Switzerland is one of the safest countries in the world to travel in. Violent crime against visitors is rare, the cities are safe to walk at night, public transport is clean and well used at all hours, and solo travellers, including women travelling alone, generally report feeling very comfortable. The real risks for visitors are mostly not about crime at all: they are about mountains, water, and the cost of medical care if something goes wrong. This guide covers what actually matters.

Emergency Numbers in Switzerland

Save these before you arrive. Calls are free from any phone, including mobiles without credit.

112: General European emergency number, works everywhere and connects you to the right service
117: Police
118: Fire brigade
144: Ambulance and medical emergencies
1414: Rega, the Swiss air rescue service, for emergencies in the mountains
145: Tox Info Suisse, the poisons information line

In the mountains, the free Rega app can send your exact location to the rescue centre along with your alarm, which is worth installing before any Alpine hike. Our mountain safety guide explains how mountain rescue works and what it costs.

Crime and Petty Theft

Crime rates are low by international standards, but not zero. The most common problem for visitors is pickpocketing and bag theft in busy places: the main railway stations in Zürich, Geneva, and Lausanne, airport arrival halls, crowded trams, Christmas markets, and major tourist spots in summer. Keep your phone and wallet in a closed inside pocket, do not leave bags unattended on luggage racks near train doors, and watch your belongings on café terraces.

Geneva has a somewhat higher level of petty crime than other Swiss cities, particularly around the station and the Pâquis district at night. It is still safe by the standards of most European cities, but it is the place to be most alert.

Car break-ins happen at popular trailheads and viewpoints, so never leave valuables visible in a parked car.

Safety for Solo and Women Travellers

Switzerland is widely regarded as one of the easiest countries in Europe for solo travel. Late trains and trams are used by local residents of all ages, streets are well lit, and the reserved Swiss social style means unwanted attention is uncommon. Normal precautions apply: let someone know your plans if you hike alone, and choose well-reviewed accommodation.

Natural Hazards: The Real Risks

Most serious incidents involving visitors happen outdoors. The main hazards are sudden weather changes and thunderstorms in the mountains, falls on steep trails, rockfall, avalanches in winter, and hiking beyond your experience or equipment level. Before any mountain trip, check the forecast, know the trail grade, turn back early if conditions change, and never go onto glaciers without a guide. Our mountain weather checklist and mountain safety guide cover this in detail.

Swimming in Lakes and Rivers

Swiss lakes and rivers are clean and swimming in them is a highlight of a summer visit, but drowning is one of the most common causes of accidental death among visitors. Rivers such as the Aare in Bern and the Rhine in Basel have strong currents; lakes are cold below the surface even on hot days, and weather can change quickly. Swim at official bathing areas where possible, never swim after drinking alcohol, do not jump into unknown water, and only swim in rivers if you are a strong swimmer and know where the exit points are.

Health and Medical Care

Swiss healthcare is excellent but very expensive, and it is not free for visitors. A short hospital stay or a mountain rescue by helicopter can cost thousands of francs, so travel insurance with medical cover (and cover for mountain rescue if you plan to hike or ski) is essential. Visitors from EU and EFTA countries can use the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for medically necessary treatment, but it does not cover everything, including rescue costs.

For minor problems, go to a pharmacy (Apotheke in German, pharmacie in French, farmacia in Italian). Swiss pharmacists are highly trained and can advise on many common issues; larger cities have at least one pharmacy open late or overnight.

Ticks: Ticks that can transmit tick-borne encephalitis and Lyme disease are found in forests and long grass across most of lowland Switzerland from spring to autumn. Use repellent, wear long trousers on forest walks, and check yourself after hiking. If you are spending a lot of time outdoors, ask your doctor about vaccination before you travel.

Sun and altitude: UV radiation is much stronger at altitude, and snow and glaciers reflect it. Wear sunscreen and sunglasses even on cloudy days in the mountains.

Drinking Water

Tap water is safe and excellent throughout Switzerland, and so is the water from most public fountains, which you will find in every town and many villages. Fountains marked “kein Trinkwasser,” “eau non potable,” or “acqua non potabile” are not for drinking. Carrying a refillable bottle is the easiest way to save money.

Rules That Can Surprise Visitors

Switzerland is safe partly because rules are taken seriously, and fines can be steep. Always have a valid ticket before boarding public transport, as ticket inspectors issue on-the-spot fines. Cross streets at pedestrian crossings. Keep noise down late at night and on Sundays in residential areas. Drivers need a vignette sticker to use the motorways, and speed cameras are common, with fines that rise sharply with income in serious cases. Our Swiss culture and etiquette guide covers the social side of these rules.

Lost Property

Switzerland has a remarkably good record for returning lost items. For things lost on trains or at stations, report them through the SBB lost property service; for items lost in towns, contact the local lost property office (Fundbüro or bureau des objets trouvés). Report theft to the police, as you will need a report for insurance claims.