Travel to Switzerland

Switzerland: Various travel information

Formalities, visas

German and Austrian nationals can enter Switzerland with a passport, temporary passport or ID card. For children up to the age of sixteen, entry is possible with a child ID card or with an entry in the passport of a parent.

People who need a visa can apply at the following address:

Issuing of visas in Germany

Visa department of the Embassy of Switzerland Otto-von-Bismarck-Allee 4 A 10557 Berlin Tel: +49 – (0) 30 – 3 90 40 00 Email: info@botschaft-schweiz.de

Foreign exchange, goods and customs regulations

National

currency The national currency of Switzerland is the Swiss franc = 100 cents.

The import and export of domestic and foreign means of payment are not subject to any restrictions. However, from the German side there is an obligation to declare from around 15,000 euros.

Goods, customs regulations

The import and export of weapons, ammunition or explosives is strictly prohibited. In addition, the import and export of plants and animals that are protected under the Washington Species Protection Act is prohibited. Violation can result in severe penalties.

Personal items such as clothes, photo equipment etc. are allowed to be introduced.

Two hunting or sporting weapons may be carried, provided they are taken out again. Carrying of weapons is subject to cantonal regulations.

Alcoholic beverages: up to 15% alcohol content: two liters, over 15%: one liter.

Tobacco products: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of pipe tobacco. (Double amounts apply to nationals of non-European countries.)

Minimum age for importing alcohol or tobacco: 17 years.

Arrival and transport

How do you get to Switzerland? Schengen

Switzerland was able to join the Schengen Agreement by decision of the EU Commission.

As a result, from December 12, 2008, border controls at the borders with neighboring EU countries were no longer applicable.

You can get to Switzerland from Germany or Austria by car, train, bus or plane. People from the border regions also like to visit Switzerland by bike or simply on foot.

Tunnels and mountain passes

Great St. Bernhard Pass

The Great St. Bernhard Pass connects Martigny in the canton of Valais with the Italian Aosta and then with the Piedmont region. The pass is at an altitude of 2,469 m. The pass was already used by the Romans on their way from Italy to France. And in 1905 a paved road was built here. The pass itself is only passable in summer, but traffic has been able to roll over the tunnel of the same name all year round since 1964.

At the top of the pass, Bernhard von Menthon (also called Bernhard von Aosta) founded a hospice around 1050 to rescue and care for people in need. The pass and the famous St. Bernard dogs were named after him. It should be noted that Napoleon used this pass on May 14, 1800 on his way to Italy.

Great St. Bernhard tunnel

The great St. Bernhard passes under the pass of the same name. The tunnel has a length of 5.8 km and connects Martigny in the canton of Valais with the Italian Aosta and then on to the Piedmont region. The state border between Switzerland and Italy is in the tunnel. The tunnel was opened to traffic on March 19, 1964. The maximum speed in the tunnel is 80 km/h.

The toll is € 18.70 for a car and € 11 for a motorcycle; in the south-north direction, i.e. from Italy, a surcharge of 20% is levied.

Lötschberg Base Tunnel

The Lötschberg Base Tunnel is part of the Alpine transversal railway line and with a length of 34.6 km is currently the third longest tunnel worldwide after the Seikan Tunnel (Japan) and the Eurotunnel (France/Great Britain). It is a pure railway tunnel through which cars are also transported, for which there are corresponding loading stations on both sides. The tunnel was officially opened on June 15, 2007. it represents a fast connection between the Valais and the Bernese Oberland.

Gotthard road tunnel

The Gotthard road tunnel was inaugurated on September 5, 1980. As a single-tube tunnel with a length of 16.9 km, it connects Basel with Chiasso via the A2 motorway. It forms part of the shortest motorway connection between Flensburg/ Kiel/Hamburg and Sicily. The tunnel can be used with the Swiss motorway vignette without additional tolls.

It should be mentioned that there is also the St. Gotthard Pass and the one-tube Gothard railway tunnel, which is around 15 km long

Gotthard Base Tunnel

The Gotthard Base Tunnel, which consists of a west and east tube, is a railway tunnel that was ceremoniously opened by the Swiss on June 1, 2016 in the presence of the Italian and French Heads of State and the German Federal Chancellor.

With a length of around 57 km, it is the longest railway tunnel in the world. From December 2016 passenger and freight trains ran here at speeds over 200 km/h.

In an access gallery to the Gotthard Base Tunnel, visitors can take a look through a pane of glass into the tunnel and the trains passing by. Visitors come to the tunnel as part of a two-hour guided tour from the Erstfeld train station.

This “Gotthard Tunnel Experience Tour” is offered Tuesday through Saturday at 9:00 am and 1:30 pm. Participants must be at least twelve years old and in good physical condition. Adults pay CHF 23 and young people CHF 10.

San Bernadino

The approximately 6.6 km long San Bernadino was opened in 1967 and comprehensively modernized between 1991 and 2006. It connects Margarethen in the canton of St. Gallen with Bellinzola in Ticino via the A13 motorway. It is the shortest motorway connection between Munich and Milan. A curiosity is that migratory birds now choose the tunnel instead of the pass, in which case car traffic even has to be temporarily stopped.

It should be mentioned that at the same point in the canton of Graubünden there is the San Bernadino Pass with a pass height of 2,065 m.

The tunnel can only be entered with the Swiss Aubahn vignette, there is no toll.

Travel in the country

Air connections

International air connections exist from the airports in Zurich, Geneva and Basel/Mulhouse. Domestic flight connections are offered by the national airlines Crossair and Swissair. You fly between Basel, Geneva, Zurich, Bern and Lugano.

Bus

In areas of Switzerland that are less well served by the railways, there are buses of the Swiss Federal Post Office.

Railway

The rail network of the Swiss Federal Railways covers approx. 2,900 km. There are also numerous private rail lines. The entire Swiss rail network is around 5,000 km long. The railway network is one of the best in the world in terms of safety, punctuality, comfort and of course the charm of the landscape.

Roads

The road network in Switzerland is extremely well developed. Numerous motorways connect most Swiss cities with each other and also lead abroad. A vignette is required to use the motorway. There are also numerous pass routes. The north-south connection is well developed, but the smaller pass roads are sometimes very narrow and sometimes closed in winter. The Alpine road tunnels are passable all year round, but cost a tunnel fee. The largest tunnels are the St. Bernhard and St. Gotthard.

Rental cars

All known car rental companies are in Switzerland. A reservation from your home country is not necessary but recommended.

Traffic rules

Maximum speeds

As a matter of principle – in addition to the general speed limits shown – the speed limits indicated by signs must be strictly observed. The Swiss police check very often and a considerable fine is due even if the limit is exceeded slightly.

  • Urban: in built-up areas there is a speed limit of 50 km/h
  • Country roads: there is a speed limit of 80 km/h on country roads
  • Motorways: on some special motorways there is a speed limit of 100 km/ h
  • Motorways: there is a speed limit of 120 km/h on motorways

Razor criminal offense

For some time now one has to expect prison sentences of one to four years if the prescribed maximum speed is exceeded due to the so-called “razor criminal offense”.

This fact is fulfilled when the following maximum speeds are exceeded:

  • more than 80km/h on motorways
  • on roads outside built-up areas more than 60 km/h
  • within localities more than 50km/h
  • more than 40km/h in 30 zones

Special regulations

In Switzerland, a vignette is required on motorways. From January 2014 you must also drive with lights on during the day. There is a strict alcohol limit of 0.0 for novice drivers and professional drivers.

Blood

alcohol limits In Switzerland there is a blood alcohol limit of 0.5 per mille for drivers of motor vehicles. The same rule applies to motorcycle drivers.

International license plate

According to Abbreviationfinder, the international license plate of Switzerland is (Confederation Helvetia)

CH

Tourist office

Switzerland Tourism in Germany

Rossmarkt 23

60311 Frankfurt aM

Tel: 00800 – 100 200 30

E-Mail: info@myswitzerland.com

Web: www.myswitzerland.com

Switzerland Tourism in Austria

Schwindgasse 20

1040 Vienna

Tel: 00800 100 200 30

E-Mail: info@myswitzerland.com

Web: www.myswitzerland.com

The health system in Switzerland is z. B. comparable to the German in every respect. You receive adequate and optimal care for all accidents or illnesses. However, it is recommended, for. B. for mountain tourists to take out a special rescue insurance, which also financially covers a possibly necessary helicopter transport.

Infectious Diseases

In Switzerland, no infectious diseases that are not widespread in Germany or Central and Northern Europe are to be expected.

Vaccination recommendations When traveling to Switzerland, no vaccinations that are common in Germany or Austria are required. Vaccination requirements There are no vaccination regulations when entering or staying in the country.

safety instructions

In Switzerland, the risk to visitors is not rated higher than in most other European countries. In certain regions, crime is even significantly lower than in numerous German cities.

However, avalanches can be expected in certain regions in winter. Anyone who deviates from the usual routes in the mountains or leaves the marked Oisten should definitely inquire about the weather and snow conditions beforehand. Incidentally, one of the world’s most renowned avalanche research centers is located in Davos.

Federal Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research

Flüelastr. 11

CH-7260 Davos

Tel: +41 – 81 – 41 70 111

Fax: +41 – 81 – 41 70 110

www.slf.ch

Switzerland: embassies, consulates

Visit Countryaah for a full list of Switzerland embassies and consulates in each country around the world.

Embassy of the Swiss Confederation in Berlin

The Swiss embassy is located in the immediate vicinity of the Federal Chancellery.

The history of the embassy goes back to 1870/71 and was built by the architect Friedrich Hitzig. After its completion, it served various private individuals as a city palace until it was bought by Switzerland in 1919, which had it slightly rebuilt and used it as a chancellery for the Swiss embassy and as a residence for the envoy from 1920.

Otto-von-Bismarck-Allee 4 A

10557 Berlin

Tel: 0049 – (0) 30 – 390 40 00

Fax: 0049 – (0) 30 – 391 10 30

E-Mail: ber.vertretung@eda.admin.ch

Web: www.eda.admin.ch

Consulate General of the Swiss Confederation

Ernst-Gnoss-Strasse 25

40219 Düsseldorf

Tel: 0049 – (0) 211 – 4 58 87 00

Fax: 0049 – (0) 211 – 4 38 09 51

Consulate General of the Swiss Confederation

Zeil 5

60313 Frankfurt am Main

Tel: 0049 – (0) 69 – 17 00 28-0

Fax: 0049 – (0) 69 – 17 33 89

Consulate General of the Swiss Confederation

Brienner Strasse 14

Hirschstrasse 22

80333 Munich

Tel: 0049 – (0) 89 – 2 86 62 00

Fax: 0049 – (0) 89 – 28 05 79 61

Consulate General of the Swiss Confederation

70173 Stuttgart

Tel: 0049 – (0) 711 – 22 29 43-0

Fax: 0049 – (0) 711 – 22 29 43-22

E-mail: Vertretung@stu.rep.admin.c

German representations in Switzerland

Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Bern

Willadingweg 83

3006 Bern

Tel: 0041 – 31 – 359 41 11

Fax: 0041 – 31 – 359 44 44

E-Mail: info@bern.diplo.de

Web: www.bern.diplo.de

Consulates

Honorary Consulate of the Federal Republic of Germany

Badischer Bahnhof, Schwarzwaldallee 220

4058 Basel

Tel: 0041 – 61 – 6 93 33 03

Fax: 0041 – 61 – 6 93 33 06

E-Mail: konsular@deutsches-konsulat-bs.ch

Honorary Consulate of the Federal Republic of Germany

13 rue Céard

1204 Geneva

Honorary Consulate of the Federal Republic of Germany

Via Soave 9 ”

6900 Lugano

Tel: 0041 – 91 – 922 78 82

Honorary Consulate of the Federal Republic of Germany

Freiutstrasse 15

8002 Zurich

Tel: 0041 – 44 – 201 72 22

Fax: 0041 – 44 – 201 72 29

Austrian representations in Switzerland

Austrian Embassy in Bern

Kirchenfeldstrasse 77/79

3005 Bern

Tel: 0041 – (0) 31 – 3565 252

Fax: 0041 – (0) 31 – 3515 664

Email: bern-ob@bmaa.gv.at

Web: www.aussenministerium.at /Bern

Consulates

Consulate in Basel

Engelgasse 11

4002 Basel

Tel: 0041 – (0) 61 – 271 35 35

Fax: 0041 – (0) 61 – 280 29 10

E-Mail: dominique.kraft@helvetia.ch

Consulate in Chur

Obere Gasse 41

7000 Chur

Tel: 0041 – (0) 81 – 257 01 95

Fax: 0041 – (0) 81 – 257 01 91

E-Mail: wunderlich_law@bluewin.ch

Consulate in Lugano

Via Pretorio 7

6901 Lugano

Tel: 0041 – (0) 91 – 913 40 07

Fax: 0041 – (0) 91 – 913 40 09

E-Mail: info@consolatodaustria.ch

Consulate in St. Gallen

Geltenwilenstrasse 18

9000 St. Gallen

Tel: 0041 – (0) 71 – 230 19 70

Fax: 0041 – (0) 71 – 230 19 71

E-Mail: info@oe-konsulat-sg.ch

Web: www.oe-konsulat-sg.ch

Consulate General in Zurich

Seestrasse 161

8002 Zurich

Tel: 0041 – (0) 44 – 283 27 00

Fax: 0041 – (0) 44 – 280 37 65

E-Mail: zuerich-gk@bmeia.gv.at

web: www.aussenministerium. at/zuerichgk

Representations of Switzerland in Austria

Swiss Embassy in Vienna

Prinz-Eugen-Strasse 7

1030 Vienna

Tel: 0043 – (0) 1 – 795 05 – 0

Fax: 0043 – (0) 1 – 795 05 20

E-Mail: vie.vertretung@eda.admin.ch

Web: www.eda.admin.ch/wien

Consulates

Consulate in Salzburg

Alpenstrasse 85

5020 Salzburg

Tel: 0043 – (0) 662 – 62 25 30

Fax: 0043 – (0) 662 – 623 581 30

E-Mail: salzburg@honorarvertretung.ch

Consulate in Linz

Eisenhandstrasse 15

4020 Linz

Tel: 0043 – (0) 732 – 78 37 41

Fax: 0043 – (0) 732 – 78 19 76 28

E-Mail: linz@honorarvertretung.ch

Consulate in Bregenz

Arlbergstrasse 111a

6900 Bregenz

Tel: 0043 – (0) 5574 – 73 624

Fax: 0043 – (0) 5574 – 73 624

E-Mail: bregenz@honorarvertretung.ch

Travel to Switzerland