Quick Guide to 5 Days in Switzerland

Table of Contents
Getting Around:
Currency:
What to Eat:
COVID-19:
Before leaving your country, visit Switzerland’s travel check website. The website will determine your entry qualifications based on your country and COVID vaccination status. During my visit in August 2021, I was able to enter the country by providing my airline a COVID vaccination card. My friend on the other hand, only had one shot out of two and was required to submit a negative PCR test. Neither one of us had to quarantine upon arrival. The country COVID restrictions are always changing so it is necessary to check the website. Also, all visitors must fill out the entry form. The entry form includes information for contact tracing such as seat number and address. Upon completing the form, you will receive a QR code that you must present to the ticketing agent prior to your flight.
For the return flight, all travelers leaving to the United States must submit a negative PCR test. All pharamcies that I have come across required advance appointments. When I entered a few pharmacies, the doctors told me that they cannot do walk ins. Navigating on sites such as amavita.cha was difficult if you do not speak French, German or Italian. If you can get a person to help book your appointment, you can save a few dollars. Otherwise, the airport offers “rapid PCR” walk-in testing. I recommend taking the rapid test the day before your flight because it is not a quick 15 minute turn around unless you want to spend more money. The airport provides a 30 minute turn around for CHF 380 vs CHF 149 for results within five hours. The location of the COVID testing is a bit difficult to find but airline staff will be around to assist if needed.
Where To Stay:
Itinerary:
Day 1: August 28, 2021 [Blue]
Destination:
- Arrive in Zurich
- Travel to Ebenalp
- → Schwendetalstrasse 82, 9057 Wasserauen
- Take the cable car – Round trip is CHF 17 with travel pass
Where to Eat:
- Berggasthaus
- → Berggasthaus Ebenalp, 9057 Weissbad (AI)
- Ordered Fechy white Wine CHF 9
- Breaded pork with fries CHF 26.50
Day 2: August 29, 2021 [Green]
Destination:
- Walensee via Weesen
Where to Eat:
- Lunch: La Taqueria
- → Badenerstrasse 138, 8004 Zürich
- Hours: M-Sun 11:30am – 10pm
- Ordered nachos (CHF 14.90), carne asada tacos (CHF 6.90), al pastor (CHF 6.90)
- food was delicious but took 50 minutes to get food. Has vegetarian options.
- Dinner: Five Spice Thai Restaurant
- → Zweierstrasse 106, 8003 Zürich
- Hours: M-F 11:00am – 2:30pm, 5:30pm – 10:00pm; Sat-Sun 5:30pm – 10:00pm
- Ordered Pad Thai Gai (CHF 23.50) and Sawadee Thailand drink (CHF 9.00)
Day 3: August 30, 2021 [Yellow]
Destination:
- Lavaux Vineyard Terrance
Where to Eat:
- Drinks: L’Atelier
- → Rte de Vevey 51, 1096 Cully
- Dinner: Auberge du Vigneron
- → Rte de la Corniche 16, 1098 Epesses
- Ordered Beef entrecote with red wine butter, veggies, and potatos (CHF 44.00)
Day 4: August 31, 2021 [Orange]
Destination:
- Lake Geneva
- Chillion Castle
- Fee: CHF 13.50
- Hours: M-Sun 10:00am – 5:00pm; last entrance at 4:00pm
- Lavaux Vinorama
- Expert Wine Tasting: 3 white wines, 2 red wines (CHF 24)
Where to Eat:
- Byron Cafe
- Grab and go lunch located across the Chillion Castle
Day 5: September 1, 2021 [Red]
Destination:
- Zurich Central
Where to Eat
- Lunch: Thali House Indian Restaurant
- → Langstrasse 213, 8005 Zürich
- Ordered the lunch special which includes chicken thali, yogurt, cauliflower with potatos, lentil, and rice (CHF 20)
- Dinner: La Piazzeta at Hotel St. Gotthard
- → Bahnhofstrasse 87, 8001 Zürich
- Ordered Aperol Spritz (CHF 16.50), Margarita Pizza (CHF 20)
- Drinks: Jules Verne Panorama Bar
- → Uraniastrasse 9, 8001 Zürich
- Open Tues – Fri 5:30pm – 11pm; Sat 2pm -11pm, Sun-Mon closed
- rooftop bar. reservations necessary due to limited seating
- Ordered Phileas Fogg (CHF 18)
Cost breakdown for one person for 5 days:
- Transportation: CHF 331.80
- Hotel for one night: $85
- Food and Drinks: CHF 362.20
- Activites: CHF 13.50
- COVID test: CHF 149
Total costs: CHF 913.85 or $1020.31