Travel Guide Switzerland

Further information on the country Switzerland

Climate Shops Eating and Drinking Eating and Drinking Travelling by Car Travelling by Car

Switzerland is a country of contrasts. There are four geographical regions, the largest being dominated by the Alps. North of the Alps lie fertile lands and the Jura hills. South of the Alps is the canton of Ticino, generally the sunniest part of the country. The cultural life and linguistic regions are equally diverse. Most of the population speak Swiss German and write in German. To the west, French is spoken, and to the south, Italian. A minority in Graubunden, south-east of Switzerland, speak Romanisch.

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Switzerland Ticino Alpes Vaudoises Valais Jura Freiburg Bernese Oberland Central Switzerland Graubunden Lake Zurich Region Eastern Switzerland

Impressions

Climate

Cimetta (1672m), Switzerland Climate

		Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Max. temperature	°C	1	2	4	5	11	15	15	16	11	9	3	1
Min. temperature	°C	-2	-1	0	1	6	10	10	12	7	6	0	-2
Humidity	%	55	55	63	71	76	71	75	78	77	72	70	59
Sunshine hours	h	5	7	6	6	6	9	7	7	6	5	4	5
Rainy days		7	6	10	15	16	13	6	11	11	11	14	9
Rainfall	mm	48	71	123	199	396	279	405	193	116	202	100	57

Crans Montana (1508m), Switzerland Climate

		Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Max. temperature	°C	2	4	7	9	15	19	19	20	15	12	5	2
Min. temperature	°C	-3	-2	0	1	6	9	10	11	7	5	0	-2
Humidity	%	67	68	69	68	65	66	66	70	73	71	74	70
Sunshine hours	h	5	4	5	6	7	8	7	8	6	6	3	4
Rainy days		11	11	12	13	12	13	8	11	13	10	14	13
Rainfall	mm	77	106	169	96	85	128	126	102	55	73	152	87

Disentis/Sedrun (1190m), Switzerland Climate

		Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Max. temperature	°C	3	4	9	10	17	20	20	21	15	14	5	3
Min. temperature	°C	-3	-2	0	2	7	10	10	12	8	6	0	-2
Humidity	%	64	71	70	71	67	70	72	73	75	73	78	73
Sunshine hours	h	3	2	4	4	5	7	6	6	4	4	2	2
Rainy days		11	12	14	14	13	16	12	14	14	12	16	13

Shops

Eating and Drinking

There isn’t really any true Swiss cuisine. Each region has its own specialities: in Valais, cheese dishes such as the fondue or raclette; in Ticino, polenta, risotto and pasta; in Eastern Switzerland, the ”rosti” and minced veal. Service is included in the price of the meal, but nevertheless, an extra tip is always welcome.

Travelling by Car

A road tax sticker is obligatory in order to drive on the motorways. It can be purchased at the border or at post offices, costing CHF 40. The sticker, valid for one calendar year plus one month (1st December–31st January). There aren’t any other road taxes apart from rail tunnels. Some passes may be closed in winter. Passes normally open year round may close temporarily in the event of heavy snowfall. Snow chains are often necessary and it is imperative that you have adequate snow equipment. The speed limit is 120 km/h on motorways, 80 km/h on main roads and 50 km/h in town. The alcohol limit is 0.5 pro mille. Seat belts are obligatory in the front and back of the vehicle.