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

In Switzerland's low elevations, the beginning of November is cool and the end is cold, and there is low to moderate rainfall. You could enjoy touring the cities while prices are lowest or do winter sports in the mountains.

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 November: Overview

Averages:

• Temperature range: 2–8°C (36–47°F)
• Total rain/snow: 8 cm (3 inches)
• Days with rain/snow: 10
• Humidity: 84%
• Sunshine hours/day: 2 hours

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

Switzerland's weather is usually cool during the day in November at the low elevations where the biggest cities are. There are only an average of 2 hours of sunlight and 9½ hours of daylight. It might feel gloomy. It is low tourism season with relatively smaller crowds and lower prices.

Lower altitude: The big cities such as Zürich, Geneva, and Lausanne are below about 500 meters (1,600 feet), and the highs only reach an average of 8°C (47°F). The average nightly low is 2°C (36°F). There is moderate rainfall.

Higher altitude: Above 1,600 meters (5,200 feet) where the ski resort towns such as Zermatt are, the average daily highs are about 5°C (41°F). It freezes at night. There is low rainfall or snowfall and a daily average of 3 hours of sunshine.

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The Best Places to Visit in Switzerland in November

Touring Switzerland in November has the benefits of low tourism. Though it freezes on many nights in the low elevations, you could tour the cities or see the countryside. You could enjoy the cities or go to the ski resorts for winter sports activities.

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1. Zürich — See the Historic Sites in Beautiful Fall Scenery

Zürich is in low tourism season in November between the summer holidays and the Christmas holidays. Its weather is cool at the beginning of the month and turns cold and even freezing at the end. The daily average highs are 8°C (47°F), and the average lows are just above freezing.

You could enjoy sightseeing in the quiet, relaxed atmosphere at the beginning of November and go to the Christmas markets with traditional Swiss food, crafts, and entertainment that get popular by the end of the month. Zurich is the largest city and has some of the best museums and gourmet restaurants.

Many tourists arrive in Zurich because it has the main international airport, and it has the main train hub for travel to other places. November has an average of 2 hours of sunshine daily and 84% humidity, resulting in cool, damp, gloomy weather. When the weather is inclement, you could enjoy Switzerland's best luxury shopping.

For more things to do, see visiting Switzerland in March.

2. Zermatt — For Snow and Winter Sports

Zermatt is the winter sports capital of Europe in November because it has active ski slopes on the Matterhorn and because its elevation, 1,620 meters (5,310 feet), is high enough that there is almost sure to be nice snow close to town. The average high is 5°C (41°F).

It freezes at night since the lows are -3°C (26°F). There is 2½ hours of sunshine and low rainfall and snowfall. November is one of the months with least tourism. For skiing and snowboarding, the high elevation slopes around Zermatt are among the best in Switzerland.

A ban on cars keeps the sky pristine and makes better walking and shopping experiences. The are a variety of luxury hotels, and prices are lowest in November. Ski season runs from late November to the spring, but the highest slopes can be skied any time. You might prefer November if you enjoy more solitude.

3. Ticino — Enjoy More Sun, Warmer Weather, and Hot Italian Cuisine amid Alpine Scenery

If instead of freezing weather in the northern areas of Switzerland, you want more sun and slightly milder weather, then the canton of Ticino is a choice. Lugano is the biggest city, and the November daily average high is 10°C (51°F).

There is more sunshine in Lugano, 3½ hours of it on average daily compared to 2 hours in the northern cities, but there is more rainfall. A big lake moderates the temperature and is good for sightseeing cruises. The people speak Italian.

The canton is good for family trips. Kids tend to love the Italian food and entering old castles in Bellinzona, the capital of Ticino. Christmas markets open near the end of November and last until early January, generally. You could shop for gifts and crafts, enjoy the delicacies, and see the entertainment.

For more about things to do in Lugano, see visiting Lugano in May.

4. Interlaken — Enjoy the Lower Elevations of the Jungfrau Valleys

Interlaken is the main travel hub and the gateway to two famed and beautiful valleys, Lauterbrunnen and Lütschental, where people hike, bike, ski and enjoy the snow in November. It is warmer than the high-altitude valleys since it at the base of them.

The average high in November is 8°C (46°F), and the average nightly low is 1°C (34°F). There is moderate rainfall, and it rains about 10 days in November on average. You can use it as a base for excursions since there are a variety of accommodations.

Since the weather is unpredictable, it might rain or snow, so staying in Interlaken, you can go to places to sightsee, hike, bike or ski as the weather conditions permit. You could also take boats or cruise on the two beautiful lakes.

• For information about Grindelwald, a town above Interlaken, see visiting Switzerland in July.
• For information about Lauterbrunnen Valley, see visiting Switzerland in June.
• For information about Interlaken and travel there, see visiting Switzerland in January.

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Crowds and Costs for Traveling in November

Smaller crowds and relatively the least expensive touring costs makes the end of November a month for travel deals. You may find discounted accommodations, flights, and activities with fewer other visitors. Many facilities in the mountains such as trains and trams stop services in the fall.

The northern cities are somewhat gloomy with little sunshine and generally damp, cool weather. So, for more warm sunshine, you could go to the Geneva and Lugano regions that are lower in elevation.

Visitor numbers increase leading up to Christmas and the winter ski season. Generally, the ski season doesn't begin until December on most slopes. Early snowfall will lead to earlier openings in the higher-altitude resorts.

There are no public holidays providing a day off from work in all the cantons in November. Each canton has its own holidays and observances.

Public holiday in November:

All Saint's Day is November 1 annually. It is a holiday in 15 of the 26 cantons, and it may be a day off from work. Most businesses close in those cantons.

What to Wear in November

There is a big difference between daytime and nighttime temperatures in November, and the weather is unpredictable. Dress in layers for comfort. A heavy coat and rain gear will help you to be prepared for every circumstance. Dress in layers for comfort.

Take a warm winter coat for going to the high elevation areas such as Zermatt and Grindelwald, and bring swim wear for hot springs and spas.

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
• Gloves
• Polarized glasses to reduce the glare

Monthly Weather and Travel Information for Switzerland

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Next month: Switzerland in December