Does the coronavirus affect trips to Switzerland?

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    Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    11 July 2020 at 16:14:21 #932827

    Hi everyone,

    I am wondering if anyone knows the situation regarding paying in cash in Switzerland at the moment? All I can find is that cashless is being encouraged on public transport. Here in the UK a lot of shops are only accepting card/contactless payments at the moment due to the pandemic, is this similar in Switzerland? We will be in the Jungfrau region for a week towards the end of July – I was thinking of bringing CHF 150 in cash and using my credit card for everything else, but not sure if that will be too much?

    Thanks!

    Anna
    Moderator
    6274 posts
    11 July 2020 at 16:33:48 #932828

    Hi Clairebee,

    If you are purchasing tickets from the counter or shopping at the supermarkets, contactless payment is preferred. Some shops still do accept cash payment but do check before you proceed. Supermarkets like Coop has self-service machines where you scan your shopping items yourself and pay in cash or using cards. Migros’ self-service machines only accept cards. Most ticket vending machines accept both cards and cash. However, it is safer and more convenient to buy train tickets online via the SBB Mobile app on your smartphone. You can download it here: http://www.myswissalps.com/aboutswitzerland/practical/websites

    Regards,

    Anna

    Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    12 July 2020 at 8:32:21 #932829

    Hi Anna

    thank you for the info – it sounds like card will be accepted in most places so I think we’ll just take a little cash. The only place we might need a lot is if any restaurants only accept cash, but would think that’s rare?

    We’ve got regional swiss passes so hopefully should be able to keep the ticket buying to a minimum!

    Thanks again

    Claire

    Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    12 July 2020 at 16:37:02 #932830

    Hi Claire!

    Most restaurants accept both, so cashless payment shouldn’t be a problem. Remote little restaurants in small towns or up in the mountains may require cash, but that’s really getting rare.

    Enjoy your trip! 🙂

    Greetings, Sara

    Annika
    Moderator
    7104 posts
    14 July 2020 at 6:12:58 #932831

    Hi Tourgypsy. It wasn’t quite clear in the beginning whether it was about residency, country of origin or other criteria. I’m sorry the situation turns out to be less positive for you than we initially thought. Fingers crossed you’ll soon be able to return! Please let us know if you have further questions, either now or next year when planning a new trip :-).

    Removed user
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    72625 posts
    14 July 2020 at 8:24:47 #932832

    Hi Arno,

    As your updated post says travel to Switzerland from UK is allowed now, does this mean it is restricted for British citizens only? I’ve Indian passport with Shengen visa and staying in UK for last 3 yrs. Can I travel to Switzerland in late August this year as a tourist?

    Annika
    Moderator
    7104 posts
    14 July 2020 at 9:26:25 #932833

    Hi SubrataPorel! Travel options are mostly based on country of origin, but I guess a long-term visa such as yours does allow you to enter Switzerland from the UK. I suggest you contact the Swiss authorities to make sure though, using the infoline mentioned at http://www.bag.admin.ch/bag/en/home/krankheiten/ausbrueche-epidemien-pandemien/aktuelle-ausbrueche-epidemien/novel-cov/empfehlungen/empfehlungen-fuer-reisende.html, or to contact the Indian embassy: http://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/fdfa/representations-and-travel-advice/india.html.

    We’d be very happy if you’d share the outcome here, as I’m sure that’s relevant to other travelers as well :-)!

    Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    22 July 2020 at 9:15:30 #932834

    Hi Annika,

    I have got an email reply from Swiss immigration department that I’m still not allowed to travel to Switzerland as a tourist. I explicitly mentioned in my email that i’m residing in UK with long term Visa and my country of origin is India.It seems the restrictions been eased based on country of origin and residents.

    Annika
    Moderator
    7104 posts
    22 July 2020 at 9:48:08 #932835

    Thanks for your update SubrataPorel! I appreciate you taking the effort to let us know what you found out. I think you’re right in concluding that the measures are based on country of origin, rather than current country of residence.

    I’m really sorry to hear you can’t visit Switzerland yet. Too bad you can’t proceed with your holiday plans! Let’s hope things will soon change for the better… Switzerland’s regulations are updated on a regular basis, so I advise you keep an eye on the first post of this thread to check the recent information.

    Merocasper
    Participant
    11 posts
    31 July 2020 at 13:48:14 #932836

    Hi

    I am from Egypt,

    Is it acceptable to enter Swiss now or not yet ???

    Anna
    Moderator
    6274 posts
    31 July 2020 at 15:04:14 #932837

    Hi Merocasper,

    The travel advice and restrictions are constantly being updated and while Switzerland has opened its borders to foreign visitors, this unfortunately does not apply to travelers from all countries. For detailed explanation, you should consult with the travel authority in your country or you can contact the Swiss Embassy in Cairo. Here is the link: http://www.eda.admin.ch/countries/egypt/en/home/representations/embassy-cairo.html

    We are constantly updating this thread too and please keep an eye on the first post from time to time.

    Regards,

    Anna

    Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    6 August 2020 at 10:02:47 #932838

    We are planning a trip to Switzerland in three weeks, travelling from the UK through Belgium and Luxembourg in a motorhome. We can adapt it and travel through France but I think it’s all looking up in doubt at the moment. What do you think? We can quarantine on return home but of course we don’t want to have to quarantine in Switzerland! If we do manage to still travel do you think restaurants and bars will still be open? Things change so quickly. We have 5 days in Interlaken and then 3 days near to Zurich.

    Anna
    Moderator
    6274 posts
    6 August 2020 at 18:54:23 #932839

    Hi Clare,

    Welcome to MySwissAlps!

    I’m sure you are aware that Luxembourg is listed as a high-risk country and upon arrival you will be required to self-quarantine if you travel through Luxembourg. The list is updated regularly based on current situation. Like you said, things can change quickly and in 3 weeks, Luxembourg may or may not be taken out of the list. We don’t know. You can find the latest list here: http://www.bag.admin.ch/bag/en/home/krankheiten/ausbrueche-epidemien-pandemien/aktuelle-ausbrueche-epidemien/novel-cov/empfehlungen-fuer-reisende/quarantaene-einreisende.html#1918240392

    Most bars and restaurants are open but many are not running in full capacity and implement some measures of social distance.

    The best advice I can give you before and during your travel is to stay on top of the news. We try to update this thread as soon as new information becomes available so make sure you follow this thread too.

    Safe travel and regards,

    Anna

    Removed user
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    72625 posts
    21 August 2020 at 7:24:32 #932840

    i in thailand now, no covid for 2 months or so. i have to go to zurich in september, then come to thailand again, i notice the new cases are going up in switzerland, i hope they don’t close zurich airport again,

    Anna
    Moderator
    6274 posts
    21 August 2020 at 8:04:42 #932841

    Hi leonard66,

    Thank you for joining MySwissAlps.

    At the moment, the situation in Switzerland is under control but things could change quickly in a matter of days or weeks and new travel restrictions may be introduced or eased. As you will only be travelling in September, do follow this thread for the latest updates about the coronavirus situation here. Also, it is always good to check with your local travel authority regarding the risks and restrictions of travelling abroad from your country of domicile.

    It is important to note that travellers entering Switzerland from a country or area with a high risk of infection are mandated to go into quarantine for ten days. You will find the list of these countries from the first post of this thread.

    Regards,

    Anna

    Tiki
    Participant
    3 posts
    15 September 2020 at 8:11:12 #932842

    Hello everyone!

    I’m currently in the USA (California) but I’m not a citizen. I have a Serbian passport. Will I be able to go to Switzerland to visit my family next week?

    I’m going to Serbia after staying in Switzerland. I haven’t bought my ticket yet because I don’t know if I’m allowed to enter Switzerland as a Serbian citizen coming from US.

    Thank you in advance for answering

    Anna
    Moderator
    6274 posts
    15 September 2020 at 10:12:01 #932843

    Hi Tiki,

    Thanks for joining MySwissAlps. Yes, if you are resident of the US with a Serbian passport you should be able to travel to Switzerland with ease. However, be aware that US is currently on the high-risk list, and you are legally mandated to go into quarantine for 10 days upon arrival.

    You can find more details here: http://www.bag.admin.ch/bag/en/home/krankheiten/ausbrueche-epidemien-pandemien/aktuelle-ausbrueche-epidemien/novel-cov/empfehlungen-fuer-reisende/quarantaene-einreisende.html

    I would recommend you also check with your local travel authority for any restrictions or limitations regarding travel to and coming back from Switzerland.

    Regards,

    Anna

    Tiki
    Participant
    3 posts
    16 September 2020 at 5:22:20 #932844

    Thank you so much Anna!

    Gailannski
    Participant
    45 posts
    23 September 2020 at 18:24:51 #932845

    My husband and I are US citizens and have been spending about 3 months each year in Switzerland for the last 16 years. Our next trip is planned for December, January, and February and flight tickets, apartment rental and halb tax SBB were purchased before the virus hit.

    We still would like to take our trip this December. We basically live like a Swiss person for those 3 months and we would, of course, follow all rules and be careful, just as we are currently doing in the US.

    Since we don’t qualify for any of the exceptions for entering Switzerland from the US (and we are more than happy to quarantine), I have discovered that we can travel to Ireland first. Although Ireland discourages travel, a US citizen is allowed to fly there but of course needs to quarantine for 14 days – no problem for us. Currently, travelers are allowed entry into Switzerland from Ireland with no quarantine, so, unless things change, we are thinking to fly to Ireland and quarantine for 14 days, then fly to Zurich.

    I have written to the Swiss consulate in Chicago with this scenario because I wanted to make sure this would be possible (if the current rules remain unchanged). The first thing they wrote was:

    The following information applies to US-citizens:

    The border control authority will not allow you to enter Switzerland from a high-risk country (i.e. from any country that is not a Schengen state) unless you meet at least one of the following requirements:
    then they list a bunch of requirements, which one of them is: You have rights of free movement.

    So from my understanding, if I quarantine in Ireland and then I arrive in Zurich from Dublin, I should have free rights of movement, since people arriving from Ireland have free rights of movement. I had also read somewhere that it is not the passport you hold, but the country you arrive from, which makes sense.

    I just keep finding bits of information here and there and sometimes they contradict each other. I am really determined to go to Switzerland, since it is like my second home. I just don’t want to quarantine in Ireland and then get turned back in Zurich. I also heard that there are discussions of giving arriving tourists Covid tests at the airport, to help boost winter tourism in Switzerland. That would be great and I hope that comes to pass, or at least I hope we may have the possibility to quarantine in Switzerland. Also, we are not changing any tickets or putting any “new” plan in place until the week of our planned departure. We understand how quickly things change.

    If anyone has done a route like this, I would love to know what your experience was! Thank you all!

    Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    24 September 2020 at 9:42:55 #932846

    Hi Gailannski,

    this is a tricky question but I am afraid, you cannot do that, please have a look at this article: http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/coronavirus–swiss-close-transit-travel-loophole/45998846. Also it seems that the country of residence that counts and not the country from which one travels in. Arno mentioned this in his first post in this thread, please check it.

    I am very sorry. 🙁

    Ildiko

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