Come rain or shine (or snow or wind), these are the essential items to include when you’re wondering what to pack for a holiday in Switzerland…
Sneakers
DO NOT FORGET THESE. Make a mental note now, add a calendar reminder in your phone; whatever you do, don’t forget your sneaks! Switzerland is quite literally Europe’s adventure capital with a ton of adrenalin pumping activities to keep you entertained, not to mention the fact that it has some RIDONCULOUSLY beautiful walks. Our point? You’ll be needing your sneakers.
Rain Coat
Hey, it’s better to be safe than sorry, right? Switzerland is a pretty rainy country (but we’ll forgive it that for the fact that it’s so damn beautiful) so make room for that rain coat to avoid that unfortunate ‘caught in a storm’ look we know you love. Travelling in winter? Dig out that winter coat my friend, you’re gonna need it.
Thick socks
Dual purpose – in the summer these will protect your feet from blisters. In the winter, they’ll protect your feet from frostbite (OK so a bit extreme, but it does get cold). Pack a couple pairs because really, no one wants to share a room with someone who has stinky feet.
Torch
Camping in the Swiss Alps? A torch is an absolute necessity. Whether finding your way to the toilet in the middle of the night or trying to find your tent after a less than sober night out, your torch will become your new best friend.
Snuggly Jumper
A good to have for summer; a necessity for winter. The nights get chilly up in the Alps, so stay snuggly with your favourite woolly jumper. For winter, it’s also a good idea to make room for thermal clothes.
Sunglasses
Commonly forgotten, always needed. Bright sunshine plus even brighter white snow = total blindness for the fool who forgot his sunnies. Necessary year round, just pop these babies in your hand luggage to keep them safe.
Day bag
Switzerland was made for exploring which means long days away from your accommodation. We love Fjallraven for their stylish yet functional and super durable backpacks. Grab yourself one of these, load up with water, suncream, camera, rain coat and money and hit the walking trail.
Camera
Let’s be real, you’re gonna be seeing a ton of cool shit that you’re gonna want to remember for the rest of your life. Like the time you streaked down the road, or paraglided over the mountains, or ate a whole schnitzel in one. Photos last long after you’ve returned home and resumed normal life, so be sure to pack your camera plus spare chargers and memory cards.
A decent playlist
Long travel days are coming up – prepare for them with a playlist of all your favourite tracks. Head to https://soundcloud.com/contiki for musical inspiration.
Travel insurance
You know those adventure activities we mentioned? They’re adventurous for a reason, so best to be prepared. Booking your travel insurance before your trip will not only save you a heap of money should you meet with an accident, it will also help to put Mum’s mind at ease and really, that’s all that really matters!
