Travelling Switzerland in April? Top 5 Tips

Switzerland's most iconic mountain, the Matterhorn, over April snow.

Planning on travelling Switzerland in April? You NEED to know these 6 essential life hacks of staying within budget, making the most of your time, and enjoying this mountain paradise.

1. Swiss Travel Pass? I'll skip.

The famous Swiss Travel Pass is advertised as the go-to traveler's ticket, involving free museum admission, free Wi-Fi in most villages, and discounts on mountain railways. However, what they don't tell you is the price you're going to pay for that 3, 4, 6, 8 or 15 consecutive-day-ticket.

For example, as of April 2026, a 6-day pass for two adults (over age 25) is more than $1, 692 USD. A $400 USD Half Fare Card allows for 50% on every mountain railway in Switzerland. For us Canadians, that's more than $2,000 right off the bat.

Take into account the amount you'll probably already be spending on souvenirs, ridiculously-expensive food, accommodation, and all those other must-see attractions that we see on social media. A Swiss Travel Pass may sound good at the gondola ticket booth - but in reality, there are cheaper ways to still make the most of your vacation.

On the winding train from Visp to Zermatt - with stops at Stalden-Saas, St. Niklaus, Randa, Monte Rosa, and Täsch.

2. Tourist attractions? Or wilderness?

Switzerland is famous for being one of the most expensive countries to visit, especially for us Canadians - currently, one Canadian dollar is less than half of one Swiss franc.

In the end, the question comes down to what you would rather spend money on. For some people, riding a cable car to go shopping on the summit of a mountain is all they need. Others, not so much.

I was travelling Europe for 10 days. Switzerland for 4. And while I only saw three different areas, I think it was a remarkable vacation.

This was our itinerary:

Day 1 - Bonnigen, Interlaken (train from Gare de Lyon, Paris)

Hike in the foothills of Bonnigen (Interlaken suburbs)

Avoid large tourist attractions such as Harder Kulm and boat rides

Lake + mountain views, minimal snow

Day 2 - Grindelwald

Train from Interlaken Ost - Grindelwald

Hike around Mittelhorn/Eiger/Monch

We didn't visit Jungraujoch (yes, I know, big surprise) - stunning views of the Jungfrau Region, but still the same alpine environment (just twice as expensive!).

Day 3 - Zermatt

Gornergrat train to Rotenboden --> hike down to Riffelberg/Riffelsee/Zermatt

Zermatt is a massive money pit... you'll find the EXACT same souvenirs in other places like Tasch, Thun, or Visp for half the price.

During the shoulder season, skip the expensive gondola tickets to the Glacier Paradise/Italian border unless you're there SPECIFICALLY to ski.

Day 4 - Back to Bonnigen, Interlaken (train to Gare de Lyon, Paris)

Climbing in Orbit Interlaken

Larger hike (in summer season, may be impossible in April): Hardergrat Ridge, Schynige Platte

Surprising for a sea-level kid, feeling fine at 3100m elevation!

3. Season matters

As you could tell from the previous itinerary, when you go matters A LOT.

In the wintertime, places like the Jungfrau Region, Zermatt, Verbier, St. Moritz, and Aletsch are a skier's paradise. While the prospects of winter hiking do sound appealing, keep in mind the reality.

• Most renowned hiking trails are closed during the winter season due to safety hazards. If you still decide to hike on these trails, be sure to still purchase permits (if needed) and use proper ice/snow climbing gear.

• During the shoulder season in the mountains (March - April and September - October), the avalanche hazard is high and snow cover is loose. While a larger number of trails may be open, it will hard to find something enjoyable. Most winter hiking trails in the Alps either require snowshoes, or rely on a thick and frozen cover of snow. You'll end up swimming in melting chest-deep slush, and also risk being stranded in the mountains as winter gondolas, funiculars, and cable cars are often shut down when temperatures rise.

• Summer is peak hiking and climbing season in the Alps - and also the season of beautiful wildflowers, alpine lakes, and more. However, as everybody wants to see those lakes and flowers and such, both crowds and prices skyrocket. If you're not so great with hot weather, think twice before planning your itinerary.

  
  

  

  The famous Hardergrat Ridge, which runs along Lake Brienz (Brienzersee), has a high chance of being under snow cover during the spring season - and affecting hiking opportunities. This is early April in the photo.

  
  

  4. The upside: fewer crowds!

As I mentioned earlier, summer is your postcard Switzerland landscape.

Everyone is chasing that view.

Visiting expensive countries like Switzerland during the off-season means potential sales and discount offers on gondola tickets, and more interaction with the locals.

My personal top tip after visiting the Bernese Oberland and Valais regions is to talk to the people! Locals in Switzerland are incredible kind, and most even know four languages! You'll learn so much more from a farming family than you will from an information booklet at a train station. Switzerland is beautiful, and it's only up to you to experience it to its full potential.

The mountains are calling, and I must go.

-- John Muir

Sophia :)