U.S. Travel to Switzerland

U.S. travel to Switzerland remains popular as the country has so much to see and do. Of course, skiers are entering Switzerland all winter, but this country is truly a year-round destination.

Those traveling to Switzerland from the U.S. likely know about the famous Swiss Alps, but there are many other great reasons to visit Switzerland. The world-class cities of Zürich and Geneva are vibrant cultural hubs that offer something for everyone. The town of Basel hosts the renowned arts festival each June. Towns like Bern and Zermatt offer visitors a charming escape into village life that is much more slow-paced and will find you lost in time.

And of course, no visit to the country would be complete without some serious chocolate consumption. Even if you aren't a lover of sweets, Swiss chocolate is like nothing else on Earth!

On this page, we’ll cover Switzerland entry restrictions and requirements for entering the country too.

Transportation for U.S. Travel to Switzerland

U.S. travel to Switzerland is not difficult as there are direct flights from many major U.S. airports, such as New Jersey’s Newark, New York’s JFK, Chicago's O'Hare, and California’s LAX. The best way to travel to Switzerland from the U.S. is by taking a flight from one of these U.S. hubs into a major Swiss city like Zürich or Geneva. From there, you can take connecting flights to Bern, Davos, Zermatt, and Basel.

If you wish to take the scenic route and are considering entering Switzerland by train, you can fly into one of many European hubs in London, Paris, or Frankfurt before taking the train into Switzerland.

Train travel is very efficient and quite common for those traveling between European countries and within Switzerland. There's no reason to limit your visit to just one part of the country. Flying into a main city and then navigating the rest of the country by train is not only easy, but it is also incredibly scenic!

Swiss Travel Recommendations

Travel sites such as Fodors, Travelocity, and Expedia offer endless Swiss travel recommendations and tourist attraction reviews at your disposal. Below are some tourism recommendations to help get your planning started, including when to travel to Switzerland, the best cities to visit, and the top tourist attractions to explore. 

When to Travel to Switzerland

Like many other locales, Switzerland's temperature can vary throughout the year. If you are planning a visit, the first thing to consider is what you will be doing when you are there. Skiers will want to visit anytime from mid-January to mid-March for the best snow. Hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts will want to visit during July and August for the warmer weather. Budget travelers who still want great weather may wish to consider a September visit when the weather is still nice but tourism is winding down.

The high tourism seasons are July and August in summer and January and February in winter. Many visitors like to travel to Switzerland over Christmas and the New Year, but be aware that you won't be the only one with that idea. Anyone who is looking to avoid crowds and high prices will want to plan their trip outside of those months.

Best Cities to Visit in Switzerland

The best-known cities of Zürich and Geneva have a lot to offer international visitors. Visit Zürich’s Museum of Art with pieces dating back to the 1200s or the Swiss National Museum, home to Switzerland’s largest collection of historic artefacts. The old town of Lindenhof is a great elevated spot to relax, shaded with lime trees and a view of Zürich’s oldest quarters. Don’t forget the Grossmünster monastic church from the 1400s too.

Geneva is home to Lake Geneva and the Cathédrale de Saint-Pierre, a stunning cathedral sitting on a hill that overlooks Geneva. You can visit the International Museum of Red Cross and Red Crescent to learn about the organization’s history and its role around the world.

There are other areas of the country that are popular with tourists too. Smaller cities like Lausanne, Bern, and Basel also have a lot to offer. Alpine villages like Davos and Zermatt are also popular destinations for international visitors.

Top Tourist Attractions in Switzerland

• Art Basel – This festival features art collectors from all around the globe who come to this charming town each June. Art Basel is one of the world's most important art festivals. If you are a serious collector, or just enjoy seeing amazing art from all mediums, plan your Swiss visit around this exciting June weekend.
  
  
• Lake Geneva – Lake Geneva is the largest European alpine lake that rests on the borders of Switzerland and France. If you are looking for a beautiful background for your hiking and boating adventures, this is the place to visit! Tourists can find culture, outdoor adventures, and fine dining all along this magnificent body of water. Jazz lovers will want to be in town for the Montreaux Jazz Fest that occurs each June and July.
  
  
• The Matterhorn and the Swiss Alps – If you want to see this iconic peak, head south toward the Swiss border with Italy. Finding a base in the charming village of Zermatt is a great way to explore this breathtaking area.
  
  
• Lindt Home of Chocolate – Zürich is a town filled with history and beautiful architecture that is in close proximity to the Alps. However, no visit to Zurich would be complete without at least one chocolate tasting! Visitors to the Lindt Home of Chocolate will discover how this delicious treat is made while sampling some of the best chocolate in the world!
  
  
• Lucerne Music Festival – Music lovers flock to the beautiful lakeside town of Lucerne every April for the world-class Lucerne Music Festival extravaganza. There are a host of other reasons to visit this charming place all year round too.

Travel Documents Needed for U.S. Travel to Switzerland

The required travel documents needed for U.S. to Switzerland travel are fairly straightforward. Many U.S. citizens wonder, “Do U.S. citizens need a visa to travel to Switzerland”? The answer is no as long as you are traveling for tourism purposes for fewer than 90 days.

The current requirements for visitors from the United States are:

• A passport that has at least 6 months of validity after your scheduled date of departure and with at least one blank page

According to Switzerland’s Federal Office of Public Health, “There are currently no COVID-19 pandemic-related restrictions on entering Switzerland. You do not need to present proof of vaccination, recovery or recent test results in order to enter the country.” 

However, COVID-19-related requirements can change in an instant, so check Switzerland travel restrictions and requirements frequently leading up to your departure date. Find the information you need regarding travel documentation and requirements by using this interactive travel restrictions and requirements world map or by visiting the State Department's Switzerland travel page or the U.S. embassy's website. 

Travel to the U.S. from Switzerland

It's important for international travelers to remember that there may be restrictions in place when it's time to return to the U.S. as well.

Using this interactive travel map from Kayak is a great way to stay informed. Travelers will need to be aware of any restrictions and requirements upon entering the country of their visit and when returning home.

According to USA.gov:

• As of May 12, 2023, noncitizen nonimmigrant visitors to the U.S. arriving by air or arriving by land or sea are no longer required to show proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. 
• As of June 12, 2022, people entering the U.S. no longer need to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test. 

If you plan to travel to the U.S. from Switzerland, even if you are a returning citizen, you will need to adhere to any restrictions and requirements that could be put in place at any time. Be sure to double-check travel requirements as your date of departure nears and before you head back home.