Hostels in Switzerland

Switzerland is a beautiful country that is rich in food and culture! There are three regions of Switzerland -- a French, German, and Italian region (however, all of these languages vary a bit from the "traditional" languages, and are known as Swiss French, Swiss German, and Swiss Italian, so it will sound a bit different). In some regions, some speakers will also use Romansh; however, many Swiss also utilize English. Switzerland is a popular tourist destination because of its renowned beauty (the Alps, lakes, and Medieval buildings) and safety (it is one of the safest countries in the world). It is also notable that Switzerland is more expensive than other Western European countries, so make sure to stock up on Swiss Francs (the local currency). Strangely, while Switzerland does not belong to the European Union, it does belong to the Schengen Zone (which will count toward your visa days in the EU/Schengen Zone).

While Bern is the capital of Switzerland, most think of Zurich or Geneva when they hear Switzerland. These cities are worth a visit, as are smaller cities such as Lucerne and Lauterbrunnen and the Swiss Alps. Recently, Kandersteg has become popular due to the mountain "roller coaster" you can ride during the summer months (they had to think of another fun attraction in this Alps town when there wasn't enough snow for skiing!). Whether you are interested in nature, thrilling experiences (like base-jumping, riding the mountain roller coaster, skiing, water rafting, paragliding), big cities, food (especially chocolate!), or architecture, you are sure to find what you are looking for somewhere in Switzerland (but obviously visiting some sort of mountainous town is a must!). Some of the cities offer free entrance to cultural sites, like the city walls in Lucerne, and this helps to offset the high prices of everything else.

There are a lot of accommodation options, including resorts, hotels, camping, guesthouses, and hostels in Switzerland. There is something for every budget. Switzerland hostels tend to be of a regular to high standard. If you are traveling during the peak season (from June to September), it is worth booking in advance, as places book up quickly, and prices tend to go up as the date nears.

Getting around Switzerland is fairly easy, whether you choose a train, bus, or vehicle (or fly into certain airports located in larger cities like Zurich, Geneva, Bern, Basel, and Lugano; Swiss Air serves little chocolates on their airplanes!). Switzerland tends to be well known for its easy access to public transportation, so aside from very small towns that are out of the way, it is easy to get there by train or bus. Remember that similar to the rest of Europe, when using public transportation, especially trains, the further out you book from when you plan to leave, the cheaper it is to get around. You can also select a tour company, as many go through Switzerland, including those like BusAbout and Top Deck that are aimed at younger audiences.

An interesting aside about the country is how paranoid Switzerland is -- they are prepared for war at all times and have one of the most skilled special forces in the world (why do you think the Vatican hires Swiss guards?). Regardless of this, Switzerland is a very safe country with so much to see and do (including eating their famous Swiss chocolate)!

Handwritten by local expert for Switzerland hostels Kari