Episode 166: Your Dream Trip to Switzerland Starts Here: Step 1 of Four Steps to Planning Your Swiss Vacation

Ep 166 - Step 1 of Four Steps to Planning Your Swiss Vacation

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Step 1 of Four Steps to Planning Your Swiss Vacation

Before you start filling your trip to Switzerland with scenic train rides and alpine views, let’s get your travel dates, flights, and insurance in place.

In this episode, I walk you through the very first steps of planning a trip to Switzerland, that will set the tone for your entire adventure.

We’ll start by figuring out the best time to visit Switzerland, taking into account the different seasons, popular events in Switzerland, and what kind of weather in Switzerland to expect during your stay. I’ll also explain why shoulder season travel can be a smart choice if you’re hoping to enjoy beautiful landscapes without the crowds.

Next, we dive into everything you need to know about flights to Switzerland, including when to start looking, why it’s worth comparing prices when flying into Europe, and how booking flights to Europe’s other cities, such as Milan, Munich, or Paris, can sometimes save you money. I also share tips for choosing flight times that work well with Swiss train travel so you can hit the ground running.

We’ll wrap up by covering the importance of Swiss travel insurance, what to look for in a policy, when to buy it, and why it’s one of the smartest things you can do before your holidays to Switzerland begin. You’ll also hear a few practical tips pulled from my Swiss travel guide that will help you start building a realistic, flexible Switzerland itinerary.

Whether you’re just dreaming or already in the planning phase, this episode will help you feel clear and confident about taking the first steps toward an unforgettable Swiss getaway.

Show Notes

In this episode you’ll learn about:

  • Things to consider when choosing the dates for your Swiss vacation
  • Tips for booking flights to Switzerland
  • Why travel insurance is essential for your trip
View of Eiger Monch and Jungfrau through train window

Planning steps mentioned in this episode

>> Choose your dates – consider the expected weather, any major events that may limit availability of accommodation, or festivals or events that you may wish to include in your itinerary. Consider the benefits of travelling outside of the peak summer and winter seasons.

>>Book your flights – start monitoring fares early, compare fares to nearby airports outside of Switzerland, choose arrival times that suit your onward travels, familiarise yourself with the airline’s luggage policies.

>> Buy travel insurance – purchase your travel insurance as soon as you have paid any money towards your trip, compare policies to ensure you have the cover you need, be aware of the policy’s terms and conditions regarding pre-existing medical conditions.

Covered wooden bridge over the Rhine River at Diessenhofen, Switzerland
Diessenhofen
Swiss village surrounded by rolling green hills
Gonten

Planning a trip to Switzerland?

At Holidays to Switzerland we are passionate about sharing our love of Switzerland and helping you to plan the perfect trip. Read our guide to planning a trip to Switzerland to kick start your travel plans and join our free Switzerland Travel Planning group on Facebook to chat with other past and future travellers.

Want monthly news and podcast updates, helpful travel tips and special deals sent straight to your inbox? Subscribe to Holidays to Switzerland and we’ll send you a bonus copy of our Switzerland Travel Planning Starter Kit and Guide.

🇨🇭 Check out our exclusive discount offers and save on your Swiss vacation. 🇨🇭

Useful resources

🎙️Subscribe to the podcast to be notified when the remaining episodes in this series are published. Missed last week’s episode? Listen here.

💻 Our website is packed with helpful guides about the most popular destinations in Switzerland, itinerary ideas and Swiss travel tips. In this article -> you can check the closure dates of Switzerland’s most popular cable cars and mountain railways.

✅ Browse the exclusive travel discounts offered by our trusted partners.

👉 Free Switzerland Travel Planning Kit and Guide

> You can read a full transcript of this episode here.

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