Skiing in February, mountain summer in July, golden larches in October, Christmas markets in December: when Switzerland is at its best for which kind of trip, when it gets crowded and expensive, which weeks to avoid because of the shoulder season – and what that means for your journey from Zurich.
Switzerland has no bad time to visit, but very different ones. The same mountain village is a ski resort in February, a hiking paradise in July and sometimes almost closed in November. If you know what you are looking for, you will find the right month for every trip.
This guide goes through the months, shows peak and shoulder seasons and names the most important events. At the end you will find a quick overview by type of trip.
Switzerland at a glance: four travel seasons
Roughly, four phases can be distinguished:
| Phase | Months | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Winter season | mid-December to March | Skiing, snow, Christmas and New Year holidays, winter sports events |
| Spring and shoulder season | April to mid-June | Blossom in the valleys and Ticino, many mountain railways in maintenance, high passes still closed |
| Mountain summer | mid-June to September | Passes open, hiking, lakes, festivals, peak season |
| Autumn and shoulder season | October to mid-December | Autumn colours, grape harvest, quieter; in November many mountain resorts closed |
January and February: high winter
The best time for a ski holiday with reliable snow. The days are short and cold, the mountains sunny and clear. Early January is a little quieter after the holidays; in February the sports holidays in Switzerland and neighbouring countries fill the ski resorts.
Important events are the WEF in Davos and the Lauberhorn races in Wengen in January, and Basel Fasnacht in February or March. More in Lauberhorn races Wengen and in the WEF transfer guide.
March: spring skiing
Long, sunny days and usually still good snow in the higher ski areas. In the valleys spring begins, and the first camellias bloom in Ticino. Depending on the year, Easter can fall in March or April and then brings heavy traffic at the Gotthard.
April and May: blossom and shoulder season
The Swiss plateau and Ticino are particularly beautiful now: fruit blossom, green meadows, pleasant temperatures. In the mountains, however, it is shoulder season: many ski areas close after Easter, numerous mountain railways and hotels take a maintenance break, and the high Alpine passes are still closed.
For city breaks to Zurich, Lucerne, Bern or Basel, for Ticino and Lake Geneva, April and May are ideal. For mountain destinations, check the opening times of railways and hotels. In May the lake steamer season begins.
June: the start of mountain summer
The days are at their longest, the alpine meadows are in bloom, and during the month the high passes such as the Gotthard, Furka and Grimsel open. The mountain railways start their summer service. June is often less crowded than July and August and therefore one of the most beautiful times to travel.
Art Basel takes place in Basel in June; hotels book up early.
July and August: high summer and peak season
The most popular time to travel: warm in the valleys, pleasant in the mountains, all railways and passes open. The lakes invite you to swim, and the festivals follow one another – Montreux Jazz Festival, Street Parade in Zurich, Locarno Film Festival, Lucerne Festival. On 1 August Switzerland celebrates its national day with fireworks and bonfires on the hills.
The downside: popular destinations such as Lucerne, Interlaken, the Jungfraujoch and Zermatt are crowded, hotels expensive, and on Saturdays there are queues at the Gotthard. Booking early pays off. For the big events see Summer in Zurich and our events page.
September: the insider tip
For many the best time of all: settled weather, clear views, pleasant temperatures and far fewer crowds than in August. Mountain railways and passes are still open, and the grape harvest begins in Valais and around Lake Geneva. Ideal for hiking and round trips.
October: golden autumn
The forests change colour, and towards the end of the month the larches glow gold in the Engadin and Valais. In Ticino it is chestnut season. St. Gallen hosts the Olma fair. From mid or late October many mountain railways begin their maintenance break, and some passes close.
November: quiet, plan with care
November is the quietest time of the year. In the cities that is no problem, and at the end of the month the first Christmas markets open. In many mountain resorts, however, numerous hotels, restaurants and railways are closed until the winter season begins. Glacier ski areas such as Zermatt or the Titlis near Engelberg are often already open.
December: Christmas markets and the start of the season
Advent brings Christmas markets in Zurich, Basel, Lucerne and Bern; in mid-December the season starts in most ski areas. Between Christmas and New Year the mountain resorts are full, and the Spengler Cup in Davos and Silvesterzauber in Zurich are highlights. More in Christmas markets from Zurich Airport, Spengler Cup Davos and New Year's Eve in Zurich.
Quick overview by type of trip
Which month suits you?
- Ski holidays: January to March, snow-sure at high altitude from mid-December. Destinations in The best ski resorts from Zurich Airport.
- Hiking and mountains: mid-June to September, at its best in September.
- City breaks: almost all year, especially April to June and September to October.
- Ticino and the lakes: April to October, with blossom in spring and chestnuts in autumn.
- Fewer crowds, good prices: June, September and early October.
- Avoid for mountain destinations: late April to mid-June and November, because of the shoulder season.
What the season means for your journey
The time of year also affects the drive from Zurich Airport. In winter we allow more time on mountain routes, the access roads are busy on changeover Saturdays, and ski luggage of up to four bags per vehicle is included. In summer the Gotthard is the bottleneck on holiday weekends, and passes such as the Gotthard Pass offer scenic alternatives.
Whatever the month: the fixed price per vehicle is known in advance, weekends and public holidays cost nothing extra, and only between midnight and 6 am does the 20 % night tariff apply. How to calculate the pickup time for your return is shown in When to leave for Zurich Airport?.
Frequently asked questions about the best time to visit
When is the best time to visit Switzerland?
For mountains and hiking mid-June to September, especially September; for ski holidays January to March; for cities and Ticino spring and autumn.
When is Switzerland cheapest?
In the shoulder season and in quiet weeks such as early January, June and September. Note, however, that many mountain offerings are closed in the shoulder season.
Is the Jungfraujoch open all year?
Yes, the Jungfraujoch can be reached all year round; in bad weather, however, visibility is limited.
When are the Alpine passes open?
The high passes are usually open from June to October. The exact dates depend on the snow.
Do you drive to the mountains in the shoulder season too?
Yes, all year round. Just check in advance whether your hotel and the railways you want are open.
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