TOP 10 TOURIST MISTAKES TO AVOID IN SWITZERLAND: Travel Switzerland this summer like a local!
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- čas přidán 7. 06. 2024
- Hey guys! Hopefully this summer you’re planning a trip to Switzerland! If so, you’ll want to stay tuned and watch through for the top 10 tourist mistakes to avoid in Switzerland! This video will give you all the tips to see Switzerland like a Swiss local.
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Bienvenue & Willkommen! We are Lex & Louis - and together we are The Traveling Swiss. We're an international couple (USA + Switzerland) who have recently moved from NYC to Switzerland. Come travel with us - we'll give you tips and guides, and hopefully have a few laughs along the way. Our goal is to show you that borders are meant to be crossed!
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Nr 10. In July, August and September you can strike very high temperatures. Last August it was 38 degrees for a couple of weeks and it then settled to about 34. I took a few t-shirts, a possum cardie, a denim skirt and some dresses. I also packed a nice raincoat. Swiss are well dressed, that is important to them.
Cheers from a Swiss living in New Zealand
10 Top mistakes (summarized for quick reference):
1. Not having Swiss Francs
2. Bringing the wrong travel adapter
3. Getting the wrong train ticket
4. Putting feet on train seats
5. Speaking too loudly
6. Not budgeting or planning ahead
7. Expecting to shop on Sundays
8. Not being aware of local language differences
9. Only visiting cities and ignoring countryside
10. Not packing the right clothing
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Number 9 is so true. I'm from the Netherlands and everyone is visiting Amsterdam. But A'dam is not the Netherlands as the Netherlands really is. It's a tourist city, where I miss our culture. I'm from Nijmegen, the oldest city of the Netherlands, with the biggest event, with visiters over 70 countries, in whole Europe. And no tourist knows it :")
@@nadi737 Like visiting the USA and only visiting NY LA or Chicago and ignoring the Rockies, Virginia, Grand Canyon
What about restaurants?
@@Grandtrunk Restaurants are all open on Sundays in Switzerland.
Do not, DO NOT! underestimate mountains in Switzerland. I live in Valais, and every day I can see multiple helicopters above my house going back and forth from mountains to hospitals because tourists underestimate the dangers. Weather can vary extremely fast, and you can very easily find yourself trapped on a summit, or end up blocked by a collapsed pathway because a river has overflown. Please do not make that mistake, you can always contact a tourist agency that can hook you up with a guide, who can make your experience become truly something else.
This is really great advice! Thank you for sharing
I can only second that. I grew up here, near the mountains. They are hauntingly beautiful but they also have caused me more pain than anything else has. I have lost family members, peers at school, and other acquaintances. And keep in mind these were all careful people, who were neither doing anything "stupid/careless things", who have lived here their whole lives and we're more experienced than almost any tourist will ever be. So please enjoy the beauty of our nature, but take it slow and easy and tread carefully!
There was this one time, walking from Jungfraujoch to Mönchsjochhütte in spring on skies in full gear while watching that guy in flipflops "running" ahead of us. It is a "safe" and relatively short walk over a prepared path on the snow... on the glacier at about 3500m. Let's just say it was very memorable.
Do they speak English in Switzerland?
@@kblasterbug it is not a requirement, most of the newer generation does.
Besides having the right clothes you should also look at the weather reports. The weather varies a lot due to the varied topography. Zurich, Geneva, Lucerne and Basel have about the same altitude, but very often different weather. And the weather changes often: Fog in Zurich, icy wind in Geneva, in Interlaken you see only clouds and no mountains, but a sunny day for a hike near St. Moritz. Two days later rain and clouds in St. Moritz, but near Interlaken you can see a panorama over hundreds of kilometers from every mountain top, Zurich and Lucerne are warm and sunny - and the next day rain everywhere but in Ticino. The forecast over the next three days is pretty reliable, but rarely the same for all of Switzerland.
As a Swiss citizen ( French speaking side) I want to say bravo for your good advises. Well done ! You could also add to this list: don’t go to the top of the Jungfrau ( highest train in Europe ) with bad weather. You’ll pay a fortune for the train ticket and won’t see anything once on top 😉 About the power adapter, you’ll probably find it in post offices. Often post offices display all kinds of traveler’s gadgets such as power adapters.
Looking to come to Switzerland for Christmas with my kids (17, 10, and 7 years). Would love a Christmas town, a train ride with amazing views (not too long), and skiing / snowmobiling. Would be doing 7 days. Any help and recommendations would be great. Thanks.
@@boboutelama5748 did you have a bad day that makes you speak out of your butt like that?
@@boboutelama5748 I don’t understand what you’re saying and why you saying it. This CZcams channel is for fun information so making statements out of the context just for bashing is stupid. Nobody pretends that Switzerland is perfect but knowing that it has a lower crime rate than most of the countries around makes your statement particularly insulting. I cannot understand the motivation behind such comments other than some kind of frustration you may have experienced with my country.
@@SuperBechticriminal doesn't even want to be in a country that life freezes on every Sundays.
@@caliglory1240 better that than having to fear that your house will be burglarized every time you step out of it, or fearing that your wife or daughter get raped on the way to the movie theater.
One of the finest & beautifully done videos about Swiss tourism.
Awesome video and great information , Muchas Gracias
Great tips for every country. 😊 Thanks for wording it so well. ❤
When I first traveled by train from Geneva to St Gallen, I began speaking French on the train. Because we were in Geneva, I thought it more polite to ask questions and engage the locals in the regional language, as best I could. I was studying in Austria, so my German was stronger at the time. Still, I didn't want to assume all Swiss speak German for the tourists. I had just come from France, so I settled into my seat. A very nice and polite family sat across from me and allowed me to practice my French with them. Not all nationals are eager to converse, so I always allow them to begin, if they are interested, and many times they will create smalltalk about from where I come and where am I going, what are my plans, etc. This family spoke pristine French, and I was delighted for the opportunity to practice. After the train crossed the line from Fribourg/Freiburg and the conductors began asking for tickets and passports in German rather than in French, as previously done, the family from Geneva, quickly switched to German, and I was stunned. It turned out that they were from the Zurich area all along, and that they had given me the courtesy of practicing my French, when I would have felt more comfortable in German from the start. Still, the lesson learned is that don't assume everyone will speak a certain language. Test the waters, and try what you can. We can erase the "rude American" stereotype little by little, when we make an effort to acclimate to our surroundings in their homeland.
Awesome video Alexis. Great tips and just the way you present is outstanding. I love all your videos❤❤
This was very helpful. Thanks. I've been to Switzerland several times but it is best to update what I should bring and other topics. Swiss francs! And clothing to be best prepared! Train tickets...got it, thanks!
Really enjoy your videos. It is helping me plan my trip to Switzerland.
One mistake to avoid in terms of hike difficulty levels is that what's 'medium' to the Swiss is 'hard' to us flatlanders, so don't believe the hiking websites blindly 😅
omg I'm so glad you said this! I've never found myself struggling to breathe on "medium" hikes so much lolol
and... please stay away from anything market white-blue-white, even if in the beginning it looks the same as the white-red-white marked hiking trails
only go there if you have mounteneering experience :)
and never forget weather can change very quickly in the mountains
Look at the sign posts - they are at the start of every trail and at every major crossing. There are three different color markers:
White blue white - this is only for experienced mountain climbers with the corresponding equipment. If you never did actual rock climbing this is not for you.
White red white - this is for experienced mountain hikers who don't mind a real steep stony path along a mountain flank with a drop of 200 feet beside the path. You need solid shoes, a backpack with food, drink, first aid equipment, a map and the knowledge to read it.
All yellow - that's doable for most people, if you are able to walk for the 1, 2 or 4 hours it takes to arrive (written on the sign). It's also doable, if you need two hours for the one hour written, as long as you arrive within a reasonable timeframe. You should wear sneakers or similar - high heels and flip-flops are not made for hour long walks. You should have a water bottle, and some protection against rain and sun. And you should regard any warnings: on some Saturdays walks cross an active shooting range, when rivers run high, some paths can be flooded, when it says keep a distance from cows you should not hug the cute calf even for a selfie - such dangers are clearly pointed out, but they are to be taken serious.
Yes! So the easy hikes are sometimes moderate. Safe options for out of shape tourists are the trails that are specifically saying you can take a pram / pushchair on it. Trails that say good for families- remember Swiss children are hardcore and some of those trails may not be feasible for your little ones or an out of shape tourist. I hope this comment doesn’t sound rude but I was an out of shape tourist who is now an out of shape resident here 🤣
@@simonwirth8335 people in Canton Zug: oh no
Love it super helpful
Thanks you both of you guys..!!🤗🤗
Your video is really informative! I wish I could visit Switzerland one day! I'm sure this is a great place to visit as you said.
Thankyou so much.
This has been so helpful and you are very articulate.
♥️ From Tasmania
Thank you, this video is very helpful for me while planning my trip :)
Great ideas you mentions those awareness to avoiding.
Very nice video nice tips we will certainly use most of them.
Informative and quite accurate, well done :)
Thank you for the wonderful tips!
Love this video! I first arrived in Fribourg as a 30-year-old student. Have returned many times, and I’ve set five novels in Switzerland! Looking forward to my next trip, always. 🇨🇭🇨🇭🇨🇭
Hi Alexis. Thank you so much for all the info. We are giong to be in Switzerland n in 3 weeks... can't wait
Thank you so much. Really helpful advices
You have given some sound advice in this video. Thanks for sharing 🙏👍🌈
When you buy fruit in the shop ( Migros / COOP ), you have to weigh your fruit and put the price sticker on the bag. If you get to the cashier and you dont have the price on the bag with the fruit, people queuing behind you are not going to like you.
😂 Ja genau!
Hi, I live in NYC and am I'm travelling to Zurich this Thanksgiving, for the first time to Switzerland and plan on doing typical touristy stuff. I just came across your video and found it to be very informative. Thanks so much
Excellent présentation. I understand you've been in Switzerland for only one year, but you know the country so well!
Just found your channel! You are adorable! Thank you so much for all these valuable tips❤
Your video is really good. Thanks!!
Thank you. Very informative video.
Not even halfway through the video and I am thinking: GREAT CONTENT, thank you for making this Video. Great Tips and Content and Advice for us New Yorkers!!!
This is super helpful! 😍😊🤩 Thank you for all the tips! The one where people talk softly/are quiet on trains reminds me of Japan! 😊 Also, I didn’t know that tickets would be cheaper when planning ahead! that’s really good! 😍😍
Thanks for these great tips. I’m heading to Lausanne in July to go hiking on the Via francigena where we’ll spend a week in Switzerland.
We plan on starting in Geneva and work our way up with our final destination being Europa Park. Helpful video, thank you!
Thanks for the helpful and interesting review! And what do you share your experience!
Very informative video, some great tips here!
Thanks for all these informations, they are all useful 👍
Thanks for the great tips.
As another American living in CH, I agree and applaud your tips. 👍❤️
she didnt even tell people to get a halbtax.. like 180 frances.. saves 50 frances just going from like zurich to geneva... pays for it self multiple times over during a holiday stay.
you don't need to live in switzerland to get one, also you can use it as soon as youve paid for it at the desk without the proper card
Very useful video.Many Thanks..
So helpful. Thanks so much
Oh wow! I was looking for someone with a channel like yours. I am in the initial stages of planning my very first Switzerland trip next year. I'm soooo glad I found this channel!!!!
Welcome!! I hope it’s helpful :)
To the 2nd Point. You can use most europen devices that only have 2 Prungs (the ones without grounding) in swiss plugs and vice versa (eg. Phone chragers, laptop chargers, hairdryers, etc.) but not the ones that require a grounding (3rd pin) because those are too big and the hole is in a different place (eg. more high power devices) ANd if you're from north AMerica you should check if the devices you plan to use actually support 230VAC 50hz because if they don't they most probably are going to break. Most times phone chargers say something like "Input: 100-240V 50-60hz" then you're good but if it only says 110V you better not plug it in.
Fabulous channel. Thankyou for the tips. I will be traveling to Geneva next April 2024. Look forward to watching more of your videos……Thankyou again
Plug type was useful, thanks
Very useful tips for first time visitors.
Thanks for mentioning the point about putting your feet up in the train. I commute between bern and zurich daily and I often do it, but I take my shoes off for it and only on the way to work, while im freshly showered ;)
If you come in winter, do not ski outside the planned slopes, every years many tourists lose their life under avalanches, or falling in crevasses that are hidden below a small layer of snow.
Hi! Do you have insta? Or any contact method
Or ski in the Jura
It's smaller, safer, less peoply and the view isn't that bad
God Bless You, you explain so passionately, Thank you very much
Thanks for watching!!
Great tips thank you so much!!!!!!!❤❤❤
Thank for the tips.
Good job! Thanks for
Very good tips, Nice sharing my friend like 🤝💖🥂
Highly appreciated, very informative video
Thanks for another useful video! Do you have any recommendations in terms of the cheapest cities/towns in Switzerland??
Great video - Thanks
Great tips Thanks.
super helpful tips😊
Thanks for the plug tip. Who knew?
Wow, thanks for the Tip about Sundays. You saved me from spoiling my trip. We are flying back from Switzerland to India on Monday. And Sunday is my plan to make purchases. Thank to you, I get to re-plan my Purchases.
Number 6 is so important! When we were in Switzerland, we were amazed at how expensive (though beautiful) it was. We ate so much grocery store salami! Thanks for sharing! 😊
Do they speak English in Switzerland?
@@kblasterbug many people do
Yes, if you spend your trip eating exclusively at restaurants, Switzerland will be expensive.
@@kblasterbug Yes, generally the younger generation will know some English.
Excellent advice
at least tennis shoes (or sneakers are you say) are ok - I have seen tourists in dam flip flops on some trails! easy way to spot the non-swiss
Some Swiss do barefoot hiking and I'm not kidding 😅
It is really dangerous not to wear good shoes. I think a lot of ppl underestimate the mountain hikes because they are so easy accesable with our transport system. U can get up to 300 meters above sea level only with train and cablecar and up there u have a complete different climate. But dont worry we have lots of rescue choppers to get u out there for a good price of 600.- to 800.- swiss francs 😂
@@m.m.6670 if u pass by a psytrance party on sundays u can see lots of barefoot freaks dancing in the mountains on mushrooms n lsd
what kind of shoes are appropriate depends as much on the skill level as on the terrain. i can easily climb a dry alpine route in my birkenstock sandals (blue/white/blue, don't use without guide or knowledge about the specific dangers). anyone without lots of experience, should always wear shoes that protect the ankles if the route has a red/white/red marking. red/white/red means: use at your own risk and falling of may be the last mistake you're ever making.
and never try to cross snow without proper hiking boots.
@@muenschti more like 3000, 6000-8000.
Thank you. Very good video
Thanks for this! I’ll be in Switzerland (Zurich) next month (Feb) to snowboard and I ordered a travel plug adapter mid video. I assumed my EU adapter would suffice.
Thanks for the super informative content. Could you please suggest if it is ideal to visit eppese in last week of march ??
so nice video! great job!
Excellent videos thanks Alexis, Louis ..Tony Australia
In Lucerne the super touristy kitsch shops are open on Sunday.
Thanks!!
Another: many restaurants will only be open during “normal” mealtimes - they’ll temporarily close between meals. If you go at an abnormal time like 3PM (15h00), you may not be served until they reopen for dinner at 7, for instance. Coop is always a thing, but it still helps to plan ahead!!
This is an extremely helpful advice, indeed. In most restaurants, you can not eat between 2pm and 6 pm, unfortunately. Sometimes even in very touristic places on sunday, with a lot of potential customers!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Maybe I‘m thinking about visiting Switzerland this year. 🙏
hopefully you can visit one day soon!
Ahh Julian, that'd be awesome! What else is on your potential travel list?
@@SharingtheRoad Pugh on my travel list is a lot on 😂
Some good tips there! 😁👍 ATB
Great video
Finally a video that says it right! Switzerland is expensive, true, but if you plan ahead you get huge discounts. Also, you pay for quality! As a Swiss, however, I have found the Scandinavian countries more expensive, as well as some cities (London and Paris, especially). And the latter observation is borne out by statistics (check out which cities are the most expensive in the world....). As for chatting in parks, your observation applies to French and German-speaking Switzerland. In Ticino we are much louder😜👍!
i often have trouble with speaking quiet even though i am growing up here💀👏 but my friend moved from italy and she keeps on telling m how in ticino it's waaay louder, even experienced it myself😌
I second that. Scandinavia is at least the same expensive as Switzerland , however, I am happy to see the CHF strong these days so you can get more value 👍
Thank you for all the helpful tips!! What about attractions and restaurants in the Interlaken area on a Sunday? Are they usually closed as well?
Thats cool thanks
Great info. Thank you so much. Is the spring a good time to visit Switzerland to sightseeing small towns?
Yes, Switzerland is lovely in the Spring - you'll have lots of mountain wildflowers blooming in May.
Thanks for the useful tips. WIll you be able to guide on which train is the best if we want to travel from Montreux to Cologne in Germany?
Good suggestions 👍🏼
Spot on!
Hi, do you have a video advising on what are Mobile plan options for travellers to Switzerland? Thanks. Doesnt seem to anyone has done a video on this
Thank you for the language Map!
Amazing country and I will definitely visit again!❤️❤️❤️
Thank you 😊.
Love your channel & videos! It is always nice to have a fellow American married to a Swiss to relate to! I live in the French speaking region for over a year now (Montreux) & am still learning tips but also keeping note of common ones for family & friends. (It was cool to see #8 as the one I suggested!)
Oh so awesome! We lived in Geneva originally, but are now in Zurich! (my husband is from Geneva) We're actually heading into Montreux this weekend for Les Caves Ouvertes!
@@TheTravelingSwiss That’s awesome, I have heard great things about that! My husband & I this weekend are doing the Rivera’s Night at the Museum. It is completely free as well as trains to visit all the museums in the area for promotion. It starts at 5pm and goes until 12am this Saturday the 29th!
You can use the 2 pin plug as well for the 3 hole sockets. I never had problems to use the Swiss plugs in Germany, France, Spain and other countries even in Thailand I could use it🙃.
I agree. The common 2 pin power supplies for phones and for example macbooks are conpatible but if you have a power supply with 3 pins like for Lenovo Notebooks you will need the adapters.
Very useful ... I am planning to vist Zermatt next month for a week and planning to buy a 6 days 'Swiss Pass' for train journey. Hope I can use the Swiss Pass in Glacier Express as well.
So did the Swiss Pass cover the Glacier Express as well?
Yes, did it cover?
You are so helpful and 👍
Thanks for doing these! Looking forward to my trip in September! Question: What do you recommend in terms of getting a local mobile provider for data while there? My provider offers international roaming but it's not the cheapest option. I'd assume I can get a local sim card and get a data plan for the time I'll be there. Thanks!
Great video, keep up the good work! Thank you for the tips.
Good Video. As mentioned in comments, Main thing you should be careful while traveling bin Switzerland is checking whether report before planning. As we all know, wheather reports are 99% accurate in Swiss and if you didn't get nice sun, you won't be able to enjoy the mountains and Nature
Oh non, especially in the mountain, weather forecast are not accurate at all in Switzerland, even 24h before... That's why you should always have warm and waterproof clothes at the bottom of your bag when you go hiking...
Very useful
Great job
Don't worry about the languages it's also complicated for us.
The language borders are also hard for me as a swiss person. I Was born in the german area of the canton of fribourg. I went to highschool (10-13 grade) in Fribourg at a billagual school and I ended up as being lost all the time. Because I struggle with my second and third languages french and english and a lot of the french speakers avoid to speak german. But it works it is often ending up by speaking german, french and english at the same time.
Sorry for my english skills. My bad I should practice more.
Eln you speak (type) better than most Americans!
Hey you still did good my friend!
I did grew up in a simillar setting haha!. An area speaking 3-5 different languages (Chavacano, Tagalog, English, Visaya, Tausug). Only well versed with three: Chavacano (Primary), English (Secondary), and Tagalog. We spoke to each other mixing words off those languanges. It worked honestly lol
Just like a salad of mixed greens 😂
But ya, I can relate to what you're saying lol. Specially if certain groups refuse to speak in certain languages (due to beliefs etc, we had those too in my hometown). That can be a tough one.
I'm just gonna use body language then 🤣 lol
Don't worry, most french speakers avoid to speak german because they suck at it. Those who don't will gladly answer you.
Also we learn german german only at school ^^'
@@jcheck6 most people speak (type) better than most Americans
@@Nokyyyyy „German German“? You mean High German , also called script German.
Point 9 I highly recommend also. If you plan to go mountain hiking and are a beginner it most probably turns out in a bad memory. If you are experienced no problem. There are some really nice hiking trails at lower altitude. What I would recommend also is a travel insurance. If the Air Ambulance has to pick you up for some reason it quickly costs $20‘000. But the health system is best in class. I would not care about speaking loud in the train. Also Swiss are not always holy in this aspect. Personally I would avoid crowded places like Zürich, Geneva, Interlaken etc. they are just packed with tourist, summer and winter. And the voltage is not 110V but 220V. Just keep that in mind. Anyway Switzerland offers a scenery that is outstanding on little space.
Thankyou x
much better listening then look u almost time,because of u r switzerland!:)))))
amazing