A little more
Switzerland.
A lot less roaming.

Travelling to Switzerland: what to know before you go

Switzerland is the Alps at their most accessible, with mountain railways climbing to glaciers, lakes below snow peaks and well-kept old towns in four language regions. It suits hikers, skiers and rail enthusiasts, and anyone who values a transport system that connects almost every valley on a precise timetable.

Where to go

• Zermatt and the Matterhorn. A car-free resort at the foot of the Matterhorn, reached by train.
• Jungfrau region. From Interlaken, trains run to Lauterbrunnen's waterfall valley, the car-free villages of Wengen and Mürren, and up through the Eiger to the Jungfraujoch, one of the highest railway stations in Europe.
• Lucerne. The wooden Chapel Bridge and old town sit on a lake ringed by mountains.
• Lake Geneva. Geneva, with its jet d'eau fountain and international organisations, faces the Alps across the lake.

Best time to visit

Summer (late June to September) is the season for hiking, high mountain railways and lake swimming, when most Alpine passes and trails are open. July and August are busiest.

Staying online in Switzerland

Mobile coverage is excellent in towns and cities and surprisingly good in the mountains, including at many summit stations and along major rail routes, with 4G widely available and 5G in towns. Signal can still drop in deep valleys, on high glacier routes and on remote trails. Free Wi-Fi is available in many stations, hotels and cafés. Switzerland is not in the EU, so EU roaming rules do not automatically apply and home plans can charge high roaming fees. Install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land.