TOP 20 TOURIST MISTAKES TO AVOID IN SWITZERLAND: What to know before visiting Switzerland in 2024!

Hey guys! If you've found your way to our channel, you're probably planning a trip to Switzerland! If so, you’ll want to stay tuned and watch through for the top 20 tourist mistakes to avoid in Switzerland! This video will give you all the tips to see Switzerland like a Swiss local. We'll cover budget and money tips, sightseeing tips, tips for train travel and transportation and more!

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Links we Mentioned in the Video

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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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xx Lex & Louis

[timmccabe]

All of these reflect mistakes I’ve made or lessons that took too many trips to learn: 1) One of my “favorite” mistakes was booking a hotel in a smaller town near a church that rang its bells, all night long! Inquire in advance, especially with Airbnbs/similar. 2) Careful about expecting to find luggage lockers at stations. Stations at/near tourist destinations almost all have them but many smaller stations don’t - or have a limited number. 3) I was once sternly counseled by a female train conductor that, “In Switzerland, we do not ask questions of others until we have first greeted them!” Greet every shopkeeper and other service worker appropriately- Gruezi, bonjour, Buongiorno. 4) A good rule of thumb to tell if the town you are speaks Swiss German, French or Italian is whether the name of the town seems into fit in one of those languages. 5) Pay attention to the overhead train platforms signs that indicate which platform sections (A, B, C…) the first and second-class cars of the approaching train are going to stop at so that you get on a car that reflects your fare class. And keep your feet off the seats! (Yes, that’s a widely practiced rule.) 6) Don’t try to put large suitcases on the small racks above seats. Leave them at the luggage areas often at either end of each car and be sure to use the space in between back-to-back seats to slide in even medium-large suitcases. 7) Staying at an old hotel during the summer? If the weather is going to be warm/sunny, you may want to call ahead and request that they not put you on the top floor. Top floor rooms often have sloped ceilings, reflecting the contour of the roof, upon which the sun is beating down. It will be hot if they don’t have AC. 8) Americans- Discover credit cards are also very scarcely accepted in Europe. 9) On credit card readers, when prompted, select CHF (Swiss Francs). If you select $USD, you will likely get hit with an extra currency conversion fee. 10) In medium and large cities, there are often reasonably priced and good quality buffets with sit down table areas at some of the larger supermarket and department stores. 11) Eating out in a tourist town or at a popular restaurant…? Don’t forget to make a reservation in advance. Places fill up.

[ashwinathlye]

You guys are a lifesaver! I didn't even know about francs and the type J adapter for instance. All other tips are also very helpful and reassuring. Thank you so much!

[angiebee]

Since I missed out on telling you my mistake...back in 1987, I bought a train ticket for Lausanne but actually the ticket agent misunderstood me and sold me a ticket to Lucern which ended up being a lovely mistake.

[carrollat]

Travelling to Switzerland this May 2024. You videos are such a big help in planning things out. Thanks to the both of you

[mountainlover]

Last year, for the first time in 12 visits to Switzerland, I encountered some fountains that were NOT for drinking. Granted they were in less touristy towns of Delemont and Spiez. All were marked by small signs, though the one in Delemont were very obscure.

GREAT video, guys! Wonderful for first or even second time guests to Switzerland.

[cintechdigital]

I'm also from New York, and I have to say, I truly admire how well-organized everything is in Switzerland. It's impressive; every country could benefit from such efficiency and order. What an exemplary model for the world! Thank you both for sharing these valuable insights with us.

[PagingMyPast]

Very helpful! Im coming in early December for 4 days before taking a train to Munich to catch up w a tour group. I want to do scenic train and local transportation. I’m very worried about them. Only used a train in Scotland once and was very confusing! I’ll check out your other videos on the subject!

[robertpearson]

One mistake that applies to pretty much everywhere is to not complain about things being different than they are at home. If you want everything to be the way you’re used to at home….just stay home.

[terrymarrone]

Thank you for providing such useful information! Greatly appreciated.

[JohnnyIrby-mkbx]

Thank you for this insightful video! As someone planning a trip to Switzerland, these tips are invaluable. I'll definitely be mindful of these common tourist mistakes to ensure a smooth and enjoyable visit. Can't wait to explore Switzerland with confidence in 2024! 🇨🇭✨ #TravelTips

[ns]

Hello, thank you for the tips about visiting Switzerland. We we’re there last December 2023. We had so much fun, the people, the nature, all I can say is the best ever I’ve ever been. It’s really expensive but it’s worth to visit.

[thibod]

Thank you!

My son who lives in the Liechtenstein had given us similar advices for our last trip in Switzerland! You may add that when you pay or buy something in switzerland with your credit card pay in swiss frank the conversion rate with your credit card is better then having a conversion on the spot to your currency from the swiss frank.

We are canadians and for us to talk loud in a public place is very bad so it was like being at home to follow that simple curtesy rule.

[TrevorSTrevorS]

Thanks Alexis and Louis, another interesting vid. I thought I was quite experienced with travelling in Switzerland but I made a mistake last time I visited. We had a Half Fare Card instead of a Swiss Pass, and bought a ticket from Brig to Zermatt and back. On the way back the guard clipped our tickets after leaving Zermatt, we then broke our journey by getting off the MGB train at the Jumbo between Visp and Brig to buy some groceries. This is fine in the UK as long as you do it on the return journey not the outward journey. Anyway we got back on the next train to Brig with our shopping and the guard came round and said to break our journey we should have informed the guard on the first train from Zermatt so as he did not clip our tickets. Luckily the guard on the second train accepted our apology and did not fine us or make us pay again.

[ben_]

14:17 regarding tipping: I have never been asked if I wanted to add a tip to my card payment, nor have I ever heard it from someone else. Most Swiss people will just say the total amount including the tip after getting the bill. So let's say the total is 56.30, you hand them your card and say "60 is fine".
Also, you don't generally _have_ to tip, unlike in the US, so tipping is mostly a sign of courtesy. Most people will round up depending on the total, often around 5%.

[icarus]

Love all the information!!! Great job ! Love categorised topics

[BeamJam]

Thank you for this information! very helpful!

[SethRBaron]

Thank You
You keep doing a great job with these videos and the beauty of Switzerland 🇨🇭 - I’m hoping to get back as soon as possible and will definitely reach out again to assist with an itinerary or ideas!! Thank You

[crazygooner]

Great video! I’m planning a trip Switzerland next year.

[florenceminjoot]

🙏✨👍✨Thank you! for highlighting the mistakes ✨❤️

[yazminmojica]

Most valuable video, thank you very much 💕💕💕💕💕