Switzerland
Central Europe · German · Swiss Franc
Be five minutes early, greet the shopkeeper with Grüezi, and keep quiet after ten — Sunday lawn-mowing is genuinely against the rules.
Today in Switzerland
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5 phrases you need in Switzerland
- HelloGrüeziGROO-eh-tsee
- GoodbyeUf Widerluegeoof VEE-der-loo-eh-geh
- PleaseBitteBIT-teh
- Thank youMerci vilmalMER-see FEEL-mahl
- Excuse meExgüsiex-GOO-zee
The Trovlr app drills all 8 Switzerland phrases with audio, Duolingo-style. Get the app →
Know before you go
money
Switzerland uses francs, not euros, and it is eye-wateringly expensive — Coop and Migros supermarkets are how you eat well without crying. Many places accept euros but give change in francs at a poor rate.
transport
The Swiss Travel Pass or Half Fare Card pays for itself fast. Trains run to the minute and a 4-minute connection is a real, makeable connection.
etiquette
Quiet hours are sacred: no noise after 22:00, and Sundays mean closed shops and no laundry, drilling, or lawn-mowing. Greet shopkeepers when entering and leaving.
tipping
Service is included by law — rounding up to the nearest franc or five francs for good service is plenty.
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