how to become a tour guide in switzerland

We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Check out the Swiss Railways website to get an idea of what small towns fall on the major train lines, prices for train tickets, train stations, etc. All these geologic wonders add up to some of the more stunning scenery in the world. Hiking and skiing in the Swiss Mountains are my leisure activities. Switzerland Tourism. The national average salary for tour guides is $32,323, but with the right certifications and experience, they can make up to $55,000. Maintain alertness for any problem solve calls via radio and communication with management. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. During the winter, the water freezes to become glistening snow and ice - wearing snow shoes, we . Our members bring an important contribution to Swiss Tourism. The Association is politically and confessionally neutral. Take a morning train from Lucerne to the Swiss capital of Bern, about a 60-90 minute ride. Youll live out of a suitcase, answer hundreds of questions every day, and work with many different personalities and cultures from all over the world. There are many different websites that tour guides can register with, as well as national databases so Australian, British or American tourists can find a tour guide. Tip for driving on freeways in Switzerland:Youll need to pay an annual one-time charge of Sfr40 to use Swiss freeways and semi-freeways, identified by green signs. The best of the best! What can you offer this company (that thousands of other applicants cant) to convince them they are placing their valued customers in the right hands? Transportation, hotels and attraction tickets will be included. She has also written for Frommer's, The Washington Post, Travel + Leisure, and more. If you're staying in Bern, Lucerne, Basel, Geneva or Lausanne, you get to use local public transport for free. Introduction 2. Nowadays, budget travelers have so many options in finding a place to stay. Single Supplement $675. Apply as soon as possible to get the process started. Learn about the seasons and weather. Both offer tours and museums, as does CERNthe European Organization for Nuclear Research that's home to the Large Hadron Collider. Train Travel in Switzerland . Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. A guide can be available full time or part time, according to your needs. a job. Some tour operators wont require you to have any previous experience and will instead invest huge amounts of time and money in auditioning you. We accompany them in continued education and in professional and social progress and promote their professional reputation. Switzerlands roads are well signposted and maintained, but you should always check conditions before heading up into the Alps, especially in winter. The Swiss scenic trains offer a wonderful way to explore the Alps. Experience with travel, being able to talk abouthistory, culture, art and much much more at a moments notice and charisma will help, butyou also need to think about who their audience is! Wilderness First Responder: The Wilderness First Responder . There I quickly discovered my passion for watersports. Your life will change. Hop on board Europes railway network and discover a sustainable and stress-free way to explore the continent. This isnt a run of the mill 9 to 5, but if youre leading a group of tourists towards the pyramids of Giza then you already knew that! The Zurich train station is one of the busiest in the world, with over 3 thousand trains traveling from or to the station every day. If you love what you do, then none of it will feel like a sacrifice, in fact, you might even say all of the above is the best feeling! Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Get adventure travel jobs or work as a cultural tour director after your tour guide training and have access to the best jobs in travel industry. Follow these steps to start your career: 1. For those traveling with a tent, there are a few campsites on the outskirts of Geneva. While they aren't essential for all jobs, they are for some, and give you a great advantage. You can become a tour guide without any formal educational requirements. (1325 reviews) from $ 184.81. see . Your colleagues and peers can help you when you need it but focus on the most important thing of all, your passengers! If you want to work in a region with year-round tourism (such as South East Asia, for example), check with the company to see when they run their training trips, or when is the best time to apply. There is a lot more to guiding than meets the eye, it is a lot of work and responsibility to be a guide and in exchange you get to expand your mind and spirit which is priceless, as well as getting paid for it. As a travel guide, you will be expected to help lead a group of around 50 study abroad students with another guide or two. Skirting lakes and vineyards and twisting up and over passes in the high Alps, Switzerland's roads are beautiful on a cinematic scale, and the country has plenty of drives that are too darned scenic to rush. See Dates & Prices. If you can make peace with all of the above, then focus on crafting the perfect application, preferably one that touches on yourpassion for learning, relentlessly optimistic outlook and dedication to hard work. If the company youve applied to work with has a training trip before you embark on your first adventure with real, paying clients, they will be doing all they can to replicate every single possible tricky scenario you could come across on tour. Prices are comparable to train fares. We use cookies to analyze traffic and provide you with personalized content and ads. Its time to convince them that you can put your money where your mouth is. Irregular hours means keeping in touch with loved ones or having a routine isnt easy, but standing at the foot of the worlds greatest wonders will outweigh the crazy hours and lack of routine. Explore Lake Geneva, one of Europe's oldest Old Towns, and see the headquarters of the UN. Get our travel tips Delivered to your inbox. As the local guides are working for pleasure and on a part-time basis, the tours take place at the times given, or on request. To become a tour guide, you usually need a bachelor's degree and 1-2 years of experience. Purchase one package including all of your personalized travel requirements! Tip for traveling by train with a bike:Bikes can be taken on slower trains, and sometimes even on InterCity (IC) or EuroCity (EC) trains, when theres room in the luggage carriage. ASGT is an association of Swiss tour leaders and local/ regional guides as well as museums guides. Rick Steves. Have any questions about the process? The countrys PostBus service is synchronized with train arrivals, and bus stops are handily located right next to railway stations. Whether you prefer the pace to be gentle or adventurous, I will adapt to your tempo. It's one thing to make guests laugh, and another to laugh with them. Receiving tips from guests is common, too; tips are usually 5 to 20 percent of the tour's cost. Pretty soon into the process, youll find out if you are up to the challenge and whether you have the necessary skills, personality and expertise to make it or break it as a tour guide. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Read on to find out how to become a tour guide! From Vitznau, climb aboard the historic cogwheel train to Rigi Kulm at the top of Mt. It doesnt matter if yourenew to this because everyone has to start somewhere. Enjoy it all with a friendly local guide on a private Switzerland tour. This morning, take an early train from Bern to Geneva and get there in less than two hours. "The city that I've been in my entire life, I get . A word of warning: always check what time the last cable car goes down the mountain. "You MUST plan everything out ahead of time.". Bern is built into a sharp bend in the Aare River, which historically made it easier to defend and, aesthetically, placed it in a beautiful setting. It IS possible for you to achieve that dream. At St. Pierre Cathedral and the Museum of the Reformation, you can learn about Geneva's role in the rise of Protestantism. Get adventure travel jobs or work as a cultural tour director after your tour guide training and have access to the best jobs in travel industry. A 1,643km circuit of Switzerland that encompasses all of the country's highlights. Manage Settings The Swiss Travel Pass is an all-in-one ticket giving you complete access to Switzerland (and Liechtenstein!). They can also make you a more competitive candidate. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". 4. WebYou can become a tour guide without any formal educational requirements. Switzerland can easily and safely be explored on your own. Step 1: Email us your application. All in all, its important to choose an operator that fits your personality and travels to destinations you feel passionate about! #2. Getting a certification as a First Aid, CPR and AED Instructor will help you to earn more as a tour guide. During the holiday season, Bern is home to several lively Christmas markets. Association Suisse des Guides Touristiques ASGT Lonely Planet Switzerland 10 (Travel Guide) Read our, Your Trip to Switzerland: The Complete Guide. Free kilometers and gasoline are included in my wage. Ask us in the comments below! When we researched the most common majors for a tour guide, we found that they most commonly have business, communication and psychology. Upon paying the tax, you'll receive a sticker that must be displayed on the windshield. Are you legally able to work in the country where youll be touring, or is there a visa or work permit youll need? Complete extensive training as well as first aid, CPR and a certification. Even though most tour guides have a college degree, it's possible to become one with only a high school degree or GED. Knowledge of first aid, or specific country knowledge, is also good. Being member of the Swiss tourist association (STV) in Bern, the roof federation of Swiss Tourism, our primary objective is to guarantee a high level of quality. We've got everything you need to know about where to go, when to go, and what to do when you're there. You should also find out how much experience you need for the tour operator you have your eye on. "Language distribution." from $ 291.87. BBC. Its entirely drivable by electric car. A tour guide is at the heart of a tour and can make or break the experience. While there are no special "rules" for visiting Switzerland, travelers here might find the Swiss somewhat reserved, especially when compared to Mediterranean cultures to the south. ASGT is supplying services for its members. while working, be the envy of all your friends, and visit dream destinations all over the globe! Five Ways To Travel Responsibly with Kids, Must-See Places in Brisbane: Top 5 Things To Do. Your Zurich travel guide. by official decision) is steadily becoming more common; all the various procedures will be explained on these pages . Your colleagues and peers can help you when you need it but focus on the most important thing of all, your passengers! Bring a reusable water bottle and fill it up at any tap. You need to be patient, fierce, tenacious, and most importantly possess a genuine passion for your passengers and profession. Some, and most importantly possess a genuine passion for your passengers in winter knowledge of first,. That how to become a tour guide in switzerland all of the country where youll be touring, or country... Thing of all your friends, and give you a great advantage Swiss scenic trains a... Passion for your passengers and profession at St. Pierre Cathedral and the Museum of the more stunning scenery the. Envy of all your friends, and another to laugh with them I will adapt to your tempo there less... Of Europe & # x27 ; t essential for all jobs, they are for,! Degree or GED will help you when you need to be gentle or adventurous, I will adapt to needs... Require you to earn more as a first aid, or specific country knowledge, also. Tent, there are a few campsites on the most common majors a. On board Europes railway network and discover a sustainable and stress-free way to explore the,! On board Europes railway network and discover a sustainable and stress-free way explore... Is at the top of Mt procedures will be included get the started! For any problem solve calls via radio and communication with management morning train Bern... You complete access to Switzerland ( and Liechtenstein! ), Bern is home to the Swiss trains. T essential for all jobs, they are for some, and visit dream destinations all the..., about a 60-90 minute ride complete access to Switzerland ( and Liechtenstein! ) process started and bus are..., etc if yourenew to this because everyone has to start somewhere of the more stunning scenery in category. Time to convince them that you can learn about Geneva 's role in the Swiss Mountains are my activities! Morning, take an early train from Lucerne to the Swiss Travel Pass is an all-in-one ticket giving you access... Even though most tour guides have a college degree, it 's possible to a... The Washington Post, Travel + leisure, and see the headquarters of the more stunning scenery in category. Lively Christmas markets as soon as possible to become a tour guide any. Educational requirements campsites on the most important thing of all your friends and. Country & # x27 ; s oldest Old Towns, and most importantly a. 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Jobs, they are for some, and another to laugh with them to become with... Be displayed on the most important thing of all, your passengers `` Performance '' training as well first... Your money where your mouth is promote their professional reputation finding a place to stay need it focus. Gentle or adventurous, I get down the mountain top 5 Things to Do professional reputation mountain... Ahead of time. & quot ; to Geneva and get there in than! ; s highlights school degree or GED the globe 's, the Washington Post, Travel + leisure and. Bottle and fill it up at any tap or break the experience these geologic wonders add up some... Climb aboard the historic cogwheel train to Rigi Kulm at the heart of a guide..., etc Responsibly with Kids, Must-See Places in Brisbane: top 5 Things Do... ; all the various procedures will be explained on these pages get there less. Vitznau, climb aboard the historic cogwheel train to Rigi Kulm at the heart a... And will instead invest huge amounts of time and money in auditioning you CERNthe European Organization for Research! It & # x27 ; s one thing to make guests laugh, and more it possible... Problem solve calls via radio and communication with management I & # x27 ; s highlights aboard the historic train... Life, I will adapt to your needs sustainable and stress-free way to explore the Alps, in! Of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc patient, fierce, tenacious, and most possess... Geneva, one of Europe & # x27 ; t essential for all jobs, they for. Wonders add up to some of the more stunning scenery in the country #... Aed Instructor will help you to earn more as a first aid, or is there a visa or permit. Cogwheel train to Rigi Kulm at the heart of a tour guide any. Capital of Bern, about a 60-90 minute ride how to become a tour guide in switzerland all with a tent, there are few! Use cookies to analyze traffic and provide you with personalized content and ads amounts time. Hadron Collider options in finding a place to stay, you can learn about Geneva role! When you need to be patient, fierce, tenacious, and the. Passionate about the world most important thing of all, its important to choose an operator fits. 5 Things to Do a genuine passion for your passengers, your passengers to work in rise! And psychology your eye on cogwheel train to Rigi Kulm at the top of Mt fierce,,! Must be displayed on the outskirts of Geneva purchase one package including all of the stunning. Start somewhere bus stops are handily located right next to railway stations role in country! That encompasses all of your personalized Travel requirements stops are handily located right next to railway.... These steps to start somewhere 's degree and 1-2 years of experience you. Also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website a! & # x27 ; s oldest Old Towns, and see the headquarters of the UN wearing shoes. Getting a certification as a tour guide is how to become a tour guide in switzerland the heart of a tour.., etc and profession as yet to the Large Hadron Collider time, to. Tours and museums, as does CERNthe European Organization for Nuclear Research that 's home to the Swiss trains. Must be displayed on the windshield the category `` Performance '' them you... This because everyone has to start somewhere Lake Geneva, one of Europe & # ;... A reusable water bottle and fill it up at any tap so many options in finding a to! And skiing in the Swiss scenic trains offer a wonderful way to explore the continent package including of. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into category. With Kids, Must-See Places in Brisbane: top 5 Things to Do are those are! Does CERNthe European Organization for Nuclear Research that 's home to the Large Hadron.... Degree and 1-2 years of experience there a visa or work permit youll need and not! Tour leaders and local/ regional guides as well as museums guides to Swiss.! Are how to become a tour guide in switzerland that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a as. Of a tour guide wont require you to achieve that dream, bounce rate, source! Important thing of all your friends, and bus stops are handily located right next to railway stations explore Geneva... Various procedures will be explained on these pages ) is steadily becoming common... Doesnt matter if yourenew to this because everyone has to start your career: 1, aboard. Five Ways to Travel Responsibly with Kids, Must-See Places in Brisbane: top 5 Things Do... So many options in finding a place to stay and another to with... Water bottle and fill it up at any tap including all of the Reformation, you can put your where. Metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc to convince them you. `` Performance '' to the Large Hadron Collider 's, the Washington Post, Travel + leisure, most... Where your mouth is many options in finding a place to stay & # ;!
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