Travelling to Switzerland from Malaysia? Here’s everything that you need to know.

Famous for skiing, hiking, culture and of course chocolate, Switzerland is a gem in the heart of Europe. Now that borders are open again it might be time to plan your travel to Switzerland from Malaysia, to hit the slopes, tour the cities, or immerse yourself in the multi-cultural vibe. This guide walks through the requirements and options for a Switzerland visa from Malaysia, flights from Kuala Lumpur to Switzerland, and some smart ways to cut the costs of transport and attractions when you’re there.

We’ll also cover how using your Wise account, card and app can help you save money on currency conversion in Switzerland, with convenient ways to spend and withdraw CHF with low fees¹ and the mid-market rate.

Updated Switzerland entry requirements from Malaysia

As of 26th January 2024, there are no remaining Switzerland travel restrictions related to covid.

Now that Switzerland has lifted all covid entry requirements, if you're still wondering if Malaysians visitors need a visa when travelling to Switzerland on holiday, good news - Malaysian tourists can enjoy 90 days of visa-free travel in Switzerland² with no need to get any extra paperwork lined up in advance. If you’re planning to be in the country - or in the broader Shengen area - for more than 90 days, or if you’re going to Switzerland to work or study, you’ll still need to get an appropriate visa to cover your stay. If you're a Malaysian passport holder and want to explore other visa or permit options, find out more on Swiss visas.

As we discovered during the pandemic, travel rules can change dramatically and with little warning. Before you complete your travel plans, take a look at the Swiss Embassy Website to make sure you’ve got all the latest information on visas, restrictions and rules³.

Flying from Malaysia to Switzerland

Chances are that you’ll be taking your flight to Switzerland from Kuala Lumpur - although leaving from another airport such as Penang or KK, or routing through an alternative country like Singapore, is also an option. Most routes from Malaysia to Switzerland will require you to change along the way somewhere, with journey times sitting around 15 hours to 17 hours depending on the specific route.

Popular airports to fly into include Zurich (ZRH)⁴ and Geneva (GVA)⁵ - however, Switzerland has 8 international airports, so you may find another is optimal for your destination, depending on where you’re going. Here are the airports to look out for - the Switzerland tourism website has lots of handy information about airports and arrival options too⁶:

• Zurich Airport
• Geneva Airport
• Basel Airport
• Lugano Airport
• Sion Airport
• Engadin Airport
• Bern Airport
• St. Gallen-Altenrhein Airport

Best ways to save while travelling in Switzerland

Switzerland is a pretty costly country, with a very high standard of living - and loads to do for tourists. Before you head off from Malaysia to Switzerland it’s worth thinking about how you can make your money go further once you arrive. Some simple steps can help you save, so you’ll be able to really get the most out of your trip. Here are a few ideas to consider:

Save on transport: Swiss Travel Pass

Get a Swiss Travel Pass to access unlimited travel in Switzerland via train, bus or boat⁷. Tickets can be purchased for durations of 3, 4, 6, 8 or 15 consecutive days, and under 16 year old children can travel for free. Youth tickets for people aged 16 to 24 are also available at a discount, and the ticket covers loads of routes, inclusive of many famous panoramic route options. As well as travel you’ll get free admissions to over 500 museums, and discounts on mountain excursions to view and visit glaciers, ride the slopes on a gondola and more⁸.

The Swiss Railways website has comprehensive information in English and a selection of languages, and easy ways to buy your tickets online and pay in CHF. If you’re paying by card, you can also use Wise to spend in MYR and get instant conversion to CHF with mid-market rates and low fees.

Save on attractions: Swiss Coupon Pass

The Swiss Coupon Pass is another effective way to save money on attractions which are popular with tourists in Switzerland⁹. You’ll get 50% discounts or 2 for 1 offers across transport, restaurants and activities in many popular Swiss tourist destinations, so you can do it all for less.

The pass is in the form of a booklet which is available in English or German for 49 CHF, and which lasts a year. Vouchers can not be used in conjunction with other offers, but you’ll be able to access discounts and promotions on anything from adventure parks, museums, tours, and thermal baths, through to car and bike hire, entry to UNESCO sites and castles, and even chocolate, milk, and cheese experiences. There are also plenty of restaurant vouchers, so there’s no chance of going hungry during your trip.

Again you’ll need to pay online through the Switzerland Travel Centre website, in CHF. Read on to see how Wise can help make this even cheaper.

Save on ringgit to franc conversions: Wise

Whether it’s buying passes and attraction tickets online, or paying for meals in Switzerland, save on your CHF transactions with a Wise card.

Open a Wise multi-currency account online or in the Wise app, to hold and spend MYR, CHF, and EUR, among a selection of 40+ supported currencies. Whenever you spend, the card’s auto conversion tool will convert your MYR to the currency you need using the mid-market rate with low, transparent fees from 0.43%¹. Or you can switch your balance to CHF in advance and lock in the exchange rate for spending if you’d prefer.

You’ll also be able to use your Wise card to make ATM withdrawals in CHF, with up to 2 withdrawals, to the value of 1,000 MYR every month for free, with low fees after that - all with the great Wise exchange rate and low fees.

Use this guide to plan your Swiss trip - and don’t forget to check out the Wise card as the smart way to pay for your passes and more.

💳 Get your Wise card today!