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Switzerland is known for its beautiful landscapes, chic cities, and classic style. Add these things to your Switzerland packing list!
What to Wear in Switzerland
Columbia Pardon My Trench Rain Jacket
Switzerland Clothing Style
Zurich is known to be a place that is both conservative and casual, which means that it is acceptable to wear jeans and even sneakers for almost any occasion.
There are incredibly beautiful places to visit in Switzerland. The summer months see the city come alive to enjoy the glorious sunshine, celebrated with bright block colors and striking summery floral print dresses. Whilst it is a city with fashion freedom, it is still important to remain neat and presentable, so keep this in when when choosing what to wear in Switzerland.
Zurich Travel Essentials
For Zurich weather you won’t find the need for an umbrella on your Switzerland packing list. It’s not that it doesn’t rain, but rather due to the fact that the wind is too strong and it would be impractical for an umbrella.
Alternatively a warm waterproof jacket will fill the role of the umbrella. There are outstanding hiking trails in the Swiss countryside, so if you’re interested in hiking then bring your hiking shoes or trainers.
Always, always, always check the weather forecast before your trip. Once you’ve researched the weather, you can focus on creating a capsule travel wardrobe, which should easily fit into a carryon suitcase with the help of packing cubes to compress your clothing.
Read these tips on what to wear on a rainy day!
Tank | Blouse | Shirt | Longsleeve | Shirtdress | Dress |.Jeans | Jeans | Jacket | Raincoat | Cardigan | Skirt | Flats | Boots | Scarf | Crossbody
What to Wear in Switzerland: Zurich in Spring
Liz says: Spring weather can be unpredictable and so it is important to remember to layer. You can wake up in the mornings to 4 C / 39 F degree weather, which can warm up to around 25 C / 77 F degrees over lunch time and will cool down again in the early evenings to around 12 – 15 C / 53-59 F degrees.
The best thing to keep in mind as you plan what to wear in Switzerland is that it’s important to be prepared for anything. Your daily outfit for spring would be a light top teamed with a pair of jeans and a warm jacket.
Start by reading these general tips on packing for spring travel:
- How to Pack for Trips with Mixed Weather
- How to Layer a Summer Dress for Spring
- How to Pack for Europe in Spring
- Best Shoes for Traveling in Spring and Fall
Switzerland Packing List for Spring
As mentioned, Zurich weather can be unpredictable, and layering is important to ensure you are comfortable, so keep this in mind when deciding what to wear in Switzerland. Start with your base including a good pair of jeans or trousers in a darker shade. Generally speaking, dark blue denim is considered timeless European fashion.
Pair this with a light blouse or sleeveless top in a bright color as it is spring and you are celebrating this. This outfit can be accompanied by a lightweight jacket or a cardigan to protect you from the chill of the mornings and evenings.
Sandals are also a great addition to your spring Switzerland packing list for the hotter days, again you can purchase a selection of patterns and prints that best suit your personality. For colder days, ankle boots or sneakers are the top choice.
While not recommended for all day sightseeing, ballet flats are also a good option should you want a dressier pair of shoes on your trip for warmer days or evenings. Alternatively, being closed toe wedges for a dressy alternative.
You can add a pair of dressy shorts to your wardrobe, which can be worn with your flats and a sweater during the day. You can also also layer shorts with tights or leggings underneath.
Don’t forget your sunglasses to protect you from the sunshine and the glare.
Choose one of these stylish travel raincoats for women to keep you dry!
Tank | Tee | Longsleeve | Blouse | Dress | Belt Dress | Jeans | Shorts | Vest | Raincoat | Top | Skirt | Flats | Sandals | Hat | Bag
What to Wear in Switzerland: Zurich in Summer
Liz says: you can expect weather that can range from between 12-15 C / 54-59 F degrees up to a very warm 30 C / 86 F degrees. The warmer weather allows for greater fashion freedom with your wardrobe and your Switzerland packing list.
Start by reading these general tips on packing for summer travel:
- Capsule Wardrobe for Summer
- Top Summer Dresses Perfect for Europe
- Lightweight Jackets for Easy Layers
- Best Walking Shoes for Europe’s Cobblestone Streets
Switzerland Packing List in Summer
The evenings in summer can still get quite cool, so when deciding what to wear in Switzerland, include a lightweight jacket for the cooler nights, additionally a raincoat would be beneficial to protect you from the elements and the occasional rain shower. This can be worn with a pair of jeans or trousers of your choice.
Sunglasses, bandeaus, and sleeveless shirts can make an appearance during the summer months, in bright bold colors and worn with dressy shorts in darker shades.
Light summer dresses and skirts in cotton and linen are a great fabric for the summer season to allow for breathability. In fact, it’s not just a good idea to keep them in mind when planning what to pack for Switzerland, but you can use them for just about any destination for versatility, femininity, and style.
During the cooler summer days, you can wear a maxi dress, which will give your legs protection from the breeze whilst maintaining that chic, ladylike summer style.
No Switzerland packing list is complete without suitable and comfortable footwear; summer follows the same rules as spring with regards to its footwear choices and is the perfect season for sneakers and comfortable sandals.
This is a selection of the best sandals for travel in summer – our top recommendation for a summer trip to Switzerland!
Longsleeve | Blouse | Shirt | Sweater | Dress | Shirtdress | Jeans | Jeans | Jacket | Raincoat | Sweater | Skirt | Boots | Tall Boot | Scarf | Bag
What to Wear in Switzerland: Zurich in Fall
Liz says: Autumn weather can be unpredictable; it can range from sunny days to rain and even snow. Autumn is a difficult season when deciding what to wear in Switzerland due to the fact that outdoors is cold, and inside the buildings and public transport the central heating leaves you hot.
The perfect idea for dressing in this weather is layering. The season contains short days and along with the disappearing light comes a noticeable drop in temperature. As you prepare what to wear in Switzerland, be ready for cooler weather.
Start by reading these general tips on packing for fall travel:
- How to Pack for Trips with Mixed Weather
- How to Layer Clothes
- Use a Summer Dress to Pack Light in Fall
- Best Shoes for Traveling in Spring and Fall
Switzerland Packing List for Fall
The colors of autumn should reflect the colors of your wardrobe; when deciding what to wear in Switzerland, reach for items in rich earthy colors such as browns, tans and oranges.
Scarves are a wonderful accessory for any outfit and you can purchase them in one of these tones to brighten up an otherwise neutral outfit.
Layering is essential, so include 3/4 tops and long sleeve tops to suit the weather, you can dress these with a sweater for the warmer days or a jacket or warm coat.
A pair of jeans or pants will look stylish with a pair of warm and waterproof boots, leather boots are the perfect companion for any autumn wardrobe giving an edge to your wardrobe.
During the evenings if you wish to be slightly dressier, include a blazer on your Switzerland packing list, as this can be worn with a rich scarf and will create a classy look.
Find out why leather boots are some of the best travel shoes to Europe!
Top | Shirt | Denim Shirt |Sweater | Dress 1 | Dress 2 | Jeans | Jeans | Jacket | Coat | Sweater | Bottom | Boots | Tall Boot | Scarf | Bag
What to Wear in Switzerland: Zurich in Winter
Liz says: the winters in Switzerland are cold, grey and dull and it is difficult to find a balance between the freezing cold outdoor temperatures and the indoor heating.
During winter you can expect rain, and snow with few day-light hours, so this will impact your Switzerland packing list. The weather is unpredictable and the fog can restrict your travels if you are planning on going up the mountains.
If you have your sights on hitting the slopes, bring along these essentials when planning what to wear in Switzerland.
Read this post on what to bring to Switzerland in winter!
Start by reading these general tips on packing for winter travel:
- Capsule Wardrobe for Winter
- How to Pack for Cold Weather
- How to Stay Warm in Cold Weather (without the bulk)
- The Best Travel Shoes for Winter
Switzerland Packing List for Winter
When choosing what to wear in Switzerland, boots are the perfect winter footwear; purchase a pair that is both waterproof and lined to keep your feet dry and warm at all times.
These are the best waterproof leather boots recommended by our readers!
Layering is essential for winter and the difference in temperatures from the outside to inside can be quite extreme. Make sure to add several layers to your Switzerland packing list.
Bring sleeveless tops or camis to layer with long sleeve shirts that you can wear with sweaters (try to stick to a neutral color to ensure it is easier to mix and match) and a nice warm coat.
Use warm stylish winter accessories such as a wool scarf, gloves, ear muffs or a hat are also essential accessories for any winter wardrobe to keep your extremities warm and protected from the cold.
Do not forget your jeans, and include a pair of thermals for the bitterly cold days, which you can wear underneath your clothing. A helpful tip is to bring along a pack of tissues, as the cold can cause havoc with your sinuses and you’ll want to be prepared.
Find out why thermals are a must for traveling light (and staying warm) in winter!
Zurich Shopping
If you are in need of an addition to your Switzerland packing list, then stores such as H&M, and Migros and Coop will stocks a variety of items that are useful for the Swiss weather that come with a reasonable price tag.
Coop or Migros also stock a selection of cured meats and cheeses and breads which you can treat yourself to.
When planning what to wear in Switzerland, keep in mind that the country is not known to be budget friendly, and unless you have unlimited spending try to avoid stores such as Manor, Jelmoli and Globus, which will require you to pay a premium price.
Tips for Traveling to Switzerland
Be daring on your Switzerland holidays and explore places that lead away from the main streets. In addition common courtesy and an interest in the culture can go a long way in helping you during your trip.
Although most Swiss people are able to speak English it shows respect if you attempt to address them in their native tongue “Sprechen Sie Englisch?” (“Do you speak English?”) This will result in you receiving a much warmer reception.
An amazing place for Swiss food, and reasonable priced, is Zeughauskeller on the Bahnhofstrasse, however be sure to book in advance to avoid waiting.
Worried about theft, add items like a money belt or Secret Bra Pocket to your packing list.
Enjoy your Switzerland Holidays!
What are your tips on what to wear in Switzerland for the holidays? What’s on your Switzerland packing list?
Please note: Most of Europe’s Budget Airlines have this Carryon Bag Allowance: 55cm x 40cm x 20cm. Always check your airlines individual baggage rules and regulations in advance.
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For more tips, please read these Europe packing lists:
- Athens
- Amsterdam
- Budapest
- Copenhagen
- Cologne
- Dublin
- Edinburgh
- Estonia
- Italy
- London
- Lithuania
- Paris
- Rome
- Spain
- Zurich
Suggested travel resources:
- Lonely Planet Europe on a shoestring
- Lonely Planet Switzerland (Country Guide)
- Travel Shoes for Europe
- The Best Carry-on Suitcases for Europe
Please read our Ultimate Packing List for Europe featuring stylish outfits and travel tips for 9 countries.
I love TFG and I am glad for this post as I am planning a 2023 trip to Switzerland. It’s never too early to start planning! 🙂
Hi,
I came across this page while searching for what to pack for travelling to Switzerland in Dec.
We are from Australia and we are travelling with my family around Europe in Nov – Dec this year. Since Brisbane, where we live is no where near the the cold that is in Europe in Winter, we are worried about what we need to pack and at the same time because we’ll be travelling too much, don’t want to carry too much either. So would request you to suggest what we need to pack. Our tentative itinerary is below:
28 Nov – 2 Dec – London
3 – 5 Dec Paris
6 – 9 Dec Spain
10 – 13 Dec Switzerland
14 – 18 Dec Italy
Hope you can suggest us to pack smartly for this trip.
Thank you so much
Hi Shampa, how exciting!! Take a look at TFG’s Four Winter Signature Packing Lists for ideas for a capsule wardrobe and how many clothing items you could pack: https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/functional-and-fashion-packing-list/
Here are a few more resources to help you with staying warm when traveling in colder weather:
1. Thermals are the secret to minimal packing with less bulk, they’re amazing: https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/best-thermal-underwear-for-women/
2. Here are some tips on how to layer them with your clothing to stay warm: https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/how-to-stay-warm-in-cold-weather/
3. This is a sample packing list for the cold: https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/how-to-pack-for-cold-weather/ You can use the principles to create your own capsule wardrobe according to your own clothing preferences, not necessarily to pack what is shown in the example.
I would also highly recommend that you join our TFG facebook group and post your question there: https://www.facebook.com/groups/travelfashiongirls/ It’s a fabulous community of helpful female travelers that love to share their travel advice and recommendations.
Have the most incredible time!
What kind of these clothes do u wear in August
Hi Jackie, thank you for your question. The best tip is to monitor the forecast for your specific trip dates to ensure that you have the most appropriate clothing. It may be getting cooler depending when in August you are traveling, so I would pack clothes that you could easily layer in case the temperature dropped. Have a look at the fall section of the article for some tips to help you with your packing. I would also highly recommend that you join our TFG facebook group and post any questions you have there about what to wear in Switzerland in August: https://www.facebook.com/groups/travelfashiongirls/ Its a fabulous community of helpful female travelers that have the best advice and recommendations to share. Hope this helps. Have an awesome trip! ?
hello your information helped me a lot and I am now preparing my trip to Zurich in January, but I wonder if I can recommend an affordable hotel and a flight from Paris to Zurich thank you very much.
Hi Anabell, thank you for your feedback on our tips! For cheap flights within Europe try Easy Jet or RyanAir. I’ll post your question on Facebook on Monday to see if we can get some hotel tips and more flight recommendations for you. Stay tuned: https://www.facebook.com/TravelFashionGirl/
Zurich local girl here: You forgot something important for Summer: One of our main attractions is the lake, so you bring a bikini and a towel! You can put yourself just about anywhere on a lawn by the lakeside (for free) or go to one of the several public baths. They offer the comfort of lockers and showers.
great tip, thank you!
Hi
We are travelling with family in Jan 1st week can u suggest what clothes should we take .
Hi Aaishwarya, thank you for reaching out. If you need any more help with your packing, I would recommend that you join TFG’s free facebook community and post any questions you have there: https://www.facebook.com/groups/travelfashiongirls/ It is a fabulous group of helpful female travelers that have the best advice and suggestions to share. Have an amazing trip! ?
THIS WAS FANTASTIC! SOOOOO HELPFUL!
We r travelling Paris sept for a week, then train into Switzerland for about ten days then down I to italy, rounding out he month. In Switzerland we want to visit grindlewald to zipline and wengen, interlarken etc no idea what to pack. I’m worries we won’t be warm enough but will take layers, but no bulky coat as I thought we’d get warm hiking…..am I deluded?
Hi Helen, light layers sound good. I’ll go ahead and post your question on the Facebook page to get more feedback for you. Stop by for updates: https://www.facebook.com/TravelFashionGirl