11 Days Paris Swiss Italy Travel Package I Catterfly Travel

Paris, Switzerland & Italy

  1. Home
  2. Paris
  3. Paris, Switzerland & Italy

Paris, Switzerland & Italy

Get the complete European experience with a grand journey through Paris, Switzerland and Italy. Start off your journey in Paris by exploring the museums and cultural heritage of this magical city – all topped off with the unforgettable view from the Eiffel Tower. From here, whisk yourselves away to the idyllic Swiss countryside where you can live out your Yash Chopra dreams! From being on top of the world at Mt. Titlis to serenely floating along Lake Geneva, enjoy the best of all that Switzerland has to offer – at your own pace!
After getting a taste of the German and French parts of Switzerland, make your way south and watch as the landscape transforms into warm, bustling Italian countryside. Your senses will be enveloped by the sights and sounds of Italy as you indulge in some of the best art, music, food and wine that Venice and Florence have to offer.
Finally, find the perfect balance of old world charm and modern luxury in Rome – the perfect way to top off your Paris, Swiss and Italian journey. Explore the endless possibilities with us and let’s make your dream vacation come true…

Trip Itinerary

Arrive In Paris And Climb The Tower (1 Day )

With a city as grand and iconic as Paris, one cannot be blamed to get over the itch of getting on to Eiffel tower soon after arrival.
Highlights from your plan (1)

Parisian : Renaissance And Romance (1 Day )

It’s difficult to classify Paris architecture in one form. With its Gothic, Baroque, neoclassical and endless diversity – it’s an impossible choice to select the first iconic monument for the experience.
Highlights from your plan (5)

Arrive In Switzerland and Get Familiar (1 Day )

Arrive in Switzerland and transfer to Lucerne.

The snow experience - Visit Mt. Titlis (1 Day )

Visit Mt. Titlis, the only public accessible glacier in the area. High up on the summit there is only one weather – winter. Enjoy the cable car and world’s first revolving Gondola ride, get down at intermediate stops to view frozen...
Highlights from your plan (5)

The French Connection (1 Day )

Lausanne is a city in the French-speaking part of Switzerland set on a hillside facing Lake Geneva and the mountains, it offers a series of extensive panoramic views, beautiful old town with a cathedral that was built in 12th century. Visit Geneva,...
Highlights from your plan (3)

The Swiss Escapade (1 Day )

With so much to explore, your Swiss experience must include a visit to the Alpine villages and mountain passes, car free villages like Zermatt, Montreux-Vevey in Swiss Riviera, the Italian side and perhaps unique activities like flying across the...
Highlights from your plan (3)

Arrive in Italy And Get Charmed (1 Day )

Arrive in Italy and transfer to Venice; perhaps the most unique city in the entire world and synonymous with the word Love.
Highlights from your plan (2)

Islands Of The Floating City (1 Day )

Take a motorboat across the Venetian lagoon to unspoilt islands, wander Burano’s streets of pastel houses, bargain with lace sellers, shop for signature colored glass ornaments on Murano, and enjoy the beautiful sunset on the beaches of Lido
Highlights from your plan (4)

Romance Of The Renaissance (1 Day )

A Symbol of the Renaissance, Florence is primarily a city of unique charm and absolutely irresistible besides its architectural beauty and the extraordinary works of art.
Highlights from your plan (4)

Rome (1 Day )

Visit the promenade in an Eternal City suspended between history with its huge public baths, great palace built by Nero, and also the city gauging its identity to the new millennium, while firmly preserving its historical and traditional ties.
Highlights from your plan (4)

Vatican City - Smallest Country (1 Day )

Vatican needs no introduction as the center of the Roman Catholic Church, and this along with the surrounding Italian districts of Borgo, Prati and area around Monte Mario - is filled with more history and artwork than most cities in the world.
Highlights from your plan (2)

Whats included in this tour

No inclusions available.

Accommodation

  1. Mercure Paris Montmartre Sacré Coeur or Similar

    Address: 3 Rue Caulaincourt, 75018 Paris, France

  2. Swiss Chalet and Holiday Home Or Similar

    Address: Iseltwald, Switzerland

  3. One Bedroom Apartment in Canaregio - Central Mazzoni Or Similar

    Address: Cannaregio, 30121 Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy

  4. 2 Bedroom Apartment Or Similar

    Address: Florence, Metropolitan City of Florence, Italy

  5. Rome 4 Star Accommodation Or Similar

    Address: Rome, Metropolitan City of Rome, Italy

FAQ & Expert Tips

Best time to visit in Switzerland

Switzerland is an all-weather country from traveling perspective and it really depends on what one is looking to experience. Most of the tourists tend to visit Switzerland between May – September considering these are the summer months in Switzerland with July-August as the peak summer months.

If you were to consult a local, the spring season in late March-April and Autumn during October to mid-November is equally good time to visit as the temperatures are still moderate and with the added benefits of no major traveler’s rush – unless your travel coincides with a local European holiday or long weekend. Winters are very pristine with charming Christmas markets all over and festivities are in the air. It tends to get reasonably cold but with one of the best standards of living in the world – the lodging and travel is very comfortable in most parts. Of course December – February is the ideal season for winter sports enthusiast, and even if skiing / snowboarding isn’t what excites you – sledging down a snow mountain with kids is an experience that one shouldn’t really miss.

What are the best places to visit in Italy?

Be prepared to fall in love with an extraordinary country - the food, the wine, the history, the art and architecture, the countryside, and the hillside towns. There is something here for everyone and obviously the list of places to visit in Italy is long.  

Visiting the iconic Italian cities such as Florence, Venice, and Rome are essential for your first trip to Italy. And, if that's an overdose of history, architecture and culture - it’s great to get off the beaten path a little bit and explore Cinque Terre - the five fishing villages near Tuscany region. And, if time permits Naples, the great archaeological site of Pompeii at the base of Mt. Vesuvius, the magical coastline at Amalfi, and a day trip to the Capri island to be among the celebrities.  

While each of these iconic places deserve a week-long trip in itself, let's move bit further along the list and you may want to consider adding Sienna and Chianti region while visiting Tuscany region. And, if you few more days - take a detour to Lucca, Sarzana in Liguria region while you admire the leaning tower of Pisa during a coffee break.

If you are focused on the northern Italy, then it's hard to resist the visit to Lake Como region made famous by the lakeside villas owned by the celebrities, but then dont miss out on the charming towns around Lake Garda, the Amarone vineyards, Verona - the City of Romeo Juliet, and the Dolomites bordering the Swiss and Austrian Alps. The Formula one lovers are spoilt for choices with Ferrari, Pagani and Lamborghini factories around Modena and it's not a bad idea to spend few days in Milan if big brand shopping is your thing.

For the folks who have more time - we certainly recommend visiting Sicily, the largest Mediterranean island - and you will be suitably rewarded with some of the most pristine beaches in the southern coastline around Ragusa, ancient Greek history and the towns of Cefalu, Palermo, Catania and Syracuse. And, dont forget to go up Mt. Etna - the only active volcano system in Europe and the evening at Taormina - the celebrity hill resort of the island.

We understand it’s a difficult choice to make. Speak with a Catterfly Expert to plan your trip to Italy. 
 

How many days are needed to visit Italy?

Most people have just a week or two to explore this amazing country, and we certainly hope that you are lucky to make several visits. In a week-long trip, you could perhaps visit one region of the Italy (like Northern, Central or Southern region), or focus on the iconic cities of Venice, Rome and Florence with some day tours from these locations. There is more an enough to experience in each of these places for the famous and off beat experiences for everyone’s taste.  

What is the weather in Italy like?

It is similar to the usual Mediterranean climate: the summers are dry and warm, and the winters wetter. However, it can vary significantly across regions. Northern Italy has relatively more moderate temperature during summers as compared to the southern part. But, southern region – Naples and further south literally outshines the Northern Italy during winters. Snowfall is not so common unless you are in Alpine regions in northern Italy (Dolomites or French-Italian border), or some of the ski resorts in the central Italy.  

What is the best time to visit Italy?

The best time to visit Italy is when it suits you and your schedule. The more popular months are in the spring (Mid-March to May) or fall (September and October) when there is nice weather, moderate temperatures, fewer tourists, and lower prices. The summer months can be hot, crowded, and expensive and August is the busiest month with Italians and people from all over Europe on vacation. Coastal and lake areas are very busy with visitors

However, it really depends on the nature of travel that one is planning as there are so many hidden gems in each of the region that works perfectly fine during winters / off peak season. Carnival in Venice, Christmas time in any of the big cities, and the southern region during the early / late winters is perhaps a great choice for folks who are looking to catch the last rays of sunshine when the northern Europe is still hibernating.

How to plan a trip to Italy?

While it depends on your personal travel interests like in architecture, history, country sides, natural scenic beauty, coastal areas - for a 3-5-day trip choose one destination – a city or area. If you have a week to 10 days then 3 places in either the north OR south of Italy, or go for the highlights like Venice, Rome, Florence. For a 2-week trip you could cover both north and south but try not to pack too much in one trip as each of the city or area has lots to experience and explore within and around. 

How to travel to Italy?

If you are planning to travel across places, it's a good idea to start from south and go North (or vice versa). Most people make the mistake of booking inbound and return flights from the same airport, which usually doesn't save money and time if your trip ends in other part of the country. Considering almost all the places and airports in Italy are well connected by public transport and taxis - don't hesitate to fly into relatively smaller airports (e.g. Pisa, Florence, Naples) especially when flying within Europe.  

Where to stay in Italy?

While it depends on your itinerary and personality (and of course the budget) - your choice of where to stay in Italy and the kind of experience is just about endless. and the kind of experience you want to have while visiting Italy. You can perhaps mix and match: stay at hotel big cities like Milan and then rent a villa or apartment in Tuscany when going off the beaten track.

The traditional choice for many is a hotel and Italy has choices in all shapes and sizes - but consider that most Italian hotels are small, family-owned enterprises and relatively few belong to hotel chains like Hyatt, Hilton and Starwood.

We typically recommend professionally managed B&Bs for an authentic local experience as owners are usually very hands-on and generally live on-site. But, thats changing fast where locals have moved out with the Tourist rush and would rather not live in the city e.g. Venice.

Renting a villa or apartment is probably the best way to truly “live like an Italian” and is a great choice for travelers who are a bit more independent and / or happy being supported by Catterfly local experts as they are exploring the country in their personal unique style. It can also be a very affordable option, especially if you are traveling with a larger group.

In recent times, Agriturismo concept has truly picked up in Italy and is being managed very professionally as well. It is typically a working farm that rents rooms or apartments and/or serves meals made from local and fresh products. These are typically not rustic places (while of course you can choose from those options as well) and generally nicely furnished, and often include many amenities available at hotels.

What is the best way to get around in Italy? How does public transportation in Italy work?

For internal transits; one can easily manage the intercity transits with the trains, but for some offbeat places - driving is recommended (e.g. Tuscany countryside, Amalfi coast etc.), but public transport option isn't inconvenient either if driving doesn't excite you enough.  

Most of the cities are connected by fast trains and regional trains as well. Its best to take fast train with seat reservations for transits across major cities. However, short distance connections (e. Florence to Pisa) - regional trains work just fine as well. It is certainly advisable to pre-book the train tickets in the fast trains as the prices can vary significantly and the availability during the peak season may be limited.

Villages or country sides around smaller towns are usually well connected by regional bus network – that may operate with somewhat unpredictable schedule but is quite reliable in terms of operation. It still works.

What are the daily expenses in Italy? What currency to carry?

Let's start with the easy one - Euro is the accepted currency and usually one doesn't need to indulge in carrying a lot of cash. Most places accept the credit cards / digital payments, but it's always a good idea to carry some cash for petty expenses, especially when going off the beaten track.

Daily expense budget is a difficult one to answer as every traveler has their own unique style and depends on the overall itinerary, choices around accommodation, sightseeing and logistic. It also depends on how many people are traveling together - but for two people traveling together (and sharing the accommodation), an average budget of 125-150 euros per day per person is normal to cover the cost of accommodation, sightseeing and internal transits. It will typically cost around 20-30 euros in meals per person per day unless you plan to splurge in fine dining restaurants.

Of course, it's possible to backpack at much lower costs - and that typically comes with usual choices around staying in hostels, traveling in off peak hours, skipping some expensive sightseeing experiences (e.g. Gondola ride in Venice) - but Italy is surprisingly affordable and offers lots of reasonable quality choices at different price points.

When it comes to luxury travel, of course there is no upper limit and its best to say that you will be spoilt for choices for everything starting from some of the best accommodation choices in the cities, but more importantly in the countryside as well. And, then personal concierge, guides, and chauffeurs can always be prearranged when you are traveling with Catterfly with a great local network in all the places.

Whatever be your style and budget of traveling, consult with a Catterfly local expert in the destination and be assured about a great Italian experience in your personal style.

What are the visa and insurance requirements for Italy?

All EU / EEA nationals will only need to present an identification document to enter Italy, due to the common travel area of the Schengen Zone. However, if you are a non-EU/EEA traveler wishing to visit Italy - you will need to present A valid passport or travel document with required validity (at least three more months beyond their planned date of Exit from Schengen, and issued within the last 10 years) and a valid Schengen visa along with required medical insurance cover. Certain passport holders (e.g. British) are exempt from the criteria of passport validity and issuance date.

At the port of entry - an Italian border police / officer may ask you a few questions related to your trip to Italy and holds the final decision if you shall be permitted to enter Italy or not. Please make sure that the Italian border officer stamps your passport when you enter Italy.

The above information is for guidance purpose only and you should consult the official website of Italy - Ministry of External Affairs and / or nearest consular office in your country.

https://www.esteri.it/mae/en/servizi/stranieri/ingressosoggiornoinitalia

What are the best places to visit in Switzerland?

For a small country like Switzerland, it certainly packs in a punch and even after living here for decades, we keep on discovering new experiences. As such Switzerland has 26 Kantons, but it can broadly be categorised into four parts, the German region on the north and north-eastern side bordering Germany and Austria, Central Switzerland (often referred to as Bernese Oberland), The French region in central-west and south-western side bordering France, The Italian region on south-eastern side bordering Italy.

The German Region
With the obvious choices of visiting cities like Zurich, Basel, one must not miss out the places like Appenzell, St. Gallens, and Lake Konstanz region on the swiss side offers fantastic choices during every season. Then, of course Baden and Rheinfelden famous for its thermal baths and spas along with historic old towns are worth a visit as well. For history buffs, its noteworthy to visit Chur as one of the oldest cities in Switzerland and for its charming old town as well. The neighboring Kanton Schwyz is famous for the Swiss knife valley – and one can perhaps learn how the world famous Swiss knifes are made in an old factory and museum.

The Berne Oberland (Central Switzerland)
Most commonly held imagery of Switzerland is often of snow covered mountains, alpine peaks, lakes, charming alpine villages and no wonder this region hosts everything that a traveler desires with cities like Lucerne, Interlaken, Bern, and famous alpine peaks – Mt. Titlis, Jungfrau, Eiger, Monch, Pilatus etc. And, if one has more time it’s definitely a very charming experience to spend time in the alpine villages like Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, Wengen, Murren, Stanserhorn; most of these are great winter resorts for snow sports, and some of the best hikes (easy to difficult ones) are in this region. Besides this, Kandersteg, Andermatt, Alpine passes, Graubünden, Sedrun etc. will completely change your perspective of what Switzerland got to offer. Of course, in each of these places – there are so many different experiences and hidden gems that without a local expert it’s very difficult to explore all the best sights.

The French Region
While Lake Geneva region dominates a good part of what this region offers with cities like Geneva, Lausanne, and Vevey-Montreux as the most obvious choices. But, venturing out to Zermatt, Lavaux Vineyards, Leukerbad for it’s thermal baths in winters, and bit up north towards Lake Neuchatel region, Gstaad-Saanen (Ten Chalet Villages) and Fribourg is something that most travelers tend to miss out. There are of course so many unique experiences including famous chocolate and cheese factories, farm house stays, agritourism etc. that one learns to appreciate the French way of life.

The Italian Region
Considering its geographic position, this region of Switzerland has the highest number of sunshine hours in entire Switzerland and with lake side town of Lugano, Locarno – the Italian flair is truly in the air. For folks interested in medieval castles – Bellinzona is definitely worth a visit and if you want to hob-nob with international celebrities and CEOs then visiting the resort town of Davos during World Economic Forum event isn’t a bad idea. Besides this, Davos is also one of the luxury winter resorts in Switzerland and during summer offer great walks and hikes along the lake side and in St. Moritz.

As per a recent survey, most tourists typically end up experiencing not more than 3% of the Switzerland, which is not surprising as mostly they rely on internet searches or stories of fellow travelers – who have come here on group tours in bus coaches. Of course, group tours have their own utility but it’s hardly surprising that most travelers miss some of the great experiences in Switzerland without any support and advice from local experts. We truly believe that local knowledge and support is extremely critical as there are so many hidden gems and a lot of time is lost in figuring out these experiences. When you experience a new country with Catterfly, you are part of our community and are always supported by experts, who design not only the great experiences based on your preferences but also support you all the way through your journey.

How many days are needed to visit Switzerland?

Most people have just a week or two to explore this amazing country, and we certainly hope that you are lucky to make several visits. In a week-long trip, you could perhaps explore one or two regions of Switzerland in depth (like central & French region), or focus on the iconic locations like Zurich, Bern, Grindelwald, with some day tours from these locations. There is more an enough to experience in each of these places for the famous and off beat experiences for everyone’s taste.

What is the best time to visit Switzerland?

Switzerland is an all-weather country from traveling perspective and it really depends on what one is looking to experience. Most of the tourists tend to visit Switzerland between May – September considering these are the summer months in Switzerland with July-August as the peak summer months.

If you were to consult a local, the spring season in late March-April and Autumn during October to mid-November is equally good time to visit as the temperatures are still moderate and with the added benefits of no major traveler’s rush – unless your travel coincides with a local European holiday or long weekend. Winters are very pristine with charming Christmas markets all over and festivities are in the air. It tends to get reasonably cold but with one of the best standards of living in the world – the lodging and travel is very comfortable in most parts. Of course December – February is the ideal season for winter sports enthusiast, and even if skiing / snowboarding isn’t what excites you – sledging down a snow mountain with kids is an experience that one shouldn’t really miss.

What are the visa and insurance requirements for Switzerland?

In principle, everyone needs a valid travel document to visit Switzerland, but some EU/EFTA citizens with expired travel documents may be allowed to cross the border on exception basis. Travel documents of third-country nationals for a short stay not exceeding 90 days in any period of 180 days, however, must be valid for at least three months after the planned departure from Switzerland and have been issued within the previous ten years. The date of issue of the travel document is what counts, regardless of any official extension.

For nationals of most countries, one also needs to obtain a visa. Depending on the purpose of your travel to Switzerland, there are different types of Swiss visas that will apply to the occasion. Whether you are planning to go on a visit, study or work and reside there permanently, you will have to apply for a different Swiss Visa, accordingly. For visiting purposes, generally a Schengen visa needs to be obtained and one can apply three months before the date of the travel. If the purpose of travel is to pursue employment, then a work permit will be required.

Above information is for guidance purposes only. To find out if you need to obtain a visa, and if there are any specific requirements for your travel documents, please consult the respective Swiss diplomatic/consular mission nearest to you. Alternatively, contact us and we can provide required guidance if you are planning to travel for tourism purposes.

Medical insurance is a mandatory requirement for all travelers coming to Switzerland, and mostly it is needed as a part of visa application itself. The amount of medical insurance coverage is mentioned specifically as a part of the visa processing requirement, so check with the local Swiss Embassy before you apply for visa. Online insurance provider in most countries offer very reasonable policies that can be bought online itself, and the insurance premium is dependent on the number of days that one plans to spend in Switzerland.

If you don’t need a visa to enter Switzerland, then its important that either you have an insurance in your home country that provides coverage as you travel overseas. Many a times the credit card firms also offer it as a part of their package, so it’s a good idea to check with your credit card firm as well. If insurance coverage is not provided by your existing insurance provider in home country or any other means (like credit card package), then it is highly recommended to buy a insurance cover before you travel to Switzerland. 

What is the weather in Switzerland like?

Switzerland climate is moderate with no excessive heat, cold or humidity especially in lowlands. But, the good news is the seasons are distinguishable - summers(June to August - daytime temperature range is), autumn (September to November), winters (December to February) and Spring (March to May). Sometimes in April the winter returns for a short period and sometimes there could be summer conditions as early as May. In spring (March to May) the trees blossom and the meadows turn green. From July to August the daytime temperature range is 18 to 28 °C (65° - 82° F) and from January to February the range is -2 to 7 °C (28° - 45° F). In spring and autumn, the daytime temperature range is 8 to 15 °C (46° - 59° F).  

Depending on the altitude the temperature range may vary. It is highly recommended to visitors to pack a sweater, good walking shoes, sunscreen, sunglasses, a compact umbrella and/or a light rain coat. The winters

The best time depends on your plans. If you are well prepared, you'll have a wonderful trip regardless of the time of year. Any doubts about your plans? Feel free to ask for advice from our local experts.

How to plan a trip to Switzerland?

Some of the most commonly asked questions are around when to travel, which places to visit, and how to get around. In general, any time is good to visit Switzerland and it really depends on your plans. Summer months between June to August is the time when most tourists plan their trip but the shoulder months during Spring and autumn are an equally good time to visit especially if you prefer a bit of solitude. Winters are a special time to visit with Christmas festivities until December, and snow sport enthusiasts ruling the roost in January and February. 

In a week long trip most people tend to focus more on central and Northern part of Switzerland with base locations in Lucerne, Interlaken and Zurich (or Basel). However it's easy to squeeze in few days in Lake Geneva in n a week long trip. If one has few additional days then it's highly recommended to keep it for Italian.rt of Swiss, or visiting neighboring parts of Germany and France. It's not an easy decision to make especially on a first trip to Switzerland and we are happy to help you prioritize and make the right choices.  

How to travel to Switzerland?

Switzerland is a landlocked country and surrounded by France, Germany, Austria, Italy (and a small country Lichenstein). It is very well connected by Air, Train and land transport and best option depends on where you are traveling from and the overall itinerary.  

If you are traveling from outside of Europe, then the most frequently used airports are Zurich and Geneva, while Basel also works fine for the travelers who are traveling from within Europe. If one is traveling only to Switzerland, then it is a good idea to travel into Zurich and flying out of Geneva – unless you are planning to spend all your time only one part of Switzerland, or the flight prices / timing is convenient to fly in and out of the same airport. While it’s a small country, the distances between different locations can be substantial and you may want to optimize on the time spent in getting back to the same airport to fly back home.

For travelers coming in from neighboring countries, the trains are a great option as well as most of the trains traveling across countries would pass thru Basel and Geneva (for trains coming in from France and Germany), Zurich (for trains coming in from Germany and Austria), and Lugano (for trains coming in from Italy). Most of the cross-country trains typically require a seat reservation as well and it is not enough to have a travel pass (e.g. Eurail passes) or a train ticket only.

And, if you like to drive then road network from neighboring countries seamless flows into Switzerland. Of course, you must carry the required traveling documents with you all times even if some of the entry points at the border are not staffed in late evening hours. Traveling by road is a popular option for travelers within Europe. However, you must consider that there is a road tax of (around CHF 40) and one must buy a vignette (valid for one calendar year) at the border entry points (or a gas station near the country border) else you could potentially face a fine for violating the rules. In recent times, some private bus operators like Flixbus also offers great connections to the main cities in Switzerland.  

Where to stay in Switzerland?

Most popular choices to stay in Switzerland are Lucerne and Interlaken, as travelers typically spend time visiting central Switzerland or use this as the base to go around for a short trip of 4-5 days. However, depending on the overall plan, you should consider other locations. For e.g. Lake Geneva region is best explored by staying in that region (Geneva, Lausanne, Vevey-Montreux). Some resort towns / villages like Zermatt, Grindelwald, Gstaad-Saanen, Wengen etc. are also popular among travelers who want to indulge in mountain activities (hiking, skiing, sledding etc.) or just enjoy the serene landscape.  

Zurich and Geneva is a good choice for first or last few days of your travel depending on your flight timings. We also recommend considering Basel as the base location for few days, if you would like to explore the Three-Country region which is truly unique with charming French towns and villages in Alsace region and Blackforest region of Germany (all within an 1-2 hours away).

What is the best way to get around in Switzerland? How does public transportation in Switzerland work?

Train travel is one of the best way to travel in Switzerland; it’s economical and popular with both locals and tourists. The stations are clean and equipped with general purpose services and the trains are punctual, clean and comfortable. Unless you have a off the beaten track kind of itinerary or have very limited time to explore, get on the train and experience life as the locals do. You’ll be exposed to spectacular scenery and a way of life for most Swiss people. If you are traveling by train, then one of the best investments one can make is to buy a Swiss train pass (available for 3, 4, 8 and 15 days), or a combination of some regional pass and half-fare pass. Consult our destination experts, and they will advise you on the best combinations that suits your itinerary.  


For visiting mountains, you would likely need to take the cable car or the mountain trains, and these are mostly discounted on Swiss travel pass (and some of these mountains can be accessed free of charge as well). Likewise, the boat cruises are very popular among tourists to explore the regions aronund the popular lakes in Lucerne, Interlaken and Geneva.  

Self-drive car - Driving around is a great option for travelers, who would like to go off the beaten track. While most places in Switzerland are very well connected by public transport, it may be faster or more convenient to explore if one is driving around. Especially in the mountain passses in the central Switzerland. However, one must consider that the fuel cost and parking cost is reasonably high as compared to other Western countries.

Traveling by Taxi / Chaffeur driven cars - This is easily available in most of the big cities and for intercity transits as well. However, it is mostly a very expensive option unless the cost is shared by a larger group of people traveling together.

What are the daily expenses in Switzerland? What currency to carry?

Switzerland's official currency is the Swiss franc also called as CHF.

Switzerland is a relatively expensive country to visit and the average cost for a backpacker/budget traveler is around CHF 75-100 to cover the basics, stay in some hostels, sightseeing and local transport, and perhaps have a basic meal outside. It's difficult to give a specific figure because all travellers have their own individual needs and interests. A Switzerland Tourism survey shows that visitors spend an average of CHF 100 to 200 per day on meals and accommodation in Switzerland (excluding outbound and return travel). Some of the average cost and guidance for managing different aspects of travel in Switzerland

Accommodation: Can range from CHF 40-45 per night in a hostel with shared dorms and toilets to 150-250 chf per night in hotel and Swiss Chalet / apartments for a mid-range options. It can also vary by the time of the year and the prices are typically higher during the summer and the winter months (for ski break). Of course, there is no upper range for luxury options in hotels and Swiss chalets in mountain resorts - that offer very exclusive experiences.  

Travel within Switzerland: Cost typically around CHF 50-60 per day, if one is using the Swiss travel pass to go around. However, the mountain cable cars and trains typically cost extra, unless its already covered by Swiss travel pass.  

Meals: one can easily toss up their own meals if staying in a hostel or a place with fully equipped kitchen (in chalet / apartments / holiday homes). The cost of eating out in Switzerland can be quite substantial in a regular restaurant - average of CHF 30-40 per person per meal. However, there are options available in CHF 10-20 range with the takeout pizzas, sandwiches and Turkish Kebab shops - which offer good choices for vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike. One can also shop around in the regular stores like Migros and CooP for pre-cooked meals at reasonable budget range.  

What is the best time to visit Switzerland for a winter holiday?

The best time to visit Switzerland for a winter holiday is typically from December to February when you can enjoy the snowy landscapes and winter sports.

What is the snow conditions like in Switzerland during the winter season?

Snow conditions can vary depending on the region and the time of year. In higher-altitude areas like the Swiss Alps, you can expect abundant and consistent snowfall during the winter. Lower-altitude regions may have less snow. It's advisable to check the snow conditions and ski resort websites for up-to-date information.

Are there family-friendly activities in Switzerland for winter vacations?

Switzerland is a family-friendly destination. Many ski resorts offer childcare services, kid-friendly slopes, and activities such as ice skating, sledding, and snowshoeing suitable for children. Some resorts also have special kids' clubs and winter camps.

Can I rent winter sports equipment in Switzerland?

Yes, you can easily rent winter sports equipment such as skis, snowboards, boots, and even clothing at most ski resorts and in major cities. Rental shops offer a variety of options for different skill levels. Many resorts offer package deals that include lodging, lift tickets, and sometimes even equipment rentals.

Are there any festivals or events in Switzerland during the winter?

Switzerland hosts various winter festivals and events. The Montreux Jazz Festival in Montreux, the Lauberhorn Ski Races in Wengen, and the Fasnacht (Carnival) celebrations in Basel are some of the highlights. Be sure to check the event calendar or get in touch with us for specific dates.