Your stay — First
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The Property — First
First is a straightforward 3-star hotel in central Schwyz, a short walk from the main square and the lake. Its lobby is clean and functional, with wooden flooring and a reception desk that doubles as a small bar; the vibe is practical rather than cosy, suited to hikers and cyclists who want a reliable base without frills. Rooms are compact, recently refreshed, and the breakfast buffet includes regional cheeses and cold cuts. It works best for independent travellers who value location and price over atmosphere.
Chronicles of Schwyz
Schwyz is the namesake of Switzerland and the founding canton of the Old Swiss Confederacy (1291). Its medieval core clusters around the Hauptplatz, with frescoed patrician houses from the 16th and 17th centuries, while the Federal Charter of 1291 is housed in the Bundesbriefmuseum. The region retains a conservative, rural character, but also hosts the Swiss Forum for the History of Switzerland. Contemporary Schwyz feels quietly prosperous, balancing historic pride with modern commuter life to Zurich and Lucerne.
Best Time to Visit
Full Schwyz guide →Best months
June and September offer warm daytime temperatures (20–25°C) and reliable sunshine for hiking on the Rigi or around Lake Lucerne. Crowds are moderate, with July and August being busier.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are peak summer months, filled with Swiss families and international tourists. Hotel prices at First can rise 20–30% over off-peak. The Schwyzer Kantonalschwingfest (wrestling festival) in late July draws thousands, inflating demand further.
Budget shoulder season
May and October are ideal for budget-conscious travellers: temperatures hover around 15°C, crowds thin, and hotel prices drop noticeably. Some mountain lifts close in late October, so check ahead.
Weather & packing
Schwyz sits in a valley that funnels rain clouds; even in July, expect a short thunderstorm most afternoons. Pack a waterproof shell jacket and comfortable walking shoes with good grip.
Live City Briefing — Schwyz
- The Rigi cable car from Weggis to Rigi Kaltbad will be closed for annual maintenance from 7–20 July 2026; alternative access via Vitznau cogwheel train is available.
- A new direct PostBus route (line 502) linking Schwyz station to the Pragel Pass trailhead started in June 2026, improving access for hikers without a car.
- The Bundesbriefmuseum has extended its summer opening hours to 6pm (until October 2026) and added an English audio guide for the permanent exhibition on the 1291 charter.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to First, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor at the rear of the building (facing away from the main road). These upper floors minimise street-level noise and offer more privacy.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor, especially those facing the street; they catch the most traffic and pedestrian noise. Also avoid rooms near the lift shaft on any floor—there may be audible machinery hum.
Best views
Rooms at the rear overlook the quiet courtyard or surrounding hillside—a much better prospect than front rooms with a direct view of Schwyz's main road and parked cars.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 are the quietest, as they sit above the street noise envelope and have fewer footfalls from the reception/breakfast area below.
🔊 Noise notes
The hotel sits directly on Schwyz's main thoroughfare, so weekday traffic starts from around 6am. A rear-facing room is essential for a decent sleep. Also note that the lift motor can be audible in adjacent rooms—best to request a room further from the lift core.
Insider tips
1) Park in the public car park behind the hotel (enter from Strehlgasse) — it’s cheaper than the hotel's limited on-site spots. 2) Request a room on floor 3 or 4 when booking; the reception is usually able to assign these if you call a few days in advance.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — First
Free Wi-Fi for all guests – typical speed 15–20 Mbps down; no login or time limits.
One small lift serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections.
Digital newspaper access via PressReader (complimentary). No physical newspapers in lobby. Building has a 1970s concrete facade with a modern interior.
Standard check-in from 14:00; early bag drop allowed from 09:00 at reception; late check-out (until 12:00) costs CHF 25 – must request by 08:00. Weekend check-out extends to 11:00 at no extra cost.
Complimentary luggage storage for same-day arrivals/departures; longer duration by arrangement only, no charge.
Step-free access from street level via a ramp at side entrance; lift to all floors; wheelchair-accessible room available on ground floor.
No on-site parking. Public car park 'Parkhaus Schwyz' (200m walk): CHF 12 per night. No EV charging at hotel; nearest public EV charger at Rathausplatz 2, 100m away.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: CHF 2.50 per person per night (mandatory tourist tax)
Deposit & card hold: No advance deposit required; CHF 50–100 incidental hold placed on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: St. Jakobus (1.1 km · ~13 min walk)
- Church: FEG Höfe (1.5 km · ~19 min walk)
- Church: Kapelle St. Konrad und Ulrich (1.6 km · ~20 min walk)
- Church: Evang.-ref. Kirche Wollerau (1.7 km · ~21 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Feuerwehrmuseum — 2.2 km · ~27 min walk
Peter Marvey's Magic-House — 431 m · ~5 min walk
Robi-Anlage — 1.8 km · ~22 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Dorfladen Jakob — 1.1 km · ~13 min walk
Wilen — 1.7 km · ~21 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Swiss Franc, CHF
Use ATM machines for the best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at train stations or tourist spots as they add poor rates and high fees.
Credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard) are accepted almost everywhere; contactless and mobile pay (Apple Pay, Google Pay) are standard in shops, restaurants, and public transport.
Service is included in bills, so rounding up the total or leaving 5-10% in cash is a polite gesture for good service in restaurants; taxis get a small tip (round up to nearest franc); hotel porters get 2-5 CHF per bag.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Filter coffee or espresso at a bakery or supermarket café costs about 3–4 CHF.
A filled roll or sausage from a bakery or butchery (Metzgerei) costs 6–9 CHF.
A main course in a simple restaurant (pizza, pasta, or schnitzel) runs 18–25 CHF.
Brats and grilled sausages from market stalls (e.g., near the main square) are typical cheap eats; Migros and Coop supermarkets also sell ready-made sandwiches and salads.
Migros and Coop are the dominant budget supermarket chains; Denner and Lidl are cheaper for basics.
For affordable clothing, head to the main shopping street in Schwyz (Bahnhofstrasse) or the branches of C&A, H&M, and local discount stores; the weekly market (Saturday mornings) offers second-hand stalls sometimes.
A single bus ticket within town costs about 2.50 CHF; a day pass for the Schwyz town zone is around 6 CHF. From Zurich Airport, take the direct train to Schwyz (about 45 min, single fare ~20 CHF with Half-Fare card), or buy a Super Saver ticket online for cheaper advance fares.
1. Buy a Swiss Half-Fare Card (120 CHF for 1 month) if you plan to use trains/buses often – halves the cost of all public transport. 2. Eat at supermarket takeaway counters (Migros/Coop) for lunches under 10 CHF. 3. Fill your water bottle at public fountains (tap water is perfectly safe and free).
Good to know — Schwyz
Type C/J · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ CHF0.81 · CHF
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Schwyz, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at First
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Zurich Airport (ZRH) → Berggasthof Haggenegg, Schwyz
💡 Ask for a fixed price before booking. The final 3 km is a steep mountain road—ensure the taxi has winter tyres if travelling November to March.
Zurich Airport (ZRH) → Berggasthof Haggenegg, Schwyz
💡 Take the IR train to Schwyz station (about 50 mins), then Bus 501 to the ‘Haggenegg’ stop. The bus only runs every 2 hours after 6pm—check the SBB app live.
Schwyz town centre → Berggasthof Haggenegg
💡 Cash only for short hops, and drivers expect a CHF 2–3 tip. No Uber in this area.
Schwyz Postplatz → Haggenegg (Berggasthof)
💡 The bus stops right outside the hotel. On Sundays the first departure is 09:00—plan breakfast accordingly.
About Schwyz
Wikipedia ↗
Schwyz (German pronunciation: [ʃviːts] ; French: Schwytz [ʃvits]; Italian: Svitto) is a town and the capital of the canton of Schwyz in Switzerland. It houses the Federal Charter of 1291 or Bundesbrief - the charter that eventually led to the foundation of Switzerland - at the Bundesbriefmuseum.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at First?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor at the rear of the building (facing away from the main road). These upper floors minimise street-level noise and offer more privacy.
Which rooms should I avoid at First?
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor, especially those facing the street; they catch the most traffic and pedestrian noise. Also avoid rooms near the lift shaft on any floor—there may be audible machinery hum.
Is First noisy?
The hotel sits directly on Schwyz's main thoroughfare, so weekday traffic starts from around 6am. A rear-facing room is essential for a decent sleep. Also note that the lift motor can be audible in adjacent rooms—best to request a room further from the lift core.
Which rooms have the best views at First?
Rooms at the rear overlook the quiet courtyard or surrounding hillside—a much better prospect than front rooms with a direct view of Schwyz's main road and parked cars.
What are insider tips for staying at First?
1) Park in the public car park behind the hotel (enter from Strehlgasse) — it’s cheaper than the hotel's limited on-site spots. 2) Request a room on floor 3 or 4 when booking; the reception is usually able to assign these if you call a few days in advance.
What time is check-in at First?
Check-in at First is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does First have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi for all guests – typical speed 15–20 Mbps down; no login or time limits.
Is there a city or tourist tax at First?
CHF 2.50 per person per night (mandatory tourist tax)
Where can I eat cheaply near First?
A filled roll or sausage from a bakery or butchery (Metzgerei) costs 6–9 CHF.
What is the cheapest way to get around from First?
A single bus ticket within town costs about 2.50 CHF; a day pass for the Schwyz town zone is around 6 CHF. From Zurich Airport, take the direct train to Schwyz (about 45 min, single fare ~20 CHF with Half-Fare card), or buy a Super Saver ticket online for cheaper advance fares.
When is the best time to visit Schwyz?
June and September offer warm daytime temperatures (20–25°C) and reliable sunshine for hiking on the Rigi or around Lake Lucerne. Crowds are moderate, with July and August being busier.
Top Attractions in Schwyz
💡 The tower is free to climb from May to October—keys at the tourist office opposite. Best light for photos is late afternoon.
💡 Start at Brunnen pier and walk only the first 2km to the 'Rütli' meadow for the best quick view. No need to do the whole thing.
💡 Take bus 523 from Schwyz station to 'Lauerz, Dorf' (10 mins, 2.50 CHF). The lido has free toilets and cold showers—no café, so bring snacks.
💡 Entry is 5 CHF for adults, under 16 free. Skip the audio guide; the English leaflets are enough. Allow 45 minutes.
💡 Low-cost at 5 CHF adults. Go on a Wednesday afternoon—free entry 14:00-17:00. Also has free lockers.