By Gemma Tedaldi | Published: 9 March 2026 | Updated: 9th March 2026
When you think of Switzerland normally three things come to mind; cows, chocolate and cheese. Having lived in Switzerland for a few years we have not only tried many different types of cheese but have also well and truly found all of the best ways to experience cheese across the country, (we can’t walk past a local farm fridge without taking a peek at what cheese they have on offer!). That is where the Swiss Cheese Passport comes in!
This little known souvenir passport is the perfect thing to help you explore not only Switzerland, but four of the best cheese dairies as well, (with some delicious cheese tastings as well!). So, here is our guide to the Swiss Cheese Passport, what it is, where to get it, which dairies are included and the best itinerary for visiting them all in one trip.
Swiss Cheese Passport Map
What is the Swiss Cheese Passport?
Did you know that Switzerland has a Cheese Passport? It is quite possibly Switzerland’s best kept secret, (even locals we have spoken with didn’t know about it!) but if you fancy getting a rather unique souvenir from Switzerland, then we highly recommend getting the Swiss Cheese Passport.
The idea behind it is simple, with every visit to one of the four participating cheese dairies you get a stamp in your Cheese Passport. Once you have received a stamp at each (as well as enough cheese tastings to last a lifetime!), you can be the proud owner of a Swiss picnic box, Swiss Army knife and of course more cheese!
Swiss Cheese Passport Participating Cheese Dairies
Currently, four cheese dairies are participating in the Cheese Passport, all of which have their own unique show dairies and cheeses to try;
🧀 Appenzeller Schaukäserei
🧀 Milchmanufaktur Einsiedeln
🧀 Emmentaler Schaukäserei
🧀 La Maison du Gruyères
Where to get the Swiss Cheese Passport?
You can get the Swiss Cheese Passport in person at all of the participating cheese dairies or order it online through the Swiss Cheese Passport website. It is completely free, and a unique way to explore Switzerland through its cheesy delicacies!
Another bonus is that the Cheese Passport lasts for up to two years, so if you can’t visit all of the dairies in your first trip to Switzerland you have up to two years from the date of your first stamp to complete it. Here is to another excuse to coming back to Switzerland!
Swiss Cheese Passport Itinerary
If you plan on visiting all four show dairies in one trip, they can be a little bit difficult to get to as they are spread out across the country. Luckily, after visiting them all ourselves, we have figured out the optimal public transport routes between them all. All four cheese diaries are open year-round and accessible via public transport, so you can do this trip at any time of year (we actually completed our Swiss Cheese Passport over the course of 6 months, so we got to see the local areas in different seasons).
The best route to visit all of the Cheese Passport show dairies is to start in Zurich, heading to Appenzell, Einsiedeln, Emmental and then Gruyere, before either heading back to Zurich or on to Geneva. This route then minimises any backtracking and takes you through some of the most beautiful areas of Switzerland as well.
This route also means that you can potentially visit up to two dairies a day if that is all you are interested in, although we would argue that you should explore each of the areas around the dairies as well, with chocolate factories, spas and historic towns to see too! Plus, it would mean some very long days on trains too.
🧀 Best Travel Pass To Use: For this Swiss Cheese Passport itinerary, we highly recommend getting either Saver Day Passes for each of your travel days (allowing you to use all the transport needed without getting any extra tickets) or the Swiss Half Fare Card, then paying for discounted tickets as you go. Depending on how long you plan to spend in Switzerland before or after visiting the various cheese dairies, the Swiss Travel Pass might also be a good option, (this allows you to hop on and off without paying for extra tickets).
You should also get the Swiss Coupon Pass for 2 for 1 discounts at each of the dairies (including fondue!)
Swiss Cheese Passport Itinerary: Zurich to Appenzeller Schaukäserei
Appenzell is one of the most well-known cheeses in Switzerland, and with a wide variety of types to choose from too, making it a very popular dairy to visit. The dairy is quite large, with an interactive exhibition, (in various languages), showcasing the local area as well as the cheese making process, with five cheese tastings included to try along the way as well as the option to creating your own cheese herb mix using local and regional herbs.
Opening times: 9am to 5.30pm November to April with longer opening hours, to 6:30pm from May to October. Cheese making until 3pm each day.
How much does it cost: CHF 13 per adult and CHF 8 per child (aged 6 to 16), children under 6 go free.
With the Swiss Coupon Pass you can also get a discounted 2 for 1 entry, plus a serving of Staaner Chaashornli, (basically Swiss macaroni cheese), but this can only be used in person, no booking in advance.
Whilst in the area, why not visit the beautiful town of Appenzell and visit Hoher Kasten, Santis, Ebenalp and Seealpsee too. We have a full Appenzell itinerary guide to the town as well as some beautiful local hikes and mountain visits in the surrounding area, a great way to see more of this Swiss region.
Where To Stay in Appenzell: If planning to stay in the area overnight then these are our recommendations for accommodation:
Budget – Alte Metzg Hostel
Mid range – Hotel Löwen
Luxury – Romantik Hotel Säntis
Swiss Cheese Passport Itinerary: Appenzeller Schaukäserei to Milchmanufaktur Einsiedeln
The least known cheese dairy in the Swiss Cheese Passport is Milchmanufaktur Einsiedeln, but don’t let that put you off visiting! Even if the dairy itself isn’t as impressive as the rest, the local town that it is situated in is stunning, with a famous monastery, beautiful lake and numerous hiking trails. Although there is no interactive experience, you can book a Saturday tour (in German only) if you are interested in how the dairy works, more information here.
Be sure to try the Schwarz Madonna cheese, one we haven’t seen being sold anywhere else in Switzerland, and one made famous because of the black marble statue of the same name in the Einsiedeln monastery.
Opening times: 8am to 6pm everyday.
How much does it cost: As there is no exhibition to see, just a well stocked cheese shop and lovely restaurant, the cost is free. However, with the Swiss Coupon Pass you can get a 2 for 1 on the local mountain cheese fondue, which is seriously good.
Where To Stay in Einsiedeln: If planning to stay in the area overnight then these are our recommendations for accommodation:
Budget – Allegro Alpin Lodge
Mid range – KunstHotel Linde Garni
Luxury – Hotel Drei Könige
Swiss Cheese Passport Itinerary: Milchmanufaktur Einsiedeln to Emmentaler Schaukäserei
Another of the well known cheeses across Switzerland, the Emmentaler Schaukäserei is not only really informative about the whole cheese making process, but you end the 30 minute tour overlooking the cheese aging cellar, tasting the various aged cheeses, what more could you want! The tour with the mouse, cow and cheese makers is done in German, French and English, and yes that will make sense when you are there! (This was our first cheese dairy visit in Switzerland and one that sparked our love for all things Swiss cheese).
Opening times: Daily from 9am to 5pm, with last entry at 4.30pm.
How much does it cost: CHF 16.50 per adult and CHF 8.50 per child (aged 12 to 17), children under 12 go free. You can also get a discounted 2 for 1 entry with the Swiss Coupon Pass, but this can’t be booked in advance. If you would rather book your ticket in advance then you can do so here: 🧀 Emmentaler Schaukäserei
Where To Stay in Emmental: There isn’t a massive amount of choice of accommodation in the area surrounding the Emmentaler Schaukäserei, but if you do plan on staying in the area overnight then these are the best options for accommodation:
Budget – Friedlis Buurehof, just a short walk from the dairy
Mid range / Luxury – Glamping at the Dairy, with prices varying depending on the cabin and experiences you want.
Swiss Cheese Passport Itinerary: Emmentaler Schaukäserei to La Maison du Gruyères
This show dairy is on the smaller side, only taking around 20 minutes to complete, but with a unique history of cheese making in the Gruyere area to learn about, as well as three cheese tastings included, it is very much worth visiting. They also have a great dairy shop where you can buy local cheeses as well as other milk based products, including the local meringues and cream!
Opening times: 9am to 6pm daily from October to May with slightly longer opening hours to 6.30pm from June to September. Cheese making happens every day from 9am to 12.30pm, 2 to 4 times a day depending on the season and can be seen from in the exhibition.
How much does it cost: CHF 8 per adult and CHF 6 for children (aged 12 to 16), children under 12 go free. You can also get a discounted 2 for 1 entry with the Swiss Coupon Pass as well as 2 for 1 local cheese fondue serving, but this can’t be booked in advance.
Whilst in the area, why not visit the beautiful village of Gruyere as well as the nearby Cailler Chocolate factory as well? We have a full Gruyere itinerary guide to the area as well as some beautiful local hikes and mountain visits, so be sure to check it out and see a bit more of the area than just the dairy.
Where To Stay in Gruyere: If planning to stay in the area overnight then these are our recommendations for accommodation:
Budget – Hôtel de Ville
Mid-range – Le Saint Georges
Luxury – Hôtel Cailler & Bains de la Gruyère, Charmey
Swiss Cheese Passport Itinerary: La Maison du Gruyères to Zurich / La Maison du Gruyères to Geneva
Swiss Cheese Passport FAQs
Is the Swiss cheese passport free?
Yes the Swiss Cheese Passport is 100% free!
Is the Swiss Cheese Passport worth it?
The Swiss Cheese Passport is definitely worth it! Where else in the world can you get a dedicated passport to cheese?! Plus once you have stamps from all the dairies you get the picnic box, cheese knife and more cheese, what more could you want!
Is there a recommended route or itinerary for the Swiss Cheese Passport?
There isn’t any official route or itinerary to visiting all of the cheese dairies in the Swiss Cheese Passport, but the itinerary we have put together above is the best route to see them all without doubling back on yourself, and still getting to see a bit of the local areas in Switzerland too.
Can the Swiss Cheese Passport be completed year-round?
The Cheese Passport in Switzerland can be completed throughout the year, but the dairies may be closed on certain days or for certain times due to local and country wide holidays such as Easter, Swiss National Day and Christmas. It is best checking on the dairy website in advance to make sure they are open on the day you want to visit.
Can you do the Swiss Cheese Passport with children?
You can definitely do the Swiss Cheese Passport with children. Three of the dairies include interactive exhibitions and multiple cheese tasting as well as being able to see the cheese being made, all of which we loved as adults so kids will love too!
Do I need to book tours in advance when using the Swiss Cheese Passport?
You don’t have to book any of the tours in advance, but if you would rather guarantee your entry into the show dairies at a certain time then you can and should book in advance.
Conclusion: The Swiss Cheese Passport: Complete Guide & Itinerary
So there you have our guide to the little known Swiss Cheese Passport. Switzerland is known world wide for its cheese so why not get yourself this unique souvenir passport and visit all of the best dairies this country has to offer!
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.