Investment & Value
• Is Switzerland too expensive for a 9-day trip? We focus on "Premium Value." While Switzerland has a higher price point, this DMCi itinerary includes high-quality rail passes and expensive mountain excursions upfront, ensuring you aren't hit with surprise costs. The efficiency, cleanliness, and incredible infrastructure provide a return on investment unmatched elsewhere.
• Is the Swiss Travel Pass included and how does it work? Yes, your premium experience includes a First-Class Swiss Travel Pass. This is your "Golden Ticket"—it covers all inter-city trains, local buses, and lake steamers. It also grants you free entry into over 500 museums. We handle all the ticketing and seat reservations (like on the GoldenPass Express) so you never have to stand in a queue or worry about local currency at a ticket machine.
• What is the average cost of a dinner for two?
o Average Lunch (Casual Sit-down) • Cost: CHF 25 to CHF 35 per person. • What you get: Many Swiss restaurants offer a "Tagesteller" (Daily Special) at noon. This is a high-value, single-course meal (e.g., a hearty pasta, a local sausage with Rösti, or a fresh salad) specifically designed for efficient, quality dining.
o Average Dinner (Standard Mid-range) • Cost: CHF 45 to CHF 70 per person. • What you get: A relaxed, two-to-three course meal at a local "Gasthaus" or a lakeside bistro. This includes a main course (CHF 30–45) such as a traditional Schnitzel, fresh lake fish, or a shared Fondue, plus a starter or dessert and a non-alcoholic beverage.
• Premium Dining: Switzerland is a premium destination where quality is guaranteed. For a lovely three-course dinner for two in a lakeside restaurant in Montreux or Zurich, you should budget approximately CA/US $150 to $200. The "value" lies in the farm-to-table freshness, world-class service, and spectacular views.
Comfort & Logistics
• How do we handle our luggage on the trains? We prioritize your comfort by utilizing Switzerland’s sophisticated luggage forwarding services. On your behalf, we can arrange for your bags to be transferred directly from hotel to hotel. This means you only carry a light daypack, allowing you to board panoramic trains and explore scenic stopovers with completely free hands.
• How do I send my luggage from hotel to hotel? In 2026, this remains one of the most popular "Premium" features of Swiss travel, is that the system allows you to enjoy the scenic trains with only a light daypack.
There are two primary ways to do this through the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) and their partners:
o Express Door-to-Door (Same Day) - This is the most seamless option for travellers on your 9-day itinerary.
o How it works: You leave your labelled luggage at your hotel reception by 9:00 AM. A courier picks it up and transports it directly to your next hotel.1
o Arrival: Your bags will be waiting for you at your destination hotel by 6:00 PM the same evening.
o Cost: In 2026, the fee is approximately CHF 12 per bag, plus a flat-rate service fee (roughly CHF 80–100 per transfer). For a family or group, this flat fee is shared, making it very cost-effective.
o Booking: Your Travel Advisor can book this online via the SBB portal up to 8:00 PM two days before the transfer.
o Standard Door-to-Door (2-Day Delivery) A great choice if you have a "base" hotel and are taking an overnight bag to a smaller village.
o How it works: Similar to the Express service, but your bags arrive on the day after next.
o Cost: This is significantly cheaper because it lacks the "Express" flat fee. You typically pay only the per-bag fee (approx. CHF 12).
o Benefit: Ideal for sending large suitcases ahead from Zurich to Zermatt while you spend a lighter night in Lucerne with just a carry-on.
• Important Notes for 2026 - Zermatt Specific: Because Zermatt is car-free, luggage is delivered to the village entrance or the Zermatt train station. Most premium hotels in Zermatt provide a private electric taxi to collect your bags from the station and bring them to your room.
o Weight Limit: Each piece of luggage must not exceed 23 kg (50 lbs), which is the standard international flight limit.
o Labeling: Every bag must have a specific SBB luggage tag (which your Travel Advisor will provide or which can be printed at the station) clearly showing your name, phone number, and the destination hotel address.2
• Is there a lot of walking or steep climbing involved? Not unless you want there to be. We have designed this itinerary around "Vertical Luxury." You will reach the highest peaks in Europe—including the Matterhorn and Mount Pilatus—via world-class cogwheel trains and state-of-the-art cable cars. Most paths at the summits are flat and paved, allowing you to enjoy 360-degree views without strenuous hiking.
• Are the trains and hotels air-conditioned? All long-distance Swiss trains and panoramic express lines are fully climate controlled. Regarding hotels, we specifically select premium properties that offer modern cooling systems. However, some historic "Old World" boutique hotels use traditional mountain breezes for cooling, we ensure your stay is at a comfortable, premium temperature regardless of the season.
• What happens if the weather is bad for a mountain excursion? Mountain weather is unpredictable, but the Swiss transport system is robust. If a specific peak is completely obscured, there are always alternative lower-elevation activities, interactive museums, or luxury shopping available in the base towns.
The Traveler Experience
• Is this tour suitable for different age groups (e.g., a 16-year-old and a 60-year-old)? Absolutely. This itinerary is the perfect "multi-gen bridge." The mountain excursions offer thrill and adventure for teenagers, while the seamless transport, comfortable pace, and stunning scenery appeal to older adults.
• Will my 16-year-old be bored? Absolutely not. We balance "postcard" scenery with high-engagement activities. From the high-tech Glacier Paradise in Zermatt to the interactive "Chaplin’s World" in Montreux, Switzerland is an outdoor playground. The 16-year-old will appreciate the high-speed Wi-Fi on trains and the freedom of safe, car-free villages.
• Do I need to speak German or French? No. While learning a few greetings is appreciated, English is widely spoken throughout Switzerland, especially in the tourism and hospitality sectors. You can immerse yourself in the local "nostalgia" without any fear of a communication barrier.
Timing & Packing
• What is the best month to visit between April and November? Each month offers a unique "Premium" vibe. May/June offer blooming wildflowers; September/October provide stable weather and vineyard harvests. July/August are ideal for the warmest weather and longest days, while late October offers "Quiet Luxury" with fewer crowds and spectacular fall foliage.
• What should I pack for "Four Seasons in One Day"? The secret is the "Swiss Layering" system. You may start in a short-sleeved shirt at Lake Geneva and end in a jacket at the top of a glacier. The essentials are: comfortable walking shoes for cobblestones, a waterproof light outer shell, sunglasses for the Alpine sun, and "smart-casual" attire for elegant evening dinners.
Visa & Entry Requirements (2026 Update)
Note: Visa & Documentation Rules change from time to time without prior notice. Please check with your favourite travel agent or the nearest Swiss Diplomatic mission.
• Do Americans and Canadians need a visa for Switzerland in 2026? No traditional visa is required for stays up to 90 days.
• EES & EITAS: However, two new digital systems are active in 2026:
o Entry/Exit System (EES): Replaces manual passport stamps with a quick biometric scan (fingerprints and facial image) upon arrival.
o ETIAS: Scheduled to launch in late 2026. For most of the season, you only need your passport; for travel toward year-end, a 10-minute online pre-clearance will be required.
• What are the specific passport requirements? Your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your departure date, though we strongly recommend six months for a "zero-friction" experience. It must have been issued within the last 10 years and contain at least two blank pages.
• Will I need to show proof of funds or onward travel? Border officials may occasionally ask for proof of a return flight or financial means (approx. 100 CHF/day). As you are on a DMCi Signature Collection tour, your pre-paid vouchers and itinerary serve as excellent proof of organized travel.
• Are there currency restrictions? There are no restrictions on cash, but if you carry more than 10,000 CHF (or equivalent USD/CAD), you must declare it to customs. This is a standard, fee-free procedure that ensures the "Security" and "Precision" Switzerland is known for.
Travel/Medical Insurance:
The Official Stance vs. Reality
1. The Technical Requirement According to the Swiss State Secretariat for Migration (SEM), all "third-country nationals" (which includes Canadians and Americans) are technically required to have medical insurance to enter Switzerland. This is listed alongside requirements like having a valid passport and sufficient funds.
The Practical Reality In practice, border officials rarely ask visa-exempt North Americans to show a physical insurance certificate. Unlike travellers who need a Schengen Visa (who must prove €30,000 in coverage to even get their visa), Canadians and Americans are usually granted entry based on their passport and biometric scan via the new Entry/Exit System (EES).
The 2026 ETIAS Factor With the launch of ETIAS in late 2026, travellers will answer health-related questions during their online pre-clearance. While ETIAS does not currently require you to upload an insurance policy, it reinforces the expectation that you are "self-sufficient" and won't become a burden on the Swiss healthcare system.
Our Advice: You must purchase Travel Insurance with sufficient Medial Coverage.
Should we purchase Travel Insurance?
Travel Insurance is highly recommended for all clients. It is your travel advisor’s responsibility to offer you travel insurance options. Please make sure to enquire with your Travel Advisor what ae your options relating to Travel Insurance.
Tour Participation Policy: Travel Disruptions and Cancellations:
In the event of flight cancellations, travel disruptions, or a client's failure to join their tour, please be advised that refunds and substitute tours are not provided by DMCI Inc. or its partners. This policy applies to all circumstances outside of DMCI Inc.'s direct control, including but not limited to cancelled or delayed flights, denied entry, medical issues, family emergencies, weather, and traffic conditions. To protect against unexpected cancellations and interruptions, DMCI Inc. strongly recommends that all clients secure comprehensive travel insurance prior to departure.