Switzerland
Travel Destination – Switzerland
Alpine scenery, crystal-clear lakes, and beautifully preserved old towns make Switzerland one of Europe’s most iconic destinations. Travellers come for panoramic train journeys through the Swiss Alps, skiing and snowboarding in world-class resorts, summer hiking in flower-filled meadows, and cultural city breaks in centres such as Zurich and Geneva. From mountain villages to lakeside promenades, Switzerland offers a seamless blend of nature, efficiency, and refined urban life.
Switzerland’s healthcare system is advanced, accessible, and high quality. Public health standards, sanitation, and food safety are excellent. For travellers, this means the overall infectious disease risk is low, but planning is recommended before long-haul travel, high-altitude excursions, winter sports, and exposure to respiratory viruses. Taking time to prepare before departure will help you stay healthy and make the most of your Swiss experience.
Health Risks
Pre-travel preparation
Before travelling to Switzerland, arrange a pre-travel consultation. A travel doctor can help check your routine vaccinations are up to date and provide tailored advice based on your itinerary and health history.
Ideally, book your appointment six to eight weeks before departure. This allows time to update any required vaccines, and discuss individual risk factors. If departure is sooner, a last-minute consultation is still worthwhile.
Your doctor can advise on travel health considerations relevant to your plans, whether you are skiing in alpine resorts, hiking at altitude, attending large events, or travelling between cities and rural regions. They can also review your medications, provide documentation if needed, and discuss travel insurance, including cover for winter sports or mountain activities.
Insect avoidance
In Switzerland, ticks are present in some forested and grassy areas and can transmit infections such as tick-borne encephalitis and Lyme disease. While the overall risk for short-term urban travellers is low, those hiking, camping, or spending extended time outdoors during warmer months should reduce their exposure to tick bites.
Wear long sleeves and pants when walking through wooded or grassy terrain, use insect repellent containing DEET or picaridin on exposed skin, and check your body for ticks after outdoor activities. Prompt removal of attached ticks and seeking medical attention early helps reduce the likelihood of infection.
Food and water hygiene
Food and water standards in Switzerland are high, and tap water is safe to drink throughout the country. Nevertheless, gastrointestinal illness can still occur, particularly when travelling, eating in busy tourist settings, or consuming unfamiliar foods.
Practise good hand hygiene before meals and after using public transport. Choose freshly prepared food that is properly stored and served at appropriate temperatures. While the risk is low compared with many destinations, sensible precautions help reduce the likelihood of gastroenteritis, otherwise called travellers’ diarrhoea.
Our Travel Doctors
Our fully qualified doctors have an interest in travel medicine and immunisations. And they know travel. Their expert advice will be tailored for you, your travel companions and your trip.
Which shots do I need for Switzerland?
Measles
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Measles is a highly contagious viral infection spread through airborne respiratory droplets. Infection can cause high fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, anda rash, but can also lead to complications of pneumonia and inflammation of the brain.
Although Switzerland has strong vaccination programs, measles outbreaks continue to occur across Europe. Travellers may be exposed in crowded environments such as airports, festivals, ski resorts, public transport, and major tourist attractions.
All travellers should ensure they are fully vaccinated before departure. Those born during or since 1966 should have received two documented doses of a measles-containing vaccine (such as MMR). If you are unsure of your vaccination history, a travel doctor can review your records and arrange appropriate catch-up vaccination if recommended.
Influenza
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Influenza is a contagious respiratory virus spread through droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks, and also on contaminated surfaces. Symptoms often include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, fatigue, and sometimes gastrointestinal symptoms and other complications.
In Switzerland, influenza circulates seasonally, with peak transmission during the European winter. Travellers are at increased risk in enclosed or crowded settings, including aircraft cabins, trains, ski lodges, and large indoor events.
Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for all travellers aged six months and over. It is particularly important for those at higher risk of complications. A travel health consultation can help determine the most appropriate timing of vaccination based on the season of travel.
COVID-19
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The viral respiratory illness COVID-19 continues to circulate globally, including in Switzerland, spreading through respiratory droplets and aerosols in close contact or poorly ventilated environments. International travel increases exposure risk due to time spent in airports, aircraft, public transport, hotels, and busy indoor venues.
Symptoms range from mild respiratory illness to severe pneumonia and systemic complications. Some individuals may experience prolonged symptoms, known as long COVID.
Travellers should be up to date with COVID-19 vaccination in line with current Australian health recommendations. This may include primary vaccination and booster doses, six-monthly for those over 75 and annually for those 65 to 74. A travel doctor can provide personalised advice regarding eligibility and optimal timing before departure.
Routine vaccinations
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Keeping routine immunisations up to date before travel to Switzerland is an important part of travel preparation as international travel increases exposure to infections.
Before departure, review your vaccination history to ensure protection against measles, polio, chickenpox (varicella), diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis. Adults may require a booster if it has been more than 10 years since their last tetanus-containing vaccine.
Depending on your age, medical background, occupation, lifestyle, and length of stay, hepatitis B vaccination may be appropriate. Because vaccination needs vary between individuals, a pre-travel consultation with a travel doctor is the most reliable way to ensure your immunisations are up to date and suited to your itinerary.
Switzerland
Other health risks in Switzerland
Gastroenteritis
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Although Switzerland has excellent sanitation, safe drinking water, and high food safety standards, gastroenteritis can still affect travellers. Bacterial gastroenteritis can be spread through contaminated food and water. Viral gastroenteritis can spread in hotels, restaurants, ski lodges, and tour groups. Symptoms commonly include diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and sometimes low-grade fever, typically developing within one to three days of exposure.
Most cases are mild and settle within a few days with rest and adequate fluid intake. Oral rehydration solutions can help replace lost fluids and electrolytes. To reduce the risk of gastroenteritis while travelling in Switzerland, practise careful hand hygiene before eating, use alcohol-based sanitiser when soap and water are unavailable, and ensure food is freshly prepared and properly stored. Medical advice should be sought if symptoms are severe, persistent or atypical.
Lyme disease
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Lyme disease is present in parts of Switzerland and is transmitted through the bite of infected ticks, particularly in forested, grassy, and rural areas. Travellers are at higher risk during warmer months when hiking, camping, cycling, or spending extended time in the outdoors.
Early symptoms may include fever, fatigue, headache, muscle aches, and rash. Prompt diagnosis and treatment significantly reduce the risk of longer-term complications.
Preventing tick bites helps lower risk, including wearing long sleeved clothing, insect repellant, and performing thorough tick checks.
Non-infectious conditions
Altitude sickness
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Altitude sickness is an important consideration for travellers visiting the Swiss Alps. Many mountain resorts and excursion points exceed 2,400 metres, and several peaks rise above 4,000 metres. Rapid ascent by cable car, cog railway, or vehicle can increase the likelihood of acute mountain sickness (AMS), particularly if there has been little time for acclimatisation.
Symptoms may include headache, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and reduced exercise tolerance. In most cases, symptoms improve with rest at the same altitude or descent to a lower elevation. Severe forms, including high altitude cerebral oedema (HACE) and high altitude pulmonary oedema (HAPE), are rare but potentially life-threatening and require immediate descent and urgent medical care.
To reduce the risk of altitude sickness in Switzerland, ascend gradually where possible, avoid heavy exertion on arrival at altitude, maintain hydration, and recognise early warning signs. Travellers with underlying cardiovascular or respiratory conditions should seek personalised medical advice before undertaking high-altitude activities.
Deep vein thrombosis
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Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a condition in which a blood clot forms in a deep vein, most commonly in the leg. It can occur when blood flow slows during prolonged immobility, such as during long-haul flights from Australia to Switzerland or extended train and car journeys.
To reduce the risk of DVT during travel to Switzerland, move regularly during flights, perform calf muscle exercises while seated, stay well hydrated, and avoid excessive alcohol intake. Travellers with additional risk factors, including a history of DVT, recent surgery, pregnancy, hormonal therapy use, obesity, or certain medical conditions, should seek medical advice prior to departure to discuss preventive strategies such as compression stockings.
Safety on the roads and elsewhere
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Switzerland’s transport infrastructure is modern and reliable, but winter conditions in alpine regions can present hazards due to snow, ice, and reduced visibility. If hiring a vehicle, ensure it is equipped with appropriate winter tyres and that you are familiar with local driving regulations. Weather in mountain environments can change rapidly, so checking forecasts and following official safety advice is essential.
Crime and unrest
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Although Switzerland is considered safe, petty crime such as pickpocketing and bag snatching can occur in major cities, train stations, airports, and popular tourist areas. Travellers should remain alert in crowded environments, secure valuables, and avoid displaying expensive items unnecessarily.
Monitor the Australian Government’s Smartraveller website for updates before and during travel for the latest safety advice.