Hi, Reader!
Ready for some insider tips that will transform your Swiss adventure? From navigating Swiss airports to finding the perfect stay in the Jungfrau Region, we've got your back. Here are the basics you need to know about traveling Switzerland.
Swiss Airports
Geneva (GVA), Zurich (ZRH), Basel (BSL)
→ Ready to jet off? Discover how to plan your Swiss adventure: Swiss Trip Planning Guide
Languages
This tiny country uses 4 different languages: German, French, Italian, and Romansch (although English is widely used in tourist areas)
→ Grüezi or Bonjour?: 15 Things To Know Before You Visit Lucerne
Currency
Swiss Franc (CHF). Current exchange rates: 1 CHF = 1.04 EUR = 1.13 USD
→ Save more money with Travel Credit Cards: Best Travel Credit Cards for your 2023 European Vacation
Plugs/outlets
Switzerland uses a type J power outlet. Tip: Sometimes other European plugs work fine in Switzerland, but sometimes the prongs are too large and you'll need an adapter.
→ Powered Up! What else do you need?: 17 Things To Know Before You Visit Switzerland
Best time to visit
Spring, Summer, Autumn (unless you're a skier!)
→ Discover the ideal time to visit the Swiss Alps: Best Time To Visit Interlaken + free download
Swiss transportation
Thankfully, Switzerland is easy to travel with the use of public transportation, especially trains and buses. (Plus cable cars, gondolas, and funiculars)
→ All Aboard! Pick your train pass with confidence: Ultimate Swiss Train Pass Guide + free checklist
Where to stay in the Jungfrau Region
Pick the best place to stay based on your travel preferences (big town, small village, and everything in between!)
→ Find a dreamy place to stay: Where To Stay in the Swiss Alps + free download
How much to budget
Switzerland is not a budget destination, although there are a variety of ways to save money, such as the HotelCard, a train pass, or an eSIM card for cell data.
→ Every franc counts: 17 Tips To Save Money On Your Swiss Vacation
How long to visit
Minimum 1 week, although 2 weeks is ideal.
→ Upgrade your trip with our Swiss Travel Guides
If you love traveling Switzerland, getting off-the-beaten-path, or having foodie experiences, then you're in the right place! 🙋🏻♀️🙋♂️We're Jana and Brett — Aplins in the Alps — and we help you TRAVEL SWITZERLAND 🇨🇭WITH CONFIDENCE. Learn how to maximize your experiences while minimizing your budget and planning time.
Email At-A-Glance Here's what's inside: 🥳 Let's celebrate together! 🤓 All Guides have been updated 🇨🇭 Q&A: 2 years of living in Switzerland ▶️ 4 years on YouTube 💍 13 years of marriage Hi, Reader! If you've hung out with us for a while, then you know we love a reason to celebrate. And this month holds a few significant milestones for us: 2 years of living in Switzerland 4 years on YouTube 13 years of marriage We recently invited you to ask some questions about these topics, and you guys...
📣 If there was a news station reporting on Swiss transportation, THIS would be the headline today all.week.long. If you've been following us for a little while Reader, then you know we're a bit partial to the Half Fare Card and Berner Oberland Pass. And there are a few BIG updates for the 2024 Berner Oberland Pass that you won't want to miss. Today's email is full of details, so give yourself more than 30 seconds to give it a scan: ▶️ New video: the Berner Oberland Pass just got even better 💬...
Reader, have you ever made any travel mistakes? We certainly have! We've been caught in a new country with the wrong currency. (I think it was Denmark? Or maybe Hungary?) When we were in Paris, we missed the last bus of the night, so we had to walk 3 miles back to our lodging. (We could've paid for a taxi, but we were traveling for 1 year+ on a tight budget.) One time we mimed back and forth for 10 minutes with a man in the French countryside because we didn't speak French and he didn't speak...