Switzerland

Switzerland is a country of spectacular mountains and lakes, extremely punctual public transportation, and really good chocolate, pastry and beer. From the museums, restaurants and shopping of sophisticated Zurich and cosmopolitan Geneva, to the spectacular alpine views of Zermatt and the Zermatt - St Moritz Glacier Express train, from gorgeous, pastoral Lucerne and quiet, historic Bern, to the towers, dungeons and weaponry exhibits of 11th century Chateau de Chillon and the Jazz Festival at Montreaux, Switzerland offers a multitude of delights.

Language: German (official) 63.7%, French (official) 19.2%, Italian (official) 7.6%, Romansch (official) 0.6%, other 8.9%.

Major International Airports Include:

City	Airport	Airport Code	Distance From City
Basel	EuroAirport Basel	BSL	5 miles NW
Geneva	Geneva Int'l	GVA	2.5 miles NW
Zurich	Zurich Airport	ZRH	7.5 miles N

The preventive measures you need to take while traveling in Western Europe depend on the areas you visit and the length of time you stay. For most areas of this region, you should observe health precautions similar to those that would apply while traveling in the United States.

Travelers' diarrhea, the number one illness in travelers, can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites, which can contaminate food or water. Infections may cause diarrhea and vomiting (E.coli, Salmonella, cholera, and parasites), fever (typhoid fever and toxoplasmosis), or liver damage (hepatitis). Make sure your food and drinking water are safe.

The CDC recommends the following vaccines as appropriate for age (See your doctor at least 4-6 weeks before your trip to allow time for shots to take effect):

• Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG). You are not at increased risk in Northern, Western, and Southern Europe, including the Mediterranean regions of Italy and Greece.
• Hepatitis B, if you might be exposed to blood (for example, health-care workers), have sexual contact with the local population, stay longer than 6 months in Southern Europe, or be exposed through medical treatment.
• As needed, booster doses for tetanus-diphtheria.
• Hepatitis B vaccine is now recommended for all infants and for children ages 11-12 years who did not complete the series as infants.

All travelers should take the following precautions, no matter the destination:

• Wash hands often with soap and water.
• Because motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of injury among travelers, walk and drive defensively. Avoid travel at night if possible and always use seat belts.
• Always use latex condoms to reduce the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.
• Don't eat or drink dairy products unless you know they have been pasteurized.
• Don't share needles with anyone.
• Eat only thoroughly cooked food or fruits and vegetables you have peeled yourself. Remember: boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it.
• Never eat undercooked ground beef and poultry, raw eggs, and unpasteurized dairy products. Raw shellfish is particularly dangerous to persons who have liver disease or compromised immune systems.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Ticks are the primary source of insect-borne disease in Switzerland, often carrying Lyme disease and encephalitis. Travelers should use topical insect repellent and wear insecticide-treated clothing in wooded areas.

Download Magellan's Chart of Insect Protection and Water Purification Needs by Country

The municipal water supply in Switzerland is considered safe to drink.

Download Magellan's Chart of Insect Protection and Water Purification Needs by Country

The potential for specific threats of violence involving American citizens in Switzerland is remote. However, while not directed at U.S. interests or personnel, Switzerland has experienced occasional terrorist incidents. The Consular Agencies in Zurich and Geneva may close periodically to assess their security situation.

For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the State Department's Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov where the current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, Travel Warnings and Public Announcements can be found.

Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll-line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

The Department of State urges American citizens to take responsibility for their own personal security while traveling overseas. For general information about appropriate measures travelers can take to protect themselves in an overseas environment, see the Department of State's pamphlet A Safe Trip Abroad.

CRIME: Switzerland has a low rate of violent crime. Pick-pocketing and purse snatching do occur in the vicinity of train and bus stations, airports, and some public parks, especially during peak tourist periods (such as summer and Christmas) and when conferences, shows, or exhibits are scheduled in major cities. Liechtenstein has a low crime rate. Travelers may wish to exercise caution on trains, especially on overnight trains to neighboring countries. Thieves, who steal from passengers while they sleep, can enter even locked sleeping compartments.

INFORMATION FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME: The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, please contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for assistance. The Embassy/Consulate staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate medical care, contact family members or friends and explain how funds could be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed.

Source: U.S. Department of State

Switzerland enjoys a primarily temperate climate, with cool to warm, humid summers and cool to cold winters. The climate varies with altitude, becoming cooler the higher you go. Precipitation can be expected year round.

City	Annual Precip. Days	Annual Precip. Totals
Geneva	112	32"
Lugano	104	61"
Zurich	127	43"

Switzerland's electrical current is 230/50 (volts/hz) and uses the plug adaptors listed to the right under Related Items. Many North American appliances are designed to operate only within the 100-125 volt range. These appliances will suffer damage if plugged into 220-250 volts without the proper transformer or converter.

To determine which plug adaptors you'll need and if you'll require a transformer or converter, use our Electrical Connection Wizard.

For a detailed discussion of international electrical standards, see our related article on Electrical and Phone Adaptation.

Download Magellan's Guide to World Electrical Connections

A passport is required for travel to both Switzerland and Liechtenstein. A visa is not required for stays up to 90 days in either country. For more information on entry requirements for both countries, travelers may contact the Embassy of Switzerland at 2900 Cathedral Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, telephone (202) 745-7900, or the nearest Swiss Consulate General in Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, or San Francisco. Visit the Embassy of Switzerland's web site at http://www.swissemb.org for the most current visa information.

Source: U.S. Department of State

The time zone for Switzerland is 1 hours offset from GMT, which means that if it is 12:00 noon in New York, the time in Switzerland would be 6:00 pm

The unit of currency in Switzerland is the Swiss franc (CHF).

Look up the current exchange rate using XE.com's Universal Currency Converter