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Best time to visit Switzerland: month by month
Short answer
June to September is best for hiking, open mountain railways and lake swimming, with valley highs of about 21–25°C. December to April is ski season; spring and late autumn are quiet but many lifts close for maintenance.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 4°C | -2°C | 13 | high |
| Feb | 8°C | -1°C | 11 | high |
| Mar | 11°C | 1°C | 10 | medium |
| Apr | 13°C | 3°C | 13 | low |
| May | 18°C | 8°C | 19 | medium |
| Jun | 25°C | 14°C | 14 | high |
| Jul | 25°C | 15°C | 16 | very high |
| Aug | 24°C | 15°C | 13 | very high |
| Sep | 21°C | 12°C | 11 | high |
| Oct | 17°C | 8°C | 10 | medium |
| Nov | 8°C | 3°C | 18 | low |
| Dec | 5°C | 0°C | 16 | high |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Mar–May)
Highs rise from 11°C in March to 18°C in May, with 10–19 rainy days. Valleys turn green; high trails stay snowy and some lifts close.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Valley highs of 24–25°C and lows of 14–15°C, with frequent showers (13–16 rainy days). Peak hiking season; cold at high altitude.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
September (21°C) is excellent and calmer; October (17°C) brings autumn colours; November drops to 8°C with many lifts closed.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Highs of 4–8°C and lows around -2 to 0°C in the lowlands, with snow in the mountains. Ski season and Christmas markets.
Events worth planning around
- Basel Carnival (Fasnacht), starting the Monday after Ash Wednesday (February or March)
- Montreux Jazz Festival (July)
- Swiss National Day, with bonfires and fireworks (1 August)
- Lucerne Festival classical music (summer)
- Christmas markets in Zurich, Basel and Montreux (late November to December)
When to avoid
Avoid April–May and November if you want mountain railways, as many close for maintenance. July and August are the most crowded at popular summits.
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Common questions
What is the best time to visit Switzerland?
June to September for hiking and lakes, or December to April for skiing.
Is it cold in the Alps in summer?
At high altitude, yes: temperatures can be near freezing even in July. Bring warm layers.
When do mountain railways close?
Many close for maintenance in April–May and November; check each line's dates.