Book Swiss hotels/flights before or after visa application from India?
A traveler named so_na is planning a trip to Switzerland in August from India and is applying for a Schengen Visa. They seek advice on whether it's necessary to book flights and hotels in advance or if it can wait until after the visa approval. Additionally, they want to know if a day trip to Engelberg from Zurich is feasible.
- For a Schengen Visa, it's essential to have confirmed flight and hotel bookings, but you might consider options with free cancellation to maintain flexibility.
- You can reserve a flight without full payment for visa purposes, so check for low-cost flight reservations.
- A day trip to Engelberg from Zurich is doable; plan to leave early as travel takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes one way.
AI-generated summary-
Hi all,
I am planning a Switzerland trip on August this year from India and have to applied for the Schengen Visa for the same. Is it manadatory to book flights and hotels in advance or can it be done later (after Visa is approved)? I haven’t yet finalised the dates, but the checklist asks to give details of the flight and hotel bookings among other details.
Another question – is it possible to visit Engelberg in a single day from Zurich? I am planning to stay at Zurich, will take train in the morning and return say by 5-6pm.
Any help will be appreciated!
Thanks!
-
Hi so_na,
Welcome to MySwissAlps.
That’s great to hear you are planning a trip to Switzerland.
For your flight, you may want to look into a flight reservation for a visa. I would not purchase your flight tickets until your visa has been approved. You could go ahead and secure accommodation if you wanted to. Just check the cancellation policy. Some hotel bookings are flexible and allow cancellations up to 24 hours before arrival.
You can find more information in regard to the practicalities for entering Switzerland in the attached link:
A visit to Engelberg from Zurich is doable within a day. I would set off early, a one way trip you would be looking at around 1 hour 45 minutes. Do use the Swiss timetable so you can research and gauge travel times.
- Swiss timetable: https://www.myswissalps.com/travel/public-transport/timetable/
Kind regards,
Yolanda
Hi So_na, Yolanda,
To apply for a visa, it’s necessary to have confirmed return air tickets, confirmed hotel reservations, and travel insurance. Here is the checklist for applicants from India:
https://visa.vfsglobal.com/one-pager/switzerland/india/english/pdf/checklist-tourist.pdf
As Yolanda mentioned, many accommodations offer 24-hour cancellation policies, which can be quite helpful. If booking an air ticket is a concern, consider purchasing a fully refundable ticket, though these can be quite expensive.
If your travel dates are set, you can book air tickets and accommodations with a 24-hour cancellation policy, allowing you some flexibility with your itinerary in Switzerland. Since you’re planning to visit in August, which is peak season, it’s advisable to book early as many good accommodations may already be reserved.
Thanks,
Amol
The checklist says “Flight Reservation” so you can somehow book flight reservation at a low cost then fully paid ticket is not necessary. (I actually myself do not know how to just book a reservation without full payment)
I have recently got my Schengen Visa.
Yes it very much required to show the flight and Hotel bookings and they will verify these details with your PNR .Visa application can be rejected even on small discrepancy such as missing night stay in your itinerary .
If you are uncertain with your plans, Book flight tickets with free cancellation option which can be opted with minimum amount in almost every website now a days.
For hotel bookings opt for free cancellation stays and booking.com has ton of these options available with them.
Regards
DeRo.
- The thread ‘Book Swiss hotels/flights before or after visa application from India?’ is closed to new replies.
