Switzerland
Welcome to your cosy little corner of the internet for everything you need to explore Switzerland with confidence as a solo female traveller! Here you’ll find all of my best Switzerland travel tips, detailed itineraries, and travel guides to help you plan your trip.
Planning A Trip to Switzerland? start here:
KEY FACTS ABOUT SWITZERLAND
→ Language: German, French, Italian, Romanic (but English is widely spoken)
→ Currency: Swiss Franc (CHF)
→ Capital: Bern
→ Timezone: Central European Time (CET)
→ Plug Type: Type J (I recommend you use a worldwide adapter)
→ Emergency Number: 112
→ Transport: Excellent trains that double as stunning sightseeing opportunities!
→ Solo Travel Vibe: Extremely safe, relaxed, easy to get around, absolutely beautiful
WHY SWITZERLAND IS PERFECT FOR SOLO TRAVEL
Switzerland is one of those countries that feels so calm, even when you’re exploring as a solo female traveller.
During my solo trips, trains ran on time (to the minute), the cities felt clean and safe (rather than overwhelming), and the scenery is so stunning it doesn’t look real!
It doesn’t matter what time of year you visit Switzerland, you’ll be rewarded by bright turquoise lakes, storybook villages, beautiful flower displays, and towering mountains.
But what I loved most about Switzerland as a solo traveller is how easy it is to navigate.
You can hop between cities, lakes and mountains without worrying about complicated transport or feeling out of place on your own.
Plus, if you’re new to solo travel, Switzerland is a fantastic first trip. (Montreux in Switzerland was actually my first ever solo trip, back when I was just 18!)
It’s safe, easy, and incredibly beautiful.
MY TOP SWITZERLAND SOLO TRAVEL TIPS
- Use Switzerland’s incredible train network. Trains are fast, safe, clean, and ridiculously scenic. The Glacier Express and Bernina Express routes are especially beautiful and well worth taking!
- Stay in smaller towns. Places like Thun, Montreux or Zermatt feel more peaceful than the bigger cities but still have amazing transport connections and loads to do. I definitely preferred my stays in the quieter towns compared to Zurich or Geneva.
- Pack for every type of weather. Switzerland loves to surprise you with weather, going from sunshine to snow in just a few hours, especially in the mountains.
- Get a Swiss Travel Pass if you’ll be moving around a lot. It will save you a fortune on trains, boats and even some mountain lifts, compared to booking everything separately.
- Make budget-conscious swaps with intention. Yes, Switzerland is expensive, but simple swaps really help. So things like supermarket lunches rather than eating out twice a day, drinking tap water (it’s delicious!), and choosing to stay in guesthouses over hotels.
BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN SWITZERLAND
Here are five destinations in Switzerland I love and recommend as a solo female traveller:
Bern – Bern feels cosy and underrated in the best way! Its medieval old town, turquoise river, and arcaded streets make it perfect for wandering on your own. I loved grabbing a pastry and following the riverbank walk!
Montreux – A dreamy lakeside town on Lake Geneva, with stunning mountain scenery, a beautiful flower-lined promenade walk and, of course, the iconic Christmas Market! It’s actually my favourite Christmas Market I’ve ever visited in Europe, and is well worth a visit.
Zermatt – The home of the Matterhorn – one of the most magical and famous mountains in Europe. (The Matterhorn is the toblerone mountain!) Zermatt itself is car-free, clean, and feels incredibly safe.
Lucerne – The charming city of Lucerne is one of Switzerland’s prettiest destinations, with its wooden bridge, lakeside views and mountain spectacular backdrop. It’s compact to explore and perfect for solo travellers who love a mix of culture and nature!
Thun – Thun is a beautiful lakeside town with colourful buildings and beautiful water views. It’s often overlooked, which makes it even better, as it’s quiet, scenic and super relaxed. I definitely recommend taking the ferry from here!
FAQS ABOUT SOLO TRAVEL IN SWITZERLAND
Is it safe to travel alone in Switzerland as a woman?
Yes! Switzerland is genuinely one of the safest countries in the world for solo female travellers, and I definitely felt that.
Crime rates are low, streets are well lit, public transport is very reliable, and I’ve always found locals to be respectful and helpful, without being intrusive.
But, of course, solo travel safety is about awareness – not just the destination.
In Switzerland, the main things to watch for are petty theft in the busier cities and being sensible on the mountain trails, as the weather can change quickly.
What’s the best time to visit Switzerland?
The best time to visit Switzerland really depends on the kind of trip you want:
Summer (June–August): Warm weather, beautiful green landscapes, and perfect for hiking, lake swimming, and outdoor sightseeing.
Autumn (September–October): Crisp air, quieter towns, and gorgeous autumn colours in the vineyards and mountains.
Winter (December–March): Snowy, magical, and perfect for skiing or enjoying the Christmas Markets.
Spring (April–May): Flowers are in full bloom, waterfalls are at their best, and prices are cheaper. Plus there’s still some snow in the mountains.
Can I visit Switzerland on a budget?
Absolutely! But you will need to be intentional with your budget as Switzerland is known for being pricey.
Supermarket meals are excellent (from Coop and Migros) as a swap for lunch, rather than eating out twice a day.
Public fountains give you delicious free drinking water that is totally safe to drink.
Plus, many of the best activities, from hikes and lake swims to exploring old towns and admiring the scenery, are completely free!
Accommodation will be your biggest expense, but guesthouses offer great value and a more local experience, especially if you stay outside the main tourist centres.
How to Get to Norway
Flying is the easiest option, with major airports in Zurich, Geneva, and Basel offering connections across Europe and beyond.
Trains are also a great choice if you’re already in Europe. Switzerland is very well connected to France, Germany, Italy and Austria.
Then, once you arrive, getting around is unbelievably easy thanks to Switzerland’s public transport system. Trains and boats connect almost everywhere, and I found they run like clockwork.
A FINAL NOTE
I hope this little Switzerland hub has helped you feel excited (and well prepared!) to plan your own solo trip to Switzerland. Whether you’re dreaming of visiting snowy Christmas Markets, skiing in the alps, or exploring the best of the country’s stunning scenery by train, I promise this country has so much to offer as a solo female traveller!
→ Still have questions? You can always send me an email. 💌
