US State Dept Travel Advisory

For the latest travel advisories for this country, please consult the U.S. State Department's website, available through the link below.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html

Passport/Visa Requirements

For the latest passport and visa requirements for this country, please consult the U.S. State Department’s “Learn About Your Destination” search tool, available through the link below.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages.html

US Embassy/Consulate

[41] (031) 357-70-11; US Embassy Bern, Sulgeneckstrasse 19, CH-3007 Bern, Switzerland; https://ch.usembassy.gov/

LGBTQIA+, Women, and Special Needs Travelers

Additional travel considerations can be found on the US State Department's International Travel page: 
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/travelers-with-special-considerations.html

Telephone Code

41

Local Emergency Phone

Ambulance: 144; Fire: 118; Police: 117

Vaccinations

For the latest information on required or recommended vaccines, please visit the CDC's website, available through the link below.

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list

Climate

Temperate, but varies with altitude; cold, cloudy, rainy/snowy winters; cool to warm, cloudy, humid summers with occasional showers

Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)

230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, J

Major Languages

German (or Swiss German), French, Italian, English, Portuguese, Albanian, Serbo-Croatian, Spanish

Time Difference

UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time); daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March, ends last Sunday in October

Potable Water

Yes

International Driving Permit

Suggested

Road Driving Side

Right

Souvenirs

Chocolate; cuckoo clocks, music boxes, and other wood carved items; cheese; Swiss army knives; watches/clocks; paper cut pictures; embroidered fabric; schnapps spirits

Traditional Cuisine

Rösti — grated potato patties sometimes including herbs and spices, onions, ham, or cheese and pan-fried in butter or oil; the dish is cut into wedges for serving

Please visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination.

CDC - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination.

US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens.

To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs:
American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA)

How to get help in an emergency?
Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers:
from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444

Source: CIA World Factbook