Switzerland is a landlocked coutry in the Alps, bordered by Germany, France, Austria Liechenstein and Italy. Most of Switzerland's cities and population are located on the Swiss Plateau, where it is stunningly green for the contented cows much of the year. What's there for the tourist? It used to be wrist watches, but today it is the lake and mountain scenery, the history, and the chocolate and cheese.
The Rhine Falls (Rheinfall)
You'll notice in the northern quadrant of our map that there is a red square the marks a region of falling, roiling water. It's not a tall, vertical fall but a series of short falls that sound ferocious; You'll feel the power of the water in your feet as well as your ears.
You see the Rhine River was forced into a new riverbed over 15,000 years ago and despite to power of water it has yet to flatten it out yet.
In the middle of it all stands a mighty rock that has withstood the elements for a thousand years. The rock can be reached on a circular tour of the Rhine Falls, during which one can observe the natural spectacle from up close. Virtually in the middle of the waterfall, visitors stand on platforms that jut out and partially hover over the Rhine. The castles of Wörth and Laufen can be reached by river boat, and very daring visitors can rent canoes.-- The Rhine Falls
The location of the Rhine falls is adventagious for the tourist, as it is near to Lake Constance and various destinations in southern Germany.
If you would like to stay close, we recommend bedding down in Schaffhausen, or you can take a tour from nearby Zurich.
Scaffhausen Places to Stay Scaffhausen Vacation Rentals
Cities to Visit
Lucerne is located in central Swizerland, on the shores of Lake Lucerne, surrounded by the Swiss alps, notably Mount Pilatus and Rigi. Lucerne embodies what tourists think of when they hear the word "Switzerland."
- Glacier Garden (Gletchergarden)
- Swiss Transport Museum - 20,000 square meters of transportation history and technology.
- Modern Art Museum
- Picasso Museum - the historic Am-Rhyn-House.
- Richard Wagner Museum
- Lucerne Historic Museum (Historiches Museum Luzern)
Other Attractions in Lucerne
Take a lake steamer across Lake Lucerne, have lunch on the ship.
Take a cable car up Mount Pilatus on the world's steepest cogwheel.
Get a panoramic view of Lucerne canton from Mount Rigi.
Of course you can just stroll around the medieval core of Lucerne and cross the wood-covered Chapel bridge first constructed in the 14th century, then see the city ramparts and climb up the watchtowers.
Lucerne Travel Essentials
Hotels Vacation Rentals Tickets & Tours
St. Gallen is a great little medieval city in the northeast of Switzerland with easy access to our favorite lake, Lake Constance or the Bodenzee. St. Gallen is known for:
- Its well-preserved Medieval Old Town
- Ornate Oriel Windows
- Abbey Library of St.Gallen, the world's oldest monastic library.
For a splurge--and this is a great city in which to do that--try the Einstein Hotel, a grand old hotel housed in a former textile factory.
You may wish to take a tour while in St. Gallen.
Switzerland Travel Essentials
Due to the mountainous terrain in Switzerland, weather can vary greatly with altitude. Prediction of the weather can be tricky. For some historical climate information, including historic temperature and precipitation graphs that might help you plan your vacation in Switzerland, as well as current conditions see Travel Weather Switzerland.
Currency: The Swiss currency is the Swiss Franc, abbreviated to CHF. Conversion rates are found in the widget below.
Languages: Four primary languages are spoken in Switzerland. The Federal Constitution stipulates that German, French, and Italian are Switzerland's official languages, whereas Romansh is an official language for communicating with Romansh-speaking persons. English is increasingly taught at an early age, sometimes taking priority over a second national language.
Tipping: Meals include a service charge, but tipping is common. 5% of the total is the usual tip. According to locals in Zurich, it is customary, when paying with a credit card, to leave the tip in cash rather than adding it to the card total.
Eating Out: Although eating in a Swiss restaurant is generally more expensive than eating at one in a neighboring country, you can usually find interesting, inexpensive food in Switzerland. Lunches are often cheaper than the same meal at dinner. Look for the plate of the day.
General Restaurant Opening Times: Lunch: 12-2 Dinner 6-8 pm.
Driving in Switzerland
Switzerland has an excellent road system. All that is required to drive in Switzerland is your driver's license, an International Driver's License is not legally required.
If your car rental company doesn't proved one, you'll need a Vignette that shows you paid the highway tax. Be sure you have that and a warning triangle with you--the fines are high.
The blood alcohol limit for drivers is 0.5.
Trains in Switzerland
There is lots of eye-candy in Switzerland, so sitting back in a train seat and looking out the window can be a great part of your vacation. The main railroad site is SBB CFF FFS, where you can by travel passes and the Swiss Half Fare Card.
Air Travel In Switzerland
There are 8 major airports in Switzerland. Click the map below to go to the airport website.
Notes on the airport location map
Note that airport St. Gallen is a business airport with limited desinations.
Engadin Airport is the gateway to St. Moritz.
PostBus
Some tourists like to get into rural areas. Folks in rural areas need mail and package delivery. The clever Swiss combined them into PostBus, which connects nearly the whole of Switzerland. The have a great website as well: PostBus.
If you're looking for unique ways to get around the country, See Viator's How to Get Around page, where you'll find e-bikes tours, self-guided Love Story Walks and hop on, hop off bus tickets.
