For those coming to Switzerland to ski, all winter long would be the best time to go. “Believe it or not, Switzerland is not an expensive place to ski,” Koehler says. “Lift prices often beat those in Colorado and Utah, plus many Swiss towns let kids ski for free, on top of offering other great ski deals.”
In the summertime, the weather is fabulous and temperate—and the music is even better. In the first two weeks of July, the resort town of Montreux (just 30 minutes east of Lausanne by car or train) hosts the Montreux Jazz Festival, which Koehler highly recommends: “The festival is iconic and lights up Lake Geneva, bringing the Swiss Riviera front and center for these two special weeks each year.”
When is the cheapest time to visit Switzerland?
According to Koehler, the most affordable flights from the United States to Switzerland are typically found in the window from January, February, and March. “This is also when you’ll get some great hotel deals all over the country,” she says, “but be mindful that these months are still considered peak season in ski villages.” So if you’re conscious of your budget and traveling during the winter, you might skip St. Moritz and Zermatt and instead enjoy the city scenes of Geneva or Zurich, where lodging and dining options at all price points will be more plentiful.
When is peak season in Switzerland?
As with most European destinations, June, July, and August are the peak season in Switzerland, when prices tend to be higher and crowds tend to be bigger, given that much of the continent and the Northern Hemisphere are traveling during summer holidays. “In Switzerland, some argue May and September are now also considered peak season,” Koehler adds. “But there are still fewer crowds in May and September. And obviously, for ski towns, December to March is peak season.”
When visiting Switzerland for the first time, where should I go?
The best cities to fly into are Geneva or Zurich, whose airports often have connectivity to other global hubs through airlines like Swiss Air and Lufthansa. Either or both cities are a great place to start for first-time visitors, with plenty of hotels, restaurants, and things to do.