Organize your stay Switzerland
Money Switzerland
The currency is the Swiss franc (CHF, 100 CHF ≃ 104 €), in German schweizer Franken, in Italian franco svizzero, in Romansh franc svizra. Denominations range from 10 to 1,000 CHF, with different colors and effigies: 10 CHF (yellow/Le Corbusier), 20 CHF (red/Honegger), 50 CHF (green/Taeuber-Arp), 100 CHF (blue/Giacometti), 200 CHF (orange/Ramuz), 1,000 CHF (purple/Burckhardt). There's no need to look embarrassed if you hand over a 200 CHF bill for a purchase of less than 5 CHF: it's quite common in Switzerland! Coins come in the following denominations: 5 centimes (sometimes called "1 sou"), 10 centimes ("2 sous" or "1 batz"), 20 centimes ("4 sous"), 50 centimes, 1 CHF, 2 CHF, 5 CHF ("100 sous" or "1 thune"). Please note that the size of the coins does not necessarily correspond to their value!
It's a good idea toexchange money before you leave for Switzerland. Switzerland is not part of the European Union, and bank charges may apply. Withdrawal fees vary from bank to bank, and generally consist of a fixed fee averaging €3 and a commission of between 2% and 3% of the amount withdrawn. Some banks have partnerships with foreign banks or allow you to benefit from their network and offer you advantageous fees or even free withdrawals. Ask your bank advisor for details. Please also note that some ATMs may charge a commission, in which case this will be indicated at the time of withdrawal. There are exchange offices at every airport and railway station in the country. We can recommend Migros foreign exchange (part of the Migros group), which is very efficient.
Banks: most banks are open Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 12.15pm and 1.30pm to 4.30pm.
Budget & Tips Switzerland
Standard of living: Is the cost of living really higher in Switzerland? Yes, it certainly is! Some cities, such as Geneva and Zurich, are indeed reputed to be excessively expensive, but we mustn't forget that Swiss employees are the best paid in Europe. With lower taxes than in France and an unemployment rate that remains below 3%, Switzerland enjoys a much more comfortable standard of living than other European countries. For tourists, the price of food (meat, fruit and vegetables, etc.) is indeed frightening. On the other hand, electronics prices are more reasonable. Moreover, prices are relatively stable (less than 1% inflation).
A bottle of Coca-Cola will cost 40% more than in France. Switzerland is an island of high prices, of course, but you're here on vacation, so you might as well make the most of it! However, there are good deals to be had at every level, and you need to be prepared to optimize and, above all, save. It would be a shame to give up on Switzerland with only your purchasing power to hold you back.
Some price ideas: express (coffee): CHF 4, beer: CHF 5, daily lunch menu: CHF 23, off-menu main course: CHF 28, bus ticket: CHF 3.
Small budget: 150 CHF/day (night in a youth hostel or camping site, two meals on the go, bus, one drink in the evening, incidentals).
Medium budget: 250 CHF/day (night in a small hotel, two meals in "good and cheap" restaurants, bus, one drink in the evening, incidentals).
Large budget: from CHF 400/day (night in a charming hotel, two meals in good restaurants, bus, cab, one evening drink, incidentals).
The Switzerland Tourism website www.myswitzerland.com devotes a special section to "Switzerland on a budget", pointing you in the direction of some great free discoveries. The two essential sites for organizing your trip are www.suisse.com and mystsnet.com. and www.myswitzerland.com/fr-ch/.
Good plan for families: this site will help you save money: www.ausflugsziele.ch
There are also portals such as Loisirs.ch (www.loisirs.ch) for French-speaking Switzerland, which lists the best offers from tourism partners, or the more artisanal Torpille.ch site.
Agood cultural tip: there are plenty of free museums. These are usually city or cantonal museums. You can find the list and full details on the website of the Swiss Museums Association: www.museums.ch/fr/home
Taxes. VAT of 7.7% is included in the sale price of goods. It is also included in accommodation rates. If this is not the case, it will never exceed CHF 3 per person.
Living or traveling in Switzerland is expensive, depending on the lifestyle you choose. However, the cost of living varies from canton to canton. More mountainous and rural regions are to be preferred. The canton of Uri has the lowest cost of living. It's important to compare tax benefits and housing prices by canton. As a traveler, you have the chance to take advantage of "exclusive packages" to travel by train and criss-cross the country. For a cost-effective compromise, arm yourself with the Swiss Travel Pass. Over 500 free museums are included, and many discounts are included in the pass. It's not unusual to be surprised by some very attractive, family-friendly hotel offers. Switzerland Tourism offers many ideas for themed discoveries.
Passport and visas Switzerland
Switzerland is not part of the European Union. It is part of the Schengen area. An identity card is therefore sufficient for all EU citizens for any stay of less than three months. Remember to bring your European Health Insurance Card as you would anywhere in Europe. To find out everything about entry formalities, there is nothing better than the Confederation's website www.eda.admin.ch. It provides information on the rules that apply depending on the duration of your stay and your nationality. The ch.ch website will be able to complete all the diplomatic and practical questions for a trip to Switzerland. A visa is required for more than three months. Before leaving, remember to photocopy all the documents you intend to take with you. Take one copy with you and leave the other with someone in your country of residence. In case of loss or theft, the procedures for renewing your papers with the consular authorities will be simplified.
Driver's license Switzerland
It's perfectly possible to drive a car in Switzerland with a French driving license.
Health Switzerland
Switzerland has a very good reputation when it comes to healthcare. Of course, prices are not the same as in France... Most medicines that can be obtained without a prescription in France can also be obtained without a prescription in Switzerland. There are exceptions, of course, but these do not apply to the usual medicines; for other medicines and treatments, take what you need with you.
First-aid kit: no special recommendations. You'll find everything you need on site. In pharmacies, you can even obtain medicines such as anti-inflammatories like Algifor or , which are normally sold on prescription in France.
The water is drinkable: Switzerland is known as Europe's water tower, not least because of its many lakes and glaciers. Bring your water bottle and take advantage of the many free drinking water fountains available in public places. In Geneva alone, for example, there are over 330 water points.
You can drink tap water in hotel rooms (unless your accommodation provider advises against it, in a refuge for example).
Security Switzerland
True to its reputation as a safe country, Switzerland offers tourists almost absolute safety. Children are almost always taken into consideration in museums and other cultural venues, as well as on board public transport, through various discounts and other little touches such as adapted tour programs or play corners (especially in certain restaurants). Websites exist for activities with children by canton, such as www.genevefamille.ch or www.vaudfamille.ch.
Time difference Switzerland
There is no time difference with France or Belgium. Allow six hours more than in Quebec.
Spoken languages Switzerland
Switzerland's official languages are German, French, Italian and Romansh. Don't be surprised by the German spoken on the streets of German-speaking Switzerland: you're likely to hear the Swiss German dialect, which differs from canton to canton. In Bern, for example, you might greet someone with a grüessech, but say grüezi to someone from Zurich. Further information: www.eda.admin.ch/aboutswitzerland/fr/home/gesellschaft/sprachen/die-sprachen---fakten-und-zahlen.html
Communication Switzerland
Wifi is widespread throughout Switzerland, and is available free of charge in many cafés and in some towns, but it's not always easy to find a cybercafé (around CHF 5 per hour). Wifi in hotels is often free. If you have to pay for it, it's very expensive!
Electricity and measurements Switzerland
Electricity is 220 volts AC and 50 Hz. Sockets are different from French ones. You can, however, plug in your "flat" plugs. For grounded plugs, adapters are available in most shopping centers.
Luggage Switzerland
There is nothing exotic about Switzerland, so there are no special recommendations, depending on the season, your destination and your activities: hiking boots, swimsuit, down jacket, cycling shorts or ski glasses. If you forgot something in your suitcase, you can always buy it in the many shops, supermarkets, shopping centres, markets and even flea markets.
