Switzerland
Geneva
Essential facts
Currency
Swiss Franc (CHF)
Language
French (German and Italian elsewhere in Switzerland)
Time zone
Central European Time · UTC +1 (UTC +2 in summer)
Typical weather
Warm summers around 18–25°C and cold winters around -1 to 5°C. Mountain weather changes quickly at altitude.
Plug type
Type J and Type C · 230V
Getting around
Trains, trams and buses are punctual and integrated. Hotels usually provide a free Geneva Transport Card for the length of your stay — ask at check-in.
Local customs
Punctuality matters. Quiet hours are observed in residential buildings, typically at night and on Sundays. Recycling rules are taken seriously.
Travel tips
Switzerland is expensive; supermarket lunches help. Type J sockets accept some but not all Type C plugs, so bring the right adapter. Tap water is excellent.
Entry requirements for British citizens
- Visa
- British citizens can travel without a visa for short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area as a whole.
- Passport
- Your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before the date you enter, and be valid for at least 3 months after the day you intend to leave.
- Return ticket
- You may be asked to show a return or onward ticket.
- Accommodation
- You may be asked to show proof of where you are staying.
- Health
- No specific vaccination requirements for entry. Check the latest health guidance before travelling.
- Customs
- Duty-free and cash declaration limits apply when entering from outside the EU.
Always check before you travel