Best Switzerland Tours & Holidays

We offer several Switzerland tours to match your preferred travel style:

Classic Tours: Fully escorted tours with expert local guides, pre-arranged accommodations, most meals, and transportation. Ideal for travellers seeking a comprehensive, worry-free experience with expert commentary. Tour groups size is up to 50 travellers. 

Small Group Tours: Intimate tours with a maximum of 12 travellers, offering personalised attention and access to unique local experiences. Perfect for those seeking deeper cultural immersion in a social setting.

Independent tours: We arrange your accommodations, rail passes, and key experiences, but you travel without a guide at your own pace. Perfect for confident travellers who value flexibility but appreciate having logistics pre-arranged.

Tailormade Tours: Custom-designed itineraries created with our Switzerland specialists to match your preferences. Ideal for groups of 4 or more with particular interests  or celebrating special occasions

Switzerland captivates visitors with its dramatic Alpine landscapes, pristine lakes, and charming villages. This compact country offers incredible diversity: explore medieval old towns, ride panoramic trains through mountain passes, and experience four distinct cultural regions influenced by neighbouring France, Italy, and Germany. Switzerland's exceptional rail network connects even remote mountain areas, making it easy to experience cosmopolitan cities and peaceful Alpine retreats on our guided tours of Switzerland. 

The country is renowned for its impeccable cleanliness, punctuality, and hospitality, ensuring a hassle-free Switzerland travel experience where natural beauty and efficiency blend perfectly. If this is your first visit, you’re in for a treat!

The best time to visit Switzerland depends on your personal preferences:

Summer (June-August): Ideal for hiking, sightseeing, and enjoying crystal-clear lakes and lush greenery. Days are warm, typically 20-30°C, with long daylight hours, perfect for maximising outdoor activities.

Winter (December-February): Perfect for experiencing a true winter wonderland with snow-covered landscapes from mountaintops to lakes. Winter is ideal for skiing, snowboarding, and visiting Christmas markets. Daylight hours are shorter during this season.

Spring/Autumn (March-May/October-November): Quieter seasons with mild temperatures and fewer travellers. Some high-altitude attractions may have limited operations, but cities and lakeside regions remain wonderful to explore.

Switzerland has four official languages:

• German (spoken by approximately 63% of the population)
• French (23%)
• Italian (8%)
• Romansh (less than 1%)

English is widely spoken in tourist areas, hotels, restaurants, and on public transport, so there's generally no language barrier for English-speaking visitors on our Switzerland group tours.

Switzerland is considered an expensive destination compared to its neighbouring countries, but the quality of services and experiences justifies the cost. Switzerland uses the Swiss Franc (CHF) which is a strong currency, so check current exchange rates when budgeting. 

Here's a general breakdown:

Accommodation: 3-star hotels typically range from CHF 150-250 (AUD 265-440) per night

Meals: Budget around CHF 25-50 (AUD 44-88) per person for a decent meal

Transportation: While your rail pass will cover most transportation, budget extra for any additional transport needs

Activities: Mountain excursions can cost CHF 100-200+ (AUD 190-385+) per person

On our tours of Switzerland, we recommend you pack according to the season but always include layers regardless of when you visit:

Summer: Lightweight clothing, but bring a light jacket or sweater for evenings and higher elevations

Winter: Warm clothing, waterproof jacket, gloves, hat, scarf, and sturdy footwear for snow and ice

All seasons: Comfortable walking shoes, sunglasses, sunscreen, camera, adapter plugs (Type J; Type C plugs often work)

For mountain excursions: Hiking boots (if planning serious hikes), a small day pack, and a refillable water bottle

Switzerland is famous for its scenic train journeys, which offer spectacular views of the country's landscapes through panoramic windows. The most renowned routes include:

Glacier Express: Often called the slowest express train in the world, it takes around 8 hours to travel between St. Moritz and Zermatt, crossing 291 bridges and passing through 91 tunnels

Bernina Express: A spectacular route linking Switzerland and northern Italy through the Alps, offering views of viaducts, glaciers and mountain passes

Golden Pass: Connecting Montreux with Interlaken, this journey offers beautiful views of lakes and mountains in central Switzerland

Gotthard Panorama Express: Combines a boat journey across Lake Lucerne with a train ride to Lugano along the historic Gotthard route

These trains typically offer different class options (2nd class, 1st class, and premium options like Excellence Class or Prestige Class) with varying levels of comfort and service

Yes, many train journeys can be upgraded from 2nd class to 1st class, offering a more spacious, comfortable experience. These upgrades offer:

• Glacier Express – Excellence Class: Guaranteed window seat, concierge service, and a multi-course meal for a premium experience
• Bernina Express – Prestige Class: Wider leather seats and panoramic windows for exceptional mountain and glacier views
• 1st Class (on most routes): More space, quieter carriages, and enhanced comfort compared with 2nd class

Upgrades can be arranged when you book your tour, and our team can help you choose the best option for you.

Switzerland has one of the world's best public transportation systems. It's punctual, efficient, and comprehensive. Your rail pass typically covers:

• Trains (including many scenic routes)
• Buses
• Boats on lakes
• City transport such as trams and buses
• Some mountain railways and cable cars (discounts may apply for others)

Most cities and towns provide guest cards that offer free local public transportation and discounts on attractions.

Major Swiss airports (Zurich, Geneva, Basel) are well-connected to public transport. It's just a 10-minute train ride from Zurich Airport to the main city. In many cases, airport transfers are included in your itinerary or covered by your rail pass, making your arrival smooth and straightforward.

Most hotels offer laundry services. Some have on-site facilities, while others work with external services. If you plan to do laundry during your tour, it's best to schedule it for locations where you'll stay at least two nights to ensure your clothes will be ready before you depart.

While Switzerland has countless beautiful locations, these are considered essential experiences:

• Zurich: Switzerland's largest city with a beautiful old town and lakefront
• Lucerne: Picturesque city with a medieval bridge, beautiful lake, and mountain views
• Interlaken: Gateway to the Bernese Oberland and the Jungfraujoch (Europe's highest railway station)
• Zermatt: Car-free village at the foot of the iconic Matterhorn
• St. Moritz: Glamorous alpine resort town
• Montreux: Elegant lakeside city on Lake Geneva
• Lugano: Italian-speaking city with a Mediterranean flair
• Bern: The capital city with a UNESCO-listed old town

A low to moderate fitness level is sufficient for most Switzerland experiences. While there is walking involved in city exploration, most major attractions are accessible via excellent public transportation. For mountain excursions, cable cars and cogwheel trains take you to viewing platforms without requiring hiking. You should be able to:

• Walk for 15-30 minutes at a relaxed pace
• Manage occasional stairs (though elevators are often available)
• Carry your luggage between train stations and hotels (typically a 5-10 minute walk)

Tours can be as active or relaxed as you prefer, as you set your own pace on independent journeys.

Switzerland offers a rich and varied culinary scene. Some delicious dishes to try include: 

• Fondue: Melted cheese served in a communal pot for dipping bread (traditionally, Fondue Moitié-Moitié uses half Gruyère, half Vacherin cheese)
• Raclette: Cheese melted and scraped onto potatoes, pickles, and dried meats
• Rösti: Crispy potato dish similar to hash browns
• Swiss chocolate: World-famous for its quality and variety
• Swiss cheese: Sample local varieties like Emmentaler, Gruyère, and Appenzeller
• Bircher muesli: A healthy breakfast dish created in Switzerland
• Game meats: Venison and other wild game are popular, especially in alpine regions

Vegetarians and vegans will also find plenty of options in Switzerland. For a deep dive into what to expect, read our guide, How to eat your way through Switzerland.

Credit cards are widely accepted throughout Switzerland, including in remote areas and mountain villages. Visa and Mastercard are most commonly accepted, while American Express is accepted less widely. ATMs are plentiful and you can generally pay for everything with cards, but it's advisable to carry a small amount of Swiss Francs for small purchases at local shops or markets.

Tipping is not expected in Switzerland as service charges are typically included in bills. However, it's common to round up the bill or leave around 5-10% for exceptional service at restaurants. Small tips for taxi drivers, hotel staff, and guides are appreciated but entirely optional. 

Switzerland uses Type J electrical outlets (three round pins), though many establishments also accept European plugs (Types C and F). The standard voltage is 230V with a frequency of 50Hz. Travellers from countries with different systems should bring a suitable adapter to ensure their devices are compatible with this voltage.

Switzerland is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, with activities to suit all interests and ability levels. Depending on your itinerary and season, you can enjoy: 

• Hiking: Over 65,000 km of marked trails for all ability levels
• Winter sports: Skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and ice skating
• Water activities: Swimming, sailing, windsurfing, and paddleboarding on lakes
• Adventure sports: Paragliding, bungee jumping, canyoning, and mountain biking
• Alpine climbing: For experienced mountaineers

Many Switzerland tour packages include mountain excursions and scenic journeys that showcase the country’s natural beauty without requiring advanced fitness or technical skills.

Switzerland is part of the Schengen Area, allowing tourists from many visa-exempt countries to visit for up to 90 days without a visa. If you’re from a country that isn’t visa-exempt, you will need to apply for a Schengen visa before your tour. 

We recommend checking our Visa Entry Requirements page immediately after booking for more information.

Planning your Swiss alpine adventure with Inspiring Vacations is simple and straightforward. Browse our comprehensive range of Switzerland tour packages on our website, where you'll find detailed day-by-day itineraries, pace and travel style.

Ready to book your Switzerland tour from Australia? Book online or speak with our dedicated travel team at 1300 88 66 88. Our consultants are available 24/7 and take pride in matching you with Swiss experiences that align with your interests, preferred pace, and travel style. They can address practical considerations from mobility requirements to dietary needs and often provide valuable insights about Switzerland's scenic rail journeys, mountain excursions, and cultural experiences that you won't find in standard travel guides.