Nonstop flights to Canada
Canada eVisa (eTA): rules for Swiss travellers
Travellers from Switzerland can fly nonstop to major Canadian cities. As nationals of a visa-exempt country, they need an eTA to board.
- Nationality
- Swiss
- eTA
- Required for air travel
- Official IRCC fee
- CA$7
- Flying time to Canada
- About 8 hr 30 min to Montreal or Toronto nonstop
- Time difference
- Montreal and Toronto are 6 hr behind, Vancouver 9 hr behind
- Currency at departure
- CHF
From Switzerland
What to check before departure
Your flights to Canada
Nonstop flights from Zurich and Geneva to Montreal and Toronto, and connections via the main European hubs.
Schedules and routes from Switzerland can change. Check the full itinerary with the airline, including the formalities of every connecting country.
- Departure airports
- Zurich · Geneva
- Airlines flying to Canada
- Air Canada · Swiss
High season: July, August and the Christmas holidays. Book early during these busy periods.
Your passport
A valid Swiss passport. The eTA is electronically linked to it: if you get a new passport, you must apply for a new eTA.
Health
No vaccination certificate is required to enter Canada from Switzerland. Travel insurance is still strongly recommended: healthcare is expensive for visitors.
Get the eTA before you book
Most answers arrive within minutes, but some require additional documents. Plan ahead so you are not refused boarding.
The right passport, the right number
The eTA is linked to the passport entered in the application. Travel with that same passport and check every character of the number, without mixing up the letter O and the digit 0.
Good to know
Travelling to Canada from Switzerland
Trip idea from Switzerland
The Canadian Rockies, between Banff and Jasper, draw many Swiss travellers who find mountains on a different scale. Fly in via Calgary or Vancouver; the Icefields Parkway links Lake Louise to Jasper over about 230 km of lakes and glaciers.
Combining with the United States
Many travellers combine Canada and the United States. Swiss citizens can generally enter the US with an ESTA, applied for separately. Crossing between Canada and the US by road or train does not require an eTA, but flying back into Canada does.
Electricity
Canada uses type A and B sockets at 120 V. Bring an adapter for Swiss plugs and check that your devices accept 120 V.
Language
French is an official language of Canada and the majority language in Quebec: in Montreal and Quebec City, you will be served in French. Elsewhere English dominates, but federal services are bilingual.
To prepare
The application of a Swiss national
A passport from a visa-exempt country
The eTA is electronically linked to this passport. It must be valid, and it is the passport you will show when boarding.
A valid email address
The answer and any request for additional documents arrive by email. Check the spelling and keep an eye on your spam folder.
Your personal details
Names, date and place of birth, nationality, address and phone number, as shown on your documents.
A payment card
Payment is made online by card, securely.
Frequently asked questions
What Swiss travellers often ask us
Do Swiss travellers need an eTA for Canada?
Yes, for air travel. Swiss nationals are visa-exempt but must obtain an eTA before boarding a flight to or through Canada. By land or sea, it is generally not required.
How long is the flight from Switzerland?
About 8 hr 30 min to Montreal or Toronto nonstop. Nonstop flights from Zurich and Geneva to Montreal and Toronto, and connections via the main European hubs.
Which airlines fly from Switzerland to Canada?
From Zurich and Geneva, flights to Canada are operated by airlines including Air Canada and Swiss. Routes change, so check the full itinerary with the airline.
Do I need a vaccination to enter Canada from Switzerland?
No vaccination certificate is required to enter Canada from Switzerland. Travel insurance is still strongly recommended: healthcare is expensive for visitors.
What is the time difference between Switzerland and Canada?
Montreal and Toronto are 6 hr behind, Vancouver 9 hr behind. Canada spans six time zones: check the one for your arrival city.
When are seats hardest to find from Switzerland?
Busiest period for departures from Switzerland: July, August and the Christmas holidays. Apply for the eTA as soon as the trip is decided, even before booking.
Which passport do I need to apply for the eTA?
A valid Swiss passport. The eTA is electronically linked to it: if you get a new passport, you must apply for a new eTA.
What to see in Canada when travelling from Switzerland?
The Canadian Rockies, between Banff and Jasper, draw many Swiss travellers who find mountains on a different scale. Fly in via Calgary or Vancouver; the Icefields Parkway links Lake Louise to Jasper over about 230 km of lakes and glaciers.
Can I combine Canada and the United States from Switzerland?
Many travellers combine Canada and the United States. Swiss citizens can generally enter the US with an ESTA, applied for separately. Crossing between Canada and the US by road or train does not require an eTA, but flying back into Canada does.
Do I need a plug adapter for Canada?
Canada uses type A and B sockets at 120 V. Bring an adapter for Swiss plugs and check that your devices accept 120 V.
What language is spoken in Canada?
French is an official language of Canada and the majority language in Quebec: in Montreal and Quebec City, you will be served in French. Elsewhere English dominates, but federal services are bilingual.
Go further
Guides to plan your trip
- Trip planning
When to visit Canada, season by season
Summer, autumn colours, snowy winter: a calendar for choosing the best time for your trip.
6 min read - Formalities
Getting your eTA application right first time
Passport number, dual nationality, email address: the details that derail an application and how to avoid them.
6 min read - On the ground
Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver: choosing your city
What each major city offers, how to travel between them and how many days to plan.
7 min read
Other nationalities
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