What to pack for Switzerland in May

22 rain days a month finds every seam. A real shell, not a windbreaker.

Lows around 43°F. Goes under the shell when the wind picks up.

Wear one, dry one. Cotton stays wet all week here.

The layer you'll wear more than any other.

UV index of 7.8 burns exposed skin in under fifteen minutes.

Bright sun off mountain snow and water causes eye strain.

Check ankles and, if there's a dog, paws and ears every night.

Mountain terrain and remote areas make medical help distant.

This country runs on Type C or J. Get one with USB-C so you're not fighting over the single outlet.

Fifteen-hour days drain phone batteries before the day ends.

Set it up before you land. Signal drops for long stretches outside cities.

Mountain huts have limited storage for larger checked bags.

Day hikes from base camps need separate smaller packs.

Fits the overhead on every airline that matters. Skip the checked-bag line entirely.

For the passport, the chargers, and the one dry pair of socks.

UV hits 7.7 here. Long sleeves beat reapplying sunscreen every hour.

Fifteen hours of daylight means prolonged sun exposure on high terrain.

Tap water is safe, so you skip buying bottled water.

One brick charges the laptop, phone, and camera.

Hotel and cafe wifi is shared with everyone else in the building. A VPN keeps your banking and email to yourself.

International travel and luggage transfers increase bag loss risk.

Frequent moves between lodges require organized packing.

Laundry services are expensive or infrequent in mountain towns.

Lows around 43°F. One blanket that packs small covers the car, the campsite and the beach at sunset.

Mountain huts and shared dorms have constant low noise.

Steep mountain terrain and loose scree demand trekking pole support.

Eighteen rain days in May means wet boots by day three.

Altitude and UV index combine to crack unprotected lips.

Single-track mountain roads wind constantly through steep terrain.

Shared guesthouses and public transport require basic hygiene protection.

Multiple devices charge from one power bank with short cables.

A few phrases go a long way. Ten minutes a day before you leave is plenty.

Border crossings between Swiss regions require document checks.

Hostels and shared accommodations need luggage security.

Hanging storage solves the single-outlet problem in small rooms.

Long daylight hours mean late dinners and early starts.