Places to Visit in Switzerland

Switzerland's climate varies sharply with altitude: lowland cities like Zurich and Lucerne have a temperate climate with warm summers and cold, often snowy winters, while alpine regions can have snow cover well into late spring. The country runs on one of the world's most reliable and frequent rail networks, making city-to-city and city-to-mountain travel practical without a car; the Swiss Travel Pass covers most trains, buses, and boats. Switzerland is not part of the EU and uses the Swiss Franc rather than the Euro, though Euros are often accepted in tourist areas at a less favourable rate. Summer (June-September) is high season for hiking and lake activities; winter (December-March) is high season for skiing in the Alps. Switzerland is notably expensive by European standards for food, lodging, and transport; tipping is not obligatory since service is included by law, though rounding up is common practice.