Despite being quite a bit more expensive than other European countries, Switzerland remains a popular destination for international visitors.

This year is no different — in fact, the number of US tourists has reached its highest level in 2023, with numbers expected to be even higher when figures for 2024 are counted.

READ ALSO: Why a record number of American tourists are visiting Switzerland 

The learning curve about Switzerland is particularly high for people who visit the country for the first time

Once they realise that many of their pre-conceived beliefs  have no basis in reality — for instance, that Switzerland is not Sweden (and vice-versa), and that not all Swiss people are yodellers, Alphorn players, and bankers — there are still a number of things that are likely to surprise them.

Some are pleasant surprises and others less so.

Let’s look at some of them.

Languages

A huge shock awaits all those who believed that ‘Swiss’ is the official language here.

They will no doubt be astonished to discover that there are, in fact, four different languages — German, French, Italian, and Romansh — and ‘Swiss’ is not one of them.

Another mind-boggling moment may come when they realise how seamlessly one linguistic region transitions into another: you can drive for half an hour and see road signs morph into another language.

Fountains

Not only is Switzerland dotted with many lakes and rivers for swimming, but fountains are also a great source of refreshing water — not just for dipping into, but also for drinking (though not for washing your clothes).

It is a common sight to see people filling their bottles with waters directly from the fountain — for free (which is a huge plus, as some restaurants will charge for a carafe of tap water).

READ ALSO: Where is bathing in fountains allowed in Switzerland? 

PostBus

In general, all kinds of public transport (including trains, buses, trams, and cross-lake ferries) are plentiful and efficient in all Swiss regions.

But yellow PostBuses, with their distinct horns (which celebrate their 100 anniversary this year), are true icons. 

The 2,400 PostBus vehicles currently in service cover a network of 936 lines that span almost 17,000 kilometres of picturesque country and mountain roads — so you might say they travel the widths, lengths and heights of the country.

They actually are the best and least expensive way to sightsee in Switzerland.

READ ALSO: How and where can you travel on an iconic Swiss PostBus? 

Now for the less pleasant aspects of being a tourist in Switzerland…

Don’t expect people to queue up

The Swiss may be very orderly and organised in all aspects of their lives, but yet they have never mastered the art of waiting patiently in line.

This is most evident at long queues that typically form at ski lifts, but can also occur anywhere and at any time.

One theory to explain this uncharacteristic behaviour is that the Swiss, who are accustomed to a certain order of things, are awful at handling ‘unusual’ situations like chaos.

READ ALSO: Why don’t the Swiss like to queue? 

Trash

No, we don’t mean that there is garbage strewn in the streets; that would be so unlike Switzerland.

However, you need to be mindful of what you throw out, and where.

Depending on what kind of waste you want to dispose of, you have to find a proper container for that particular object — for instance, you can’t throw out cardboard into a ‘regular’ trash can, as one clueless American found out the hard way:
 
READ ALSO: Zurich to fine American resident for throwing carton into trash