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🇨🇭 Switzerland

Switzerland is no. 30 in our list of the 50 most visited destinations, with 11.4 million international arrivals in 2024. Below: visa rules for every passport, cash limits at customs and the tourist traps official travel advice warns about.

Rank 30 of 50 by international arrivals (11.4 million, 2024) · Source: UN Tourism

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Visa rules for your passport ↓

Explore Switzerland: things to do, shopping, food and getting around

A short guide based on Switzerland Tourism's official pages.

Places to visit

  • Chapel Bridge, Lucerne

    Lucerne

    One of Europe's oldest wooden bridges, first built in the 14th century. It is 204 m long and has historical paintings in its gables; 30 panels were restored after a fire in 1993. Next to it stands the octagonal Water Tower.

    Source: Switzerland Tourism – Chapel Bridge and Water Tower

  • Old City of Bern

    Bern

    A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983, with 6 km of limestone buildings and medieval arcades, and Renaissance fountains with colourful figures.

    Source: Switzerland Tourism – Old City of Bern

Cheap ways to get around

  • Swiss Travel Pass

    Switzerland

    One ticket for unlimited travel by train, bus and boat on 3, 4, 6, 8 or 15 consecutive days. It includes public transport in more than 90 towns and cities and entry to 500 museums. Premium panoramic trains are included, but seat reservations or surcharges may apply. Travellers under 25 get 30% off with the Youth version.

    Source: Switzerland Tourism (myswitzerland.com) – Swiss Travel Pass

General tips

Summarised in our own words from the linked pages, official tourism boards and transport authorities first; items marked "Not official" come from other guides. Prices and opening times change, so check the source before you go. Last checked 24 Oct 2026.

Common tourist traps and how to avoid them

Scams and risky spots named in official travel advice for Switzerland, plus a few reported in public visitor reviews (labelled), in our own words.

  1. Theft at Geneva airport and trains

    How it works: Petty theft has increased in big cities, at Geneva airport and on trains to and from Geneva.

    How to avoid it: Do not leave valuables unattended at airports and stations.

  2. Paying top price for Jungfraujoch in cloud

    How it works: The round trip from Interlaken costs about CHF 200 or more, and much of the final climb runs through a tunnel. Visitors who go up on cloudy days often find they see very little.

    How to avoid it: Check the summit webcam and forecast on the morning you go, keep your plans flexible, and consider cheaper viewpoints.

    From visitor reviews, not official Jungfraujoch, Bernese Oberland. Sources: reddit.com · reddit.com. Researched 23 Oct 2026; there is no official page to re-check, so this date is not updated automatically.

Official advice: FCDO: no areas advised against.

Emergency numbers in Switzerland

Other traps paraphrased from official travel advice: FCDO travel advice – Safety and security · FCDO travel advice – Warnings and insurance · FCDO travel advice – Getting help (emergency numbers) · FCDO page updated 11 Aug 2026 · Last checked 2 Nov 2026. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Cash you can bring in and take out

Customs rules for banknotes and other cash when you enter or leave Switzerland.

Swiss cash control (BAZG/FOCBS)

Bringing cash in
No declaration duty. If customs asks and you carry CHF 10,000 or more, you must disclose identity, source, use and owner of the cash.
Taking cash out
Same – disclose on request for CHF 10,000 or more.
Local currency (CHF) in
No limit.
Local currency (CHF) out
No limit.
Foreign currency
No limit.
  • False information is a customs offence; cash can be temporarily seized on suspicion of money laundering.

Official source: bazg.admin.ch · Last checked 4 Oct 2026

Switzerland visa rules by passport

The general rule for each passport, from official sources. Open a passport to see conditions and options that depend on where you live.

Free movement (EU/EEA/Swiss)30 passports
Visa-free63 passports
Embassy visa105 passports

Verified rules for Switzerland: 198 of 198 passports; awaiting verification: 0; not yet covered: 0. A rule that is awaiting verification or not yet covered is not a negative visa decision: it only means we haven't confirmed it on an official source yet.

Requirements for all visitors to Switzerland

These apply on top of the visa rules above, whatever your passport, unless an item says otherwise.

  • Proof of fundsProof of means of subsistence: approx. CHF 100/day (students approx. CHF 30/day); or host's declaration of liability

    Applies to: non-EU/EEA/Swiss visitors at the external Schengen border, on request.

    Official source: home-affairs.ec.europa.eu · Last checked 2 Nov 2026

Nearby destinations

Official travel advice

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Plan your trip to Switzerland

Verify with the embassy before you book. Visa rules change without notice. We link every rule to its official source and last checked it on 2 Nov 2026, but the embassy, official e-visa portal and your airline have the final say. MyVisaPort is not a visa agent and is not affiliated with any government.