Europe
Is Switzerland safe?
L1Exercise normal precautions
Is Switzerland safe?
One of Europe's safest countries. Petty theft happens on trains and at Geneva and Zurich stations; mountain weather, falls and avalanches are the real risks.
Key facts
- US travel advisory: Level 1: Exercise normal precautions, updated 2025-05-19.
- Homicide rate: 0.6 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths: 2.2 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 117 · Ambulance 144 · Fire 118 · All emergencies 112.
- Solo women: Very comfortable alone, including at night and on trains; usual care late at night in Geneva's Pâquis and Zurich's Langstrasse.
Risks, scams and laws
Main risks
- Mountain weather changes fast; check forecasts before hikes
- Avalanche risk off-piste in winter
- Pickpockets on Geneva and Zurich trains and stations
Laws visitors break by accident
- Most municipalities require official fee-paid rubbish bags; dumping household waste is fined.
- Motorways need the CHF 40 vignette, and speeding fines are severe.
- Night-time and Sunday quiet hours are taken seriously in apartments.
Safety by place in Switzerland
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Zurich | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Lucerne | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Interlaken | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Zermatt | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Bern | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Basel | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Lugano | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Grindelwald | 5/5 · Very safe |
| St. Moritz | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Montreux | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Geneva | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Lausanne | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
Quick answers
Is Switzerland safe for tourists?
One of Europe's safest countries. Petty theft happens on trains and at Geneva and Zurich stations; mountain weather, falls and avalanches are the real risks.
Is Switzerland safe for solo female travelers?
Very comfortable alone, including at night and on trains; usual care late at night in Geneva's Pâquis and Zurich's Langstrasse.
What is the emergency number in Switzerland?
Police 117 · Ambulance 144 · Fire 118 · All emergencies 112.
Safety by place
Sources
- World Bank: intentional homicides
- US State Department travel advisory
- State Secretariat for Migration (SEM)
- SBB Swiss Federal Railways
- Swiss e-vignette (Via portal)
- European Commission: Entry/Exit System
- Speedtest Global Index: Switzerland
- World Bank open data
Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.