Section
Travel

Zurich takes second place in a US travel insurer's safety ranking
A new ranking recommends Zurich as a particularly safe city destination. The comparison of 38 cities combines travel experiences with several indices. Official crime statistics answer a different question.
Lufthansa surcharges rise again: travellers pay the final price
New surcharges can make award tickets more expensive. What the sample shows, why it is not a Swiss tariff sheet and what rights remain when a flight is cancelled.
Ski passes 2026/27: what families should compare before buying
List price, early-booking discount and season pass do not measure the same thing. A look at the statistics and at specific cable-car tariffs shows the differences.

Air fares up 11.8 percent: US index misses Swiss tickets
The US statistic shows a clear rise in a narrowly defined market segment. For your own booking, what counts is the route, the fare bundle and the final price.

Italy travel: Yellow warning in parts of Tuscany on 23 October
Parts of north-western Tuscany are under a yellow thunderstorm warning on Friday. How travellers read official bulletins and tell flood risk apart from confirmed damage.

Bedbugs and Air Travel: What Travellers Really Need to Know
Bedbugs are not a typical travel illness, but they can travel as stowaways in luggage. What actually helps with accommodation, hand luggage and the return home – and why frantic spraying can be the wrong response.

New beach rules in Tenerife? They only apply in La Laguna
Smoke-free swimming zones, no overnight stays and no loud speakers: in La Laguna in north-eastern Tenerife a new ordinance for municipal beaches and natural pools has been definitively adopted. But anyone turning it into an island-wide law is mistaken.

Flights to Saudi Arabia: What Swiss travellers must check now
Flight cancellations after the attacks on Saudi Arabia also affect transit and business travel. A practical overview for Swiss travellers – without false safety promises.

Travel advisory is not an entry ban: What Swiss travellers must check
Federal travel advice is not an automatic entry ban. For Swiss travellers it is a safety instrument – alongside entry rules, insurance cover and their own risk assessment.

El Niño doesn't make travel riskier overall – preparation does
El Niño changes weather patterns around the world. For Swiss travellers this does not amount to a blanket health warning – but it does amount to a clear task: check weather, mosquito and hygiene risks for the specific place before every trip, and factor in your health after returning.

Hōlei Sea Arch Collapse: What Hawaii's Shifting Coast Reveals
A well-known coastal formation on Hawaiʻi has collapsed. The case shows how dynamic volcanic coasts are – and why keeping a distance from cliffs still matters.

Iceland plans fee for nature sites – what travellers really pay
Iceland is debating a nature and infrastructure fee for Geysir, Gullfoss and Þingvellir. The planned annual pass would not hit all tourists in the same way.

Autumn holidays 2026: Six Swiss outings with a rain plan
Six concrete Swiss rain-day destinations for the 2026 autumn holidays – with checked opening hours, time needed, public transport tips and a new suggestion from French-speaking Switzerland.

SWISS drops to 19th: what the Skytrax ranking means for Zurich
Singapore Airlines tops the Skytrax ranking for 2026. SWISS falls to 19th but remains sixth in Europe. What the survey says – and what travellers should not conclude from it.

Beach holidays in October: sea still warm, weather can turn
Cyprus, Antalya, Tenerife or Madeira? A comparison of official climate data shows where beach weather is still likely in October and which risks travellers from Switzerland should plan for.

100 Million for Mountain Hotels: Rescue or Windfall Effect?
Over eight years, 100 million Swiss francs will flow into modernizing accommodation facilities in mountain regions. This can strengthen regions and save energy, but it risks funding projects that would have happened anyway.

Resort Staff Shortages Start With Housing
Swiss resorts seek staff, but seasonal workers struggle to find suitable housing. A new study reveals how this affects both guests and businesses.

New EU Air Passenger Rights: What Swiss Passengers Can Expect
Three-hour delays remain the key threshold for compensation. New rules clarify assistance, rebooking, and family seating. For departures from Switzerland, current law differs from future adoption.

Why Fewer Swiss Travel to the USA
The number of Swiss travelers to the USA significantly decreased in the first half of the year. This decline demonstrates how political perception and border entry experiences influence tourist decisions.

ETIAS Launch: Who is Affected, and Why Swiss Travelers Usually Do Not Need to Act
ETIAS will become a requirement for travelers from 59 visa-exempt countries for short stays in 30 European nations, including Switzerland. Swiss citizens do not need to apply for ETIAS when traveling within the ETIAS area.

SBB Timetable 2027: More Direct Trains to Italy – But Not Always More Comfort
From December 2026, two daily direct connections per direction are planned between Zurich and Venice, instead of one. France and night connections also benefit. However, travelers heading towards Ticino or Lake Constance need to check details carefully.

Is Climate Change Making Flights Over Switzerland More Turbulent?
Turbulence is common in air travel. Climate change might increase its frequency and intensity, particularly clear-air turbulence in cloudless skies. International research shows a trend. However, for Switzerland, it is still unclear if a measurable long-term trend exists in its airspace.

Air Canada Launches Direct Flight from Basel to Montreal
Starting June 2027, Air Canada will connect EuroAirport with Montreal non-stop four times a week. This new service offers the region direct connections to Canada and North America.

Swiss Flight LX14 Diverted to St. John's Due to Medical Emergency
A passenger fell ill over the Atlantic. The crew activated emergency code 7700 and diverted the aircraft to Newfoundland.

Valletta Voted World's Most Beautiful City
Valletta has been named the world's most beautiful city. The EU's smallest capital beat Paris, Athens, and Lisbon in the "Condé Nast Traveller Readers' Choice Awards 2025".

Edelweiss Opens New Competence Center at Zurich Airport
Edelweiss expands its presence at Zurich Airport with a new hub. This competence centre integrates operations, training, and a brand experience area, addressing market competition.

Travel Warnings: Essential Overview for Holidaymakers
The FDFA provides information on safety risks in numerous countries. Learn how to prepare correctly before your next trip.

Influencers Omit Geotags to Protect Alps
More and more social media users are posting mountain photos without location tags. The movement seeks to prevent remote natural sites from being overrun by Instagram tourism. Experts question its effectiveness.

Greece Protects Acropolis from Climate Change
Extreme heat and heavy rain threaten Greece's archaeological heritage. New protection concepts for the Acropolis could also set a precedent for Swiss monuments in the Alps.

Ibiza Aims to Shed Party Island Image
The Balearic island of Ibiza focuses on quality over quantity: New measures aim to curb party tourism and attract a more sustainable audience. The strategy is controversial and could offer lessons for Swiss holiday resorts.