2 popular destinations across Switzerland — compare prices from 500+ airlines and OTAs, find the cheapest fares from any UK airport.
Zürich and Geneva are the main UK gateways with multiple daily flights from London, Manchester, Edinburgh and Birmingham. Basel runs easyJet and Swiss from a few UK origins. Most Swiss UK travellers are leisure (skiing in winter, hiking in summer); Geneva carries strong business traffic from London City.
| Visa (UK passport) | No visa needed. Schengen — 90/180 days. Switzerland is non-EU but in Schengen. |
|---|---|
| Currency | Swiss franc (CHF). Cards everywhere; CHF cash useful for mountain villages, refuges, and the occasional coin-operated locker. |
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) — one hour ahead. |
| Language | German (north), French (west), Italian (south), Romansh (small minority). English fluent across all major tourist areas. |
| Plug type | Type J (Swiss-specific 3-round-pin). Type C also fits in many sockets. UK adaptor with Swiss J prongs ideal. |
| Best months | June–September for Alpine hiking, lake season. December–March for skiing. May and October are shoulder seasons with low prices. |
| Flight times from UK | Zürich (ZRH) 1h 50m; Geneva (GVA) 1h 50m; Basel (BSL) 1h 30m; Bern (BRN) 1h 50m |
Geneva for French Alps (Verbier, Chamonix, Tignes — 1–2 hours by car). Zürich for Swiss German resorts (St. Moritz, Davos, Zermatt — 2–3 hours by train). Both have excellent rail connections. Geneva typically has cheaper UK fares; Zürich is more reliable in winter weather.
No, but it is in Schengen — so UK passport holders enter visa-free for 90 days in 180. The Swiss franc is the currency (not euro). Border control is light but customs limits apply if you bring goods from the EU.
Direct shuttle bus from Geneva Airport to Chamonix takes around 1h 15m for €30–€40 (book Mountain Drop-Offs, Easybus or Alpybus). Hire car is similarly priced and gives flexibility for resort transfers.
Yes — among Europe's most expensive. Restaurant mains £25–35, beer £6–8, mountain refuge half-board £80–£120. Self-catering, bringing meals to the slopes, and using the COOP supermarket all soften the blow.
For 5+ days of train travel, yes — the Swiss Travel Pass covers all SBB trains, most boats and cable cars. From CHF 232 (£200) for 4 days. For ski-only trips, no — local lift passes plus airport transfers cover the need.
Switzerland's combination of mountain weather, unique plug type and famously high prices means UK travellers usually plan tightly. These are the numbers that shape the budget.
