By Gemma Tedaldi | Published: 14th October 2024 | Updated: 29th November 2024
Planning a trip to Switzerland in October?
Even though Switzerland is often seen as more of a summer hiking or winter snow sports destination, October is definitely a time of year to plan a trip to the country. With the leaves turning, the colder weather beginning to arrive, and numerous festivals being held we love October in Switzerland. With that in mind in this post we’ll set out the best places to visit in Switzerland in October, as well as the average weather for the month and any holidays and festivals that occur.
So here is our guide to visiting Switzerland in October;
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October in Switzerland is when the country really starts to wind down from the summer rush and begin its winter festivities. As the autumn starts to really set in, October is a great month for hiking through yellow larch covered landscapes and the first dusting of snow. However, it is worth noting that certain cable cars, mountain railways etc take a few weeks in October to renovate, so be sure to check the opening hours for any mountain excursions you may be taking.
October is also one of the quietest months to visit Switzerland, with fewer tourists and therefore fewer crowds, perfect for getting a great deal on accommodation and of course some beautiful quiet hiking!
Weather In Switzerland In October
The average daily temperature across the country is 14°C / 27.2°F, with nighttime temperatures of around 7°C / 44.6°F, but this can vary depending on location, for example mountain resorts are often a little cooler. If you want to visit one of the warmest places in Switzerland in October then head to Ticino, and more specifically Lugano instead.
With an average of 70mm of rainfall across the month it is one of the lower months for rainfall, but you can still expect a few grey and rainy days, or even an early snow shower if you are at higher elevations or in the canton of Ticino, (which for some reason always gets a bit more rain than the rest of the country).
Switzerland in October Public Holidays / Events
There are no official public or regional holidays in Switzerland in October, however there are a few festivals that are held across the country:
📍 Alpabzug / Désalpe / Züglete – various dates
These festivals celebrating the cows, (or sheep or goats), coming home, start from mid-September through to the end of October, depending on the location in the Alps, but are well worth trying to catch to witness the cows all beautified and covered in flowery head dresses!
📍 Chestnut Festivals, Ticino – early to mid October
Chestnut stands start popping up all around Switzerland as of the beginning of October, but if you want a taste of some of the best chestnuts, (marroni / maronatt), then be sure to head to Ticino where they celebrate this humble nut along the lakesides of this Swiss-Italian canton.
As well as the chestnut festivals there are also various wine festivals throughout the country in early October including Herbstfest at Hallau and the Wine Festival in Nyon.
📍 Herbstmesse, Basel – From the end of October through to mid November
If you want the real taste of Switzerland in October, then be sure to head to Basel for the annual Herbstmesse. With fun fair rides, seasonal produce and goods being sold at market stalls, and of course all the cosy and delicious food and drink, (Glühwein and fondue filled rolls), why wouldn’t you want to visit? There are also other autumn festivals and markets that are held elsewhere in Switzerland, but we definitely recommend stopping by Herbstmesse in Basel.
As well as the autumn markets, October in Switzerland is also the time of year for pumpkin hunts and cheese festivals, (Käsefest), which are held in cities, towns and villages throughout the country and throughout the month.
5 Best Places to Visit in Switzerland in October
There are plenty of things to do and places to visit in Switzerland in October, but here are our top picks;
1. Lugano in October – Ticino is the warmest place in Switzerland in October and Lugano, with its autumn festival is no exception, and incredibly beautiful.
2. Lauterbrunnen in October – Beautiful autumn leaves, possible early snowfall and being in the most stunning valley in all of Switzerland, you can’t go wrong.
3. Basel in October – Basel is home to Herbstmesse from the end of October which is well worth a visit too, plus there are some great pumpkin patches at the edge of the city!
4. Neuchatel in October – Neuchatel celebrates all things wine in October so is a great place to visit for a long weekend to taste the new season wine.
5. Lausanne in October – Lausanne is another destination perfect for bringing in the new season wine and witnessing the autumn throughout the city and along the lake edge. It is especially beautiful from the Cathedral or along the lake edge at Ouchy.
Switzerland in October FAQs
Is October a good time to go to Switzerland?
October is a great time to visit Switzerland for autumn colours, fewer crowds and still fairly good weather. Although be sure to check that cable cars and certain funicular railways are open as the autumn is often a renovation season.
Where is the most beautiful place in Switzerland in October?
Anywhere with a beautiful lake surrounded by larches, (which turn bright yellow in the autumn)! Seriously though you cant get much better than Engadin.
Does it snow in Switzerland in October?
It often snows at higher altitudes in October, (some years even at lower levels), but more often than not the cities and lower lying regions are very mild.
What is closed in October in Switzerland?
Some mountain resorts, cable cars, funiculars and even hiking trails close for maintenance between the peak summer and winter seasons.
What’s the best time of year to visit Switzerland?
We go into this in another blog post you can find here, but it completely depends on what you want from your trip. If you want snow sports then you’ll want to visit mid to late winter, if you want hiking, early summer to autumn.
What is the warmest city in Switzerland in October?
Lugano in Ticino is usually that warmest city in Switzerland in October, we have visited in October before and it was nearly 10 degrees warmer there than in Basel!
Is Switzerland rainy in October?
October can bring some rain, but it is often short lived in comparison to the more stormy weather you get during the summer months.
Is Switzerland too cold in October?
October in Switzerland is not too cold, its more often than not the perfect blend of cooler nights and still warmish days, (especially in the sun), so no need to pack thermals!
Is Switzerland expensive in October?
Switzerland is always expensive, but there are ways to help save some money. But visiting Switzerland in October can definitely help with a budget as you can often get out of peak season rates for both flights and hotels.
What is the best time of year to visit Switzerland for snow?
For reliable snow fall you want to visit from December through to February, but we have had snow fall much earlier and much later than that too.
What is the best time of year to visit Switzerland for hiking?
As soon as the snow thaws it is great to get out hiking. You can then hike through the year until mid to late October, especially if you aim for lower altitude routes which wont necessarily be affected by snow.
Planning your own trip to Switzerland? Be sure to download Wise by far the best currency conversion app around. We use it daily living on the border of two countries and it is a game changer when travelling!
Conclusion: Switzerland in October
So, there is our guide to visiting Switzerland in October, from the autumn fun fairs to the wine, cheese and pumpkin festivals, October is a great time to visit Switzerland.
If Switzerland in October isn’t quite right for your trip…
Check out our other blog posts below about visiting Switzerland during other months of the year.
📍 Switzerland in February
📍 Switzerland in March
📍 Switzerland in April
📍 Switzerland in May
📍 Switzerland in June
📍 Switzerland in July
📍 Switzerland in August
📍 Switzerland in September
All Our Switzerland Content
Here are a few other articles you may find useful for planning your trip:
📍 How To Visit Switzerland On A Budget
📍 Switzerland in Spring: Best Things To Do & Places To Go
📍 Switzerland in Summer: Best Things To Do & Places To Go
📍 Switzerland in Autumn: Best Things To Do & Places To Go
📍 Switzerland in Winter: Best Things To Do & Places To Go
Gemma Tedaldi
Gemma is the owner and author of The Travelling Tedaldi, a travel blog helping travellers to discover the best road trips and travel itineraries throughout the UK and Europe. When she isn’t writing about her favourite travel destinations, she can often be found out exploring local hikes or planning future trips.