Essential information for visiting Switzerland in Spring
If you’re thinking about spending time in Switzerland between the winter sports season and summer, then this complete guide to the Switzerland spring months is for you.
Whether you’re wondering about Switzerland weather in May or early June, before the busy summer season, or are considering an earlier visit in March or April, keep reading to find out all you should know.
This article answers frequently asked questions about the post-winter and pre-summer season in Switzerland.
Here you’ll find what to expect from the Switzerland spring weather by area and by month, what to wear, and which services and attractions might be closed.
Also included here are all the best places to visit in Switzerland in spring. From spring flowers in Switzerland to panoramic trains, lakes, mountains, and spring hikes in Switzerland, you can find out about it all in this article.
We also share when to visit for the annual cheese fair in Gruyeres, and what to do during spring showers – or even a heavier downpour.
When you’re considering a spring visit to Switzerland, make sure you read this article before confirming your booking!
Let’s begin by taking a look at when spring falls in Switzerland, and the weather to expect then.
What's in this Article
Why visit Switzerland in spring?
For some folks, spring is the best time to visit Switzerland for several reasons. You can beat the winter sports and summer crowds, for starters, meaning it’s more peaceful.
Fewer visitors mean that hotels and accommodation will be competing to attract guests. This can reduce prices, so your money goes further. As Switzerland isn’t the cheapest destination, visiting in spring can make your trip more affordable.
The weather is also warming up by now, especially as spring wears on. Sometimes the Switzerland in May weather is as warm as it is in June, though temperatures do of course vary from day to day or week to week, and between locations.
Even in early spring, the weather can be a lot milder than during winter in Switzerland. By late spring, meanwhile, temperatures are approaching those you’d expect to see in summer.
Do note that temperatures do vary a lot between early March and the end of May. At the start of March, it’s likely to seem like it’s still winter. By late May, though, the weather may feel positively summery during the warmer days.
May is the most pleasant month of spring to visit Switzerland, though temperatures might be mild in April, particularly in the valleys and earlier in the month.
The only negative here is that May tends to be the wettest month of spring in Switzerland. So if dry weather is your priority, March or April could be better times to visit.
Hours of daylight also increase steadily from the start of spring to the end. As summer approaches, you can expect much longer days than at the beginning of March.
Like the rest of Europe, and also North America, Switzerland comes to life in spring. Wildflowers are blooming all over the Alpine meadows.
Mild weather also means it’s the ideal time to hike to waterfalls, gorges, and caves.
You can also explore the lovely Alpine villages and Swiss towns, or enjoy a Swiss lake cruise. Some mountain railways also operate all year round.
All but one of Switzerland’s famous panoramic railways is open throughout March, April, and May. The only exception also recommences in mid-April.
If you time your visit right, you could even attend the Gruyeres cheese fair in early May.
There are also plenty of indoor attractions to visit including museums, castles, thermal baths, and producers of Swiss cheese, chocolate, and biscuits.
Weather in Switzerland in spring
Before thinking about whether to head to Switzerland in spring or winter, it’s best to know which months are classed as spring here.
When is spring in Switzerland?
The short answer is that it depends on who you ask! Some say that spring runs from mid-March to mid-June, while Switzerland Tourism states that March, April and May are the spring months.
The exact dates of spring in Europe depend on whether you follow the meteorological or astronomical calendar. Spring starts on 1 March according to meteorologists, while astronomists say that spring begins around 20 March.
In both cases, the season ends three months later.
For the purposes of this article – and in the interests of simplicity – we’re using the meteorological calendar. This means that spring is between the start of March and the end of May.
From early March to late May, here’s what to expect regarding rainfall, the spring temperature in Switzerland by month, and hours of daylight.
This can help you to plan for visiting Interlaken in May – or indeed any other Swiss destination. It can also help you decide on the best time to visit Switzerland in spring.
Average spring temperatures in Switzerland
In the table below you can compare the spring temperatures in the Swiss destinations of Davos, Lugano, and Zurich.
These places have been chosen as a sample of what to expect across the country. Davos is a winter sports resort, Lugano lies close to Italy, and of course Zurich is the biggest city in Switzerland.
Average high and low temperatures each month
| City | Mar: high / low | Apr: high / low | May: high / low |
| Zurich | 11°C / 3°C | 15°C / 6°C | 19°C / 10°C |
| Lugano | 13°C / 5°C | 17°C / 8°C | 21°C / 12°C |
| Davos | 5°C / -5°C | 9°C / -1°C | 12°C / 2°C |
These are only averages, and it’s important to remember that temperatures can vary a lot between early March and the end of May. We recommend using the MeteoSwiss app or meteoswiss.ch website to check the latest, destination-specific weather forecasts.
It’s also worth remembering that at altitude, conditions are often more changeable, and of course it’s generally a lot colder than in the cities or valleys. Do check current weather conditions and live webcams before heading off on any mountain excursions.
Average spring rainfall in Switzerland
This table shows typical rainfall levels during each month of spring for the Swiss destinations of Lugano, Zurich, and Davos.
Average days of rain per month
| City | Mar | Apr | May |
| Zurich | 10 | 11 | 12 |
| Lugano | 7 | 10 | 12 |
| Davos | 10 | 11 | 14 |
How much precipitation to expect depends where you’re headed. Remember this may fall as rain or snow, with the latter more common in the mountains.
In the ski resorts, 10 to 14 days of rain or snow in spring is around average, while in warmer parts of the country, about 7 to 12 wet days is more typical during spring.
Average number of spring daylight hours in Switzerland
This table indicates how many hours of daylight, on average, to expect in Switzerland during March, April, and May.
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Hours of daylight |
| March | 06:40 am | 06:37 pm | 11:57 h |
| April | 06:39 am | 08:20 pm | 13:41 h |
| May | 05:52 am | 09:00 pm | 15:08 h |
Knowing when it gets light and when darkness falls can be important when you want to spend a lot of time outdoors while in Switzerland.
Spring closures of services and attractions
If you do want to spend some of spring in Switzerland, then it’s important to know about seasonal closures. This could have a big impact on what you can do while you’re there.
Though in some countries you might expect everything to be open in spring, this isn’t necessarily the case in Switzerland.
Winter is a very busy time of the year in Switzerland so maintenance works can often be scheduled for spring instead. Business owners often take holidays during the quieter months, too.
If you want to take mountain excursions while visiting Switzerland, then you should know that some cable cars and funicular railways could be closed in spring for scheduled maintenance.
Make sure you check the operating schedules of the cable cars and mountain railways in Switzerland before you book your trip if you have your heart set on visiting a specific mountain.
To give some examples, the Schynige Platte and Brienz Rothorn mountain railways close between autumn and sometime in spring. Others operate 365 days per year, however. These include the train to Jungfraujoch, and the cogwheel train from Vitznau to Mount Rigi.
All regular public transport still operates as usual throughout spring. In Swiss cities, services run 365 days per year.
If you want to take a trip on a Swiss lake, then you should choose carefully. There are no boat cruises on Lake Brienz in early spring but they recommence around mid-April.
Cruises from Lucerne to Alpnachstad, meanwhile, start later in the season, around mid-May.
Some hotels in Switzerland may close between the winter and summer seasons, too. This could be so the owners can take a break, or it might be for building work, maintenance, or redecoration.
The same can apply to restaurants, so do make enquiries if you want to stay or eat in a particular place.
In smaller places, such as Swiss villages, restaurants and hotels tend to work together. This usually ensures there’s somewhere to dine, and a room available for staying over.
All Swiss panoramic trains operate throughout March, April, and May, with the sole exception of the Gotthard Panorama Express. This service resumes around 20 April.
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What to wear in Switzerland in spring
While dressing for spring in Switzerland does depend on where you go, layering is a good idea during this unpredictable season.
Packing plenty of layers also has you covered for a range of destinations, where the temperatures may differ quite considerably.
What you’ll be doing while in Switzerland also plays a part in determining what you should take with you. If you plan to hike, then hiking boots, a packable rain jacket and layering your clothing is essential. Don’t forget that your body temperature will rise as you move, especially when some exertion is involved, such as trekking uphill.
Expect temperatures to be much colder in the mountains than closer to sea level, especially in early March. Depending on your destination, as well as your dates of travel, you may need cold weather clothing for spring in the mountains. Don’t forget to bring accessories such as hats, scarves, and gloves, too.
Indoor temperatures are likely to be a lot warmer than outside. This gives you another good reason to dress in lightweight layers that you can easily remove if required. Don’t forget a decent daypack to carry your unworn layers.
In May, it can get as warm as 19°C in Zurich, and 21°C in Lugano so make sure you have some clothing with you to wear when temperatures are higher than average.
If you’ll be going to Davos or another winter sports resort, however, don’t forget a few sweaters to layer over your clothing, particularly during mornings and evenings.
Best things to do in Switzerland in spring
If you want to visit Switzerland during the relatively peaceful season of spring, then the good news is that there is plenty to do.
Mild temperatures can mean perfect hiking weather. You’re also likely to see Alpine wildflowers lining the trails and adorning the meadows, resulting in a beautiful and colourful spectacle. For many people, these are a must see in Switzerland in spring.
Below are some of the best things to do when visiting Switzerland in spring.
Panoramic train rides
Switzerland’s panoramic trains are world famous, and all services bar the Gotthard Panorama Express operate throughout March, April, and May. This train journey resumes around 20 April each year, so you can take this one in late spring.
One appealing option is the Bernina Express between historic Chur and Italianate Lugano. If you’re visiting Zermatt, Switzerland in spring, you can board the Glacier Express to take you from Zermatt to St. Moritz.
The GoldenPass Express travels between Interlaken and Montreux, while the Luzern – Interlaken Express whisks passengers from Lucerne to Interlaken, just as the name suggests.
All routes are of course available in reverse. If you will be in Switzerland after around 20 April, you can also board the Gotthard Panorama Express to travel between Lugano and Lucerne.
Spring hikes
Many Swiss mountain destinations double up as hiking meccas outside the ski season, especially between late spring and early autumn. At lower altitudes, there are more trails to choose from in early spring and late autumn, too.
April and May can be good months to hike in some parts of Switzerland. March can also be good, if you don’t mind colder temperatures, and are heading to lower elevations. Conditions in different destinations do vary throughout spring, so do check before making any definite plans.
The cooler temperatures of spring, as compared to summer, can make hiking a lot more pleasant at this time of the year. Do expect changeable weather, though, and remember that it can rain more in late spring.
As long as you’re prepared, you can enjoy around 65,000 kilometres of hiking trails in Switzerland. As you might expect in such an organised country, these are very well signposted, organised, and mapped out.
Outdoor lovers and hikers also flock to Switzerland in spring to see the wildflowers in bloom.
See the flowers
Depending on when and where you visit, you can spot beautiful flowers all over Switzerland during spring.
Between mid-March and mid-April, you can see daffodils, especially at spots like Belvoir Park in Zurich. In early May, Belvoir Park is also a good place to see wisteria hanging from the arches.
Early spring is also the time to see magnolia and cherry trees blossoming. Their brief but breathtaking flowering seasons tend to run from the middle of March to early April.
Colourful tulips flower later, typically between mid-April and early May. There’s even a Tulip Festival in Morges on the shores of Lake Geneva. This is free to visit, starts at the end of March, and ends in early May.
If you want to see wildflowers carpeting the Alpine meadows, the best time is late May. Flora tends to bloom later in the season at higher altitudes.
Visit waterfalls, gorges, and caves
As some hiking is usually involved, spring is a good time to head off in search of stunning Swiss waterfalls. As the snow from the mountains melts and runs off into the rivers, this can also be the time to see them at their most spectacular.
Famous waterfalls in Switzerland include Europe’s biggest, Rhine Falls; Giessbach Falls; and Staubbach Falls in Lauterbrunnen. The Lauterbrunnen Valley, in fact, is home to 72 waterfalls.
All the glaciers and rivers in Switzerland have also created many gorges, which are also beautiful to see. The most famous is the Rhine Gorge, aka the Swiss Grand Canyon.
You can also discover caves while hiking in some Swiss regions. One example is the St Beatus complex on Lake Thun, which offers illuminated routes through chambers and tunnels, and a museum.
Mountain excursions
Taking at least one mountain excursion is pretty much de rigueur when in Switzerland. Some – such as Jungfraujoch, Mount Rigi, and Gornergrat – are (usually) open 365 days per year. Therefore, there’s no need to worry about the Jungfrau weather in May affecting your plans, unless extreme conditions strike.
Jungfraujoch is known as the Top of Europe, and is 3,454 metres above sea level. It takes only 45 minutes or so to get there from Grindelwald, via gondola and mountain railway. Visit and you can expect an ice palace, a Lindt chocolate shop, glacier views, and much more.
Gornergrat can be accessed via the Gornergrat rack railway from Zermatt. Attractions at the summit include the Golden Spot selfie place with a gilded carriage, the Zooom the Matterhorn VR experience, and hotel restaurants. Plus, of course, panoramic views.
You can also take a cogwheel train from Vitznau to Mount Rigi. The so-called Queen of the Mountains is easy to reach from Lucerne, via Vitznau, and the Rigi Bahn is the oldest mountain railway in Europe.
You can stay over at several hotels, and there are things to do at each of the stops – Rigi Kulm, Rigi Kaltbad, Rigi Scheidegg, and Rigi Staffel.
Lake cruises
Taking a lake cruise is a very popular activity in Switzerland. As mentioned above, there are no Lake Brienz cruises in early spring but they do re-commence around the middle of April. Cruises between Lucerne and Alpnachstad, however, don’t start until about mid-May.
Otherwise, there are plenty of options for taking a cruise on a Swiss lake. Other boat trips include cruises on Lake Lucerne; sailing on Lake Geneva from Montreux, Vevey, or Lausanne; and boat trips on other lakes like Constance, Lugano, Thun, Zurich, and more.
Stroll around villages and towns
Wherever you’re staying, it’s fun to explore the local town or village you’re staying in, or visiting for the day. Some Swiss villages – such as Mürren, Wengen and Zermatt – are car-free, making wandering around even more of a pleasure.
Traditional Swiss architecture, historic sites, tourist attractions, museums, castles, and of course shops and restaurants await. In spring, you’re also likely to see flowers adorning every possible place, making it even more picturesque.
Views of lovely Swiss lakes and towering mountains can often be seen from the most beautiful towns and villages in the country, too.
Gruyeres annual cheese fair
One of the best things to do in Gruyeres takes place on the first Sunday in May, when the annual cheese fair is held. Attend and you can expect to be entertained by live music, and educated by cheese-making demonstrations.
You can also shop at around 20 different stalls. As well as cheese and dairy products, other culinary delights are also available for sampling.
Bad weather ideas
Unfortunately, at any time of year, even if you plan to visit Switzerland in late May, rain and inclement conditions are a possibility.
However, even if you happen to strike a rainy day or two, there is plenty to keep you occupied in Switzerland during spring.
There are fine museums in most Swiss towns and cities, and historic castles in locations all over the land. If you fancy kicking back and unwinding, why not make the most of being indoors by paying one of the country’s many thermal baths a visit?
For foodies, there are chocolate and cheese factories to visit, where you can find out how these famous Swiss foods are produced.
Visitors to the Emmental region, meanwhile, can tour the Kambly biscuit factory, as well as tasting the well-known local cheese.
We’ve even compiled a list of rainy day activities in Interlaken and the Jungfrau Region.
Final thoughts about visiting Switzerland in spring
If you’ve been thinking about visiting Switzerland during March, April, or May, I hope this guide has helped you to make up your mind. As you know now, there are plenty of enjoyable things to see and do during the season.
With the weather warming up, flowers in bloom, and pleasant temperatures for hiking, spring is a great time to visit Switzerland.
Panoramic train trips, wonderful waterfalls, lofty mountain summits, lake cruises, and all-weather attractions await. As well as a whole lot more.
If you want to avoid the crowds – and maybe even save cash on accommodation costs – why not consider paying Switzerland a springtime visit?
