Switzerland is one of Germany’s easiest international neighbours to visit — Basel is just over an hour from Freiburg, Zurich is 3.5 hours from Munich by direct train, and the Swiss Alps are accessible as a day trip from southern Germany. The trade-off is price: Switzerland is consistently among the world’s most expensive countries.
The Currency
Switzerland uses the Swiss Franc (CHF), not the Euro. As of 2024–2025, 1 CHF ≈ €1.05 — effectively at parity. This means German prices and Swiss prices look similar numerically, but Swiss prices represent significantly higher purchasing power. A restaurant meal in Switzerland typically costs 40–60% more than an equivalent meal in Germany. Budget accordingly.
Basel: The Art City
Basel is the most accessible Swiss city from Germany and is exceptional for art. Art Basel (June) is the world’s most prestigious contemporary art fair. The Kunstmuseum Basel has one of Europe’s finest permanent collections. The Design Museum (Museum für Gestaltung) is excellent. Basel can be done as a day trip from Freiburg, Karlsruhe, or even Frankfurt.
Zurich
Zurich is a clean, efficient, expensive city with a genuinely excellent quality of life. The old town (Altstadt) is walkable and compact. Lake Zurich is stunning in summer — several public swimming areas (free) line the lake shore. The art galleries in the Kreis 4 and Kreis 5 areas are worth exploring. Eating cheaply: Markt-Migros supermarket food hall, Bäckeranlage area food trucks.
Day Trip to the Alps
From Zurich or Bern, mountain day trips are feasible. Interlaken is the base for Jungfrau region. The Jungfraujoch (Top of Europe — 3,454m) costs approximately CHF 230 return but is spectacular. Cheaper alternatives: Schilthorn, Pilatus, or Rigi are half the cost and equally scenic for less-visited views.
