Destinations
Switzerland is a destination for lovers of flawlessness in everything. The best ski resorts in the Alps, impeccable service in upscale hotels and an excellent “tour program” to ancient cities and castles.
Switzerland may seem boring, too expensive, but someone will find the most magical castles in the world, while others find the best Alps trails. And everyone will be right. In addition, there is another advantage in this country that is steadily outweighing the disadvantages of someone: it is an opportunity to join all sorts of celebrities.
So it is not surprising that the ski resorts of Switzerland are divided into two categories: billionaires and millionaires. Let this be a clear exaggeration, but the truth is there: the factor of prestige is the main trump card here, which means significant financial costs. However, there are many other advantages: licked trails for every taste, the world’s best mountain hotels and a whole lot of historical monuments, mostly castles. From the minuses you can distinguish the high prices … however, it is nice to live good, as you know!
Traditional Swiss Quality is a seal that can be deservedly put on every local hotel. However, the prices here are appropriate: for the impeccable service and the care of the rooms you have to pay. In Berne there are many boarding houses, hotels and hostels, and it is possible to settle in the center as well as in the suburbs: the compact capital has no insurmountable distances. Bed in a hostel costs CHF 40 per night, room in a bed-and-breakfast hotel – from CHF 85.
The mains voltage is the standard 220 V, but the sockets are special, type J: have to ask for the adapter to them at reception desk.
In Zurich, it is best to book your accommodation in advance, 3* accommodation costs from CHF 90 per night, 5* – from 270 CHF. Luxury cottage complexes with rooms starting at CHF 500 per day are located in the vicinity. In Geneva, prices are high even in hostels: CHF 95-100 per bed in a shared room. It is wiser to look for discounts on rooms in the 3*: the standard price is from CHF 160, but with early booking or some luck you can find an option for CHF 80-110. Villas in Lausanne will shelter a traveler for CHF 250 per day, guest houses in Locarno for CHF 75, apartments in St. Moritz for CHF 150-2850.
The cuisine of Switzerland is a delight for gourmets: there are French, German and Italian dishes. Favorite ingredient of local chefs is cheese: from Gruyere, Emmental, and 450 other kinds, fondue (gentle melted mass with wine and spices), raclette (cheese that melts smoothly and served in small ovens) and many other treats.
Every Swiss canton is proud of its culinary treasures. On the shores of Lake of Geneva it is definitely worth a freshly caught perch, in Zuzi – a cherry cake, and in St. Gallen – veal sausages. By the way, Swiss meat is rarely eaten in pure form, preferring all kinds of sausages and pates. In Zurich yiu should try potato, first boiled and then baked: the scheme seems to be simple, but the taste is unforgettable. In Schaffhausen there are excellent onion pies, and in general, baking in Switzerland in worship: there are more than 300 species of bread. As for the desserts, you should eat honey cakes “leckerli” and puff pastry “crepfli”. Although it is better to sweeten yourself not with flour products, but you definitely should try the glorified all over the world Swiss chocolate.
We recommend the Kirschwasser cherry brandy and Williams pear brandy, Pflumli plum schnapps, as well as local wines and beer.
There is a huge choice of restaurants in Switzerland: wealthy tourists will taste expensive national, French and Italian restaurants, economical travelers – all kinds of pizzerias, Mexican eateries and self-service points. But the usual fast food is affordable: burgers in chain establishments cost almost twice as much as, for example, in Germany. To save a budget, it’s best to look at the cafe’s “menu of the day”, allowing you to dine full for 15-25 CHF. The lunch rom the main menu will cost from 25 CHF, dinner at the restaurant – from 50-60 CHF per person. Tipping is usually included in the bill.
Materials are from the site: tonkosti.ru
It is most convenient to travel between Swiss cities on trains, clearly following the schedule and equipped with all conveniences: from carriages to restaurants and play areas for children. Tickets are sold at ticket offices at stations and on website of the Swiss Railway. Traveling from Bern to Geneva or Zurich will cost CHF 50.
Most intercity buses are bright yellow, owned by Postbus. Tickets can be purchased at special vending machines or online, bus stations are located near the train stations. As with trains, there are special routes with panoramic views: the most popular “Palm Express” from St. Moritz to Lugano for 90 CHF.
In Switzerland there is one of the most advanced transportation systems in the world: the Swiss Travel System with the universal Swiss Travel Pass (from CHF 358 for 3 days). They provide free travel on all types of public transport and solid discounts on tourist transport. There are buses, trolleybuses and trams in the cities. The price of a single ticket for all types of transport is 2-7 CHF depending on the city, tickets are available on both sides and travel for several days or a whole month.
The road surface in Switzerland is flawless, the traffic is organized clearly and logically. However, the cities are full of one-way streets (you need to follow the prohibition signs at the intersections), for public transport there are dedicated lanes, and driving is often restricted due to repair works. Otherwise, driving in the settlements and beyond does not cause anxiety, so we boldly recommend to take a car at any of the numerous rental points.
Car rental conditions: driver’s age – at least 21 years old (for some car models – 25 years), international driver’s license, at least 3 years of driving experience, valid credit card (and for some car brands, even two).
In cities you can also ride bikes: in Zurich and Geneva they are rented for free. The rental office only needs to leave any document and CHF 20 bail for one day (in Zurich) or 50 CHF (in Geneva).
Taxis in Switzerland are expensive: landing costs an average 5-6,50 CHF, each km – 2-3 CHF, at night and at weekends rates are higher. Transfer from Geneva Airport to CHF 35-45, from Zurich Airport to CHF 60-70.
Basel (68.60km)
Lausanne (78.56km)
Bern (0.01km)
Mulhouse (89.93km)
Swiss franc, Fr.
AUT, FRA, ITA, LIE, DEU
4.55 Fr.
25 Fr.
+41
