Dogs are the best of friends. They do us good and are therefore gladly taken along when it goes to the mountains or on an excursion in nature. To make it a little more varied for you and your dog, we present here ideas where you can travel with your four-legged friend.
By the way, assistance dogs are not meant here. If you have an assistance dog, you can take him almost everywhere where dogs are not allowed.
At the end of the article you will find important information for entering the country with your dog from abroad.
On this page of Switzerland Tourism dog-friendly hotels in Switzerland are listed, if you are traveling with your dog for more than one day at a time.
Traveling on public transport with a dog
In general, your dog is allowed to travel free of charge up to 30 cm in height. The condition is: he must be placed in a suitable basket, transport box or other animal-friendly container. And it must not occupy or block its own seat.
A ticket is required for all other dogs. And once a smaller dog is not (no longer) in the container, he also needs his own ticket. As a general rule, you pay half price for him in the class in which you are traveling. Alternatively, your animal companion travels with the Dog Pass or the Dog Day Pass.
As soon as you travel with several means of transport (train, streetcar, boat, post bus and buses) on one day, the dog day ticket is worthwhile. It costs CHF 25 and is valid in the class in which you travel with your valid ticket.
The dog pass is issued per month or per year and is worthwhile if your dog is constantly traveling with you. It is registered in the dog owner's Swiss Pass.
Dog and bus (Photo: pixabay)
Dog in the forest (Photo: unsplash)With the dog on the mountain
There are some differences when it comes to mountain railroads. Funiculars run on rails and usually transport dogs according to rules similar to those for other forms of public transportation. For cable cars and chairlifts, your dog often needs a ticket at the children's rate or the dog rate. We list some cable cars for you. In any case, it is advisable to research or ask before your trip.
Travelling with your dog in the Jungfrau region
In the Jungfrau region you can travel cheaply with your dog. Only on the route Eigergletscher - Jungfraujoch and back you pay CHF 30.
Dogs are transported free of charge on the following 9 routes in the Jungfrau region:
- Interlaken East - Lauterbrunnen
- Interlaken Ost - Grindelwald
- Interlaken - Harder Kulm
- Wilderswil - Schynige Platte
- Lauterbrunnen - Mürren
- Lauterbrunnen - Kleine Scheidegg - Grindelwald
- Grindelwald - First
- Grindelwald Terminal - Eigergletscher
- Grindelwald Grund - Kleine Scheidegg
- Lauterbrunnen - Kleine Scheidegg
The Schynige Platte is the starting point for a very popular and challenging hike with lots of views. It takes about six hours to reach Grindelwald First. You will find the moderately difficult hike signposted as hiking trail no. 62.
Dog (Photo: unsplash)
Schynige Platte (Photo: Jungfrau Railways)From Engelberg on the way to the mountains with the dog
In the area around Engelberg you will find several cable cars and chair lifts.
Titlis: Dogs from a shoulder height of 30 cm pay for the train rides:
- Engelberg - Titlis
- Engelberg - Trübsee
- Trübsee - Jochpass
- Jochpass - Engstlenalp
- Engelberg - Gerschnialp
Brunni: Dogs always pay for the train rides:
- Brunni Engelberg - Ristis
- Ristis - Brunni hut
Fürenalp: Dogs always pay for the train rides:
- Engelberg - Fürenalp
Easy yet beautiful hikes are around the Trübsee or at Brunni from the Härzlisee down to the Ristis mountain station.
Around the Trübsee you walk 3.2 km in about one hour. Also for the way from the Härzlisee to Ristis you need about one hour. At Fürenalp the Grotzliweg (3.4 km, 1.50 h) is easy to walk.
Mountain railroads that transport dogs free of charge
- Jungfrau Railways: all mountain railroads in the Jungfrau region (only exception: Eiger Glacier - Jungfraujoch is subject to a charge)
- Scuol mountain railroads: Motta Naluns
- Samnaun mountain railroads
- Mountain railroads Flims Laax
- Corvatsch and Diavolezza mountain railroads: Corvatsch, Furtschellas, Diavolezza
- Brienz Rothorn cable car: 1 dog per person travels free of charge
- Furka Steam Railway
- Gstaad mountain railways
- Glacier 3000 mountain railroads: not allowed on ski slopes
- Gornergratbahn
- Matterhorn Zermatt mountain railways
- Rigi cable cars
Hiking with dog (Photo: Pexels)
Snowshoeing in the Refuge Solalex (Photo: Switzerland Tourism)With the dog on the ship
You can take your dog on all scheduled ships in Switzerland. Most of the time the regulations of the public transport apply:
- You may take dogs up to 30 cm instep height free of charge. However, your dog must be in a suitable basket or in an animal-friendly bag. He must also not block a seat of his own.
- All other dogs require a dog ticket.
The dog day ticket as well as the dog GA of the SBB are also valid on the normal course ships. Dogs are not always allowed in the restaurant and special boat trips with food do not tolerate four-legged friends. We show you below how the individual shipping companies in Switzerland deal with this.
13 shipping companies in Switzerland and their dog regulations
| Sea/River | Society | Specials |
|---|---|---|
| Rhine | Basler Personenschifffahrt | Dogs travel free |
| Lake Constance | Lake Constance Navigation | not allowed for themed excursions |
| Lake Biel | BSG | not allowed on events |
| Lake Geneva | CGN SA | |
| Lago Lugano | SNL | |
| Lago Maggiore | Navigazione Lago Maggiore | |
| Lake Neuchâtel and Murten | Société de navigation lacs de Neuchâtel et Morat | |
| Lake Thun and Lake Brienz | BLS | Dogs are allowed inside and in the restaurant (scheduled boats) |
| Lake Untersee and Rhine | URh | |
| Lake Lucerne | SGV | not allowed for themed excursions |
| Walensee | Walensee Schifffahrt | Dogs travel at half price |
| Lake Zug | Lake Zug Navigation | not allowed for theme excursions |
| Lake Zurich | ZVV |
On the Walensee with the dog
By the way, Lake Walen is a good destination for dog owners. You can walk here with your dog wonderfully over the meadows, partly also without leash. But you should keep to the usual rules: When you pass cows, be sure to keep your distance, there is always a leash requirement on huts and, of course, you have to take your pet's droppings with you. In the woods it is compulsory to be on a leash everywhere.
In Weesen you will find an unofficial dog beach at the Walensee. The beach consists of sand and gravel and is located behind the Gäsi beach. A hiking trail takes you from the parking lot at the camping site through the forest directly to the beach.
Swiss Activities Tip: You can combine a hike to the small car-free village of Quinten on Lake Walen with a boat trip.
Ligerz above Lake Biel (Photo: Switzerland Tourism, Lorenz Richard)
Murg on Lake Walen (Photo: Heidiland Tourism)Taking the dog to the zoo or animal park
Many zoos and animal parks do not allow dogs to be taken. Dogs might worry the animals too much. However, some zoos or animal parks have areas where dogs are allowed, sometimes for free.
14 Areas in zoos or zoological gardens that may be entered with dogs
| Zoo | Place | Areas where dogs are allowed |
|---|---|---|
| Arosa Bärenland | Arosa | Visitor platform, on leash |
| Bear Park | Bern | on a leash |
| Tierpark Lange Erlen | Basel | all ways |
| Animal Park Langenthal | Langenthal | Zoo |
| Walter Zoo | Gossau, St. Gallen | at the zoo on a short leash |
| Wildpark Brienz | Brienz | on a short leash |
| Wildpark Bruderhaus | Winterthur | on a short leash |
| Wildpark Peter und Paul | St. Gallen | game park on a short leash |
| Wildpark Roggenhausen | Aarau | all ways, on a short leash, not recommended on weekends |
| Wildpark Heitern | Zofingen | on the leash |
| Wildpark Mühletäli | Starrkirch-Wil (Solothurn) | on the leash |
| Wildnispark Zürich Langenberg | Langnau | only part Langenberg East, on the leash |
| Zoo Bern | Bern | in the admission-free part of the zoo, on the leash |
| Zoo John's little farm | Kallnach, Bern | all ways, on the leash |
Bear Park Bern (Photo: unsplash)
Zoo (Photo: Pexels)To go to the museum with the dog
Going to the museum with your dog is generally only possible at open-air museums. Only guide dogs are excluded. In open-air museums dogs must walk on a (short) leash.
6 Museums that may be entered (outside) with dogs
| Museum | Location | Special |
|---|---|---|
| Open-Air Museum Ballenberg | Hofstetten bei Brienz | historical buildings and craftsmanship |
| Open-Air Museum Antonini Quarry | Wassen (Uri Alps) | Quarry from the time of the construction of the Gotthard Railway |
| Open-air museum Mendrisio | Mendrisio | historic villages in the Muggio valley |
| Urchigs Terbil | mountain village Törbel (Vispertal) | historic mountain village |
| Village lacustre de Gletterens | Gletterens | replica of a Neolithic farm (pile dwelling) on historic site |
| Ballyana | Schönenwerd | Industrial history of the Schönenwerd region |
Ballenberg (Photo: Ballenberg)
Ballenberg (Photo: Ballenberg)Dog runs and free running zones
Dog runs are not only used for romping around. Dog training sessions often take place here as well. You should therefore better briefly find out when it is free and you can actually use it.
16 locations for dog runs in Switzerland
| Dog park | Location | Information | Costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dog Free Area Losone | Losone, Ticino | area parallel along the Maggia river, registration required | about municipality of Losone |
| Eulachpark Winterthur | Winterthur | fenced area, registration required | single ticket or subscription |
| Dog meadow Allmend | Lucerne | open around the clock | none |
| Allmend Brunau grass sports facility | Zurich | park with free-walking zone for dogs | none |
| Horburgpark | Basel | Park with free-walking zone for dogs | none |
| Churchillquai | Lucerne | 5000 m² free running zone and dog bathing area, info Churchillquai | none |
| Dog Free Area Ellighausen (TG) | Kemmental | 10000 m² free area reservation at SinTakt AG | subscription or by time |
| Dog Run Zurich Unterstrass | Zurich | 0.1 ha large park with free running zone for dogs | none known |
| Dog park Zurich Werdwies | Zurich | 0.1 ha park with free running zone for dogs | none known |
| Dog park Zurich Aussersihl | Zurich | 0.1 ha park with free running zone for dogs | none known |
| Dietikon dog park | Dietikon | 0.2 ha park with free running zone for dogs | none known |
| Dog park Sempach (LU) | Sempach | Park with free running zone for dogs | none known |
| Dog park Thierachern | Thierachern | 0.1 ha park with free running zone for dogs | none known |
| Dog park Hasle | Burgdorf | 0.1 ha park with free running zone for dogs | none known |
| Dog run Monthey | Monthey | 1.8 ha park with free running zone for dogs | none known |
| Dog park Vevey | Vevey | 0.1 ha Park with free running zone for dogs | none known |
This list is by no means complete. Besides, such locations can change quickly. So please check in advance if the dog run or free run zone really still exists.
Hundewiese (Foto: unsplash)
Stadt (Foto: Pexels)Visit a cave or a gorge with the dog
The Höllgrotten refer to stalactite caves in the Lorzentobel in Baar near Zug. The stone formations, which were created over millions of years, awaken the imagination. The illuminated caves seem downright fairytale-like. Dogs are allowed here and may come along for free. However, there is understandably a leash obligation.
You may also visit the St. Beatus Caves at Lake Thun with your dog. The dragon has long since been driven away, so it will be an idyllic walk. On the way to the cave you will pass a thundering waterfall. You can get here by boat. The BLS boat station is Beatenbucht Sundlauenen. From here you need about 20-25 min for the ascent to the cave entrance.
The Glacier Gorge Grindelwald also allows dogs. They are allowed free of charge. Rock walls rise up to 300 m in the gorge. Special light conditions provide special effects.
Bergün (Foto: Schweiz Tourismus, Andre Meier)
Hund Wandern (Foto: Pexels)Traveling to Switzerland with your dog
If you come to Switzerland from abroad, you can bring your dog without major problems. Among other things, the following points are important:
- valid rabies vaccination (at least 21 days before crossing the border)
- responsible person for the trip (no change of owner planned) with EU pet passport
- dog has microchip or other identification
Nevertheless, please inform yourself thoroughly about the entry regulations to Switzerland in advance.
Here are some sources you can make good use of:
Rent a dog
Yes, in Switzerland you can borrow a dog. 😃 The St. Bernard dog is a special landmark of Switzerland. He has been bred since the Middle Ages in the hospice of the Augustinian canons on the Great Saint Bernard.
At that time the dog carried loads, later it was also trained and used as an avalanche search dog. By appointment nowadays you can borrow a St. Bernard for a hike in the border area between Switzerland and France.
Great St Bernard (Photo: Switzerland Tourism)
Escholzmatt Wiesners Waldkueche (Photo: Switzerland Tourism)