Fodor's Switzerland 2002 : The Guide for All Budgets, Completely Updated Every Year, with a Pullout ColorMap

Rating:
Summary: This should be your first choice
Review: It is not easy to pick your ideal guidebook to Switzerland. Ideally, you would need more than one, but this should probably the one to start with.

The guide is thoroughly researched and features good regional maps in addition to the map of the whole country. Listings are very good, although some may say they have been picked arbitrarily - which is understandable as no-one can possibly squeeze all the worthy places into a reasonably-sized book. At least you can be sure that whatever is included has been reviewed
honestly and thoroughly.

In common with other books from this publishing house, Fodor's Switzerland is laid out in a commendably clear manner. This may seem as a secondary consideration - but think of how often you will be browsing this before and during your trip. Easy navigation in the book really cuts out frustration and saves time. Do not underestimate this.

Frommer's Switzerland does not have too many photographs - however, the selected few give you an idea and a visual taste of the destination. For a more thorough pictorial account, try Insight Guides.

The book is also very good on practicalities - transport, opening times, costs - all seem to be very up-to-date (it is amazing how many guides treat practicality research as an afterthought).

If you can, also get Michelin's Green Guide - it has some less well-known destinations that Fodor's guide omits for reasons of space. However, if you are only planning major highlights, you can very well manage with just this high quality book. You'll not regret spending your money.

Rating:
Summary: Solid info
Review: It's a good book for knowing where to stay and eat. I also highly recommend anyone traveling to Switzerland read Geneva Nights. It's very entertaining and gets you in the traveling Europe mode.

Rating:
Summary: Best of the Swiss Guidebooks
Review: We have used this guidebook and its predecessors each time for four trips to Switzerland. We think it is better than Frommer's, Michelin, Eyewitness, Rick Steves, and the other guidbooks for Switzerland, and we have looked at eight other guidebooks. All have something to offer, but we liked Fodor's the best. Given the cost of traveling to and in Switzerland, it is worth the cost in money and time to buy several and take the best from each, but if you only want one, we recommend Fodor's. It misses some great small villages some of the others recommend (like Soglio, a jewel in a small valley west of St. Moritz) and for some reason Fodor's never gives the population of the villages or cities they mention. If you like going to small villages, as we do, there is a big difference between Grindelwald and Gimmelwald, and knowing the population would help. If you are looking for a "travel on a shoestring" book, this isn't it, but for most people, it should be very helpful.