Packing list for Switzerland, travel insurance for Switzerland and taking your belongings

What to take to Switzerland: brief

To pack and check:

• Documents and money: a valid identity card or passport is sufficient for travelers from the EU. For travelers from outside the EU - a visa is likely necessary, and make sure to have a passport with at least 6 months of validity. Switzerland is not an EU member and uses the Swiss franc (CHF). Although you can pay with euros at some tourist spots, you will often receive change in Swiss francs. Debit card and contactless payments are possible almost everywhere.
• Clothing: the weather depends heavily on your altitude and the season in which you travel. A layering system is therefore the most practical: a T-shirt for the valley, a fleece or sweater for the mountains, a good warm jacket for the winter, and a windproof and waterproof jacket. A hat, gloves, and neck gaiter also come in handy all year round.
• Shoes: good hiking boots with a firm grip are indispensable if you go hiking. For cities such as Zurich, Lucerne, or Geneva, comfortable sneakers are sufficient. Flip-flops and sandals are handy in the summer for campsites, wellness centers, or a dip in a mountain lake.
• Packing and protection: a rain cover for your backpack and waterproof pouches for electronics are handy when hiking. The weather in the Alps can change quickly.
• Care and hygiene: sunscreen with a high protection factor and lip balm with a UV filter. Due to the altitude, UV radiation in the Alps is much stronger than normal.
• Insects and animals: mosquito repellent is especially useful around lakes, rivers, and campsites in the summer. When you plan to do a lot of hiking in forests or grasslands, bring a tick remover as well.
• Sleeping and accommodation: if you are camping in the mountains, choose a sleeping bag that suits the expected night temperatures. Are you sleeping in mountain huts? Then bring a sleeping bag liner.
• Medicines and first-aid kit: a first-aid kit with plasters, blister plasters, ORS, painkillers, and personal medication.
• Outdoor items and handy gadgets: a reusable water bottle, sunglasses, a cap or hat, and a daypack.
• Technology and equipment: a universal adapter for type J sockets. Also bring a power bank and headlamp for multi-day hikes.

To consider:

• Walking poles for longer mountain hikes.
• Flip-flops for use in mountain huts.
• Swimwear for mountain lakes, spas, or thermal baths.
• Knowledge of mountain weather and hiking routes. In the Alps, thunderstorms can develop within a short time, and cable cars or mountain passes may close due to weather conditions.
• Are you traveling by car? Remember that a motorway vignette is mandatory on Swiss highways.

Are there mosquitoes in Switzerland?

• Mosquitoes are mainly found during the warmer months around lakes, rivers, and damp nature reserves. For most travelers, they are particularly annoying in the evening.
• Mosquito-borne diseases do not pose a risk to travelers in Switzerland.
• More about protection against mosquitoes and insects.

Are there sandflies in Switzerland?

• Sandflies have been found in some warmer parts of southern Switzerland (such as Ticino), but for most travelers, they are of no concern.
• Mosquito repellents containing DEET or Picaridin also help against sandflies.
• More about sandflies and sand fleas.

Are DEET, or other mosquito repellents, available in Switzerland?

• Yes, DEET, picaridin, and other mosquito repellents can be found at pharmacies, drugstores, outdoor stores, and larger supermarkets.
• Prices for products are quite high in Switzerland, so you can save a considerable amount of money if you bring a bottle from home.

Is a joint or weed legal in Switzerland, and can you bring it with you to Switzerland?

• The situation is nuanced, and Switzerland has a relatively progressive drug policy. Cannabis with less than 1% THC (CBD products) is legally available in Switzerland. Recreational use of cannabis with higher THC levels is, in principle, illegal, but possession of small quantities (up to 10 grams) has since been decriminalized and results in an administrative fine rather than criminal prosecution.
• Medical cannabis is legal under certain conditions. Switzerland is also conducting trials regarding regulated recreational use.
• Bringing cannabis into Switzerland, even in small quantities, is not legal and is not tolerated.