Which cities are easy to reach from Switzerland?

London, Berlin, Amsterdam and Vienna can be reached by plane or, in the case of Vienna, also by train. Work out the total travel time.

How long does a flight from Zurich take?

Depending on the destination, a short to medium flight time on its own. To this add getting to the airport, check-in and transfers.

Which city suits small teams?

Amsterdam and Vienna are compact and easy to explore on foot, so they suit smaller groups.

Do you need a visa for London?

Entry rules change. Check the current position with the FDFA before booking.

How long should a team city trip last?

Two to three days are often enough. With a longer journey, a longer stay is worthwhile.

How do I plan a city trip with Swiss Vibes?

In a video call. Start via the Corporate planning page.

Ratgeber

Team city trip: which city from Switzerland

Corporate recommends choosing the city for a team city trip by travel time, group size, programme and season. Vienna, Berlin, Amsterdam and London can be reached from Switzerland by plane or train and offer hotels and activities for groups.

Von Corporate, Stand 04.11.2026

Schritt für Schritt

Fix the purpose and duration of the city trip.
Weight the criteria: travel time, budget, programme, season.
Preselect two or three cities.
Compare travel times, hotels and programme offers.
Check weather, public holidays and events at the destination.
Draw up a decision paper and let management decide.

Checkliste

Purpose and duration fixed
Criteria and weighting in writing
Travel time from Zurich or Basel checked
Entry requirements checked with the FDFA (EDA)
Hotels with suitable group capacity requested
Programme and meeting rooms clarified
Public holidays and major events at the destination checked
Payment currency and expenses rule communicated

For a team city trip, accessibility, infrastructure and programme count for more than prestige. London, Berlin, Amsterdam and Vienna are easy to reach from Switzerland and offer hotels, rooms and activities for groups. This article provides criteria with which you can pick the city for your team.

By what criteria do you choose the city?

Begin with the criteria, not the city. Travel time, budget range, group size, season and the programme you want are what matter. Weight these points together with management before the first request goes out.

Also check language and entry. Depending on the destination and the nationality of participants, different rules apply. The current position can be checked with the FDFA, and this check should happen early, not only at booking.

Note the criteria in a simple table. It helps with the comparison and can later be used for the decision paper without your having to put everything together again.

How do London, Berlin, Amsterdam and Vienna differ?

London is a large business metropolis with plenty of choice of hotels and rooms. The city is big, distances are long, and it takes good planning so that the group does not spend half the day in traffic. Entry rules should be checked.

Berlin is seen as creative and versatile, with unusual venues and a relaxed atmosphere. Amsterdam is compact, much can be reached on foot or by bike, and the city suits teams looking for exchange and innovation.

Vienna combines culture, cuisine and meeting infrastructure and can also be reached by train. The city suits groups looking for a calmer programme with a classic setting. All four cities have different strengths, and no destination is better in principle.

Plane or train?

Flight time from Zurich is short to medium depending on the destination. Also allow for getting to the airport, check-in and the transfer at the destination. Total travel time is much longer than flight time alone.

For Vienna the train can be an option, while for the other destinations flying is usual. Check current connections and times before you decide. A longer journey can cost programme time, but it also creates room for conversation on the train.

Clarify in advance whether everyone travels together. Group flights make organisation easier, while individual bookings offer flexibility. Decide who books and how costs are settled.

Which season suits?

The cities differ in climate. Spring and autumn are pleasant for outdoor programmes in most cases. In winter indoor programmes matter more, and in high summer it can get hot in some cities.

Check public holidays, trade fairs and major events at the destination. They affect hotel availability, prices and opening hours. Prices vary by season and category, and in popular weeks choice is limited.

Also take your own business calendar into account. Quarter-end closes, holiday periods and project phases should not clash with the city trip. An early date poll in the team prevents late cancellations.

Which programme suits a city trip?

Cities offer a wide choice: guided tours, cooking classes, museum visits, rallies, shared dinners. Choose what fits the goal of the trip, and do not plan too much. One highlight a day with free time is usually enough.

If the trip has a working character, you need a meeting room with technology. Clarify early whether the hotel offers rooms or whether an external room is needed. Check how far it is from the hotel.

Allow time for getting between hotel, room and restaurant. In big cities, short distances on the map are often longer journeys. Choose a centrally located hotel to save on transfers.

How do you decide in the end?

Set two or three cities side by side against the criteria and summarise them on one page. State the recommendation, the reasons and the risks. Management can then decide quickly without getting lost in details.

Before booking, clarify tax and legal questions with your fiduciary and legal department. This concerns, for example, expenses, working time and accompanying persons. This article gives no binding statements on these.

A consultation by video call helps with the selection. Start via the [Corporate planning page](/m/corporate/planen) and bring your list of criteria.