What You Need To Know Before You Travel To Switzerland

It’s never too early to start planning for your next family holiday. Our personal recommendation for this coming winter? Switzerland.

Known for its dramatic views and glaciers, Switzerland is a place you definitely have to visit at least once in your life.

Here’s a complete guide to what you need to know before traveling to Switzerland including transportation and delicacies you need to try, ensuring that you will be able to enjoy Switzerland with an ease of mind.

Quick Overview

Good news! If you’re Malaysian, you would not need a Visa and you will be allowed to visit Switzerland for a maximum of 30 days. However, do make sure that your passport’s validity length is at least 6 months. You will be fingerprinted upon arrival and departure.

The languages spoken in Switzerland are German, Italian, French, Romansh. Fret not, get a language translator device to ensure that you can carry out your traveling efficiently and smoothly. 

The currency used in Switzerland is the Swiss Franc. At the time of this article being published, the current conversion rate is at 1 Malaysian Ringgit = 0.24 Swiss Franc.

Best Period to Travel?

Switzerland is good for travel at different time periods depending on what your priority is. Although Switzerland has destinations with “all-year snow” like Jungfraujoch and Mt. Titlis, snow is prevalent during the period of December to April. 

We recommend for you to go during the month of March, where the “winter crowd” has already left and the “spring crowd” has yet arrived. This way, you will get smooth slopes for skiing, great temperature, and you do not have to waste lots of time editing others out of your scenic photos.

Transportation

There are 3 ways to get around Switzerland, namely by train, plane or car.

Train

Don’t be fooled by the “Swiss Rail Pass” as it not only allows you to travel by train but also buses and boats across Switzerland. The Swiss Rail Pass saves you time and money as well as you do not have to buy single trips every time you decide to move to a new destination. Not to mention, you will be entitled to special fares on TGV Lyria when you travel to or from Switzerland.

For the full list of benefits across 90 Swiss Urban Areas,

• Train
• Premium Panorama Train
• Boat
• Bus
• Mountain Excursions
• Special fares on TGV Lyria
• Discounts on Mountain Excursions and Museum Passes

There are 4 types of train passes available.

Our personal recommendation is the Swiss Travel Pass (Flexible 3, 4, 8 or 15 Days). Since the pass is valid for a month from the day of its activation, you will not have to worry about not being able to take your time to enjoy the scenery. With the extra benefits other than the train itself, you can expect to save so much more especially on the mountain excursions and museum passes.

No time to wait? Get the [E-Ticket] Swiss Travel Pass (Consecutive 3, 4, 8 or 15 Days) on Klook INSTANTLY and get an additional 5% off your purchase in Klook credits. You can literally buy it at the very last minute as you can use this as a mobile voucher, although we do not recommend leaving this to the end.

How to Purchase Swiss Rail Pass?

Purchase all 4 types of Swiss Rail Passes on Klook. Select the first travel date at check out to activate your pass. Be sure to make your booking at least 7 business days before you intend to receive your parcel to ensure you receive in on time.

After receiving your pass, remember to reserve your seats especially on the high speed, international, scenic and night trains. Do note that reservations will incur an additional fee, not included in your Swiss Rail Pass. You will be able to make a reservation on Klook’s Europe Train Ticket Booking Page up to 3 months before departure or at any local train stations. You will also need to flash your passes together with your passport when you travel around the country.

Additional Tip? Download the SBB App to help you plan for the trip.

Book your Swiss Rail Pass from today till 30 June 2019 on Klook’s Birthday Sale and receive an upsized cashback of 4.5%. To enjoy even further discounts, scroll to the end of this article.

Missed the date? Apart from that, you can receive 3.5% cashback off your Swiss Rail Pass when you book through Shopback.

Plane

It is indeed possible to travel around Switzerland with domestic flights, with the central airport in Zurich. However, since Switzerland is a small country, flights around Switzerland are limited and will be therefore much pricier.

Renting a Car

Renting a Car in Switzerland is affordable and it starts from just RM54 per day.

However, do take note that Malaysia uses the left-hand drive whereas Switzerland uses the right-hand drive. Therefore, take extra precaution. 

You will need an international driving license and be above 18 to drive in Switzerland. To rent a car, you will need to be at least 20 years old and might incur extra insurance charges if you are not 25. 

Fuel in Switzerland currently costs 6 times more than what it costs in Malaysia. Therefore, it might not be as affordable as what we think it would have been especially if you are below the age of 25.

Our Choice?

Definitely the train. Known for the breathtaking views, take the train so you can relax and enjoy the scenery without any additional worries and extra costs. 

Recommended Places to Go

Mount Titlis

Ride the world’s first rotating cable wagon up to the Top of Mount Titlis. While you’re up there you can also take a walk on its suspension bridge or dangle your feet on the ice flyer and be amazed at how white your view can possibly get. The glacier park is kid-friendly ensuring a blast for the whole family.

Jungfraujoch

The top of Europe – Jungfraujoch is definitely not for the faint-hearted, still, not to be missed. Take the cogwheel train to the world’s highest train station and visit the UNESCO listed Aletsch Glacier. Experience the Alpine Sensation tour, the Ice Palace, The Plateau and knock yourself out with the view.

Montreux

Switch it up and take a relaxing day off in the city of Montreux. Visit the Chateau de Chillon, Fairmont Le Montreux Palace, as well as the UNESCO-listed Lavaux. Another thing that might sound familiar to all Malaysians will be the Nestle headquarters at Vevey.

Food You Cannot Miss

Cheese and potatoes. That’s what Switzerland is famous for and you can expect their famous delicacies to center around these 2 ingredients or a combination of both.

Fondue and Raclette

Expect melted cheese (gruyèreand emmentaler) in a special ceramic pot also known as a caquelon, heated over a burner. There are also other ingredients, essential to make this a perfect combination: Garlic, White Wine, Cherry Brandy, and Corn Starch.

Malakoff Fritters

Swiss Fondue Fritters. This is cheesy as it could possibly get. At first sight, it is as plain and just simply ordinary. But once you cut it open, cheese(gruyère) will literally ooze out. Malakoff Fritters taste perfect with a side of onions.

Rösti

Considered the National Dish of Switzerland, you can pretty much find Rösti all over Switzerland, It is a potato dish made by frying where it is crispy on the outside but soft on the inside. The dish is served usually with sausage and eaten as breakfast.

Other “Tips”

You might wonder, due to cultural differences, is tipping required in Switzerland? At times, yes.

Check out this table for more information.

Now that you’re well informed, make that trip to Switzerland that you have always been dreaming of. Book before 30 June 2019 to enjoy 4.5% off the Swiss Rail Pass on Klook’s Birthday Sale via Shopback (https://www.shopback.my/klook-promo-code). 

Even more discount from Klook?

Klook Birthday Sale

• 10% OFF (App Only, Min Spend RM800)
• 5% OFF (No Min Spend, Disc capped at RM40)

If you’re looking to travel to somewhere nearer, read about how you can use the Japan Rail Pass to plan your trip!