The most common Switzerland trip sees the Jungfrau region from Interlaken, then the lakeside city of Lucerne.
The emergency number is 112; police 117, fire 118 and ambulance 144.
Trains link Zurich Airport with Zurich main station, and a one-hour single ticket for CHF 7.20 also covers transfers to city trams.
Travel times between the two towns vary by date, so check the official timetable before booking. Fares change at the end of the year, so check again once your dates are set.
Visa and entry requirements for Switzerland
Whether you need a visa, how long you can stay and which pre-arrival forms apply all depend on your nationality and the purpose of your trip. Check the official source below, and your own government's travel advice, before you book.
This country is in the Schengen Area. The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) registers non-EU travelers at the external border, and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is scheduled to apply to visa-exempt travelers; check the official EU site for who needs it, the start date and the fee. For visa-exempt travelers, Schengen stays are limited to 90 days in any 180-day period, counted across all Schengen countries, and your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure date.
- Entry (State Secretariat for Migration) (Swiss State Secretariat for Migration (SEM))
- ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) (European Union)
- EES (Entry/Exit System) (European Union)
- Emergency: 112; police 117; fire 118; ambulance 144
- Airport train: Zurich Airport to Zurich HB, CHF 7.20
How is Switzerland divided?
Interlaken is a town between Lake Brienz and Lake Thun and the starting point for the trains up to the Jungfraujoch. Lucerne is a city where the Reuss river meets the lake, and you can walk the Chapel Bridge without a ticket. Don't see both in one day; plan each separately.
UNESCO inscribed the Jungfrau and Aletsch area as Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch in 2001 and extended it in 2007. An Interlaken trip centers on a day seeing this World Heritage area up close. Linking the two works best with four nights or more.
| Town | What to do | Airport |
|---|---|---|
| Interlaken | Jungfraujoch train, lakeside village walks | Zurich (ZRH) |
| Lucerne | Chapel Bridge, the lake, Pilatus | Zurich (ZRH) |
Based on UNESCO and official information.
What do I need to enter?
Switzerland is in the Schengen Area. For visa-exempt travelers, Schengen stays are limited to 90 days within the 180 days before your last departure. If you travel between Switzerland, Germany and Italy, your days in all of them are added together. Visa-free entry covers tourist stays without gainful or paid activity.
Who do I contact in an emergency?
Switzerland's European emergency number is 112. Police 117, fire 118 and ambulance 144. Save your own embassy's numbers too. If you lose your passport, you may need a police report, so note where and when you lost it.
How do I get from the airport into the city?
Direct trains from Zurich Airport to Zurich main station (HB) take 10 to 15 minutes and run every 5 to 10 minutes. An adult second-class single costs CHF 7.20 until 12 December 2026 and CHF 7.40 from 13 December. The ticket is valid for one hour in three zones of the Zurich transport network and covers transfers to city trams and buses.
For two people into the city, that is two CHF 7.20 tickets, CHF 14.40. Trains also link the airport with Interlaken and Lucerne; times and fares change by date, so check the official timetable before booking.
What should I check before I go?
First check that your passport is valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure. Jungfraujoch fares vary by season, so check the fare table in our Interlaken article. Some Pilatus sections run only from May to October, so prepare an alternative for a winter visit. Save local emergency numbers and your embassy's number in a note you can read offline.
Pre-departure checklist
- Check your passport is valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure
- Check the EES and ETIAS information
- Check seasonal Jungfraujoch fares
- Check when Pilatus operates
- Save the emergency number 112 and your embassy's number
Which town suits my trip?
- For mountain views: give the Jungfraujoch a day from Interlaken.
- For a lakeside city: combine the Chapel Bridge and the lake in Lucerne.
- For both: four nights or more; check travel times first.
FAQ
Do I need a visa for Switzerland?
It depends on your nationality. Check the Swiss State Secretariat for Migration’s entry page and the EU ETIAS and EES pages.
How are the Schengen 90 days counted?
Count back 180 days from your last departure; the days you stayed within that period must not exceed 90. If you spent 30 days in one country, you have up to 60 days left in other Schengen countries in the same period.
Who do I call in an emergency?
Call the local emergency number 112. Police 117, fire 118, ambulance 144.
How much is it from Zurich Airport to the city?
A single train ticket costs CHF 7.20, or CHF 7.40 from 13 December, valid for one hour.
How do I count my remaining days across several Schengen countries?
If you spent 7 days in Switzerland and 10 in Italy, you have used 17 days and have 73 left in the same 180-day window. The window moves with your last departure date, so recount then.
How much is a return trip from the airport to the city for two?
Four CHF 7.20 tickets, CHF 28.80; from 13 December, at CHF 7.40, it is CHF 29.60.
How different are the Pilatus and Jungfraujoch fares?
As checked on 23 October 2026, the Pilatus round trip costs CHF 119.80 in second class, and the Jungfraujoch costs CHF 271.20 from May to October including a seat reservation: a difference of CHF 151.40 per adult. The starting points and routes differ, so calculate each with the tables in the area articles.
Sources
- Entry (State Secretariat for Migration) · Swiss State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) · accessed 2026-10-30
- ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) · European Union · accessed 2026-10-30
- EES (Entry/Exit System) · European Union · accessed 2026-10-30
- Important telephone numbers · Switzerland Tourism · accessed 2026-10-23
- Train, tram and bus · Zurich Airport · accessed 2026-10-23
- Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch · UNESCO World Heritage Centre · accessed 2026-10-23
Information was checked against the official sources listed above. Opening hours, fees and fares can change; please confirm with the venue or operator before you visit.
