Best Time to Visit Switzerland in 2024-25

Last Updated: June 29, 2024

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The recommended travel time for the Grand Tour of Switzerland is the summer season from April to October. Access to the Alpine passes is only guaranteed during the summer months. However, alternatives such as tunnels or car transport are available for these. Before you set off on your tour, you should take a look at the current weather report. The weather can change quickly, especially in the mountains. This means you can prepare for sudden thunderstorms with hailstorms or a snow shower in summer and react to them in good time.

Photo Courtesy: Marlene, Volunteer from Switzerland

Adapt your driving behavior to the respective conditions. You should also take signs warning of road icing seriously in spring and autumn, when freezing water from a stream or lake or autumn leaves blown together by the wind make the road slippery. Animal crossing is also a danger that should not be underestimated, especially at dusk. Below you will find information about the climate, the best time to travel, and the weather for the holiday destination Switzerland. We have created climate tables and climate diagrams for Zurich and Geneva, in which you can find information on temperatures, precipitation, and more.

Traveling to Switzerland in Different Weathers

The best time to travel to Switzerland depends on what you want to experience. May to September offers pleasant weather with sunshine and some rain. July and August are the warmest months, making them ideal for enjoying the outdoors and sightseeing in cities like Zurich and Geneva. However, these months are also the most crowded and expensive.

Photo Courtesy: Marlene, Volunteer from Switzerland

For a quieter and more affordable trip, consider visiting in shoulder seasons like May, June, or September. You'll still have comfortable temperatures for outdoor activities, with fewer crowds and lower prices. Winter is a great time to visit for skiing enthusiasts, with destinations like Saint Moritz offering excellent snow conditions throughout the year.

Weather Table for Zurich, Switzerland

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Daytime Temp (°C)	2	4	8	12	17	20	22	21	18	13	7	3
Night Temp (°C)	-3	-2	1	4	8	11	13	12	10	6	2	-1
Rainfall (mm)	69	70	70	89	105	125	118	135	94	69	82	75
Rainy Days	11	10	12	12	13	13	12	12	9	8	11	11
Sunshine (hrs)	1	3	4	5	5	6	7	6	5	3	2	1
Sunrise	8:05	7:30	6:40	6:40	5:50	5:30	5:45	6:20	7:00	7:45	7:30	8:05
Sunset	17:05	17:50	18:30	20:15	20:55	21:25	21:20	20:40	19:40	18:40	16:50	16:35

How to Decide Best time To Visit Switzerland

The best time to travel to Switzerland varies depending on the activities you plan to engage in. While late July is often recommended, there are other suitable times throughout the year. This guide focuses on hiking and photography, as these two activities complement each other well. However, the information provided will also be beneficial for those interested in mountain biking or open water swimming. The guide covers various seasons and months, highlighting the best times for hiking, skiing, and mountain biking, as well as providing insights into the seasonal changes from winter to autumn in the Swiss Alps.

Photo Courtesy: Marlene, Volunteer from Switzerland

The hiking season in Switzerland typically begins around May, particularly in lower mountain regions such as Rigi Kulm (1798 meters) and Ticino (southern Switzerland). However, May can still bring significant snowfall in the higher mountains, and avalanches are a common risk. To safely reach higher altitudes and ensure dry conditions, it is advisable to wait until mid-July. This period offers optimal conditions for hiking and exploring the scenic landscapes without the challenges posed by snow and avalanches.

Photo Courtesy: Marlene, Volunteer from Switzerland

Hiking in Switzerland

July: Best month for hiking; no more snow in high places like Gornergrat (3000m), flower-covered meadows in valleys.

• Challenges: High prices, fully booked hotels, traffic jams during European summer holidays.
• Season Duration: Until end of September; mid-October sees mountain huts closing and first snowfalls.

Early September: Ideal for long, multi-day hikes; higher passes (from 2500m) snow-free, less crowded huts.

Photo Courtesy: Marlene, Volunteer from Switzerland

November: Possible for great hikes over 2500m, but unreliable weather; temperatures below zero even in September.

October-November: Cable cars undergo maintenance; no service for at least two weeks.

December onwards: Limited hiking due to snow and avalanche risks; some easy winter hiking trails remain accessible.

Skiing, Snowboarding, and Snowshoeing

• High-altitude Areas (Saas-Fee, Zermatt, St. Moritz): Ski season mid-November to April.
• Lower-lying Areas (Engelberg, Flumserberg, Crans Montana): Season December to March.
• Peak Season: Mid-January to mid-March.
• Year-round Skiing: Saas-Fee and Zermatt offer glacier slopes open over 300 days a year.
• Snowshoe Hiking: Starts around January; snowshoes rentable for 30-50 CHF/day; trails marked with yellow bollards with pink markings.

Mountain Biking (MTB)

Season Start:

• Late March for valleys and lower mountains (1200m), Ticino.
• Early June for areas around 2000m (Flumserberg).
• Early July for highest trails (Zermatt, Schwarzsee, Gornergratt).

June: Mountain passes open, mainly for road bikes; high MTB routes like Susten Pass and Oberalp Pass snow-covered until August.

Main Season: July to October.

Season End: End of October when cable cars undergo maintenance; trails in valleys usable until end of November or longer in Ticino or Vaud.

Best Month: July.

Planning Your Visit to Switzerland

Photo Courtesy: Marlene, Volunteer from Switzerland

In January, February, and March, Switzerland transforms into a winter wonderland, bustling with activities centered around snow sports. Ski resorts are in full swing, offering opportunities for skiing, snowboarding, and winter hiking on groomed trails. For those less inclined towards adrenaline sports, snowshoeing and sledding are popular alternatives, with safety precautions like helmets and insurance strongly recommended. Photography enthusiasts can capture stunning winter landscapes, enhanced by pink hues at sunrise and the enchanting blue hour, made accessible by operating ski lifts after sunset. Cultural events like Polo on Snow in St. Moritz and carnival parades in Lucerne and Basel add vibrant local flavors to the season.

April:

• Blooming apple trees and verdant meadows in urban areas like Lake Lucerne.
• Ideal for leisurely bike rides and hikes.
• Photography opportunities with vibrant flora and dramatic thunderstorms in central and western Switzerland.

May and June:

• Warmer weather arrives.
• Alpine passes reopen, allowing exploration of higher altitudes.
• Perfect for picturesque hikes amidst lingering snow.
• Activities include crocus hunting in thawed meadows and astrophotography under clear Alpine skies.

Climate of Different Cities in Switzerland

Here's the information on climate  for Zurich, Basel, and Geneva:

the consolidated climate data for Zurich, Basel, and Geneva in a single table:

City	Month	Max Temperature (°C)	Min Temperature (°C)	Hours of Sunshine	Rainy Days
Zurich	Jan	4	-2	3	10
	Feb	6	-2	2	8
	Mar	11	0	4	11
	Apr	15	3	5	10
	May	20	8	6	10
	Jun	23	11	6	11
	Jul	25	13	7	10
	Aug	25	13	7	10
	Sep	20	9	5	10
	Oct	15	6	5	12
	Nov	8	0	3	11
	Dec	4	-1	2	10
Basel	Jan	4	-3	2	13
	Feb	6	-2	3	11
	Mar	12	1	5	11
	Apr	16	4	5	12
	May	20	8	6	13
	Jun	24	11	7	13
	Jul	26	13	8	12
	Aug	25	13	7	12
	Sep	22	10	5	12
	Oct	15	6	4	11
	Nov	9	2	2	12
	Dec	4	-1	2	12
Geneva	Jan	4	-2	2	9
	Feb	6	-1	4	8
	Mar	9	2	6	8
	Apr	15	5	7	8
	May	18	9	8	9
	Jun	23	13	9	10
	Jul	25	15	10	7
	Aug	24	14	8	9
	Sep	21	12	7	9
	Oct	14	7	4	9
	Nov	8	3	2	9
	Dec	4	2	1	9

Photo Courtesy: Marlene, Volunteer from Switzerland

We Hope this Was Helpful

Switzerland offers year-round appeal. Winter (Dec-Feb) is snowy (great for skiing!), while spring-through-fall (Apr-Oct) is perfect for hiking (pack rain gear for August!). Autumn arrives in October with cooler temperatures and less rain. Major attractions in Switzerland are glacier hikes, available year-round with options for day trips or multi-day excursions.

In conclusion, Switzerland welcomes visitors throughout the year, offering diverse experiences from beach trips to snowy mountain retreats, and cultural explorations among historical and architectural treasures, including UNESCO World Heritage sites and majestic castles. For those seeking to avoid peak tourist times, April and May emerge as favorable months to experience Switzerland's charm amidst more tranquil surroundings.