Zurich
Riverside Old Town guild houses, Lake Zurich swim clubs, world-class art museums and alpine day-trip rail hub.
日本旅行ガイド · Start here for your first trip
Your first trip to Switzerland starts here
In-depth city guides, honest practical advice, sample itineraries and free planning tools, written with first-time visitors in mind (and still handy on your second or third trip). Everything links back to official sources so you can double-check the details that matter.
Where to go in Switzerland
All 10 destinations →Lucerne
Timber Chapel Bridge, frescoed Old Town squares, Lake Lucerne paddle steamers and Mount Pilatus & Rigi.
Interlaken, Grindelwald & Jungfrau Region
Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau peaks, Lauterbrunnen's 72 waterfalls, Wengen, Mürren and Lake Thun & Brienz.
Zermatt & The Matterhorn
Car-free alpine village beneath the iconic Matterhorn pyramid, Gornergrat cogwheel railway and glacier trails.
Bern
UNESCO sandstone arcades, medieval Zytglogge astronomical clock, Rose Garden views and Aare river swims.
Geneva
Jet d'Eau fountain, UN district, CERN Science Gateway, Vieille Ville and Lake Geneva cruises.
Lausanne, Montreux & Lavaux
Château de Chillon, UNESCO terraced Lavaux vineyards, Olympic Museum and GoldenPass Express.
St. Moritz & Engadin Valley
High-alpine lakes, Bernina & Glacier Express UNESCO rail lines, sgraffito villages and sunny trails.
Before you fly: essential guides
All guides →First-Time in Switzerland Checklist: Step-by-Step Trip Planner
Everything to prepare 3 months, 1 month, and 1 week before your first trip to Switzerland.
Switzerland Visa, Passport & Entry Requirements
Passport validity, visa-free stays, electronic travel authorization, and arrival procedures for Switzerland.
SBB CFF FFS & Panoramic Alpine Railways & Regional Rail Passes in Switzerland: Complete Guide
How high-speed and regional trains work in Switzerland, seat reservations, and when a rail pass saves money.
Local Transit Cards & Contactless Metro Pay in Switzerland
Using contactless bank cards, mobile wallets, and city transit passes across Zurich, Lucerne, and Interlaken, Grindelwald & Jungfrau Region.
Airport to City Center Transfers in Switzerland
Fastest express trains, airport buses, and luggage tips on arrival in Zurich and Lucerne.
Luggage Rules on Trains & Station Lockers in Switzerland
Where to store bags on SBB CFF FFS & Panoramic Alpine Railways trains, station left-luggage counters, and automated locker sizes.
Renting a Car & Driving in Switzerland: Permits, Tolls & Parking
When renting a car makes sense in Switzerland, International Driving Permits, highway tolls, and city parking zones.
Money, ATMs & Credit Cards in Switzerland (CHF (Swiss Franc))
Paying with contactless cards vs cash in Switzerland, avoiding dynamic currency conversion, and reliable bank ATMs.
How Much Does a Trip to Switzerland Cost? Daily Budgets
Realistic daily costs in CHF (Swiss Franc) for backpackers, mid-range travelers, and luxury trips across Switzerland.
Things to do by interest
All interests →History & UNESCO Landmarks
Where to experience Switzerland's iconic palaces, cathedrals, temples, castles, and ancient quarters.
Food, Markets & Regional Cuisine
Where to eat regional specialties, visit morning food markets, and book memorable meals across Switzerland.
Nature, Coastlines & Scenic Trains
Panoramic train routes, mountain trails, lakes, and coastal villages easily reached by public transport.
Art, Design & Museums
World-class galleries, contemporary design districts, and architectural icons across Switzerland.
Ready-made itineraries
All itineraries →7 Days in Switzerland: Zurich & Lucerne Express Itinerary
The classic one-week first-timer route linking Zurich and Lucerne by SBB CFF FFS & Panoramic Alpine Railways, with easy day trips.
10 Days in Switzerland: Zurich, Lucerne & Interlaken, Grindelwald & Jungfrau Region
Ten well-paced days across Switzerland's top three bases (Zurich, Lucerne, and Interlaken, Grindelwald & Jungfrau Region) with regional food and scenic day trips.
14 Days in Switzerland: The Classic Two-Week Grand Route
Our flagship two-week itinerary through Zurich, Lucerne, Interlaken, Grindelwald & Jungfrau Region, Zermatt & The Matterhorn, and Bern.
Switzerland with Kids: 10-Day Family-Friendly Itinerary
An easy-paced 10-day family route through Zurich, Lucerne, and Interlaken, Grindelwald & Jungfrau Region with interactive museums, parks, and minimal hotel changes.
Switzerland on a Budget: 10-Day Smart Value Route
How to see Zurich, Lucerne, Interlaken, Grindelwald & Jungfrau Region, and Zermatt & The Matterhorn using advance train fares, market lunches, and well-located budget stays.
14 free trip-planning tools
Interactive calculators and planners—see all 14 tools or browse our 800+ Switzerland City Directory.
Trip budget calculator
Estimate a daily and total budget in yen and your home currency by travel style.
Rail Pass value helper
Add up the long-distance rides on your route and compare against the pass price.
Seasonal calendar
Month-by-month weather, blossoms, foliage, festivals and crowd periods.
Packing list generator
A printable checklist tailored to your season, trip length and activities.
Yen converter
Convert yen to your currency at a rate you set, with typical Switzerland prices.
Which region suits me?
Six quick questions to find the part of Switzerland that matches your style.
Latest from the blog
All articles →How to Plan Your First Trip to Switzerland Without Getting Overwhelmed
A calm, step-by-step framework for choosing your dates, route, rail tickets, and hotels in Switzerland.
Riding SBB CFF FFS & Panoramic Alpine Railways for the First Time: Tickets, Platforms & Etiquette
Everything you need to know about booking, boarding, and storing luggage on Switzerland's high-speed trains.
12 Unforgettable Day Trips from Zurich, Lucerne & Interlaken, Grindelwald & Jungfrau Region
Easy 30-to-90-minute train excursions into historic towns, coastal villages, and mountain viewpoints.
Cash vs. Credit Card in Switzerland: How Much Cash Do You Actually Need?
Where contactless payments work everywhere and the few places you still want coins and small bills.
How to Travel Light in Switzerland: Station Lockers & Bag Storage
Tips for managing suitcases on trains, using automated station lockers, and packing lighter.
20 Iconic Dishes to Try Across Switzerland (Region by Region)
From street-market snacks to traditional multi-course dinners across Zurich, Lucerne, and Interlaken, Grindelwald & Jungfrau Region.
How we write our guides
Practical first
We focus on the questions visitors actually face: which ticket to buy, how to get from the airport, what to do when a restaurant has a ticket machine.
Sources you can check
Entry rules, rail passes and prices change. Each guide links to the official source (JNTO, Switzerland Railways, immigration and local tourism boards).
No invented reviews
We don't publish fake testimonials or made-up statistics. Prices are rough ranges meant to help you plan, not quotes.