Bordering Countries: Germany, France, Italy, Austria, Liechtenstein

Languages: German, French, Italian, Romansch

Capital City: Berne

Currency: Swiss Francs (CHF)

The Swiss francs comes in the following denominations :
a)  Coins : 5, 10, 20, 50 cents and 1, 2 , 5 Francs
b) Bank notes : 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 1000 Francs

Credit Cards
The safest and easiest form of money are traveler’s checks and credit cards. The cards most used are Visa, MasterCard and American Express. Many banks in Switzerland have equipped their ATM machines with the CIRRUS or MAESTRO system. Many other Swiss banks offer ATM machines for cash advances with your credit card.

Money exchange places:
- any Swiss bank
- airport
- main railway stations (western union)
- major hotels

Customs Entry Regulations

Tobaccos and spirits:
These limits apply only to persons older than 17 years
200 cigarettes or 50 250 grams of pipe-tobacco
2 liters of alcohol

Passport, Visa Regulations
Travellers wishing to enter Switzerland need a valid passport, Visas are required for stays of 3 months or more. In general, holders of a valid permanent residence certificate of an EU or EFTA country, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada or the USA and some other countries do not need a visa. Please check with the nearest Swiss Embassy or Consulate.

Security / Health / Insurance
Switzerland have one of the lowest crime rates of all industrialized countries. But it is always wise to keep an eye on wallets and luggage in busy areas. Drinking and eating-out is hygienic and the tap water is safe. Immunization for contagious diseases is only required if the traveler has been in an infected are within 14 days preceding arrival in Switzerland. Personal travel insurance is strongly recommended, including coverage of personal accident, sickness, loss or damage to luggage and personal effects and cancellation charges.

Value Added Taxes
The VAT you pay on purchased goods in Switzerland is 7.6%. You may ask at the shops for your Global Refund Cheque and reclaim the VAT: The total purchases in a shop must amount to CHF 400.00 (including VAT). The tourist must be resident outside Switzerland and the goods must be exported within 30 days.

Business Hours

Banks
Banks are usually open Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Once a week they extend their hours. Please check locally. They are closed Saturdays, Sundays and on public holidays. However, money can also be changed at major train stations. Lock for the “Change/Cambio” signs.

Shops
Shops in smaller towns and villages are generally open from 8:30 am – 12 noon and again from 2 - 6:30 pm. In larger cities they do not close for lunch. In larger cities, shops generally extend their hours till 8 pm on one evening of the week, usually on Thursdays.

Transport
The main entry points for international flights are the airports in Zurich or Geneva. But also Basel, Bern and Lugano have an International airport. There is no departure tax to pay at the airport (Included in the ticket price). Zurich and Geneva – airport have a train station with public-transport-connections to all over Switzerland. From Basel-airport the yellow buses runs every 20 minutes to the main railway-station.

Temperature
The climate is moderate. From July to August the daytime temperature ranges from 18°C to 28°C and the January – February range is -2°C to +7°C. Depending on the altitude the temperature range may vary. There is no excessive heat or humidity. Southern Switzerland has sub-tropical vegetation and enjoys a year-round mild climate.

General: