Officially dubbed as the Swiss Confederation, Switzerland is a landlocked country in Central Europe, bordered by Germany to the north, France to the west, Italy to the south, and Austria and Liechtenstein to the east. The nation's known for its stunning natural landscapes (like its majestic Alps and scenic lakes), charming villages, well-preserved medieval towns, political neutrality, and high standard of living. Switzerland boasts a highly developed economy known for banking, finance, pharmaceuticals, precision engineering, and tourism. It is home to several multinational corporations, as well as Alpine resorts such as Zermatt and St. Moritz, and renowned for products like Swiss watches and chocolate.
Bern (spelled 'Berne' in French) is the de facto capital of Switzerland. It serves as the federal city where the Swiss government and federal parliament are located, while offering a relaxed, historic atmosphere (in contrast to the bustling financial hub of Zurich or the international flair of Geneva) with highlights including the Old Town, the Zytglogge (A famous medieval clock tower with moving figurines), the Federal Palace, the Aare River that loops around the city, and numerous museums, art galleries and theatres.
UTC+1 daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October.
Avalanches, landslides, rockfalls, and flooding.
Minor speeding fines start at ₣20 (~£18) for less than 5 km/h over the limit on motorways, but can go up to ₣3,000 (~£2750) for exceeding limits by more than 20 km/h in built-up areas. Here's a breakdown:
Speeding beyond these ranges (depending on what type of road) is considered a criminal offence, with minimum fines around ₣400 (~£367) plus court fees. It can may lead to income-based fines, vehicle confiscation, license suspension, or even prison (sometimes exceeding ₣1,000,000 (£917,430) for the richest offenders).
Other violations include:
Swiss authorities are stepping up efforts to collect unpaid fines from foreign visitors, and an additional admin fee may be charged by car rental agencies before passing on the fine to the customer.
The official languages of Switzerland are German, French, Italian and Romansh.
Vehicles drive on the right in Switzerland, where overtaking is done on the left, but right turns at red lights are not allowed. The minimum age to drive is 17, with the rental age generally 20. However, some rental companies may have a minimum age of 21 or even 25, sometimes where drivers may need to have held their license for at least one year. Additionally, some companies may also impose a young driver surcharge for renters under 25.
UK drivers don't need an International Driving Permit (IDP) if it is in English, German, French, or Italian, but it can help as a translation if requested by authorities. A vignette is compulsory to use Swiss motorways and expressways. It costs approximately ₣40 (~£37), they are usually included with rental cars, but if not, they can be purchased at border crossings, petrol stations, post offices, or online, and they are valid for 14 months (December 1 to January 31).
No speed camera detectors or dashcams that identify cameras are allowed. Fines can be high, even for minor violations. Some destinations (e.g., Wengen, Mürren, Zermatt, Gimmelwald) are car-free; access often requires cable cars or public transport, and road closures in April or off-season may limit access to mountain passes like Susten, Grimsel, Furka.
Petrol stations offer E5/E10 unleaded and diesel. Prices (as of late 2024) are around ₣1.90 (~£1.74) per litre. Motorway service areas are open at varying hours (some 24/7), some often include restaurants, and remote stations may close during lunch or on Sundays.
The limit is 0.05% (0.01% for drivers who held their licence for under 3 years).
Seat belts must be worn by all passengers.