Switzerland

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Switzerland
Region: Europe
Matterhorn behind the Riffelsee
Links:
Group Wikipedia
Wikitravel HitchWiki


NEWS/EVENTS:


Switzerland is a country the center of Europe and with an area of only around 41.000 km2 it is one of the smallest countries in central Europe.


Language: The 7.590.000 Swiss people have four official languages. About 64% of Switzerland is German, 20% French and 7% Italian spoken. The Romansh is only spoken by a few thousand people (around 1%). Many of the Swiss people do not fluently speak one of the other official languages fluently (the elderly do) but most of the (younger) people do speak English. The Swiss people generally tend to try to communicate with you in your language if they are able to speak it.

Government: Direct democracy. Which basically means we have polls for everything. We vote for or against laws or projects and we elect delegates for community, area (called "canton" and very important to understand the Swiss psyche) and country.

Currency: Swiss Francs (CHF). You can pay with Euros in most of the bigger stores but they return your change in Swiss Francs.

Contents

Switzerland in CouchSurfing

The Switzerland Group A group for Swiss, inhabitants, travellers and generally anyone interested in Switzerland!

The most active CS communities in Switzerland are Neuchatel and Bern. Both towns worth seeing and lots of CS activity. Lausanne, Zurich, Basel and Geneva also have an active-ish CS communitiy.

Don't be too specific in your 'CouchSearch!'. The country's really small - in 5 hours you can cross it by train! So it doesn't really matter where you stay as long as the company is great. Usually, towns are not that spread out as overseas, and public transport is very good, so you could easily stay with somebody in the suburb if you were not able to find a couch in the town itself. However, this also costs money. Also, we strongly advice you to see the smaller towns, not only the big cities. Switzerland is not only about the cities, its also about nature, small towns, mountains and lakes, mountainbiking, hiking, climbing.... and much more. So consider visiting smaller places too. In the big cities, rent is very high, so expect to share the room with your host or to use the living-room. On the countryside, rent is lower, so there you might even get a room for yourself or a garden for the tent. (take the room if you can)!

Swiss Ambassador team Team
Swiss Ambassador team Team

Are you stranded somewhere in Switzerland? Check this page Stranded Travellers

Swiss Global, Country and Nomadic Ambassadors

Tips and general information

Switzerland is a travelers paradise, in many ways. The population is almost 8 million in that small country! Public transport is worlds number one and everything is well organized and clean.

Transportation

Usually, towns are not that spread out as in overseas, and public transport is very good, so you could easily stay with somebody in the suburb if you were not able to find a couch in the town itself.

Also view: Public Transports in Switzerland

  • Train: Trains in Switzerland are expensive but you can go quite anywhere with them. Go to Swiss Railways homepage to see schedules and prices. Tip: Go to "Search" and find Click and Rail for cheap train tickets within Switzerland. Also you can find all scheduled departures and prices of normal fares. You also can go to the information office at every station. If you are staying in Switzerland for a bit longer, or planning to travel a lot with the train, it is a good idea to get a halbtax, it costs 150 CHF (as of March 2008) and gives you 50% off all train rides. And you can also only get day tickets if you have a halbtax.
  • Buses: There are only very few long distance buses. You will barely need them. Go by train. In the cities you will find Buses or Trams and in Zurich a dense Suburban Railway network. They usually go quite often.
  • Hitchhiking: Hitchhiking, especially with a backpack and sign, is a great way to get around the country. However, not many people will stop and give you a lift. Be prepared to wait! Thats because of insurance issues in Switzerland and people are not used to meeting "strangers" or start a conversation to some "stranger" on the street. Sorry, but thats the way it is!
  • Airplane: There are airports in Basel, Geneva and Zurich. If you visit Switzerland by plane you will land in one of these cities.
  • Car rental: Car rental is not very popular in Switzerland but you can rent cars at most of the bigger train stations and in the larger cities.

Camping

Camping is a more or less legal activity in most cantons, depending on where you do it. Only camp in designated areas. If you want to do wild camping, choose a more remote place in the countryside, so nobody can see you. Then you'll probably get away with it for 1 or even 2 nights.

Drinking and Eating

Main article: Get fed in Switzerland

How to be a good guest

Be on time - Swiss are very on time. If you run late, let your host know. Call him/her, thats probably the best. (I'd say if your delay is 15 min and more).

Money and Banking

The currency of Switzerland is the Swiss Franc CHF.

You can change money at all the mayor railway stations and the airports, that's also where money transfer institutes are situated. To get cash dispensers working, a normal Maestro/EC Card is required. Sometimes Credit Cards work as well. Generally every bank card working within the EU works in Switzerland as well. In doubt, ask your bank if the card will be working.

See valid cards: Maestro/EC cards

Credit Cards are widely accepted but not that common. Many shops have a minimum purchase limit for credit cards. Usually around CHF 20. The accepted Cards are signed on the doors of smaller shops and restaurants. The supermarket chains generally take credit cards. The common way to pay in Switzerland is still cash and debit Cards.

Drinking/Smoking

  • You are allowed to smoke cigarettes in public but not in the following places:
    • Public transport
    • Public buildings (There are designated areas in stations and such)
    • Areas marked with a non-smoking sign.
    • Most of the cabs
  • Restaurants often provide a smoking and a non smoking part. There are areas in Switzerland where smoking is forbidden in restaurants.
  • You may buy cigarrettes when you're 16 at any store/kiosque.
  • You may buy beer and wine when you're 16 and stronger alcohol from 18 years.
  • Drinking in public places (such as parks) is not forbidden and during summer seen quite often. As long you behave no one will say something.
  • Don't drink and drive! If you do, just have one glass because with a blood alcohol over 0.5 per thousand, you'll pay very (and I mean veeery) high penalties.
  • Prices: 6 - 7 CHF for a package of cigarettes, 5-10 CHF for a beer, 10-20 CHF for a cocktail, 5-10 CHF for a shot. These are bar/restaurant prices. It is much cheaper in stores: 2-4 CHF for a beer, 20 CHF for a bottle of booze and 6-? CHF for a bottle of wine.


In Supermarkets you can also pay in Euro, but only in banknotes (no coins), the change will be in Swiss Francs and the exchange rate deadly bad!

Places

Cities

Central Part

Bern is the fourth largest city in Switzerland. It is German speaking and lies in the central part of Switzerland. This town is Switzerland's 'capital'
City Ambassadors:
Great for: '
Links:


Lucerne is a German speaking town and lies in the central part of Switzerland.
City Ambassadors:

currently none.

Great for: '
Links:


Zug is a German speaking town and lies in the central part of Switzerland.
City Ambassadors:

currently none

Great for: '
Links:
  • CS Group: Zug
  • In Wikipedia: Zug
  • In Wikitravel: Zug


Interlaken is a German speaking town and lies in the central part of Switzerland.
City Ambassadors:

currently none.

Great for: Visiting Swiss mountains
Links:


Eastern Part

Zürich is the largest city in Switzerland. It is German speaking and lies in the eastern part of Switzerland.
City Ambassadors:
Great for: Party
Links:


Winterthur is a German speaking town and lies in the eastern part of Switzerland.
City Ambassadors:
Great for: enjoy your time having a coffee or drink in one of the lots of cafés
Links:


North Western Part

Basel is the third largest city in Switzerland. It is German speaking and lies in the north western part of Switzerland.
City Ambassadors:
Great for: Visiting museums
Links:


Aarau is a German speaking town and lies in the north western part of Switzerland.
City Ambassadors:
Great for: Visiting the bigger cities, relaxing from stressful travels
Links:


Western Part

Geneva is the second largest city in Switzerland. It is French speaking and lies in the south western part of Switzerland.
City Ambassadors:
Great for: Promenading at the lake
Links:


Lausanne is a French speaking town and lies in the western part of Switzerland.
City Ambassadors:
Great for: '
Links:


Fribourg is a German and French speaking town and lies in the western part of Switzerland.
City Ambassadors:
Great for: '
Links:


Neuchatel is a French speaking town and lies in the western part of Switzerland.
City Ambassadors:
Great for: Nature and mountains
Links:


Montreux is a French speaking town and lies in the part western of Switzerland.
City Ambassadors:
Great for: Montreux Jazz Festival
Links:


Southern Part

Lugano is a Italian speaking town and lies in the southern part of Switzerland.
City Ambassadors:
Great for: '
Links:

Rural Places

Switzerland is not only towns and urban areas. For sure you heard about the Swiss mountains and its great nature. Here are Places to visit which are not in a city.

Hiking, Trails

The Swiss Alpine Club maintains many fantastic hotels in the remote areas of the mountains. This hotels can be reached through fantastic trails. [1] To organize a trail check for the hostel you want to go. Usually a recommended trail to the hotel is described. Arrange for the public transportation to the starting point through [2] and enjoy the trip.

Advises

  • 1 hour from Zurich: In the summer (and good weather) take the train to Ennenda [3]. Take the "crazy" furnicular [4] up to the SAC hostel [5] "Aeugsten Hütte" 1500 meters o.s.l. You can stay overnight and see fantastic sunsets and sunrise. The overnight stay costs you including some dinner less then 20 SFr. per person. For some insights, check Flickr [6] [7] [8] [9]. Last advise don't go at weekends... Google Earth: 47°01'44.76N 9°06'21.97E

Links

'General'

'CS-Wiki'

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