Short answer
June is the start of summer in Switzerland: the lowlands reach about 22°C (72°F), the days are the longest of the year, and the mountain lifts, pass roads and high trails open one after another as the snow melts. Early June is quiet and cheaper but high trails can still be snowy; from mid-June most of the Alps is open. The month comes before Swiss and North American peak travel in July and August, which makes late June one of the best weeks of the year.
On this page 9 sections
June is when Switzerland switches to summer. In the space of a few weeks, the snow retreats up the mountains, the cable cars restart after their spring break, the pass roads reopen, and the meadows turn green and yellow with flowers. The days are the longest of the year, and in Zurich, the sun sets after 9:20 pm around the solstice.
It's also the month before the rush. Swiss school holidays start in July (from July 3, 2027 in the canton of Bern), and July and August are the busiest and most expensive months. Plan June well, and you get almost all of summer at a lower price.
Early vs late June
| Early June (1–14) | Late June (15–30) | |
|---|---|---|
| Weather | Mild, changeable, cool nights | Warmer, more stable, thunderstorms |
| High trails | Often snowy above about 2,000 m | Most mid-altitude trails open |
| Lifts | Some still in spring maintenance | Nearly all running |
| Pass roads | Opening one by one | Most open |
| Lakes | Still cold for swimming | Often swimmable on warm days |
| Prices | Lower | Rising toward July |
The weather
On the Swiss Plateau, where Zurich, Bern and Lucerne sit, June highs are usually around 22°C (72°F) and nights around 12°C (54°F). Geneva is similar, and Lugano and Ticino, south of the Alps, are a few degrees warmer. June is also one of the wetter months north of the Alps: expect some grey days and short, heavy thunderstorms in the afternoon, especially in the mountains.
Up high, it's another season. At Jungfraujoch, 3,454 m (11,332 ft), the temperature is usually close to freezing even on sunny days, and on the Gornergrat or at First, a fleece and a windproof jacket are the minimum.
What's open in June
- Mountain railways and lifts: Jungfraujoch, the Gornergrat, the Rigi and the First and Männlichen gondolas run in June, apart from any maintenance break. The Pilatus cogwheel railway runs from about mid-May. The historic Schynige Platte railway near Interlaken usually opens in mid-June (June 13 in 2026); check jungfrau.ch for the 2027 date.
- Oeschinensee: the gondola from Kandersteg runs from May, and the lake, frozen for much of the winter, has usually thawed by June. See our Oeschinensee hike.
- Pass roads: the Grimsel and Furka usually reopen between mid-May and mid-June, the Susten and Nufenen in June, depending on the snow. In 2026, the Furka, Grimsel and Nufenen opened on May 29. Our Swiss Alps road trip links them in one loop.
- Glacier Express: runs daily through the summer. Book seats early for late June. See our Glacier Express guide.
- Mountain huts and high routes: many huts open in mid- to late June, and the highest trails may stay snowy into July.
Things to do in Switzerland in June
Hike through the wildflowers
June and early July are the wildflower weeks, when the alpine meadows are at their most colorful. Mid-altitude hikes are the best bet: the Bachalpsee hike above Grindelwald, the walk from Rigi Kulm to Kaltbad, or the Mürren and Gimmelwald trail above Lauterbrunnen. In early June, choose lower walks like the Lavaux vineyards, which are green and quiet. Our best hikes in Switzerland list gives the season for each trail.
Go up a mountain
With the long days, June is a good month for the big viewpoints. Ride the Eiger Express to Jungfraujoch on the clearest morning, or take the Gornergrat railway above Zermatt for the Matterhorn. Our Jungfraujoch guide explains how to choose the day.
Swim in a lake
By late June, the big lakes often reach swimming temperature on warm days, and city lake baths open for the season. Zurich, Lucerne and Geneva all have public lidos on the water, and Lake Lugano warms up fastest. Mountain lakes stay much colder.
See Art Basel and the Fête de la Musique
Art Basel, the world's leading fair for modern and contemporary art, runs June 17–20, 2027, at Messe Basel, and hotels in Basel fill up and get expensive that week. Around June 21, many cities hold the Fête de la Musique, with free concerts in the streets. The Montreux Jazz Festival begins just after, on July 2, 2027.
Drive or ride the pass roads
The great pass roads are at their most dramatic in June, with walls of snow still lining the highest stretches. If you'd rather not drive, the PostBus lines over the Grimsel and Furka start once the roads open for the season.
Soak after
Even in summer, a warm thermal pool after a day on the trail is hard to beat. Leukerbad, in Valais, has the largest thermal baths in the Alps, and the mineral bath at Rigi Kaltbad sits right on the Rigi hike. Around Interlaken, the Victoria-Jungfrau spa is a few minutes from the station. Compare them in our thermal baths guide.
Rigi Kaltbad Mineral Baths & Spa
Rigi Kaltbad · Lucerne
Why go: Mario Botta's mountain mineral bath at 1,440 m, reachable only by cogwheel train or cable car.
Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa
Interlaken · Bern (Bernese Oberland)
Why we picked it: Interlaken's landmark grand hotel with a 5,500 m² spa.
Check rates & availability →Walliser Alpentherme & Spa
Leukerbad · Valais
Why go: Indoor/outdoor thermal pools plus a Roman-Irish bath circuit.
A 7-day plan for June
| Day | Base | Plan |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lucerne | Arrive in Zurich, train to Lucerne (about 50 min), old town and bridges |
| 2 | Lucerne | Boat to Vitznau, Rigi Kulm, walk to Kaltbad, mineral bath |
| 3 | Grindelwald | Train to Interlaken and Grindelwald (about 2.5 hours), First and Bachalpsee |
| 4 | Grindelwald | Männlichen, panorama trail to Kleine Scheidegg (from about mid-June) |
| 5 | Grindelwald | Jungfraujoch on the clearest morning; afternoon in Lauterbrunnen |
| 6 | Montreux | GoldenPass line via Zweisimmen, lakeside promenade to Chillon |
| 7 | Geneva | Lavaux vineyards in the morning, Geneva in the afternoon, fly home |
In early June, swap day 4 for Schynige Platte if it's already running, or for the lower Mürren and Gimmelwald walk, and keep Jungfraujoch for the day with the best forecast. If you fly out of Zurich instead, end in Bern. For a longer summer route, see our Switzerland summer itinerary, and for Geneva itself, our things to do in Geneva.
Where to stay
Late June is not yet July, but the most popular mountain villages fill early: book Grindelwald, Wengen, Mürren and Zermatt in winter for the best choice. Cities are easier, except Basel during Art Basel week.
Our guides to where to stay in Grindelwald and where to stay in Lucerne compare the areas and hotels.
Our tips
- Pack for two seasons: a light jacket and layers for the mountains, a swimsuit for the lakes and baths, and sunscreen; the sun is strong at altitude.
- Use the Swiss Travel Pass on the trains and boats, and check which mountain lifts it covers in full; see our Swiss Travel Pass guide.
- Keep one flexible day for Jungfraujoch or the Gornergrat, and move it to the clearest morning.
For the rest of the season, read Switzerland in summer, and for the month-by-month picture, the best time to visit Switzerland.
Frequently asked questions
Is June a good time to visit Switzerland?
Yes, especially the second half. The lifts and pass roads open, meadows are full of wildflowers, the days are long, and prices and crowds are lower than in July and August, when Swiss school holidays begin. In early June, plan for snow on the highest trails.
What is the weather like in Switzerland in June?
Mild to warm in the lowlands, with highs around 22°C (72°F) in Zurich and lows around 12°C (54°F); Lugano is warmer. June is also one of the wetter months north of the Alps, with showers and afternoon thunderstorms. At Jungfraujoch, 3,454 m (11,332 ft) up, it is usually close to freezing.
Is there still snow in the Swiss Alps in June?
Yes, above about 2,000 m (6,560 ft) in early June, and on the high passes and peaks all summer. Mid-altitude trails like Bachalpsee or the Männlichen panorama trail usually clear during June; very high routes may stay snowy into July.
Are the Swiss mountain passes open in June?
Most of them. The Grimsel and Furka usually reopen between mid-May and mid-June, the Susten and Nufenen in June, depending on the snow. In 2026, the Furka, Grimsel and Nufenen opened on May 29. Check the status before you drive.
What events are there in Switzerland in June 2027?
Art Basel, the world's leading modern and contemporary art fair, runs June 17–20, 2027. Around June 21, cities hold the Fête de la Musique with free concerts. The Montreux Jazz Festival starts just after, on July 2, 2027.
