Lonely Planet Switzerland (Travel Guide) Paperback – 14 Jun. 2024

Good quality book with plenty of information - as you would expect from Lonely Planet.

When you say Switzerland, some people think of the mountains (hiking, climbing or skiing), others the lakes, yet others the cities and their history... it's tricky to fit all that in a single guide, but I do think Lonely Planet have managed it quite admirably. Of course, the downside is that the resulting guide doesn't really have enough space to go truly in depth on any specific location, the way a more specialised guide would. Still, it's a very good starting point for planning either a whirlwind tour of Switzerland or, supplemented with more detailed research, a way to decide what you want to see.

Not so much info if travelling on a budget.

Another fantastic guide from Lonely Planet there is lots of good quality information contained within accompanied by excellent reference images and maps. This very practical book is a fantastic travelling companion, with enough editorial content to make it worthwhile.Not too big or too small, we found this very useful for even a short trip.

I have been using Lonely Planet guides for my travels around the World since 1993, and have bought dozens over the years. And, as usual, I was eagerly looking forward to receiving the guides for my next adventures; in this case Switzerland and Japan.It was unfortunately hugely disappointing to receive both. Gone is the familiar “Bible” of the destination, listing everything from interesting attractions, good value hotels and restaurants etc.Instead they are just glossy, superficial tourist brochures.There is also next to no background information. It used to be that you didn’t really have to bring anything else to read; at least on a short holiday; as there would always be interesting chapters about the country’s history etc. Now there is next to nothing.One can only assume that this radical redesign of Lonely Planet Guides is because most people use the Internet to find everything they think they need. But, on that basis, there is no point to Lonely Planet guides at all anymore.I left my Switzerland guide behind half way through my trip there, and I can’t see any point bringing the Japan guidebook when I am going on my trip there. Lonely Planet guides have now, sadly, just become DEAD WEIGHT!

Pros:* portable and easy to carry around* some info that you can’t easily find online* decent value for money

Lonely Planet has been been my go-to for travel guides for a long time, but this one seems to be a shadow of what they used to be. There are no longer separate listings for sights to see at a destination, no information on how to reach places, opening hours or prices, very little in the way of suggestions for accommodation on places to eat. Instead, the content is more like an article for each place, which suggests some of the highlights. I understand that most people will use the internet to find detailed information these days, but I value the curation and expert opinion of a guide book to provide tips all in one place. The paring down of the guide makes the book little more use than an article in a newspaper travel section. I also used to enjoy the long sections on the history and culture of a destination, but that is also now gone. I have now had to buy the Rough Guide to Switzerland as well. This is nearly twice as long as the LP, contains detailed practical information and lists of sights, sections on the history and flora and fauna of Switzerland, and as a bonus comes with an ebook included, should you not wish to carry the book around everywhere. For contrast, the RG has 20 pages about Geneva; the LP has 6. Don't get this one.

Switzerland is a hard country to do a travel book for because it's got such a range of different holidays... covering skiing, walking, cities for name just three. This guide does a good job at covering all three with highlights and ideas to easily plan a weekend break to Zurich, or several weeks exploring the country. Like other new Lonely Planet guides, it's really focused on planning and then it just goes with as a reminder.