Thousands to visit Switzerland from Manchester Airport for Eurovision and UEFA Women's Euro 2025 – here’s how to see all the action
If you picture a break in Switzerland, you’re probably thinking of stunning Alpine vistas, perhaps snow-covered ski pistes, and quaint Christmas markets on the cobbled streets of Geneva or Zurich. It’s a country that has long thrived on winter tourism – but this year, the Swiss are preparing for an influx of summer visitors.
More than 80,000 people from across the North are expected to fly to the country from Manchester Airport in the coming months, and many of them will be travelling for the Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday 17 May, or for UEFA Women's Euro 2025 between the 2 and 27 July, as England look to retain their crown and Wales prepare to make their first ever appearance at a major tournament.
All of the host cities for both showpiece events can be reached quickly and easily via direct flights from Manchester Airport – and there’s plenty to see in between. Here we look at how you can get to each of them, and what to fill your time with when you’re not cheering on Remember Monday, the Lionesses, or the Dragons.
Basel
Near the borders with France and Germany, Basel is the host city for Eurovision and will also be the venue for the Euro 2025 final, as well as three group games and a quarter final.
The city’s medieval Old Town and 12th Century Gothic cathedral are its major tourist draws – but a slightly quirkier way to fill your time is to peruse the Toy Worlds Museum, a huge four-story homage to childhood with a collection of toys spanning various cultures and generations.
Basel is served by Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg airport, which is just a 20-minute bus ride from the city centre and has direct flights from Manchester with easyJet.
Geneva
Geneva will host a semi-final, a quarter-final and three group games at Euro 2025. Its biggest claim to fame is as the UN’s headquarters, but its Musée d’Art et d’Histoire hosts one of Europe’s most extensive collections of fine art and its café culture is renowned. Its position on Lake Geneva, Switzerland’s biggest lake, means it is even possible to spend a summer’s day at the beach here.
easyJet serves Geneva Airport with direct year-round flights from Manchester.
Zurich
Switzerland’s largest city, Zurich, also hosts a semi-final, a quarter-final and three group games, incusing two England games. It is famous for its museums and galleries; the Swiss National Museum displays exhibits of Swiss life going back to Neolithic times and the Kunsthaus, or ‘Art House’, showcases famous works by Monet, Munch and Picasso, as well as numerous Swiss artists.
Swiss Airlines and easyJet both link Manchester to Zurich with direct flights.
Bern
Swiss capital city Bern was the birthplace of chocolatier Theodor Tobler, creator of the Toblerone. The iconic mountain-shaped chocolate bars are still made in the city, which also has numerous independent artisanal chocolatiers. Foodies will also love its multitude of restaurants offering traditional Swiss grub as well as delicacies from around the world, and for something a bit different, check out the Bear Park, a green space in the heart of the city centred on a 19th-century bear pit, and now home to three brown bears who have become unofficial mascots of the city.
Three Euro 2025 group games and a quarter final will be played in Bern. To get here from Manchester, fly to Basel and then jump on a train. The direct service between Basel and Bern city centres takes around an hour.
Lucerne
Lucerne is a comparatively small city but also one of Switzerland’s most picturesque. The incredible views from its waterfront, looking across Lake Lucerne with the jagged peaks of the Alps beyond, will remain long in the memory of visitors. For another perspective on this stunning scenery, take the funicular tram and then a cable car to the top of Mount Pilatus, where in addition to an observation deck you’ll find shops, two hotels and a fine-dining restaurant. In Lucerne Old Town, the curved and covered Chapel Bridge is the top sight to see – it has linked up the city centre across the river Reuss for more than 600 years.
Three Euro 2025 group games will be played here, including Wales’ opener. To get here, fly into Zurich from Manchester – your connecting train from the city centre will take around 40 minutes.
Thun
Thun Castle towers over the quaint Old Town and its City Hall and is Thun’s biggest attraction. The nearby St. Beatus-Höhlen caves are one of Switzerland’s most impressive natural wonders – in a country blessed with lots of them. Visiting football fans can take in the tournament’s opening game here, plus two other group games.
The quickest way to get here from Manchester is to fly to Basel and then get the connecting train direct from Basel city centre, which takes an hour and 25 minutes.
St Gallen
England and Wales meet in their final group game at the Arena St Gallen, but there’s more to see here besides. Its Old Town is famous for the elaborate bay windows that adorn its buildings and has some of the best shopping Switzerland has to offer with boutique independent stores and high-end brands.
If you’re planning a visit to St Gallen, your nearest international airport is Zurich, less than an hour away by train.
Sion
Sion is the smallest city to be hosting Euro 2025 group games, but boasts possibly the most dramatic location, locked in a steep sided valley between huge Alpine mountains. Its compact nature means that it’s easy to explore Sion on foot, and if you fancy a day trip, it’s also the closest of the Euro 2025 host cities to the world-famous Matterhorn, with the mountain’s striking shape providing the inspiration for the Toblerone.
To get to Sion from Manchester, fly to Geneva and then take the train. The journey time is a little over two hours.