First Time Visit To Switzerland 2024 (2024)

Switzerland is nature at its most dramatic and for the first time visitor we recommend that you choose to stay in the calm and beauty of theLake Lucerneregion or the majestic mountains of theJungfrau region. Both these areas have so many wonderful excursions that you could stay a month and not see them all!

For the first visit, it may therefore be best to decide whether to stay close to a lake or in a small mountain resort.We often recommend the wonderful town ofLucerneor the quiet of the village ofWeggis, alsoon Lake Lucerne and with the mountains just a delightful local journey away. If you would like to stay in the heart of the Jungfrau mountains, look atGrindelwaldor go for the picturesque car-free village ofWengen.

You could also consider a two centre holiday and experience one of the scenic rail journeys, for example theGlacier Expressbetween the famous mountain resorts of St. Moritz and Zermatt. If you really like to keep on the move, we can even arrange a multi centre holiday.

Remember nearly all Swiss people speak good English and enjoy helping tourists make the most of their stay in Switzerland.

You may find ourFrequently Asked Questionspage helpful, or if you need guidance our friendly team will be happy to help you.

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Half Fare Card

Travelling on local railways and cable carsis an important aspect of any Swiss Holiday and we include a Half Fare Cardwith all our holidays which gives 50% reduction on most mountain travel andlake steamers as well as all mainline rail travel and Postbuses.Other passes are available and we will bedelighted to discuss these with you.

Half Fare Card

Travelling on local railways and cable carsis an important aspect of any Swiss Holiday and we include a Half Fare Cardwith all our holidays which gives 50% reduction on most mountain travel andlake steamers as well as all mainline rail travel and Postbuses.Other passes are available and we will bedelighted to discuss these with you.

Half board accommodation

We include breakfast at all our hotels andhalf board (dinner) is available to pre-book at the majority of our hotels. For first timevisitors on a budget we recommend booking 3 star hotels on half board. The evening meal is great value, consisting of 3 or 4 courses and it can be helpful to have this taken care of when planning your spending money.

Half board accommodation

We include breakfast at all our hotels andhalf board (dinner) is available to pre-book at the majority of our hotels. For first timevisitors on a budget we recommend booking 3 star hotels on half board. The evening meal is great value, consisting of 3 or 4 courses and it can be helpful to have this taken care of when planning your spending money.

Second or first class travel?

Our holidays include rail travel fromZurich or Geneva airports, each of which have a mainline station for your onward connection.We include 2nd class but 1st class is available at a modest supplement. 2nd class rail in Switzerland is very good, however, 1st class does offer more room and is generally quieter. If it fits within yourbudget it is well worth considering.

Second or first class travel?

Our holidays include rail travel fromZurich or Geneva airports, each of which have a mainline station for your onward connection.We include 2nd class but 1st class is available at a modest supplement. 2nd class rail in Switzerland is very good, however, 1st class does offer more room and is generally quieter. If it fits within yourbudget it is well worth considering.

When to travel

Who can predict the weather nowadays!As a general rule, the Swiss lake resorts are all available year round, withtemperatures not too dissimilar to southern England ... maybe slightly hotter in summer/colder in winter.The mountains have two distinct seasons: summer from the end of Mayto the beginning of October and winter from December to April, when the skiseason is in full flow. Keep in mind with high alpine resorts like Zermatt andSt. Moritz you will need some warm clothing even in the summer.

When to travel

Who can predict the weather nowadays!As a general rule, the Swiss lake resorts are all available year round, withtemperatures not too dissimilar to southern England ... maybe slightly hotter in summer/colder in winter.The mountains have two distinct seasons: summer from the end of Mayto the beginning of October and winter from December to April, when the skiseason is in full flow. Keep in mind with high alpine resorts like Zermatt andSt. Moritz you will need some warm clothing even in the summer.

Switzerland inspiration

We have plenty more information to share with you about this wonderful country! Click hereto find further details about some of our favourite itineraries, the picturesque alpine villages and small lakeside resorts where you can stay, a selection of the best excursions and recommendations for hotels with a great view.

Switzerland inspiration

We have plenty more information to share with you about this wonderful country! Click hereto find further details about some of our favourite itineraries, the picturesque alpine villages and small lakeside resorts where you can stay, a selection of the best excursions and recommendations for hotels with a great view.

What to see and do

Your holiday is your own. We understand that some people enjoy relaxing and others like to visit a new beauty spot each day. We therefore offer suggestions for excursions and allow you to make your own decision about how to spend your time. A few excursions need to be pre-booked, but mostly you can simply decide what to do on the day. Please click hereto see a collection of our favourite days out, from a relaxing day cruising on a beautiful Swiss lake to an unforgettable trip into the majestic Alps with splendid views.

What to see and do

Your holiday is your own. We understand that some people enjoy relaxing and others like to visit a new beauty spot each day. We therefore offer suggestions for excursions and allow you to make your own decision about how to spend your time. A few excursions need to be pre-booked, but mostly you can simply decide what to do on the day. Please click hereto see a collection of our favourite days out, from a relaxing day cruising on a beautiful Swiss lake to an unforgettable trip into the majestic Alps with splendid views.