Note: All travel is subject to frequently changing governmental restrictions—please check federal, state and local advisories before scheduling trips. This article was last updated December 8, 2020.

While most international trips are still out of reach, we do encourage you to go ahead and dream. And if it’s Switzerland you dream of, you’ll enjoy visions of sparking lakes, scenic hikes, world-class skiing and stunning snow-covered mountains like the Matterhorn. If you ready to start planning, we’re here to help you sort out all of the logistics and details so that you can get the most out of your Switzerland vacation, including these seven things you need to know before you pack up and go.

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1. Don’t stress the transportation

Switzerland travel tips - traveling by train with the Swiss Rail Pass

Travel is a breeze with a Swiss Rail Pass

Getting around in Switzerland is so easy, it’s almost like time travel. You probably don’t need to rent a car, unless you’re planning some way-off-the-beaten-path adventures. Taking trains is the norm in Switzerland. Ask your hotel concierge for tips, if you need ideas. One concierge gave me notes on how to get from the airport to my hotel; my journey started with an airplane, a train, then a boat and onto a funicular to arrive at my first stunning destination, Burgenstock.

Despite the different forms of transportation, the process was simple and smooth. Switzerland has made it easy to move around with only one single ticket: a Swiss Rail Pass. This ticket includes most trains and buses. You can also “check” your luggage at the beginning of your journey and get it at the end of your line. That means during the day, you can get on and off the train without lugging your suitcase around.

2. Head to the water

Since 1891 this giant water jet called Jet d’Eau has spouted water at Lake Geneva

Don’t think “landlocked” when you think of Switzerland; think luxurious bodies of water. Make sure you plan a stop at one of the lakes of Switzerland. I stayed on Lake Lucerne and Lake Geneva in two luxury hotels: the Buergenstock Hotel and Alpine Spa and the Fairmont Le Montreux Palace. Most activity in Switzerland is centered around the lakes, both big and small. They’re where you want to be!

3. The Matterhorn is a must

Head to the Matterhorn and check off that bucket list

When in Switzerland, you’ll want to visit the Matterhorn, the famous mountain of the Alps. But to scale this mountain, you don’t need climbing gear. You don’t even need to break a sweat. You can take trains up to the top—at least two trains. Take the first one to Zermatt and the next one (which runs every 30 minutes) to the peak. It is absolutely worth the ride to score these jaw-dropping views, not to mention getting to check this off your bucket list.

4. Plan a wellness day (or two)

The Bürgenstock Hotel Alpine Spa is heaven in the sky for spa and wellness lovers

Switzerland has some of Europe’s (make that the world’s) greatest spas. Add them to your itinerary, and I promise you will be amazed. Not only will you enjoy the treat, but it will also help you recover from the jet lag so you can bounce back more quickly.

The most beautiful hydrotherapy circuit I have experienced is at the Burgenstock Resort’s Alpine Spa. Imagine a spa on a breathtaking cliff 500 metres above Lake Lucerne. This is definitely a wellness destination resort which offers a true Switzerland experience.

For a taste of city life, head to Montreux and treat yourself to a relaxing massage at the Fairmont Le Montreux Palace’s Willow Stream Spa on the water’s edge of Lake Geneva.

5. Fuel up

Most food in Switzerland is locally sourced

If you are an asparagus lover, you must try to visit Switzerland during white asparagus season. I found this bunch at a lakeside market in Lausanne. Switzerland’s asparagus soup is a staple on traditional menus.

You’ve heard of Swiss hot chocolate, but the coffee is amazing here. Coffee is just better in Europe. Also in Lausanne is the Nestle—Nespresso corporate offices perched on the side of a picture-perfect lake. You can take a free tour of the building and learn more about the warm beverage that gets you going every morning.

And last but not least, be sure to have a proper fondue while in this country—both savory and sweet!

6. Hit the slopes

Hotel Silberhorn in Wengen, Switzerland

It’s no Swiss mystery that come winter, much of the country is tucked under a blanket of snow. It’s also no mystery that Switzerland transforms into the ultimate European playground for ski junkies. Zermatt is most famous, of course, but there are 338 ski areas scattered across the country. Wengen, for example, is a charming Alpine ski village a stone’s throw from lakes Thunersee and Brienzersee, and famous for its Belle Époque architecture, Jungfraubahn Railway (leading to the highest elevated rail station in Europe) and proximity to glaciers and waterfalls. Stay at Hotel Silberhorn, a cozy chalet that is framed by snow-capped mountains. It also boasts accommodations designs to fit different family and group types, a bar (with fireplace, of course), restaurant and spa with views of the mountains and valley. (Learn more about this Roaming Gnome Top Pick!)

7. The language is diverse, as is the currency

Even the swans never tire of this view

If you think you speak the language where you’re staying, you might be surprised. The language that is spoken in Switzerland all depends on which direction you took the train. It could be French, Swiss German, Romansh or Italian. Switzerland is such a diverse country that it has four official languages. Their money, the Swiss franc is also diverse, but only in color. Pick up some at an exchange if only to see how beautiful it looks both in and out of the sun.

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