Summer Swiss Packing Tips
(originally by Mel @ brokeGIRLrich, August 16, 2023)
Planning a summer trip to Switzerland but confused about what to pack? Allow me to help! You’d think summer packing should be a breezy thing, but Switzerland’s changeable weather makes it tricky. Here’s what I discovered packing for my weeklong trip.
The weather swing from 83 to 37 degrees over our 5-day stay. We had to pack smart – flying a budget airline from London, we had to get everything in a carry-on or pay through the nose for checked luggage. We decided to share one checked bag between us.
The stuff I packed included the usuals: underwear, socks, PJs, plus a swimsuit. Pair of jeans, a romper, a pair of black leggings, five t-shirts, two sweaters, a cardigan were next. To adapt to the altitude and weather changes – there’s often a mentionable difference on the mountains and in towns like Zurich, Lucerne, and Thun – layering was a life-saver.
As silly as it sounds, I carried my bulky, waterproof winter coat onto the plane (more like I literally carried it). It was invaluable when it rained at the top of Grindelwald First.
Shoes-wise, I brought waterproof sneakers and these amazing boots – the Columbia Women’s Heavenly Organza II Omni-Heat Boot. A pair of Tieks also came along but they weren’t really handy and just ended up being a burden.
I packed two jackets: a heavy-duty, waterproof ski jacket, and a light waterproof windbreaker. The former proved excellent for the rainy top of Grindelwald First. The Cranky Jackey from Nau never failed me either, being waterproof, lightweight, warm yet breathable.
In hindsight, I’d have left the Tieks at home and brought along a winter hat and gloves. Riding the giant eagle thing on the top of Grindelwald First was a blast but left us frozen.
A couple of other packing tips I’d suggest: get packing cubes. They’re fantastic help in organizing luggage. Plus, remember, Swiss plugs are different. You need a special adaptor as their plugs are inset, so consider investing in one of those. If you’re coming from the US, European power is a higher voltage, you’ll need a step-down power converter to prevent any accidents (like a flaming hair straightener).
So that’s it, folks. Pack smart, and enjoy your Swiss summer trip! Consider us jealous!