Short answer
November is Switzerland's quietest month: cities sit around 2–9°C (36–48°F), many mountain lifts close for maintenance, and the Glacier Express pauses until December 5, 2026. In return, prices drop, the thermal baths are at their best, and the first Christmas markets open on November 19–20 in Zurich, Bern, Geneva, Montreux and Lausanne. Plan cities and spas for early November, and add the markets in the second half of the month.
On this page 8 sections
November is the in-between month in Switzerland. The autumn colors are gone, the ski season hasn't started, and many mountain lifts stop for their annual service. But it's also the month with the lowest hotel prices of the year, empty museums, steaming thermal pools and, in the second half, the first Christmas markets. Go with the right plan and it's a very good month.
Early vs late November
| Early November (1–18) | Late November (19–30) | |
|---|---|---|
| Weather | Cool, fog over the lakes | Colder, first snow in the mountains |
| Mountain lifts | Many closed for maintenance | Some reopen, ski areas get ready |
| Christmas markets | Not yet open | Open from Nov 19–20 in most cities |
| Events | Basel autumn fair, Saint-Martin in Jura | Zibelemärit in Bern, markets everywhere |
| Prices | Lowest of the year | Rising, especially weekends |
The weather: fog below, sun above
On the Swiss Plateau, where Zurich, Bern, Lucerne and Basel sit, November is usually grey. Zurich averages highs around 8°C (46°F) and lows around 2°C (36°F), and Geneva is a little milder. The typical pattern is a low layer of fog over the lakes that can last for days, while the mountains above it are in full sun. If the cities are grey, a train ride up the Rigi or to Jungfraujoch often takes you above the clouds.
By late November, snow usually covers the mountains above about 1,500 m (4,900 ft), and it can fall in the cities too, though it rarely stays. Daylight is short: after the clocks change on October 25, 2026, it's dark around 5 pm.
What's open and what's closed
November is maintenance season, so check before you build a day around one mountain.
- Open all year: Jungfraujoch (via the Eiger Express from Grindelwald), the Gornergrat railway in Zermatt (apart from a short maintenance break) and the Rigi railways.
- Pilatus: the cogwheel railway from Alpnachstad runs until November 29, 2026, but the gondolas and cable car from Kriens are closed from October 19 to November 27, 2026. The lake boat to Alpnachstad stopped on October 18.
- Grindelwald First: usually closed for several weeks of maintenance in November; the winter season starts on December 19, 2026. Check jungfrau.ch.
- Glacier Express: pauses until December 5, 2026. Read our Glacier Express guide.
- Skiing: only the glacier areas, like Zermatt and Saas-Fee, usually have runs open in November. Most resorts open in early or mid-December; see our best ski resorts in Switzerland.
- Mountain hotels: many close between the autumn and the ski season, especially in smaller villages. Cities and the big resorts like Zermatt stay open.
Things to do in Switzerland in November
Soak in a thermal bath
This is the month the thermal baths were made for: steam rising from a 35°C (95°F) outdoor pool while the air is barely above freezing. Leukerbad, Bad Ragaz and Baden near Zurich are open all month. The mineral bath at Rigi Kaltbad closes for maintenance from November 23 to 27, 2026, so plan it for another day. Our thermal baths guide compares them, and from Zurich, see thermal baths near Zurich.
| Thermal bath | Adult entry | Water temperature | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7132 Therme (Therme Vals) Vals, Graubünden | CHF 70 (Mon–Tue) / CHF 85 (Wed–Sun) | Indoor 32°C · outdoor 36°C in winter (30°C in summer) · fire bath 42°C · ice bath 14°C | 2026-10-22 official info |
| Leukerbad Therme Leukerbad, Valais | CHF 39 (day ticket) · sauna +CHF 25 | 28–43°C depending on the pool | 2026-10-22 official info |
| Walliser Alpentherme & Spa Leukerbad, Valais | CHF 33 (3 hours) | Outdoor hot tub 36°C | 2026-10-22 official info |
| Brigerbad Thermal Baths Brigerbad, Valais | From CHF 30 (3 hours) | Grotto 40–42°C · thermal pools 34–36°C · river pool 30–33°C | 2026-10-22 official info |
| Les Bains de Saillon Saillon, Valais | From CHF 21 (cheaper online in advance) | Thermal pools and 120 m thermal river 32–34°C · lap pool 28°C | 2026-10-20 official info |
| Les Bains de Lavey Lavey-les-Bains, Vaud | From CHF 30 (online) | Pools at 36°C · spring water drawn at 65°C, the hottest in Switzerland | 2026-10-22 official info |
| Centre Thermal Yverdon-les-Bains Yverdon-les-Bains, Vaud | CHF 22 (low season) / CHF 25 (high season) · after-work CHF 18 | — | 2026-10-22 official info |
| Les Bains de la Gruyère Charmey, Fribourg | CHF 30 weekdays / CHF 34 weekends (3 hours) | — | 2026-10-22 official info |
| Tamina Therme Bad Ragaz, St. Gallen | From CHF 37 | Main pools 34°C · whirl baths 36.5°C · warm grotto 39°C | 2026-10-22 official info |
| Bogn Engiadina Scuol, Graubünden | From CHF 36 | About 33–37°C | 2026-10-22 official info |
| Mineralbad Rigi (Rigi Kaltbad) Rigi Kaltbad, Lucerne | CHF 42 (age 16+) · children 7–15 CHF 22 | — | 2026-10-22 official info |
| Hürlimannbad & Spa Zürich Zurich, Zurich | check site | — | 2026-10-22 official info |
| FORTYSEVEN Wellness-Therme Baden, Aargau | From CHF 34 (3 hours, online) · day from CHF 62 | — | 2026-10-22 official info |
| sole uno Rheinfelden, Aargau | From CHF 32.50 · weekends +CHF 2 | — | 2026-10-22 official info |
Spend time in the cities
November is the best month for museums without lines: the Swiss Museum of Transport in Lucerne, the Kunsthaus in Zurich, the Fondation Beyeler near Basel or the Olympic Museum in Lausanne. Our list of things to do in Zurich has plenty for a grey day, and Lucerne's old town is lovely in the fog.
Go to a November festival
- Basler Herbstmesse (until November 8): Switzerland's biggest funfair spreads over seven squares in Basel's old town.
- Saint-Martin in Porrentruy (November 13–16): a market and a famous pork feast in the Jura, with restaurants serving the traditional menu.
- Zibelemärit in Bern (November 23): the onion market, with braided onions, onion tarts and confetti from dawn.
See all dates on our events calendar.
Open the Christmas season
The Christmas markets open in the second half of the month: Zurich, Bern and Geneva on November 19, Montreux and Lausanne on November 20, Basel on November 26 and Einsiedeln on November 27. Late November is a sweet spot, with the markets open and the crowds still small on weekdays. Start with our Swiss Christmas markets guide.
Ride a mountain above the fog
The Rigi is the easiest option from Lucerne or Zurich: the railways run all year, and the mineral bath at Rigi Kaltbad has an outdoor pool facing the Alps (closed for maintenance November 23–27, 2026). From Interlaken or Grindelwald, Jungfraujoch at 3,454 m (11,332 ft) is almost always above the clouds. See our Jungfraujoch guide.
A 7-day plan for November
| Day | Base | Plan |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zurich | Arrive, old town, Lindenhof, evening at the Hürlimannbad |
| 2 | Zurich | Museums, lake walk; day trip to Baden's FORTYSEVEN baths |
| 3 | Lucerne | Train (about 50 min), old town and bridges |
| 4 | Lucerne | Rigi above the fog, soak at Rigi Kaltbad (closed Nov 23–27) |
| 5 | Interlaken | Train (about 2 hours), afternoon in Interlaken |
| 6 | Interlaken | Jungfraujoch on the clearest day |
| 7 | Bern or Zurich | Bern old town (or the Zibelemärit on Nov 23), fly home |
In late November, swap day 7 for a Christmas market evening in Zurich, Bern or Montreux. With the Swiss Travel Pass, all of the trains above are covered, and you get a discount on Jungfraujoch; see our Swiss Travel Pass guide.
Where to stay
Base yourself in the cities and in villages that stay open all year. Lucerne and Zurich are easy, and Interlaken works well for Jungfraujoch. In the mountains, Zermatt and Grindelwald keep most hotels open, but check that yours isn't closed for the off-season. For a spa stay, a hotel in Bad Ragaz or Leukerbad makes the most of the cold.
Our tips
- Thanksgiving week (November 26, 2026) falls just as the markets open: a good time for a short city-and-markets trip.
- Pack layers: a warm waterproof jacket, a hat and shoes with grip, plus a swimsuit for the baths.
- Book late November weekends early in Basel, Zurich and Montreux, when the markets draw crowds.
For the month-by-month picture, read the best time to visit Switzerland, and if you're coming a few weeks later, see Switzerland in December.
Frequently asked questions
Is November a good time to visit Switzerland?
Yes, if you plan around it. It's the best month for cities, museums and thermal baths at low prices, and from November 19–20 the first Christmas markets open. It's the weakest month for alpine hiking and sightseeing lifts, many of which close for maintenance.
What is the weather like in Switzerland in November?
Cool and often grey on the lowlands. Zurich averages highs around 8°C (46°F) and lows around 2°C (36°F), and fog often lies over the lakes while the mountains are sunny above it. Snow is common above about 1,500 m (4,900 ft) by the end of the month.
Can you see the Alps in November?
Yes. Jungfraujoch, the Gornergrat in Zermatt and the Rigi run all year, apart from short maintenance breaks. Pilatus is reachable by its cogwheel railway until November 29, 2026, but its gondolas from Kriens are closed from October 19 to November 27. Check each mountain's site before you go.
Is the Glacier Express running in November?
No. The Glacier Express pauses in the late autumn and runs again from December 5, 2026. Regular regional trains still use the same tracks, without the panoramic cars.
When do the Christmas markets open in Switzerland in 2026?
Zurich, Bern and Geneva open on November 19, Montreux and Lausanne on November 20, Basel on November 26 and Einsiedeln on November 27. Most run until December 23 or 24.
