I really enjoyed by time in Switzerland. The beautiful were nice. The beautiful scenery of the Swiss Alps was unamtched. The vibe was calm and serene. And the water was clean. Here's my travel blog about my wonderful trip to Switzerland, along with a detailed interary and list of things to do to maximize your time there.
Switzerland is a country in Central Europe with no coastline. It is bordered by France, Germany, Sustria, Liechtenstein, and Italy. It is famous for its natural beauty, with the Alps covering a significant portion of its territory. It's known for its high quality of life, clean tap water, and efficient public transportation.
Language: Switzerland has four official languages: German, French, Italian, and Romansh.
Download: Google Translate (German is the most spoken language of the 4)
Currency: Swiss Franc (CHF)
Most places accept major credits (like Visa and Mastercard), and cashless payments like Apple Pay. Specific card types like American Express may have restrictions.
I did not exchange any currency and used my credit card or Apple pay for everything in Zurich and Grindelwald.
Entry Requirements:
Passport (that doesn't expire for for at least 6 months)
Starting in late 2026, US citizens will need an ETIAS authorization (an electronic travel authorization) to visit.
Show proof of sufficient funds and a return ticket
No Visa required for stays less than 90 days
Transportation
Uber
Both Zurich and Grindelwald have downtown areas with lots to do in walking distance (bars, restuarants, and shops).
Pros
Nature, Hiking, Skiing
Cons
Switzerland is expensive. I'm talking $20 fast/quick food meals and $80 dinners as a standard.
Many shops and stores are closed on Sundays
I went during the end of winter, beginning of spring. So everything was snow capped.
(Here you will find links to book fun excursions)
Jungfrau 1 Day Pass - Grindelwald
~$100
Access to Grindelwald First, Ski lift tickets, Sky Cliff Walk, Zip Lining
I've moved all my Travel Itineraries to my Legacy Queen Gumroad Platform. My travel itineraries comes with, links to booking, a budget breakdown, hotel recommendations, and travel tips.
Click this link to explore: https://legacyqueen.gumroad.com/l/travelguide
🇨🇭 5-DAY ZURICH + SWISS ALPS ITINERARY
4-Day Geneva + Crans Montana Sample Itinerary
Roundtrip Flights from US: $500 - $1,200
Daily budget:
Budget: CHF 100 = $125 USD
Modest: CHF 225 = $280 USD
Semi-Luxury CHF 400+ = $500+ USD
Restaurants charge between: CHF 20-30 for simple casual meal or CHF 40-70+ for more formal dinner
Tip = Tipping is not mandatory. However, it is a polite gesture to round up a bill or leave a small tip of 5%-10% for exceptional service if you wish.
Where to Stay
Zurich
Neues Schloss Private Hotel Autographic Collection - this is where I stayed and I really enjoyed my stay here. While we did walk around, Uber was our primary mode of transporation on rainy or snowy days since you would have to walk abit to get to the main touristy areas. No complaints about the hotel itself. It's a luxury boutique hotel under the Marriott Autograph Collection. So the luxury and quality was there. Also, the customer service was outstanding!
Budget - Old Town Hostel Otter - around 30 CHF a night. They have really good reviews on HostelWorld.
If I were to visit again I would research hotels closer to Zurich's Old Town or the Lindenhof area since it has a nice walking area with lots of shops, restaurants, bars, and historic churches.
Grindelwald
Luxury - BERGWELT GRINDELWALD | ALPINE DESIGN RESORT - around 300 CHF a night - This is where I stayed and I really enjoyed by stay here. This is defintiely a luxury higher end hotel. The customer service is outstanding. Now there is a small hill you have to climb to get to the hotel from the main bustling Grindelwald vilalge street. However, we could have arranged transporation through the hotel. Also, it is a 2-5 minute walk to the Grindelwald First stop, which is where you will take the ski gondala to the top of the mountain to ski, zip line, and do the Cliff walk experience. It is also walking distance (8-10 minute walk) to the SBB train for when you are ready to return to Zurich or explore other parts of the Swiss Alps. Although, as mentioned before, the hotel will arrange (for free) picking you and your luggage up from the train station and dropping you back off.
Budget - Grindelwald Youth Hostel - around 50 CHF a night
They have really good reviews on HostelWorld.