Switzerland Weather in August 2024: Travel Tips for First-Timers

The low elevations in Switzerland have warm weather and about 12 days of rain. Two mountains capped with glaciers have conditions for skiing and other winter sports. At the low elevations, there is good weather for hiking, comfortable touring, and even getting some sun.

Read on for our weather information and travel advice including average temperatures and rainfall, places to go, and travel tips…

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• 1. Weather Overview
• 2. Best Places to Visit
• 3. Crowds and Costs
• 4. What to Wear

Switzerland Weather in August: Overview

Averages:

• Temperature range: 14–25°C (57–76°F)
• Total rain/snow: 13 cm (5 inches)
• Days with rain/snow: 12
• Humidity: 73%
• Sunshine hours/day: 7 hours

August Climate Comparison (Averages) for Switzerland's Top Tourism Areas

Swiss weather is usually warm during the day in August at the low elevations where the biggest cities are, and sometimes it is hot. There are approximately 7 hours of sunlight and 14½ hours of daylight for enjoying outdoor activities and touring.

Lower altitude: Below about 500 meters (1,600 feet) where the big cities such as Lausanne, Geneva, and Zürich are, you can expect a daily high averaging 25°C (76°F), and you may feel hot in the sun. The average nightly lows are approximately 14°C (57°F).

Higher altitude: Above 1,600 meters (5,200 feet) where the ski resort towns and villages such as Zermatt are, the average daily highs are 20°C (67°F), and the lows are 8°C (47°F). Temperatures decrease the higher the elevation. July and August are months with mildest weather, and afternoon thunderstorms occur often.

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The Best Places to Visit in Switzerland in August

Switzerland is in peak tourism season in August. You could enjoy the country's great natural beauty when it is warm or hot and enjoy the urban areas too. Some still venture up for winter sports at the highest peaks and stay in the resorts in the mountains.

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1. Zürich — See the Historic Sites and Nature in Spring

Zürich is Switzerland's largest city and is famous for its cultural attractions such as Swiss National Museum and the Old City, its luxury shopping, and its natural beauty. August is high tourism season, and many tourists pass through from the countries to the north during their August holidays.

The average daily high temperatures of 24°C (75°F) feel nice and warm under the 7 hours of sunshine. The average 71% humidity makes it feel slightly warmer.

The best hiking trail within an hour drive of Zürich may be the Pizol 5 Lake Trail. A gondola and chair lifts ferry people to a mountain hut, and the trail goes by mountain lakes and ponds and rocky crags. For more things to do, see visiting Switzerland in March.

2. Zermatt — Hike in Spectacular Scenery and Enjoy Mild Weather

Zermatt is a ski resort and tourist town at the base of the Matterhorn. It is probably the number one ski area of Switzerland, and in July and August, the beautiful forests and lakes have mild weather for some hiking and relaxation in famed mountain scenery.

Zermatt is at an elevation of 1,600 meters (5,200 feet), and the average daily highs are 20°C (67°F). It can get cold at night since the average lows are 8°C (47°F). August is one of the months with heaviest rainfall and afternoon thunderstorms are common. There are about 10 days of low/moderate rainfall.

It is often cloudy. There are only an average of about 5½ hours of sunshine daily. There are hut-to-hut hiking routes that provide huts for shelter such as the Haute Route. The Matterhorn Glacier Trail is high altitude. August is the second busiest month for tourism. Expect peak prices.

3. Wengen — Enjoy Nature in the Area above Interlaken

The valleys above Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen, and Lütschental are famously excellent places for backpacking, hiking, and family vacations. Wengen is high on the cliffs overlooking the Lauterbrunnen Valley at an elevation of 1,274 meters (4,180 feet). It is a vehicle-free small town that could be a base for excursions.

The are numerous hotels and restaurants, so it's a popular place to stay. You can take the Wengen-Männlichen Aerial Cableway for a scenic ride to Männlichen. Männlichen has restaurants to dine and rest in, and you can enjoy high altitude hikes in the area.

The average daily high temperature is 17°C (63°F). There is high rainfall in August with about 18 days of rain in the month for a total of 20 cm (8 inches) of rain. To go to Interlaken from Wengen, take the train to Lauterbrunnen and then take the Wengernalpbahn.

• For information about Interlaken and travel there, see visiting Switzerland in March.
• For information about the Lauterbrunnen Valley, see visiting Switzerland in June.
• For information about Grindelwald, see visiting Switzerland in July.

4. Lucerne — Enjoy an Alpine Mountain Vacation with Less Crowds

Lucerne is a compact, historied city about a tenth the size of Zürich near the center of Switzerland. Its elevation is 766 meters (2,513 feet), and its average daily highs are 24°C (75°F) in August.

There is an average of 7 hours of sunshine daily and about 13 days of rain in August. For outdoors enthusiasts, Lucerne's mountains are the big draw. You can hike to the summit of Mt. Pilatus that towers above the city in a day and take the world's steepest cogwheel railway down.

A 90-minute drive from Lucerne is a trail that leads to the source of the Rhine River. The source, Lake Toma, is a clear mountain lake. There are other notable hikes among the tall mountains in the area.

• For sightseeing in the Lucerne urban area, see visiting Switzerland in July.

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Crowds and Costs for Traveling in August

The middle of summer is high tourism season in Switzerland. In the valleys around Interlaken, the crowds and prices increase in August after moderating somewhat in July. August is when many Europeans take summer vacations, so you can expect high prices and busy tourism.

Mountain trails and the high-altitude tourist towns might have crowds. There may be crowds at the tourist attractions in the lowland cities also.

Public holidays in August:

August 1, Swiss National Day, is a national holiday. Businesses and government offices close. It is a big holiday, and you can watch the parades, bonfires, entertainment, and city fireworks. It commemorates a mutual defense agreement that was made near Lake Lucerne in 1291.

What to Wear in August

There is a big difference between daytime and nighttime temperatures, and the weather is unpredictable. Take a coat and rain gear and dress in layers to be ready for every circumstance.

Take a coat for going to the high-elevation areas such as Zermatt and Wengen. You will need rain gear and waterproof backpacks in the high elevations since afternoon thunderstorms happen often.

Here is a packing list for a few essentials in Switzerland:

• Warm hat
• Sunhat
• Comfortable shoes with good traction
• Warm waterproof boots with good traction. You might wear them in-flight to travel lightly.
• Winter coat
• Swimwear
• Summer clothes
• Cardigans or thermals
• Polarized glasses to reduce the glare
• Universal adapter