Let’s take the United States first, considering that a record number of US tourists are visiting Switzerland. 

What does the US Department of State say about travel to Switzerland (not Sweden)?

These are some pointers that may be especially valuable to first-time travellers to Switzerland:

• Swiss people are polite but reserved
• No trip to Switzerland is complete without indulging in world famous Swiss cheese and chocolate
• Many sidewalks are narrow and uneven, and cobblestone streets can make access difficult, especially for people with mobility problems
• Under local law, assisted dying is legal in Switzerland, and several known organisations facilitate assisted dying to consenting adults.

Interestingly for any American travelling overseas, including to Switzerland, and who may believe that US healthcare is the absolute best, the State Department points out that “many US insurance companies will not pay if you break a leg or get food poisoning” abroad.

If you need to seek medical help while in Switzerland, “most healthcare providers only accept cash payments.”

This is not correct, unless further specified that outright payment only applies to foreigners who don’t have a Swiss or EU health insurance, and in these cases payment would have to be made by credit card, not cash.

READ ALSO: Five things foreign tourists may find surprising about Switzerland 

Now let’s move to the UK

Under its health advisories, the government website lists 10 Swiss locations where British tourists may suffer from altitude sickness. 

They are: 4 Vallées, Belalp-Blatten, Chandolin, Corvatsch, Engelberg-Titlis, Hohensaas, Lauchernalp, Matterhorn, Saas-Fee, and St Moritz.

There is also a warning about crime, particularly “increased reports of petty theft, especially in larger cities, at Geneva airport and on trains to and from Geneva.”

The UK also warns Britons to “take sensible precautions to avoid mugging, bag-snatching and pickpocketing. Be particularly alert at airports, railway stations and in crowded areas. Do not leave your valuables unattended.” 

The site also mentions, under the heading of ‘Laws and cultural differences’, a face-covering ban.
 
“In Ticino and St Gallen, it’s illegal to cover your face in public, including for tourists. Do not wear balaclavas, full veils or any other garment or mask that hides your face. You could get a fine of 100 to 10,000 Swiss francs if you do not comply.”

Britons who are travelling to Switzerland for mountain sports are also warned of the dangers and advised to get adequate travel insurance.

“Adventure sports can be risky. British nationals in the Swiss Alps have been involved in accidents and have been hospitalised or died. Check the company you are using is well-established and that your travel insurance covers any specific activity,” the UK government’s foreign travel advice site says.

It says: “Your insurance should include: mountain rescue services, helicopter costs and repatriation to your home country or transfer to neighbouring countries for treatment.”

The UK government also warns British drivers to respect the driving laws and speed limits in Switzerland.

“Traffic police strictly enforce these regulations. Any serious breach can result in heavy fines or imprisonment,” it says. This advice was clearly ignored by a group of British drivers recently who had their sports cars confiscated by Swiss police for speeding.

Britons are also warned about the risks of avalanches and wildfires as well as tough driving conditions in both winter and summer in the mountains.

“Road conditions can deteriorate fast, even in summer, especially during heavy rainfall and snowfall at higher altitudes,” it says.

What about France?

Switzerland’s immediate neighbour has also issued warnings about crime.

“Visitors should be aware of the existence of petty crime (theft) in train stations, airports and public transport in large cities.” (Interestingly, the site of Switzerland’s Foreign Ministry also has a ‘reciprocall’ warning about crime in France.)

What else?

France’s government also recommends that its citizens travelling in Switzerland install the AlertSwiss app on their mobile phones because “it can be very useful.” 

Canada

Canadian government has issued this warning for its citizens heading to Switzerland: “Be wary of romance scams.”

“If you’re travelling to Switzerland to meet someone you’ve otherwise only met online, be aware that you may be the victim of a scam.
Be wary of attempts at fraud by persons who profess friendship or romantic interest over the internet.”

There is also this: “A Canadian imprisoned in Switzerland can request a transfer to a Canadian prison to complete the sentence. The transfer requires the agreement of both Canadian and Switzerland authorities. This process can take a long time, and there is no guarantee that the transfer will be approved by either or both sides.”