winning airline carries
some 13.5 million passengers annually.
SWISS.
This is what it feels like to travel the Swiss
way: There is a train, whenever you need one,
already at the airport. A bus, to take you farther,
or another train. And a boat, if you wish to enjoy
the beauty of the lakes. Or a little red train to
bring you up to the mountains. A whole system
of it, working like a Swiss watch. And so many
places to see, in that beautiful little country!
Thats the Swiss Travel System. To have it all,
with one pass.
Swiss Travel System.
SWISS.COM
www.zurich-airport.com
www.swisscard.ch
www.bucherer.com
www.mgbahn.ch
www.europcar.ch
Partners.
MySwitzerland.com/sponsors
At the foot of the Alps, Zu-
rich Airport is an award-win-
ning hub in a network of
more than 174 destinations
throughout the world.
Exclusive travel, dining and
shopping offers for Amer-
ican Express cardholders.
Visit www.americanexpress.
ch/selects for more.
A traditional Swiss company
for superb watches and rst-
class jewelry with 14 stores
at prime locations through-
out Switzerland.
Experience the mountains
in the heart of the Alps on
the tracks of the world-fa-
mous Glacier Express from
St. Moritz/Davos to Zermatt!
Europcar is the leading
car rental company in
Switzerland with more
than 60 rental locations
and over 3,200 cars.