Planning a trip, vacation, or honeymoon to Switzerland? Here are some etiquette tips to guide you through your journey and ensure that you have a wonderful holiday!
🚆 Public Transport & City Behavior
- Get your ticket first: Tickets must be purchased prior to boarding SBB. Another option is to use Trainline for your transportation needs.
- Keep it down: Trains and buses operate like quiet carriages. Avoid loud phone calls and playing music. Also, do not put your shoes on seats.
- Mind your steps: Do not block pedestrian pathways by stopping suddenly to check your phone or directions.
- Cross carefully: Jaywalking is highly frowned upon. Wait for the pedestrian light to turn green, even if there is no traffic.
🛍️ Shopping & Dining
- Tipping: Tipping is not required, but rounding up the bill or adding 5-10% for good service is standard.
- Greeting: Say “Grüezi” (German-speaking), “Bonjour” (French), or “Buongiorno” (Italian) when entering shops or restaurants.
- Fixed prices: Haggling is not a part of Swiss culture; prices are exactly as marked.
- Tap water: Tap water is potable, so carry a refillable water bottle to save money.
♻️ Recycling & Sundays
- Quiet Sundays: Sundays are sacrosanct days of rest. Avoid noisy activities, and avoid doing laundry in apartment buildings, as it’s often prohibited.
- Strict recycling: Switzerland recycles everything. Separate your glass, paper, aluminum, and PET plastics.
- Special trash bags: You often must purchase official localized rubbish bags from the municipality to dispose of non-recyclable trash.
🥾 Hiking & Nature
- Greet fellow hikers: It is customary to exchange a friendly greeting, nod, or smile with others you pass on the trail.
- Yield uphill: Hikers walking uphill typically have the right-of-way on narrow paths.
- Leave no trace: Pack out absolutely all your trash, and stay on designated trails.
