Cheap flights to Switzerland

Looking for cheap Swiss flights? You’re in the right place. Omio is a leading travel comparison engine that you can use to compare and book cheap flight tickets in and out of Switzerland. Book your Swiss flights today or scroll down to learn everything you need to know about finding cheap flights to Switzerland and out of Switzerland.

Popular Airlines / Companies for Swiss Flights

There are four scheduled airlines in Switzerland: SWISS, Chair, easyJet Switzerland, and Helvetic.

We’ve already discussed SWISS. It’s the national flag carrier of Switzerland and you’ll see the name pop up a lot when searching for a cheap plane ticket to Switzerland. It was founded in 2002 and is a subsidiary of the Lufthansa Group. It has a base in Zurich and Geneva and operates a fleet of over 80 planes, taking passengers to dozens of destinations around the world.

easyJet Switzerland is an easyJet franchise that caters to numerous destinations and offers cheap flights to Switzerland and out of Switzerland. Helvetic Airways flies to destinations in Europe and North Africa while Chair has a very small fleet and is based at Zurich Airport.

Switzerland is also home to a number of international airlines that fly in and out of the country:

• Air Canada
• Air France
• British Airways
• Iberia
• Vueling
• Aer Lingus
• Finnair
• Lufthansa
• Royal Air Maroc
• Turkish Airlines
• Alitalia
• Air China
• Emirates
• Ryanair
• Qatar Airways

Book Swiss flight tickets with these airlines and others at Omio.

Main Airports in Switzerland

There are three main passenger airports in Switzerland: Zurich, Geneva, and Basel.

Zurich Airport is the biggest of these and carries more than 30 million passengers every year on average. It is located 13 km (8 mi) north of the city center and has many great connections for easy access. There are lots of places to eat, drink, and shop at the airport, and you’ll also find currency exchanges, ATMs, toilets, and other essentials.

Geneva Airport is equally well-equipped and is just 4 km (2.5 mi) from the city center. Parts of the airport are located on the border with France and most of its traffic comes via connections with France and the United Kingdom.

Basel Airport is the smallest of the three major airports in Switzerland. It is a hub for easyJet and serves under 10 million passengers a year. There are connections to and from the airport using buses, trains, and trams. It is a big airport and provides all of the amenities you would expect from a major international airport. See our guide on the 10 best things to do in Basel for more info on this destination.

Before your Swiss flight—Preparation for Departure

Get to the airport a couple of hours before you’re due to depart. You’ll need extra time to check in and get through security. Airports in Switzerland can be quite busy, and if you’re traveling during peak times, queues will be common.

Don’t pack anything that could be interpreted as a weapon in your hand luggage and make sure you don’t have any gels or liquids more than 100ml. Aerosols should also be avoided and if you’re taking any medications, carry them in your hand luggage along with a prescription.

You can use trains, taxis, and buses to get to Switzerland’s airports. If you drive, the airports have parking spaces, but this can be costly, as you’ll need to park your car in a paid, secure car park for the duration of your holiday.

After your Flight to Switzerland—after landing

Switzerland uses the Swiss Franc, so if you don’t have any on you, consider changing some before you leave the airport. The country accepts debit cards and credit cards, so you can use these if need be, but it’s always good to have some cash just in case.

The country uses Central European Standard Time, which is one hour ahead of UTC. It switches to Central European Summer Time in the Spring/Summer, and this is 2 hours ahead. Make sure you change your watch to accommodate this.

Speaking of watches, Switzerland is famed for its horological history. It produces some of the best timepieces in the world and is where many of the world’s biggest watch brands were born and are still based. So, if you love watches or just appreciate good engineering, we recommend checking out some watch museums, factories, and tours while you’re in the country.

You can use public transportation to get around the country. There is no shortage of trains and buses, tickets for which you can purchase on Omio. There are also tram systems in Bern, Basel, Geneva, Lausanne, and Zurich.

View of a lake in Switzerland. Credit: Shutterstock

Flight Travel Tips for Switzerland

• The tap water is safe to drink in Switzerland.
• English is widely spoken but it is not an official language.
• Save money by buying food at local grocery stores and cooking your own meals.
• Explore the cities and rural areas, as both are stunning and provide completely different experiences.
• Plan hikes and adventures carefully and make sure you have enough provisions.

Finally, to save money on your Swiss flights, book your tickets with Omio!

FAQs

What is the busiest airport in Switzerland?

Zurich Airport is the biggest in Switzerland, with greater passenger numbers per year than all of the other international airports combined. Over 30 million passengers pass through the airport every year and it deals with a large number of routes.

How many airports are in Switzerland?

There are 7 airports in the country, but most of these are very small and handle less than a million passengers a year. Sion Airport, for instance, is the smallest in the country and deals with fewer than 30,000 passengers a year. It offers just a few routes, including flights to the larger Geneva airport, which is actually only 110 km (68 mi) away.

Does Switzerland have an airline?

Yes. The national airline of Switzerland is SWISS. It operates from the country’s two biggest airports and serves over 100 destinations around the world. It is one of the many Omio partners, so you will see options for cheap Swiss flights with SWISS when you use our platform.

Are Swiss flights cheap?

Switzerland can be an expensive country, and this is occasionally reflected in the price of Swiss flights. But it also covers many competitive routes and this ensures that the prices stay low. Booking with Omio helps, as our platform compares flights from many different providers. You can also get cheap plane tickets to Switzerland if you book in advance.

Do you get free drinks on SWISS flights?

If you are flying on an intercontinental flight, you will often be provided with free food and drink. This is also true for the more expensive ticket options, including business class. If you’re flying economy on short-haul flights, it’s unlikely that you’ll be offered free food or drink but you can purchase them during the flight.

How do I get cheap flights to Switzerland?

The best way to get cheap flights to Switzerland is to book with Omio. We’ll compare all available options for your route to help you find the cheapest one. You should also book as early as you can. If possible, consider flying during the off-season, as the demand will be much lower, so the prices will be lower too.

Are Switzerland airports safe?

Yes, they are very safe. They employ strict security measures to ensure that all passengers are protected. You can also find a range of amenities in these airports, including pharmacies, shops, restaurants, bars, and information offices.

What is the best airline in Switzerland?

It depends on what you consider to be the best. If you’re looking for the cheapest possible prices, providers like easyJet might take the number 1 spot. If you’re looking for more of a complete experience, one that combines great-priced flights with fantastic service and reviews, SWISS would be among the best. But there are many great airlines in the country.

Is it easy to get around Switzerland?

Yes, it is a very well-connected country. You can fly in and out with most top airlines and budget airlines, and there are also many trains and buses that can take you where you need to go. If you need to book cheap tickets for any of these travel options, book with Omio.