how to become a tour guide in switzerland

Passengers can soon travel from London to Berlin on a cross-border night train service. 1. Enjoy it all with a friendly local guide on a private Switzerland tour. 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. Cafe du Soliel has been serving it for 400 years, along with cured meats and regional desserts, including delicate meringues. That said, look out for sizable discounts when booking supersaver tickets ahead of travel. If youre one of the lucky few that lands the job you need to be prepared to give up everything about your old life. privacy policy Becoming qualified as a registered tourist guide is just the start. 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. The interview round depends on the company's recruitment process. This all-inclusive pass even covers premium trains such as the Glacier Express. Some tour leaders or managers are self-employed, but most are full or part-time and generally earn from $50 - $150 per day. If you gain their respect and they can see you know what youre doing, youre well on your way to being a roaring success. With electric trams, free bicycles and scenic ferries, Zrich is a pleasure to get around. Swimwear, flip flops and quick drying towel (lakes, pools) Daypack to store travel essentials, water bottle, camera gear, a small umbrella. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. ), as well as a snow park, an ice cave, observatories, and bars and restaurants. Bern is less than an hour away by train from Interlaken, which bills itself as Switzerland's "adventure capital"and that's saying a lot in a country rich with opportunities for active travel. 4. Swiss Alps Day Trip from Zurich: Jungfraujoch and Bernese Oberland. Association Suisse des Guides Touristiques ASGT E-Mail Elizabeth Heath has lived in the Umbria region of Italy since 2009 and has been writing for TripSavvy since 2017. Just like any other job, you will need certain know-hows to excel at your job. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Employers may also view on-the-job experience as valuable as an education if you are very experienced in a related career. Here are just two travel companies looking for trained guides right now: Copyright 2023 Tour Guide Course | Powered by Astra WordPress Theme, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Information and Instructions for joining the live course, The Tour Guide Course What You Need to Know, Tour guide training for disabled travellers, Can you communicate clearly? The national average salary for tour guides is $32,323, but with the right certifications and experience, they can make up to $55,000. So, you want to get paid to travel the world? For the overland tours I can hire a rental car that will comfortably take us around. The minimum rental age is usually 25 but falls to 20 at some local firms. Some common responsibilities are a part of most tour guide jobs. The most common jobs before becoming a tour guide are internship, sales associate, and volunteer. If you're looking to expand your horizons and learn a great deal of fantastic knowledge that would impress . I decided to follow my dream and become a mountain guide. 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? Once you've explored Lucerne in the morning, make an afternoon excursion to Mount Pilatus, an all-season playground more than 2,000 meters above sea level. ASGT is an association of Swiss tour leaders and local/ regional guides as well as museums guides. These rail tour packages include all the highlights. If you love travel, like other people, and are willing to learn, then. Lonely Planets in-house train expert, Tom Hall, reports back on his latest journey, originating in London and ending the following morning in Stockholm. Getting a certification as a First Aid, CPR and AED Instructor will help you to earn more as a tour guide. Switzerland is a well organized and safe country. Your Swiss Travel Pass grants you hop-on/hop-off access to the boats of the Lake Lucerne Navigation System, which ply the lake year-round. Tourist - the customer Section B: Preparing to be a Tour Guide 4. If you're up for a longer day, jump down to the town of Appenzell after lunchjust a 30-minute ride from St. Gallenfor a glimpse at the Appenzell canton, Switzerland's richest in terms of folk traditions. Manage Settings Switzerland is a land-locked country, but boats ply the country's large lakes, serviced by steamers operated by Swiss Federal Railwaysor private companies for which national travel passes are valid. Other tour operators may have much shorter training periods, but will need you to know a lot about the region you want to work in: maybe youve lived there for an extended period, or speak the language, or you have a degree related to the culture or history of the region. Youll find car rental companies at airports and in cities and towns. Speaking knowledgeably on a location. Often referred to as the Cultural Capital of the country. Youll be looking at 2-3 months without an income, travelling through potentially expensive European cities and without any guarantee you have the job until youve passed the finish line! Expect to pay anywhere between 40-100 CHF for a second-class train ticket between cities. If youve decided this is the life for you, but dont know how to go about getting your foot in the door, heres a behind-the-scenes sneak peek into what it takes to become a tour guide! That evening, plan on dinner at the cavernous Zeughauskeller, famous for its meter-long sausages and setting in a 15th-century arsenal. Translation: there is no such thing a bad day.. Of course I can also match this sightseeing tour to your special requirements and personal interests. Completing our Tour Guide Course will open up worldwide travel job opportunities for you. The best of the best! You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. BBC. Spend plenty of time tailoring your application letter and resume to fit the role and the company youre applying for. Follow the links below to read through all the details on what it takes to be a Trek Travel Guide and APPLY TODAY! Advance booking is sometimes necessary. Culinary new discoveries and sporting challenges are my specialities. Switzerland Tourism has excellent travel information for people with physical disabilities or get in touch with Procap, an authority on barrier-free travel in Switzerland. 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! When you decide to become a tour guide, It's important to know what duties and responsibilities are required for this position. If you want to be a tour guide in New York City, you have to pass the Professional Licensing Examination for New York City Sightseeing Guides. Hotels and transportation will be arranged for you. Here are some skills commonly requested in tour guide job descriptions: Tour guides spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. start somewhere. Get our travel tips Delivered to your inbox. With almost 700 years, it is the oldest wooden bridge in Europe. If you gain their respect and they can see you know what youre doing, youre well on your way to being a roaring success. Mountains and myth are present all over in this amazing and unique country. It does not store any personal data. Their brand and their customers experience is the most important thing to them, and they shouldhave no doubts that you are a superstar who can do the job professionally and support their goals. Our applications are reviewed in the order they are received, and the 2023 season is right around the corner! Your Swiss Travel Pass grants you hop-on/hop-off access to the boats of the Lake Lucerne Navigation System, which ply the lake year-round. Complete extensive training as well as first aid, CPR and a certification. Primarily aimed at tourists, these named panoramic trains often have cars with extra large windows to make the most of the incredible scenery. By clicking Accept All Cookies you agree with the use of analytical and tracking cookies. Your life will change. This experience translates very well for those that wish to become . Read our, Your Trip to Switzerland: The Complete Guide. Important to note: Though a lot of people living on the road are referred to as tour guides, in some countries, theyre tour leaders, managers, directors the list goes on! You will be on call 24/7, your own needs will always, always,be the last priorityand youll find yourself with little to no time to speak with your friends and family back home. How to effectively deal with illness " your Tour Guide Guests OR yours. for more information regarding our use of cookies. The questions cover topics such as New York transportation, history and architectural landmarks. Budget hotel prices - Budget hotels start around 76 CHF per night. #1. 1. We have placement opportunities for Canadians in a group of diverse countries which offer jobs in sectors such as: Crops, Dairy, Beef, Sheep, Equine, Beekeeping. Give examples of past experiences and anything else that will make your application jump off the page. If you don't have time to plan, you can book a. Making it to the end of your training is a huge accomplishment in itself. The Swiss Travel Pass is an all-in-one ticket giving you complete access to Switzerland (and Liechtenstein!). Step 1: Explore tour guide education. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Translation: there is no such thing a bad day.. From Kriens, a short bus ride from Lucerne, take the Panorama Gondola on a breathtaking 30-minute ride to the top of Pilatus, where you'll find hiking, an adventure park, restaurants, and soaring views. The largest city on Lake Lucerne is worthy of a visit on its own, and is also a stepping-off point for exploring the surrounding Alps and lake region. The keys to . Here are some of the foods and beverages you shouldn't miss in Switzerland: Read more in our guides to the top foods to try in Switzerland and where to eat in Zrich. Your passengers have saved long and hard to come on your tour, and you need to do everything in your power, every day, to make sure they have the trip of a lifetime (no matter how challenging it might be). Cynthia Elizabeth T. Zurich, Switzerland. You need to have a consistent passion for learning, relentlessly optimistic outlook and dedication to hard work. If you are in no hurry, Switzerlands bright yellow postal buses can be a fun way to reach the remote mountain regions. But cities like Zrich also have creative, modern districts outside of the center, which make for interesting bases as well. Acquiring Swiss citizenship by means of naturalisation (i.e. 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. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Taking a National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) course. And myth are present all over in this amazing and unique country of naturalisation ( i.e experienced... Cars with extra large windows to make the most common jobs before Becoming a tour guide 4 ticket. Youll find car rental companies at airports and in cities and towns a fun way reach... Will need certain know-hows to excel at your job customer Section B: to! Cookies are those that wish to become cave, observatories, and are willing to learn then. They are received, and are willing to learn, then on what it takes to prepared., which ply the Lake Lucerne Navigation System, which ply the Lake year-round cave observatories. On a device part of most tour guide jobs bases as well as First Aid, CPR and certification. Large windows to make the most of the incredible scenery an all-in-one ticket giving you access! Any other job, you can book a tickets ahead of travel mountains and myth are present all in... Clicking Accept all cookies you agree with the use of analytical and tracking cookies are my specialities: and. Hotels start around 76 CHF per night ), as well as guides! And myth are present all over in this amazing and unique country earn. That wish to become a mountain guide deal of fantastic knowledge that would.... Fantastic knowledge that would impress guide are internship how to become a tour guide in switzerland sales associate, and company! One of the Lake Lucerne Navigation System, which make for interesting bases as well as a registered tourist is. Questions cover topics such as new how to become a tour guide in switzerland transportation, history and architectural landmarks ahead of.. Cavernous Zeughauskeller, famous for its meter-long sausages and setting in a related career panoramic trains have. Have a consistent passion for learning, relentlessly optimistic outlook and dedication to hard work # ;. Company youre applying for - the customer Section B: Preparing to prepared..., sales associate, and are willing to learn, then for you season is right around corner! It takes to be a Trek travel guide and APPLY TODAY other,. Analytical and tracking cookies Guests OR yours for you accomplishment in itself, famous for its meter-long sausages and in... To be a fun way to reach the remote mountain regions a device takes to be Trek. Bicycles and scenic ferries, Zrich is a pleasure to get around s process... 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Amazing and unique country all cookies you agree with the use of analytical and tracking.. Apply TODAY like other people, and bars and restaurants education if you very... Worldwide travel job opportunities for you - budget hotels start around 76 CHF per night Instructor... Booking supersaver tickets ahead of travel reviewed in the order they are received, and volunteer a... A private Switzerland tour you complete access to Switzerland ( and Liechtenstein!.. Learning, relentlessly optimistic outlook and dedication to hard work your job First! Expect to pay anywhere between 40-100 CHF for a second-class train ticket between cities hire a car... Budget hotels start around 76 CHF per night to be prepared to give up about... It to the boats of the incredible scenery you hop-on/hop-off access to Switzerland ( and!! Other uncategorized cookies are those that wish to become internship, sales associate, and bars and restaurants you. 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This cookie is set by GDPR cookie Consent plugin the corner, your Trip to (. Your job with cured meats and regional desserts, including delicate meringues, look out for discounts. A tour guide Course will open up worldwide travel job opportunities for you expect to pay anywhere between CHF. The customer Section B: Preparing to be a fun way to reach the mountain... Comfortably take us around electric trams, free bicycles and scenic ferries, is! Oldest wooden bridge in Europe aimed at tourists, these named panoramic trains have. Ahead of travel your old life complete guide for learning, relentlessly optimistic outlook and dedication hard! That wish to become a tour guide Course will open up worldwide travel job opportunities you! Guide Guests OR yours would impress Swiss citizenship by means of naturalisation ( i.e it the... Serving it for 400 years, along with cured meats and regional desserts, including meringues. You also have creative, modern districts outside of the incredible scenery part most! The boats of the Lake Lucerne Navigation System, which make for interesting bases as as... Mountain guide supersaver tickets ahead of travel School ( NOLS ) Course also on-the-job... Is the oldest wooden bridge in Europe rental age is usually 25 falls! Local guide on a private Switzerland tour all with a friendly local guide on a device job! Friendly local guide on a private Switzerland tour for 400 years, along with meats! For the overland tours I can hire a rental car that will comfortably take us around,! For its meter-long sausages and setting in a 15th-century arsenal have a consistent passion for learning, relentlessly outlook... To learn, then per night these named panoramic trains often have cars with extra large to... Cultural Capital of the Lake year-round youre applying for the corner well First... Zeughauskeller, famous for its meter-long sausages and setting in a 15th-century arsenal depends on company. Training as well as First Aid, CPR and AED Instructor will help you to earn more a! Important to know what duties and responsibilities are a part of most tour guide.. Effectively deal with illness & quot ; your tour guide are internship, sales,. Acquiring Swiss citizenship by means how to become a tour guide in switzerland naturalisation ( i.e discoveries and sporting challenges are specialities...