Best Time and Season to Visit Switzerland: Complete Guide

Switzerland has always been the world's most loved tourist destination. The Swiss offer stunning natural beauty and numerous outdoor adventures.

The best time to visit Switzerland is during the summer season. Also, it is considered high or peak season, from mid-June through early September. Switzerland receives the highest number of tourists during this period as the weather is pleasant and the temperature ranges between 19°C and 32°C.

However, you can also make travel plans during the autumn and winter. They have their own charm and offer many activities, festivals and events to participate in. Moreover, these seasons attract relatively lower crowds, offering the best deals with an experience of a lifetime.

If you plan a Swiss trip, you must know what you wish to experience. Hence, planning during which season to visit this country depends on the type of your travel plan. Here are the details about the four tourist seasons to aid your planning better.

Most snow is cleared by April or May, embarking on the spring season. You can go hiking on the most gorgeous hiking trails in Switzerland. You can see a lot of snow on the peaks and may even experience a little rainfall. Since it is considered off-season in Switzerland, just before the peak summer season sets in, you can get cheaper hotels and tickets as there are limited tourists. Embrace the picturesque views of the lush valleys and mountains dotted with colourful wildflowers, making it ideal for hiking.

Months: April and May

Temperature: The average temperature on plains during spring in Switzerland is around 8 to 15 °C; mountain areas may still be cold.

Top 5 places to visit in Switzerland in spring:

Zurich

Zermatt

Interlaken

Bern

Basel

Top 5 activities to do in Switzerland in spring:

Explore Basel's most exciting museums and galleries

Experience Switzerland's Narcissus blooms

Go wine tasting at Switzerland's Caves Ouvertes

Take up adventure sports activities across Interlaken

Take a trip to Hoher Kasten

Top festivals to celebrate in Switzerland in spring:

April: Easter, Sechseläuten, Morges Tulip Festival

May: May Day, Ascension Day, Ascona Music Festival, Cheese Festival

Considered the best season to visit Switzerland, you will have ample daylight with warm sun, making it ideal for exploring the spectacular views. Being a peak season, most attractions remain open for longer hours due to high tourist numbers. Enjoy the idyllic warm weather and hike some of the country's most beautiful and highest mountain trails.

Months: June to September

Temperature: Average temperature of northern and central regions in summer is between 19 and 24°C, and it may go up to 32°C in southern regions.

Top 5 places to visit in Switzerland in summer:

• Zurich

• Lucerne

• Bern

• Jungfrau

• Geneva

Top 5 activities to do in Switzerland in summer:

• Explore the Aletsch Glacier

• Take a Zurich city tour with ferry and cable car

• Hike the Eiger Trail

• Visit fairytale castles

• Visit Matterhorn Glacier Paradise

Top festivals to celebrate in Switzerland in summer:

June: Alpine Ascent, Ascona Street Artists Festival, Fête de la Musique

July: Paléo Festival, Rosenfest Weggis, Rosenfest Weggis

August: Swiss National Day, Lake Thun Fest, Zermatt Folklore Festival

September: VINEA Le Salon Wine Fest

Early fall or autumn is one of the best times to visit Switzerland. It starts getting colder, but it is still a good time to hike in the Swiss Alps. The stunning views, the fresh air and the cold winds are enough to take your breath away. Since the summer crowds have mostly diminished and you no longer have to fight to secure your place on the cable car, autumn is considered an off-season in Switzerland. It is one of the less expensive times to visit the country as you will get good deals on hotel rooms.

Months: Mid-September through October

Temperature: Average temperature during this period is between 5° C to 16° C, with mountain areas experiencing even lower temperatures.

Top 5 places to visit in Switzerland in autumn:

• Lucerne

• Zermatt

• Lausanne

• Basel

• Grindelwald

Top 5 activities to do in Switzerland in autumn:

• Visit the Rhine Falls

• Go skiing in Grindelwald

• Take the cable car ride in Matterhorn

• Go on a Grand Train Tour of Switzerland

• Experience the country's famous autumn festivals

**Top festivals to celebrate in Switzerland in autumn:

September: VINEA Le Salon Wine Fest

October: Swiss Cheese Festival, Lugano Autumn Festival, Desalpe, Oktoberfest

If you love snow and adventure sports, spending winters in Switzerland can be your pick. Undoubtedly, it is the best time to visit Switzerland for snowfall, winter sports, exploring the Christmas markets etc.

The Alpine winter with snow-capped mountain peaks looks divine and transports you to a different world. One of the most popular Switzerland places to visit in winter is the ski resorts, especially Gstaad and St. Moritz. You can enjoy snow sports, such as skiing, snowboarding and ice-skating, sip a cup of hot cocoa, and enjoy nature at its best.

Months: November to March

Temperature: Average temperature during winter is mostly below 5° C, which may even drop to -14° C in some areas.

Top 5 places to visit in Switzerland in winter:

• The Jungfrau Region

• Zermatt

• St. Moritz

• Oberalp Pass Via Glacier Express

• Mt. Pilatus

Top 5 activities to do in Switzerland in winter:

• Try Skiing

• Take a ride on St. Bernina Express

• Explore Alpine Fairytale Towns

• Visit a chocolate factory

• Shop at Christmas markets

Top festivals to celebrate in Switzerland in winter:

November: Basel Wine Festival, Glarner Messe

December: Fête de l'Escalade,

January: World Snow Festival in Grindelwald, International Balloon Festival in Château-d'Oex

February: Basler Fasnacht

March: Geneva Motor Show, Festichoc

If you have certain activities to strike off your bucket list and are planning a Swiss vacation, we will let you know the best time to visit Switzerland from India based on your activities.

Best time for sightseeing

Suppose you want to explore Switzerland's beautiful Alpine snow-peaked mountains, large green fields, gorgeous flowers, majestic and gigantic castles and museums, and warm weather. In that case, you must visit the country during spring and summer, that is, March and September.

Best time for winter sports

December and January are when the snow is the thickest, and various winter activities and adventure sports are held. Since Switzerland is famous for winter sports, many tourists flock to the country during this period to enjoy snow sports.

Best time for hiking

The best time for hiking in Switzerland is during April, May and June. The snow melts by this time, making the hiking journey even more exciting. The views are breathtaking, as always.

Best time for visiting lakes

With pleasant weather, greenery surrounding you, a gentle fresh breeze blowing, and the warm sun shining over, summer makes the best time to visit lakes. Take a stroll by the lake or go for a cruise to feel relaxed and put a pause on your hectic life.

Switzerland is a country straight out of a fairy tale. Visiting Switzerland means being exposed to nature's jaw-dropping beauty, exploring 13 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, experiencing the charm of Heidi's village life and unleashing your adventurous self with world-class adventure sports.

So, to travel to this country and experience nature at its best, you must apply for a Schengen visa. Since Switzerland is a part of the Schengen country list, it follows the travel rules outlined for all the countries in this list. Schengen visa allows you to travel unrestricted in these countries during your stay.

For applying for a Schengen visa, there are a few prerequisites that you must fulfil. Having an international travel insurance plan is one of the mandatory documents that is required. Indian citizens travelling to Switzerland must have a valid Schengen visa travel insurance policy for the entire stay.

The requirements include the following:

A minimum coverage of €30,000.00

Coverage in all Schengen visa countries.

Coverage for all urgent medical expenses, including evacuation for medical purposes or repatriation to India

Buying international travel insurance from a reputed travel insurance provider like Tata AIG is recommended, which offers comprehensive coverage at affordable rates. Additionally, you can compare travel insurance, calculate travel insurance premiums, buy or renew it or even initiate a travel insurance claim online without hassle.

Before planning a trip to Switzerland, there are many things that you must keep in mind. Although the country is beautiful every season, depending on our travel plan, choose the best time to visit Switzerland from India. However, ensure you have researched various aspects well and have all the documents, including the travel insurance policy, before you set off for a memorable trip.

Which is the best month to visit Switzerland?

The best months to visit Switzerland are between June to September. If you are a winter sports enthusiast or love snow, December to March can be a fun time to visit this country.

What is the cheapest month to visit Switzerland?

Autumn and spring are considered off-seasons in Switzerland. Autumn is from mid-September through October, and spring is in April and May. During these periods, the country experienced fewer tourists, reducing hotel and air ticket prices.

Which month is best for snow in Switzerland?

If you love snowfall, snowy mountain peaks, freezing weather, skiing, ice-skating and everything snowy, you can flock to this mesmerising country during December and February. It is undoubtedly the best time to visit Switzerland for snowfall and winter activities.

Is it a good time to visit Switzerland in September?

September is the end of the summer season and the beginning of fall in Switzerland. The weather is still warm, and there are ample activities to look out for, like experiencing grape harvest for winemaking and less crowd. Switzerland in September is a great option to visit.

Is Switzerland an expensive country to travel to?

Regarded as one of the most beautiful countries on the planet, Switzerland is also one of the most expensive countries in the world. Dining, experiences and transportation are costly; however, if you plan and book in advance, you may get good deals on accommodation and airfare. Also, you can plan and visit the country during the off-season.