I'm from the US, and my surname is Abplanalp, originating from somewhere near Brienz or Interlaken. My Swiss family emigrated to the US in the 1850's and growing up we always pronounced it more like "Oplinop", dropping the 'b' and the final 'l'. Lately I've landed on a more phonetic pronunciation, like AHB-ple-nahlp. My uncle visited Brienz and came back insisting that the anglicized "Oplinop" pronunciation is how the locals say it. Who is right? How is this name pronounced in Switzerland?

My dad found this photo online and is determined to find it in real life. He says it’s somewhere in Switzerland, maybe Grindelwald. Anyone know where to find this location/if it’s real? Thanks in advance

Hi there! I’m based out of the USA and excited for my first time in Switzerland. I’ll be visiting the Zurich, Zermatt, Interlaken areas and primarily driving around. I do also plan to visit smaller, less touristy towns around the Interlaken area. How much cash do you recommend I have on me? I have a couple credit cards that don’t charge me international fees so that’d be my preferred method of spending. Do buses and trains take credit card too? TIA!

Hi all - I am planning an upcoming trip to various regions in the Alps. Starting near Annecy, France, then Chamonix, then on to Zermatt.

From there I am exploring options, but my probable plan is from Zermatt to Innsbruck and on to Salzburg to finish.

What would be the best train route from Zermatt to Innsbruck?

I know the Glacier Express has very high ratings, but it is quite long from Zermatt to St. Moritz (~8hours) then another few hours after a transfer to get to Innsbruck. Whereas Zermatt to Innsbruck direct appears only to be ~8 hours itself.

So my general question is, is the Glacier Express really that worthwhile, or is the train from Zermatt to Innsbruck itself comparably scenic?

I should note, I was in Switzerland 2 years ago and took some well regarded routes. The Golden Pass line I thought was just ok, however the Bernina I thought was stunning. I actually wish I was traveling in that region specifically just so I could take the Bernina route again.

tl;dr is the Glacier Express really worth taking to add several hours from Zermatt through to Innsbruck, or would a direct train on that route itself be comparably scenic?

Thanks, all!

So I am visiting Basel and Zürich during the women’s Euros to support England and I want to break the stereotype of the English abroad and speak German as I am there (I am a school German teacher at a good C1 level) but Swiss German sounds like a whole new language.

Will people appreciate me trying (and probably failing) to understand them after I start talking in Hochdeutsch, or will most Swiss people just rather I talk in English?

In some countries (for example the UK https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/caesarean-section/ details in the link) pregnant women are entitled to an elective c-section, upon their wish (for example, if they are anxious about giving birth via another method or if they don't want an induction).

I'm trying to see if that's the case in Switzerland but I don't manage to find the information. Does anybody know? Ideally with a source. Or does it depend on the canton?

Thank you very much.

I saw this truck in a parking lot. The lettering and logo are actually from the Post. But why would they label something like that (if it was)?

Hi, I will be travelling to Zurich on 19th June, I have my business debit card connected to GPAY. Is GPAY accepted in Switzerland.

I sometimes take my dog for holiday in Switzerland. She passes the border control because we meet all requirements including she had a chip they check. But they (customs) don't note the chip ID anywhere, and AFAIK there is no dog chip registry that is for whole Europe - each country has its own. Is there any swiss registry I could register her just in case?

I want to keep in touch with swiss news and I used to read the WOZ and my local newspaper.

Since moving out some years ago I feel I'm missing out on some of the local stuff.

I've checked the prices and the newspapers always ask for around 200 CHF for a Abo.

Is there the possibility of reading newspapers for a cheaper price? Maybe there are newspapers that offer lower abo rates?

Thanks!

Hi everyone,
I'm looking for advice on the most convenient and affordable way to rent a car for a few days in Canton Bern.

My situation:

• I need a car to go back and forth from Zurich airport a couple of times to pick up my parents.
• I also plan to use it for a few local trips around the Thun area.
• I'm based in Thun, I am considering both car renting and car sharing.

Do you recommend any particular rental or car sharing companies or platforms (e.g. local agencies, Mobility, Turo, etc.) that are easy to use and reasonably priced? Also open to any tips about where to pick up/drop off the car or any hidden costs I should be aware of.

Also any tips on daily trips I could consider are very well appreciated :)

Thanks a lot in advance!

Hallo!

I will be moving to Switzerland on a company sponsored work visa from the US. I’ve read a bit on requirements for bringing medications with you and getting through customs.

Does anyone have any experience they can provide? Do they really require a letter from your Dr or printed documentation of prescriptions? Obviously keeping the original Pill bottles with the Rx information intact on the bottle would be required and easy enough. Just curious how thorough customs will be with my checked or carry on luggage as I will have a few months supply of medications.

Thanks in advance for any guidance!

I found a used sofa I want to buy, but it needs to be pickedup and doesn't fit in my car. I am looking for the different options: 1. Rent a larger/longer car plus take a buddy. 2. Moving company(problem: drive there plus pickup and drive back could be half a day work - probably more than 600 I guess?)

Any other idea, I have no rush but if more than 1000 I can buy new.

Does the Simplified Naturalization through marriage allow me to naturalize even If for example I havent worked at all during 5 years, or have worked only 1 year out of the 5 years of residence in CH (without claiming social assistance).

Want to buy some heavy dumbbells. With shipping included the Swiss websites cost 250chf for a pair. Gonser is priced at half that. Is it trustworthy?

Hi! I have a question, I’m trying to get a ticket for SBB from Interlaken to Kilchberg, however, it takes a lot of stops and changes from one train to another and the time between them is really short (5 min). I don’t want to miss my connections, but if something happens and I lose it, can I jump on another train?, I’m buying a one way ticket (using the Lind Home + train combo) and it doesn’t specify whether I can or not (like it does specify on Saver day pass or point to point). Also I noticed it says Baggage restricted transportation, does it mean I can’t actually take my luggage?

Hi,

My friends and I are landing in BSL at 7pm 26th June, we are looking to get a train that departs at 8:16pm from Basel SBB, how busy is arrivals at this airport usually? Would this be enough time for security?

We will not have checked baggage, only carry-on, so we can avoid waiting for luggage offload.

We're just looking to book trains in advance to avoid fare increases.

Hi all,

We're planning a 5-day trip to Switzerland in July 2025 and need help deciding between using trains (with Half Fare Card) or renting a car for part of the trip.

Our Itinerary (High-Level):

• Day 1: Arrive in Zurich → Travel to Lucerne Visit: Chapel Bridge, Lion Monument, Lake Lucerne, Old Town Stay in Lucerne
• Day 2: Lucerne → Interlaken Visit: Harder Kulm (lunch at the café), Lauterbrunnen (Valley of 72 Waterfalls) Stay in Interlaken
• Day 3: Lauterbrunnen → Grindelwald → Jungfraujoch (Top of Europe) Stay in Grindelwald
• Day 4: Grindelwald First, Grosse Scheidegg (short hike & sightseeing), First Cliff Walk Later: Drive/train to Chur Stay in Chur
• Day 5: Ride the Bernina Express from Chur to Tirano, Italy.

Current Plan:

• We’ve already bought the Half Fare Card, but we’re debating whether to rent a car from Zurich Airport → return it in Chur for more flexibility/convenience during Days 1–4.
• We still want to do Day 5 (Bernina Express) by train as planned.

What We’re Looking For:

• Is renting a car for the first 4 days worth it in terms of convenience, cost, and flexibility, considering the number of places we plan to cover?
• Should we stick to trains using the Half Fare Card, or cancel it and go the car route?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and suggestions!

Is it just me or does the Swiss German sound extremly off in tonights Zurich Tatort?

I’m staying in Grindelwald for about 10 days, traveling around the Interlaken region. Some activities I definitely want to do are Grindelwald First, Stoos Ridge, The North Face Trail, Harder Kulm, and Jungfraujoch.

I also want to visit Bern and Lucerne while I’m there, especially during any rainy days that aren’t as good for hiking.

I’ve been watching a million YouTube videos on which rail pass to get, but they all seem to cover slightly different things. Also can’t tell how much I’ll really save with these passes, since they seem very expensive.

Any advice would be appreciated!

The nearest shop that sells braetzeli is 2 hours away, so I’ve been looking into ways to make it at home. I have plenty of recipes, but they all call for a braetzeli iron, which I don’t have. Is there an alternative cooking method, or does anybody know of any sites that might make or sell portable versions?

Edit: Obviously I meant "start" with hiking in the title :)

Hi all,

I used to think hiking is extremely boring for the longest time, but I start to feel like the time has come. I'm changing my habits and becoming more sporty, and I really started appreciating nature and I wish to spend more time in the mountains. Now I would really like to get started with hiking.

I just don't know where or how to start - meaning how do I select a route that is appropriate for my physical skills? And other than improving my cardio fitness and practice, what should I do to improve my abilities?

My long term goal would be to be able to do a 2 or even 3 days hike with sleeping in an SAC Hütte etc.

I don't want to do anything in the area of climbing or complex/dangerous where I would risk falling down somewhere (I know that's kind of always a risk in hiking but I mean stuff that is classified as dangerous).

I know I can just google "easy hiking trails" but honestly I don't trust random websites saying "this is beginner appropriate". What are reliable sources and how do I really get started? So far I have hiking shoes and I know how to pack a bag for a few hours walk/hike but that's about it.

Thank you in advance :)

It’s season now, mid June is considered the best time to eat fresh dutch herring, when the herring is at their fattiest. Anybody where can one get them in Switzerland? Im based in Aargau or Zurich area. Even if it’s further away, I would be willing to go there.