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18 Do’s And Don’ts To Visiting Switzerland On A Budget

18 Do’s And Don’ts To Visiting Switzerland On A Budget

Last Updated on January 17, 2024 by Michela

Jaw-dropping peaks, pristine green fields and wooden cabins, turquoise-blue lakes – Switzerland is easily one of the most picture-perfect destinations in Europe. It also happens to be one of the most expensive . While many scrape by backpacking the Swiss Alps, the price tags of food, transportation, accommodation and experiences make planning the average weekend getaway or extended vacation a major hit to the wallet. But you can still make your dream trip a reality while saving money – use these tips to do Switzerland on a budget .

Some of these links are affiliate links. This means if you make a purchase through that link, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Read my full disclosure !

Currency in Switzerland

The currency is used in Switzerland are Swiss Francs (CHF). As of August 2022, 1 CHF equals $1.05 USD. And while the exchange rate is fairly even, the cost of living in Switzerland is completely different to most areas in the US!

To put into perspective just how much the prices can differ in Switzerland, a Big Mac and a 6-count chicken nugget meal from McDonald’s cost me 27 CHF in Switzerland. In the US, it would cost me $10!

Tips to Visit Switzerland on a Budget

Do grocery shop.

One of the easiest ways to save money in Switzerland is to live like a local! Skip restaurants and head to the grocery store to stock up on snacks, pre-made lunch goodies, and even do some normal grocery shopping if you have the means to cook at your accommodation.

While the Swiss lifestyle isn’t cheap and the prices of some things will still make you do a double take, you will still be able to find much more affordable food options here than at any restaurant or take away in the area.  

Don’t Eat Out Every Meal

You’re on your dream trip to Switzerland, so it is impossible to tell you to not try the local food or have a nice meal every now and again! But if saving money is your biggest worry, then you should try to avoid eating out for every meal and instead have a plan to picnic or cook with your grocery store finds.  

Do Take Advantage of Grocery Store Restaurants

My favorite Switzerland budget travel secret is… the grocery store restaurants! I discovered at least two of the major grocery store chains in Switzerland, Migros and Coop, also have their own IKEA-esque eating areas. It may sound strange but they are a budget traveler’s dream!

Some are buffet-style where you can stack your plate with as much food as you’d like for a fixed price, while others are focused on meal deals and a-la-carte items. I can guarantee you will get some of the best deals on eating out here. If you already know the stops on your itinerary, check ahead of time if these grocery stores are present and if they have a restaurant!

Do Book Hotels Early

visit switzerland cheap

Some say that you can get crazy last-minute deals if you wait to book your accommodation immediately before your trip days, but I have not found that to be the case in Switzerland.

It may just be because of traveling during peak season, but once accommodation is getting booked up, prices rarely go down. Instead, they increase! Your only shot at testing out this method and having it work is to try a service like HotelTonight that collects discounts on lasts-minute hotels.

Good to know : You will likely have to pay a city tax at the end of your hotel visit. The amount can vary depending on the town. As an example, in Interlaken, the tax was 2.50 CHF per person/per night.  

Don’t Travel to Switzerland During High Season

visit switzerland cheap

I know everybody says it, but the period in which you are traveling through Switzerland can have a huge effect on accommodation prices.

Switzerland’s peak seasons are between June-August and December-February. The most budget-friendly time to visit Switzerland is from March-April and October-November.

Pro Tip : If you are looking for Switzerland accommodation during one of the peak season periods, try to book a hotel that allows you Free Cancellation up to a certain point. Then you can frequently check back to see if any new, more affordable properties are available due to cancellations.

Do Utilize Day Trips to Save Money

Staying for a longer time in one place can often be more cost-saving than switching hotels frequently. Rates per night tend to get better the longer you are staying at a hotel. Lots of Airbnbs also give extended-stay discounts for stays over a week long.

With this travel tip, you should plan your itinerary around day trips instead of moving from place to place. Planning excursions to cities, like a day trip to Lucerne or one day in Zurich , is very easy because of the well-connected public transport network.

And to get to more remote areas like Jungfrau, for example, you can also check out day trip tours. Weigh the cost between traveling with a tour that includes the activity and transportation and DIYing your day trip to find out what’s the best deal for you.

Do Get Breakfast Included at Your Hotel

visit switzerland cheap

It may seem counterintuitive to spend more booking your accommodation to get breakfast included, but if you do the calculations, you will see that the price difference is usually a savings rather than a cost.

As a personal example, I spent two nights in Interlaken with my boyfriend and paid an extra 20 CHF for the two of us to have breakfast included. Just a cappuccino in Interlaken cost 5 CHF, so for the same price per person we had a full buffet breakfast each day.

Don’t Pay for Water

visit switzerland cheap

The beauty of the Swiss Alps? The super fresh mountain water! Many cities and rural areas are full of fountains distributing the water so that you can fill up for free!

Don’t forget to pack your favorite travel water bottle .

Do Stay at a Hostel or Campground

I know they sound like they are reserved solely for backpackers and road trippers, but there are actually options to make these accommodations adaptable to any budget-conscious traveler’s trip style!

Hostels are known to be some of the cheapest accommodation around. But you don’t need to opt for the cheapest of the cheap and board with 10 other people. Many also offer private rooms like any other hotel for a higher price, but are still more budget-friendly than standard hotels.

And did you know that even if you’re not road tripping through Switzerland with your own motorhome, you could still take advantage of an inexpensive campground?

Tons of campgrounds have their own bungalows ! These tiny houses are perfect for cheap stays. Plus, they will likely have a kitchen, which makes cooking and staying on a budget with food even easier!

Don’t Road Trip Switzerland Without Knowing These Expenses

Driving in Switzerland is a spectacular way to see the country’s incredible landscapes. It also gives you tons of flexibility in your itinerary.

But there are some fixed expenses you should note before hopping on the road. Switzerland’s toll system operates with a vignette , a small sticker that allows you access to all the highways in Switzerland. This vignette is valid for the calendar year up to January 31st of the following year, but costs 40 CHF.

Parking is another expense that can get out of control in major cities. Parking in Zurich, in particular, is very expensive (around 5-6 CHF per hour in parking garages).

And it’s also important to know the road rules in Switzerland, as fines are very high. Throughout Switzerland, there are speed cameras that you may not notice. Small towns often have very slow speed limits but it’s important not to exceed them to avoid having a fine show up in your mail weeks later due to these cameras. For more road rules, check out my guide to Driving in Switzerland .

Do Take Advantage of City Guest Cards

It pays off to do research and planning to truly do Switzerland on a budget. Luckily, Switzerland has a decent number of initiatives to promote tourism that also result in you being able to do more while paying less!

One useful hack you should look out for is city guest cards . You’ll have to look up if your specific destination offers an incentive like this, but guest cards are usually offered to travelers staying in accommodation in that city.

For example, the Interlaken guest card is available to anyone staying in accommodation in the town of Interlaken and offers discounts on stores and attractions, but most importantly, allows you to ride the public transportation for free in and around the city!

Lots of other cities do this too: Lucerne, Bern, Geneva, Basel. The Canton of Ticino even has a Ticino ticket that lets you use free public transport to explore the entire region!

Pro Tip : When deciding where to stay during your trip to Switzerland, you should also consider staying outside of major tourist areas and cities, where you’ll likely find more budget-friendly rates. I recommend during your accommodation search weighing the costs between savings on transportation and activities with a city card (if your destination has one) and staying in more remote areas.

Do Consider Buying Travel Passes

visit switzerland cheap

If you are planning to get around Switzerland on a budget using public transportation, you should weigh the cost of buying one of the many Swiss travel passes against paying for tickets individually to every destination on your itinerary.

The Swiss travel passes are expensive, so it is best to plan out your itinerary in as much detail as you can to understand if the price tag of the travel pass will truly save you money. Some of the travel passes offered include the Swiss Travel Pass , which comes in packages of 3, 4, 6, 8, and 15 days of unlimited travel on the public transportation network, and the Swiss Half Fare Card , which gives you unlimited 50% discounts on public transportation tickets for a year.

Pro Tip: On the Swiss Travel Pass website, use the Find The Right Pass section to start getting an idea if the pass makes sense for your itinerary and budget.

Don’t Be Too Spontaneous

Being spontaneous on vacation can lead to some unexpected amazing memories! Or, it can end up being a costly mistake.

Budget-breaker storytime : My boyfriend and I hiked from Iseltwald to Giessbach waterfalls, about an hour and a half. Well, after a strenuous, long uphill climb to these falls, we figured let’s take the bus back. We had no internet and found out the last bus passed hours ago. It was now 8 pm, the sun was due to set in 45 minutes, and our accommodation was an almost 2-hour walk and then a 15-minute bus ride away. In short, we ended up having to walk to the next town over with a train station (another hour and a half journey) and spend 20 CHF to take a train back to Interlaken.

Moral of the story? Have a plan! You don’t have to have every detail organized but, at least before you act on spontaneity, take a minute to consider what factors could have a significant impact on your budget and if you are okay with that.

Do Have a Phone Plan

We found ourselves in the previously told sticky situation mostly because we had no roaming in Switzerland on our phones, meaning we could only access the Internet via WiFi. Switzerland is not included in EU roaming, meaning using data is extremely costly.

You could either try to buy a local SIM card, rely on WiFi like us, or pay the international rate through your domestic phone plan. Buying a local SIM card is typically the perfect balance between cheap and convenient, whereas WiFi is only cheap, and paying for your international plan is only convenient.

Pro Tip: Download Offline Maps using Google Maps so that if worse comes to worst, you have a map on hand to orient yourself and get around. Also, be sure to pack a portable charger with you, especially if you plan on spending long days out away from your accommodation, like hiking.

Don’t Miss Out on Student Discounts

Youth and student discounts on travel in Switzerland can help you save on transportation and activities!

For example, young travelers from 16-24 can get a discount on the Swiss Travel Pass.

These discounts are usually found in the “Reduced” section of ticket charts. Not every activity or transport has them, but it is always worth checking ahead of time to see if you can take advantage of them and how (if you need to present a student ID, for example.)

Do Exchange Currency (But don’t do it at local kiosks!)

Most places in Switzerland accept debit and credit cards. However, one of the reasons you might prefer to pay in cash is because some restaurants and shops may use a conversion rate that is highly unfavorable.

But if you are going to exchange currency, you will almost always find the best rates at banks and post offices. You will find less favorable exchange rates at kiosks located in your destination (it literally just looks like a tourist trap) or at airports.

Check out more budget travel tips relating to using ATMs abroad and exchanging currency while traveling .

Don’t Let The Language Fool You

Surprisingly, even in places known for tourism, you will not find that many things are translated from German – menus, signs, etc. This can make it difficult to understand what you’re paying for and if it’s worth the spend.

Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do about this other than hoping you can get a hold of someone who speaks English to help you out or have a translation app on hand.

Do Have Fun with Free Activities!

visit switzerland cheap

Unfortunately, lots of activities in Switzerland are expensive, both in and out of cities. But if you do some research before your trip, you’ll find that there’s also a decent number of free things to do to help curb costs and fill up your itinerary!

Switzerland Travel Budget Resources

We all know by now that planning a trip to Switzerland on a budget is no easy feat. It’s probably one of the hardest destinations in Europe. Here is a list of resources to help you stretch your dollar and understand what a realistic Switzerland trip budget looks like:

  • BudgetYourTrip – This site gives you the average prices relating to different travel expenses in your selected destination. You can use it as a benchmark to see if you are getting a good deal on accommodation, food, and transportation.
  • My Road Trip Budget Planner (& many other resources in The Travel Library!)
  • SBB Offers – Current deals from the main train company in Switzerland.

Unfortunately, visiting Switzerland will never be “cheap” but the travel tips in this guide for doing Switzerland on a budget will at least help ease the expenses.

Let me know in a comment – what does your dream Switzerland itinerary look like?

Save these tips to Pinterest for later reference!

visit switzerland cheap

Michela is a travel writer and photographer living in northern Italy. She is passionate about helping people make the most of their travels by sharing advice gained from her personal experiences, off-the-beaten-path destinations and time-saving quick itineraries. Browse her top articles or have her help you plan your itinerary to your dream destination!

Find me on: Web | Instagram

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Switzerland on a budget: the best things in Schweiz are free

Caroline Bishop

Apr 20, 2023 • 8 min read

One man looking at the Jesuit Church and Mount Pilatus from the banks of Reuss river in Lucerne, Switzerland

See the sights of cities like Lucerne on the cheap © Marco Bottigelli / Getty Images

Let’s face it, Switzerland doesn’t immediately spring to mind when you utter the words ‘cheap break’. This small alpine nation is known for being one of the priciest countries in Europe, with several of its cities regularly cited as among the world’s most expensive places to live.

But traveling within Switzerland on a modest budget is possible. If you plan carefully, make the most of available transport deals and prioritize the countryside over cities, this beautiful country is navigable by even the most frugal of travelers.

Get more bang for your buck on public transport

Switzerland’s famously efficient public transport system has a huge reach, with SBB trains and distinctive yellow postbuses supplying access to even the tiniest hamlet up the remotest mountain road. Tickets may seem expensive, but if you plan ahead there are ways to cut costs, and weighed against the price of car hire, fuel and parking, it’s an economical and hassle-free way to travel.

Designed for tourists, the  Swiss Travel Pass offers unlimited travel across Switzerland from three to 15 days. Similar regional passes, such as the  Tell-Pass in Central Switzerland, offer value for money if you’re traveling a lot within a certain area.

For longer stays, your best bet is a  Half-Fare Travelcard , which allows you to buy tickets across the transport network at 50 percent discount; the yearly option is popular with Swiss residents, but there’s also a cheaper version just for tourists , valid for a month.

For more sporadic journeys, download the SBB app and search for  Supersaver tickets, bookable in advance for specific services, or  Saver Day Passes , which are good value if you want to travel a long way in a single day. The further ahead you book, the cheaper these tickets are. Kids under six travel free.

Ride local transport for free with your guest card

A small tourist tax is added to overnight stays in Switzerland, but in return you’re given a guest card, which offers free local public transport and sometimes extra benefits, such as cut-price admission to museums and attractions. The  Ticino Ticket is the best example, offering free train and bus travel, plus discounts on mountain railways, cable cars, museums and activities within the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino.

Take a self-guided lake tour

Most transport passes, including the Swiss Travel Pass, Half-Fare Travelcard and Saver Day Pass, cover boat services too, so you can spend all day riding the ferries on  Lake Geneva ,  Lake Lucerne or Lake Zürich within the terms of your pass.

And it’s not hard to fill your time – so large is Lake Geneva (Lac Léman, to give it its proper name) that the journey from  Geneva to Montreux by ferry takes nearly six hours. Sit on deck and soak up the sun as you travel – but don’t forget a hat and sunblock (which you should bring with you, since it’s expensive to buy here).

Book into a swanky Swiss hostel

Even the most modest hotels can be budget-blowing in Switzerland, but thankfully there are alternatives.  Swiss youth hostels are among the swankiest in the world, and while prices aren’t dead cheap, a dorm bed in the  Saas-Fee Wellness Hostel 4000 (from Sfr61) or the  Backpackers Lucerne (from Sfr34) is considerably less than a hotel room. Most hostels have kitchens so you can save money by cooking instead of eating out.

Head for the hills for bargain beds

If you’re willing to put in the – sometimes considerable – effort to hike there,  Swiss Alpine Club cabins offer relatively inexpensive beds in eye-popping locations across the Swiss Alps and are open to non-members. Book ahead for a dorm bed, dinner and breakfast, and you’re guaranteed great food, a convivial atmosphere and the biggest starry skies you’ve ever seen. As an example,  Cabane Rambert in the Vaud Alps costs Sfr43 for a dorm bed or Sfr91 half-board. Bring your own sheet sleeping bag.

Another budget choice is camping – check out  camping.ch or  tcs.ch for options. Swiss campsites are clean, well equipped and usually easily reachable by postbus, with prices starting from about Sfr9 per adult per night. You could even wild camp for free, though rules vary across the country, so always check with the local tourist office, ask permission if you’re on private land and follow the  Swiss Alpine Club’s rules .

Lastly, the organization  Agroturismo lists bed-and-breakfast options in farmhouses around the country, including places where you can bed down in a barn, known as Schlafen im Stroh (Sleep in Straw), for a bargain price.

Two cyclists riding alongside a turquoise lake surrounded by mountains

Explore Switzerland’s glorious landscape gratis

Once you’ve got your transport and accommodation sorted, the best thing about Switzerland – the great outdoors – is completely free. The country’s numerous hiking and biking trails are well marked, with detailed maps available to download on  Wanderland.ch .

If you have a travel pass, choose a starting point that’s accessible by public transport rather than shelling out extra for cable-car rides. As a rule, access to any village or community is part of the public-transport network. For example, the lift from Mörel to the mountain village of Riederalp is part of the network, while the cable car from Riederalp to the Moosfluh viewpoint over the Aletsch glacier – Europe’s longest river of ice – is run by a private company and ticketed separately. Save the fare and hike up instead.

Take a picnic – and make it vegetarian

Stopping off in a mountain cabin for a beer and a platter of meat and cheese is all part of the hiking experience, but if you’d rather save your centimes, pack a picnic instead .

There’s a Coop or Migros supermarket at most rail stations, so fill your backpack with fresh bread and pastries, dried meat, hunks of Gruyère cheese, pre-packaged salads and bottles of Rivella – a typically Swiss, milk-based fizzy drink – for a picnic in the hills among the alpine flowers and marmots. Meat can be expensive in Switzerland, so you’ll save even more if you go veggie.

The sun sets over the 14th-century Kapellbrücke bridge in Lucerne, Switzerland

See the city sights on the cheap

It costs nothing to stroll through  Bern ’s Unesco-listed medieval center, cross  Lucerne ’s 14th-century Kapellbrücke or ogle the jet d’eau fountain in Geneva .

And if you plan carefully, it’s possible to visit many museums on the cheap too – the  Kunsthaus Zürich offers free admission on Wednesdays, the  Kunstmuseum Basel is free in the early evenings and the  Musee d’art et d’histoire in Geneva has "pay what you can" entry. Children get in gratis to most museums.

Tuck into low-cost leftovers

The amusingly named  Äss Bar ( ässbar in Swiss German, from essbar in German, meaning "edible") is an anti-wastage initiative that collects the bread, cake and pastries remaining in bakeries at the end of the day and sells them at low prices in its own shops the day after. It’s a good way to pick up a sandwich for a bargain Sfr4 or a slice of cake for Sfr3. Look out for it in Zürich, Lausanne, Basel, Biel, Bern, Lucerne and Winterthur.

Similarly, the Too Good to Go app hooks up customers with restaurants that have leftover food to sell at the end of service. If you’re willing to be flexible and spontaneous, you can buy dinner for a lot less than in the restaurant itself.

Enjoy some local lake life without spending a franc

Summertime in most Swiss cities revolves around the local waterways. Whether you’re in  Zürich ,  Lausanne or Lucerne, you’ll find open-air swimming spots all over town, often with free or low-cost facilities.

Try the  Oberer Letten baths on the River Limmat in Zürich, or Vidy beach near Lausanne on Lake Geneva, both of which are free. In Bern and  Basel , put your belongings in a dry bag and float through the city in the fast-flowing River Aare and Rhine, respectively.

Book a low-cost autumn flight and see Switzerland turn golden

Fall is one of the best times to visit Switzerland , and flights are generally much cheaper than in summer or ski season.

September is ideal for hiking and biking, with the mountain lifts still open and the weather usually balmy instead of scorching. Most of the lifts are shut in October, but choose a hike accessible by train or bus and you’ll be rewarded with a blaze of autumnal color in the larch forests, a glorious sight that summer tourists miss out on.

A skier jumping with alpine high mountains behind him

Be a savvy skier at one of Switzerland’s lesser-known resorts

Skiing at a famous Swiss resort, such as  Zermatt or Verbier, is an expensive business, not just for the ski pass but for the food and accommodation too. So soften the blow by choosing a less glitzy resort, where everything’s a bit more reasonable. Try Grimentz-Zinal in the  Val d’Anniviers , Villars-Les Diablerets in the  Vaud Alps or Leukerbad in the  Valais .

If you’re planning to ski a lot, the brilliant  Magic Pass offers unlimited access to 69 ski areas in Switzerland for the super-low price of Sfr399 if you buy it in early April for the following season. As a comparison, the season pass for Zermatt alone is Sfr1890.

Take your own water bottle and fill up for free

Tap water not only tastes a lot better in Switzerland than it does elsewhere (UK, I’m looking at you), but it’s also freely available from water fountains all over the country. Take a refillable bottle and top up wherever you go, from city-center fountains to mountains springs. It’s all drinkable as long as it doesn’t have a sign saying non-potable/ kein Trinkwasser .

Avoid city-center pubs and enjoy a pint at altitude instead

Drinking alcohol (or even a coffee or two) in Swiss cities can be a real wallet drainer, with cocktails at around Sfr25 and a pint of beer topping Sfr9 in Lausanne and Geneva. But that’s not the case everywhere. Head to a café or restaurant in a small village and you may find drinks are a lot cheaper, and your Sfr6 pint might just come with a delicious mountain view too.

Daily costs in Switzerland

  • Hostel room: Sfr30–60 (dorm bed)
  • Basic room for two: Sfr120–150
  • Self-catered apartment: From Sfr150
  • Public transport ticket Geneva to Bern (159km): Sfr51
  • Coffee: Sfr3.50–5.50
  • Sandwich: Sfr6–10
  • Dinner for two: Sfr80–100
  • Pint at the bar: Sfr6–9
  • Average daily cost total: Sfr200–300

This article was first published July 2019 and updated April 2023

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10 Simple Ways to Travel Switzerland on a Budget

Written By: Seraina Zellweger

Switzerland

Updated On: February 8, 2024

Switzerland is expensive. That’s old news. But you can visit Switzerland on a Budget. And be honest. It’s why you haven’t put it on your bucket list yet, right? You’re intimidated by the high prices.

You think you’ll never be able to afford a trip to Switzerland without blowing your retirement savings. You’re nervous you’ll be paying off debts for months to come. But despite all those worries, deep down, you still want to go.

Table of Contents

10 Ways to Travel Switzerland on a Budget

There are plenty of reasons to go to Switzerland . You’ve heard of the breathtaking views. You’re familiar with the taste of Swiss chocolate. You’ve longed for their endless selection of cheese. And you’re just about dying to see the Alps up close. You’ve reached the point where you’re already subconsciously packing your bags .

Wondering whether your trekking shoes still fit you, how much weight you might gain once you give in to your chocolate cravings or whether you need to bring a German, French or Italian dictionary.

If only it wasn’t for that persistent voice at the back of your head. You know, the one that’s keeping you awake at night with a million questions. Read more: 19 Beautiful Places to Visit in Switzerland

  • How are you supposed to make it through a single day in Switzerland without robbing a bank?
  • Are you going to crawl up in a cardboard box and sleep in a stranger’s backyard just to save money?
  • Are you happy to live off instant noodles as you did during that trip to Australia ?
  • Do you seriously believe there’s anything free to do in Switzerland?
  • What if the emptiness in your savings account forces you to come home after a few days?

The list goes on. But before you let this situation get out of hand, do yourself a favour.

Shut that voice up.

Because first of all, nobody’s going to sleep in a cardboard box. And for the record, robbing a bank is out of question, too. Never mind those instant noodles, either.

Believe it or not, but simple and legal ways to save money in Switzerland do exist. And here are 10 ways to make your money last longer in Switzerland.

1. Use free public transport

If you’re staying in Bern, Lucerne, Basel , Geneva or Lausanne, you get to use local public transport for free.

Your accommodation provides you with a ticket that’s valid for the time of your stay.

The Canton of Ticino extended this concept and recently introduced what I refer to as the travel-jackpot.

Every visitor spending at least one night in the Canton receives an all-inclusive ticket.

We’re talking about a free ticket here that includes buses and trains as well as a discount for cable cars, boats and selected activities.

More and more cities seem to be joining this concept.

So wherever you’re parked for the night, make sure you hit up your receptionist for potential freebies.

Check out our best Switzerland pictures .

2. Don’t buy a travel pass

Don’t buy a travel pass, at least not until you know your options.

Travel passes can be amazing value for money if you’re going to use public transport. But they don’t always make sense.

To avoid wasting your funds on something you don’t need, set aside some time to do your research.

In order to pick your best match when buying a travel pass, try to answer the following questions as precisely as you can:

  • Where exactly do you want to go? What places do you want to see?
  • Are you going to cover long distances or mostly stay in the same area?
  • How frequently are you going to use public transport? Every day? Every second day? Only once or twice during your whole stay?
  • Apart from Switzerland, are you travelling to any other European countries?

Once you have those answers, start digging.

Figure out whether buying tickets as you go, getting a Half Fare Card, an Interrail/Eurail Pass, a Swiss Travel Pass or Supersaver tickets work out cheapest for you.

3. Grab a (free) bike

If you’re going to Zurich , Bern, Geneva, Neuchâtel, Zug or the Canton of Valais, you’re in for a treat. Those places offer free bikes.

Some for a few hours, some for a whole day and some even longer.

Bring along your ID and 20 CHF for the deposit.

Other cities rent out bikes as well but not for free.

Depending on your itinerary, it might still work out cheaper than paying for public transport, though.

4. Take matters into your own hands

Unless you desperately want to, you don’t need to book a tour to explore Switzerland.

With public transport being as efficient and plentiful as it is, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a place that isn’t accessible by bus, train or boat.

Buses and trains run frequently so don’t worry about getting stuck anywhere.

However, if you head out to more isolated places, double-check the timetable just to be on the safe side.

5. Put your connections to use

Nothing eases the pressure on a backpacker’s wallet like staying with a friend does.

Saving 30 – 40 CHF on accommodation each night pretty much pays for an all-inclusive Swiss Travel Pass.

And with Switzerland being this small, you can take day trips to almost every corner of the country.

If you don’t have anyone you can contact, try Couchsurfing instead. It’s more common than you’d expect and it’s a fantastic way to get in touch with locals.

6. Sleep above the cows

Believe it or not, but this exists. Provided you’re not allergic to hay or straw, sleeping on straw sets you up for a night out of the ordinary.

Especially if you’re after an adventure and travelling with a sleeping bag.

Agrotourismus is a good place to look for Swiss holiday farms – Prices range between 25 – 35 CHF per person, which is roughly the same or even less than a hostel.

With breakfast being included, this is well worth taking a detour out of the city.

By the way, some places also let you set up your own tent for a small fee.

7. Embrace your inner chef

You’ve guessed it. Eating out is expensive, too.

Dinner at a restaurant costs at least 20 – 30 CHF. You might get away with 15 – 20 CHF if you catch a bargain.

Cooking your own food is way more affordable. Depending on how much of a gourmet your are, you can get by with 60 – 80 CHF a week for groceries.

Possibly even cheaper if you cut some edges. But I’d budget at least 50 CHF.

Supermarkets like Migros, Coop, Denner, Aldi and Lidl are your best friends here.

With Aldi and Lidl being the cheapest. Read more 15 Swiss Foods to try in Switzerland or at Home

8. Buy old bread

This one‘s way better than it sounds. I promise.

A new concept called Ässbar has taken root in Switzerland.

In order to fight food waste, these guys collect whatever bakeries couldn’t sell during the day and offer it for half the price the next day.

As a result, you can get pastries, bread rolls, sandwiches and sausage rolls at a massive discount.

You can find Ässbar stores in St. Gallen, Winterthur, Zurich, Bern, Fribourg and Basel.

And since their concept is so popular, they’re looking to expand to other cities as we speak.

  • Find out how you can stretch your travel cash by downloading her free guide, 10 ways to save money on food in Switzerland .

9. Go crazy over free snacks

Everything free is worth its weight in gold.

And farmer’s markets are an excellent place to grab free samples every now and then.

While you probably won’t get a whole meal out of this, tasting free crackers, olives, bread, the occasional piece of cheese or cookie is the perfect way to get over those mid-morning or afternoon cravings.

Chocolate factories also hand out samples but since they make you pay entrance, I don’t like to count those.

However, the Kambly biscuit factory in Trubschachen lets you dig in until you explode. At no extra cost.

Trust me, you won’t make it through their whole selection in one go. Even if you arrive on an empty stomach.

Challenge accepted?

See some of the best Switzerland Photos on Instagram .

10. Stick with free activities

Nothing in life is free. Or is it?

You’d be surprised. If you pay attention and know where to look, you can find plenty of free things to do. Check out The 12 Best Hikes in Switzerland

Free Things to do in Switzerland

  • Join a free walking tour in different cities across the country.
  • Spend some quality time with the bears in Bern – figuratively speaking.
  • Visit a free wildlife park in Zurich, Aarau, Winterthur, St. Gallen, Interlaken and many other places.
  • Check out old towns, churches, and free museums.
  • Visit the Appenzeller cheese factory in Stein and stuff your face with free samples.
  • Join a tour of the Bundeshaus (House of Parliament) in Bern.
  • Take a stroll through botanical gardens and parks.
  • Head out to Schaffhausen and visit the Rhine Falls, Europe’s largest waterfalls.
  • Take a refreshing dip in a lake.
  • Hike until your feet fall off. After all, that’s what Switzerland is famous for.

Budget Switzerland Travel – The only thing left

Now that you know how you can stretch your money while you’re in Switzerland, let’s see how that know-it-all at the back of your head is doing.

Is it still leading you on to rob a bank, sleep in a cardboard box or live off instant noodles? Or has it finally decided to shut up?

If it’s still being reluctant, don’t be too upset with it. After all, nothing you do will ever turn your trip to Switzerland into a low-cost holiday.

But with these 10 tips, hitting the Alps without blowing your retirement savings has just become a whole lot more realistic.

The only thing left for you to do is this. Go to your drawer, dig out your bucket list and scribble those eleven letters at the very top of it.

You know you want to.

  • The Ultimate One-Week Switzerland Itinerary
  • The Ultimate Switzerland Road Trip Itinerary
  • Our best Switzerland Pictures
  • Things to do in Grindelwald, Switzerland – Complete 4 Day Itinerary
  • The Perfect 3 Days in Zurich, Switzerland
  • 24 Fantastic Things to do in Basel, Switzerland

Check out these money saving tips

  • How to Save Money for Travel
  • How to Travel on a Budget – Our Top Cheap Travel Tips
  • Our Best Travel Tips – From 20 Years of Traveling the World
  • How to Travel Around the World – The Ultimate Travel Resource

Travel Planning Resources

Looking to book your next trip? Why not use these resources that are tried and tested by yours truly.

Flights: Start planning your trip by finding the best flight deals on Skyscanner

Book your Hotel: Find the best prices on hotels with these two providers. If you are located in Europe use Booking.com and if you are anywhere else use TripAdvisor

Find Apartment Rentals: You will find the cheapest prices on apartment rentals with VRBO . 

Travel Insurance: Don't leave home without it. Here is what we recommend:

  • Allianz - Occasional Travelers.
  • Medjet - Global air medical transport and travel security.

Need more help planning your trip? Make sure to check out our Resources Page where we highlight all the great companies that we trust when we are traveling.

You May Also Like

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27 Best Things to Do in Switzerland In 2024

About Seraina Zellweger

Seraina Zellweger is a devoted budget traveller who’s been around the world and back. As a native Swiss, she’s made it her mission to give fellow backpackers tips on how to visit Switzerland on a shoestring.In her latest project, she's created a series of guides with itineraries for Switzerland , ranging from 2 to 14* days. For more information, Follow Seraina at LostInSwitzerland / Facebook / Twitter

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41 thoughts on “10 Simple Ways to Travel Switzerland on a Budget”

My wife and myself is trying to visit swzertland in the month of July 23 please give some details

Thank you for this article! It eased a lot of my concerns for my upcoming trip to Switzerland. I am wondering about the public transportation… Will the free transportation take us from Geneva to Zurich? Or is it just free public transportation within the city you are staying in? Thank you again for all of the tips. My husband and I are feeling more confident in making this Switzerland trip an affordable and enjoyable experience!

Great tips on traveling to Switzerland on a budget. It is unbelievable how expensive everything is there, especially when traveling as a family. I will refer back to your post again before our next trip to this amazing country!

Zurich is one of the most beautiful capitals in Europe.Thanks for sharing this amazing info

Amazing read. I’ve traveled around Switzerland on a tight budget just for a week. It was the first time I’ve used Couchsurfing and it was an amazing time! My host was a very friendly Swiss guy who was extremely interested in learning about my culture and traveling experiences. Also, as you’ve mentioned, using free public transport saves a lot as well as biking around the cities.

i was planning for a family trip there, and luckily found this amazing informational guide… thanks a lot as this guide will help me for my family travel trip… briefly explained travel guide…!!

I’ve been traveling almost all cheaper countries… scheduling how to set on foot on the rather expensive countries like- Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, Iceland etc.!

Switzerland is really awesome place for roam. You share the information is really awesome. Very helpful information on this blog. I am glad to find it. Thanks!

If you could travel through only one European country, which might you choose? Italy? France? Germany? How about a taste of three in one? That can only mean Switzerland! You’ll find Switzerland a chocolate box bursting with unexpected flavours. 🙂

This post made us laugh, sleeping above cows sounds like an adventure for sure! You are right on point with avoiding Switzerland due to the high cost, but maybe now we will finally add it to our bucket list. We accept the challenge of eating all the free snacks we can get while there!

I am excited that you are accepting the challenge to travel there on a budget. Let us know how it goes !

It is very very Attractive Post. Some great travel tips for travel in Switzerland green And clean city.

Budget is the main concern not for all but for many of us. Cooking own food is the best idea to save money and also to maintain health.You have shared very useful budget friendly ideas here. I really like it.

Great post I’ve always been intimidated to visit Switzerland, but I was little worried about the cost of accomodation. I’m very curious about Agrotourismus, I’ve never heard of it and will definitely check it out. I love to hike so i’m covered for activities. Cheers! Millie

Awesome post Seraina. My first visit on your post but not last, will follow your next post! You obviously spent considerable effort and time to carefully document this post for our benefit. I was in Switzerland last year and spent average budget (My thinking before reading this post). But after reading your post I can say, “Yes” I could save 50% of my budget amount.

I absolutely loved Switzerland. The FRESH AIR is incomparable. And yes to Tip#1!! Our hotel was nice enough to inform us of this before we spent any money on public transport in Montreux. Oh and I remember getting a free ticket to the city from the airport in Geneva too. What I would give to live there. Great post, Seriana!

Izy thank you for commenting because transportation is my biggest concern for my trip to Switzerland in September. I am wondering if the free transportation will take us from Geneva to Zurich? Or is it just free public transportation within the city you are staying in?

These are just stunning! Switzerland is one of my favorite places to travel. Wondering when I get a chance to visit..

I love this! Switzerland has been on mine and my husband’s travel wishlist for a while! It’s great to know about that free public transportation and the free bikes! It sounds like it would be best to spend more time in cities that offer these perks!

I love the fact you like my country.You are from which country?

I’m planning a trip to Switzerland and your post is so handy and packed with good tips! Will definitely put some into good use.

That’s a very good idea Cam. I’m sure you wouldn’t regret it 🙂 Enjoy your travels in Europe.

Very greats article . Thank for sharing . I loved it

I might just include Switzerland in my tour of Europe after all. Thanks for all these amazing tips!

very beautiful places to visit. we haven’t finished exploring the world

Thank you so much Donna. I hope one day I get to return the couchsurfing favour by hosting you and Ted in Switzerland. There are so many things I’d love to show you.

So good to hear from you Laio. And yes, it’s been ages since Bolivia. Such good times out in the Salar de Uyuni. I really hope to see you in Switzerland one day. And you’re definitely welcome to stay with me whenever you’re here. The couch is waiting for you 🙂 Take care

Excellent blog. Great tips and information. We may have to try this trip after all. Well done.

We love your blog. Lots of great tips and information. I think that Ted and I may have to try this sometime. Well done.

Hey Seraina my Dear Friend! So many days since Bolivia’s Travel… times fly! Switzerland seems to be an amazing place… I probably will visit some day! I´ve no doubt that I will “put my connections to use” and I hope you enjoy to give a shelter for me there! This blog is awesome and very helpful! Thanks for it! Kisses

Hey Rosemary thanks for your comment. I’m glad you like Switzerland and think it’s worth a visit. I totally agree with you that coffee and cake are expensive. It’s a shame. Hopefully this won’t keep you from coming back one day 🙂

Switzerland is a really great place – all the trains run on time and are easy to work out. They are clean and comfortable. We agree that you can use public transport to travel around – it’s really good and convenient.

There are lots of things which are good value in Switzerland but we find quick meals like coffee and a cake or something expensive.

It’s worth going to Switzerland though as you’ll have a lot of fun.

Such a wonderful post by Seraina! Switzerland is a dream for me and this one just takes me so many steps closer. I especially agree with point 4 and 10 – nothing like exploring a new place on our own, there’s so much joy and it’s so cost effective too!

Thank you for your comment Arti. I’m glad my post got you a little closer to reaching your dream. Hopefully you’ll make it to Switzerland soon.

Some great travel tips in this post to stretch your time in Switzerland. I love Switzerland, it’s so green, it’s so clean and it’s so stunning. My husband and I decided to camp in Switzerland, which meant we could save a lot on accommodation and we could cook our own meals. We just loved it (it was just a bit cold to sleep in a tent) 🙂

Hi Sabine, thanks for your comment. Yes, Switzerland is pretty green and clean, isn’t it. Camping is definitely a great way to save some money on accommodation. Although you’re right about the chilly nights. I hope you had a good sleeping bag and didn’t catch a cold 🙂

Grabbing a bike and exploring is my kind of thing. And I loved the concept called Ässbar. I hope they’ll spread all over the world….

Hi Seraina,

LOL on old bread. That is all I buy 😉 I’d be saving Swiss scratch right off the bat. Ditto on the free biking. I recall years ago biking all over Hoi An in Vietnam for 2 months. I got in tip top shape and saved a small fortune in taxi fare. Thanks for sharing 🙂

Haha there’s nothing like old bread Ryan is there. I think you’d be saving heaps in Switzerland ? I love going to that place. Wow biking in Vietnam sounds exciting. And it’s definitely a great way to get in shape for free too, isn’t it.

Very Superb Article. Thanks a lot for sharing this information

Thanks for your comment Jay. And you’re welcome. Glad you liked the article.

Never Ending Footsteps

The Cost of Travel in Switzerland: My 2024 Budget Breakdown

Lucerne viewpoint

Is Switzerland expensive? This European country has a reputation for being one of the most expensive countries on the planet, but how accurate are the rumours?

Well, I hate to break it to you, but, uh, yeah, they’re pretty accurate.

Personally, I’ve travelled to a hundred countries over the past decade and Switzerland? Even on my most recent visit, taken at a time where everywhere has become more expensive, it still easily mades the top three when it comes to price.

It’s not all bad news, however, as I found tons of way to cut costs and find great value for money. Whether it’s using one of the many discount passes available, seeking out street food instead of eating in restaurants, or opting for comfortable guesthouses over high-end hotels, there are plenty of ways to keep on budget.

I’ve been keeping track of every single dollar I’ve spent over my past 12 years of travel, and I love distilling that information into detailed budget breakdowns. In these articles, I aim to share exactly how much I spent while travelling, covering budgets for all different kind of travellers, and ways in which you can lower your costs.

Today it’s Switzerland’s turn, so let’s get started.

Aqueduct in Zurich

The Cost of Accommodation in Switzerland

You can visit Switzerland on a whole range of budgets, from a CHF 23 (€24) a night dorm bed in the Alps to an absolutely incredible CHF 900 (€950) a night hotel , the latter of which is the best hotel in Zurich and a haven for world-famous celebrities.

In this blog post, I’m going to be focusing on value . Because whether you’re travelling as a solo backpacker on a shoestring, as part of a couple on a mid-range budget, or as a family looking for a little luxury, value is the one thing you’re going to be keeping an eye out for. That doesn’t mean cheap — it means offering more than similarly-priced options.

There’s some seriously expensive accommodation up for grabs in Switzerland, so to start with, I’m going to cover the cheapest ways to find a bed for the night.

If you’re on the tightest of tight budgets, there are several options that’ll land you with free accommodation  while you’re in the country. Courchsurfing allows you to connect with locals by sleeping on spare sofas in their homes. It doesn’t cost a penny to do so and is a fantastic way to gain an insight into Swiss daily life away from the tourists. There are close to 250,000 hosts in Switzerland, so there’s sure to be someone who’s right for you.

Housesitting is a more upmarket way to avoid paying for accommodation, as it’s aimed at the mid-range and luxury travellers. You’ll be looking after homes and pets while their owners are on holiday, and the houses can be extremely luxurious. This option works best if you don’t have fixed travel dates, as you’ll be agreeing to dates that the owners set.

Finally, when it comes to free accommodation, you could take a look at WorldPackers in Switzerland , where you’ll be able to volunteer with locals in exchange for food and board. I’ve seen some seriously cool options available on the site, from working at an eco farm in the Alps to helping build a yoga studio in a small, traffic-free village in the mountains. Readers of this site get a $10 discount for WorldPackers with the promo code neverendingfootsteps .

If you’re not looking to travel for free and just want a clean and comfortable room to sleep in, there are plenty of great options, too.

One of the most affordable ways to explore Switzerland is by staying in a hostel. I stayed in several during my first visit to the country and was impressed by their quality: I just wish there were more of them! Let’s look at the best-reviewed hostels in the country.

  • The best hostel in Zurich is easily the Zurich Youth Hostel , where a space in a six-bed dorm is priced at just CHF 57 (€60) per person , and private doubles come in at CHF 136 (€144) per night . We loved our stay here! The included Swiss-style breakfast was delicious (and another great way to save money), and we really liked how close it was to Lake Zurich. Chilling out with a drink beside the lake on a summer evening is one of my favourite memories of the city.
  • In Bern , you can’t get better than Bern Backpackers where the dorms are CHF 41 (€44) per night and the private double rooms are CHF 103 (€109) a night . You couldn’t ask for a better location either, just a ten minute walk from the main train station in the centre of town. There are a few other good hostels in Bern as well, but this one is rated just as well while being far cheaper than the alternatives.
  • You’ll likely be heading to Lucerne while you’re in Switzerland, and if so, I recommend Young Backpackers Homestay , which has dorms for CHF 116 (€122) a night and double rooms for CHF 174 (€184) a night . It’s certainly pricey for a hostel, but it’s also the best-rated hostel in the entire country! It’s not hard to see why: it feels more like staying at a fancy ski lodge than a traditional backpackers, with everything from a sauna and hot tub to a foozball table, commercial-style kitchen, and incredible views from the cozy lounges and patios. Trust me: it’s 100% worth the price.
  • Basel is home to Silo Design & Boutique Hostel , where dorms are priced at CHF 63 (€67) a night and doubles at CHF 142 (€150) . No wonder it’s the best-rated budget accommodation in town, with its great location, friendly staff, tasty included breakfast, and immaculate vibes.
  • What about Geneva ? MEININGER Hotel Genève Centre Charmilles is the only place I’d consider staying. Not only is it inexpensive (well, for Switzerland) at CHF 42 (€45) a night for a dorm and CHF 141 (€149) for a twin, but the design is sleek, the location perfect, and the continental or buffet breakfast delicious.

Overall, then, you can see that you can expect to spend CHF 40-60 ( € 42-63) a night  for dorms in most parts of Switzerland, and CHF 100-140 ( € 106-148) a night  for the cheapest double rooms in each destination.

Okay, but what if you’re not a budget traveller and just want to stay in a lovely, well-reviewed hotel or guesthouse that’s good value for money and has all the things you need from a place to lay your head? I’ve got you! For around €150-200 a night , you’ll be able to stay in an excellently-reviewed hotel, in a central location, with friendly staff.

My 2024 Accommodation Recommendations for Switzerland

When I’m travelling, I’m always conscious to book the absolute best accommodation out there. I can easily spend days researching accommodation for every stop along my way, ensuring I’ve chosen the place in the best location with the friendliest staff, and the greatest value for money.

My biggest tip? When you head to Booking to find a hotel, ignore the results that are sorted under “Our Top Picks” — that’s a list of all of the hotels that pay Booking the highest commission, some of which have pretty poor write-ups. Instead, opt to sort the properties by “Top Reviewed”. That way, you’ll be able to see which properties actually have the best reviews.

To give you an idea of what you can expect to spend on a trip, I always like to share where I personally stayed and what I thought of the accommodation. All of the properties below come in at a mid-range budget:

In Zurich , the choice is easy: I’d highly recommend the recently-opened Locke am Platz Zurich , where double rooms cost CHF 194 ( € 205) . Trust me: the price is actually super-reasonable (by the standards of this expensive city!). This hotel is sooooo stylish; I was obsessed with all the little interior design features! Our room came with its own kitchenette, which helped us save money on food. There was an excellent restaurant downstairs, too, which was great for dinners in the evening if you don’t feel like heading outside. The hotel’s in a great location, too, close to parks, gardens, and the lake, with a station for the airport train just down the street.

For Bern , I’d recommend opting for Stay KooooK Bern City . It’s in the best location in the city; a five minute walk from the main train station and close to most of the city’s main attractions. The compact, modern rooms cost CHF 211 (€233) and were home to the most comfortable beds in the country. Well, in my opinion, at least! You’ll get amazing views across the city from the rooftop terrace, and I loved having access to the shared space, dubbed “The Flat”, which includes a large kitchen, lounge, and games room for all guests to use. I was a big fan of this place.

For Lucerne , your best option is Hotel Goldener Stern . This near-new hotel is in a great spot right on the edge of the Old Town, an easy stroll from all the major attractions and the lake. The rooms ( CHF 181/€191 for a double) are immaculately clean, with everything you might need inside: there’s a desk for getting a bit of work done, a coffee machine to help get the day started, and a fridge so you can guarantee a cold drink when you come back from a few hours exploring in the summer heat.

For Basel , I really enjoyed Hotel Spalentor , a delightful hotel that was only a five minute walk from the old town and university, and provides impressive value for money at CHF 170 ( € 180) . The rooms are modern and surprisingly spacious, super-quiet, and with a coffee machine to boot. I especially appreciated the fitness centre and spent many afternoons in their lovely garden with a drink in hand. Bikes are available for free to use during your stay, and there are even DVDs you can borrow from reception if you’re in the mood for a lazy day inside.

Okay, as soon as I discovered that you could stay on Lake Geneva (rather than beside it), I was sold. Floatinn Boat-BnB is a luxury catamaran, moored right beside the downtown area and opposite the famous Jet d’Eau fountain. The cabins (CHF 206 / € 218) are comfortable if a little snug (you’re on a boat, after all!) but all have a private bathroom, and there’s a large sundeck to laze on and admire the incredible view. All of Geneva’s attractions are within an easy walk, but make sure you don’t rush off first thing in the morning: the owner rustles up an incredible breakfast. Such a unique property and one that I can’t stop dreaming about!

visit switzerland cheap

The Cost of Transportation in Switzerland

Transport around Switzerland can get pretty expensive, but there are definitely ways to save money. If you’ll be in the country for a while or just expect to do a lot of moving around while you’re there, the best tip I can offer is to pick up a Swiss Half Fare card .

Only available to overseas visitors and valid for 30 days, it costs CHF 120 / €127 up front. After that, you get 50% off basically every train, bus, and boat trip you take in the country, most mountain railways, and all public transport in 90+ cities and towns. If you’re travelling with kids, you can also get a free Family Pass with your card: using that, one child under 16 travels free for each adult with a card. This can really cut down the cost of family travel!

Whether you’ve got a pass or not, you’ll save money if you’re happy to give up some flexibility. Where they’re available, supersaver tickets with fixed departure times are cheaper than “point-to-point” tickets that let you travel at any time on a given day. Just be sure not to miss the train: you’ll need to buy a replacement ticket if you do!

Many major cities also provide free local transport passes to overseas hotel guests, at least for the first 24 hours. Be sure to grab one if it’s offered! That said, every city in Switzerland is very walkable, so you shouldn’t need to use public transport to get around if you’re staying somewhere central. I walked absolutely everywhere — even in Zurich — and never once found it difficult or tiring to do so.

Note that in some cities (like Zurich), certain ferry routes on the lake are also included in the public transport zone system. Confirm the details for any specific ferry you want to take, but if you’ve got a 24-hour or other all-inclusive public transport pass, it’s a good way of getting out on the water!

While it’s possible to fly between certain cities in Switzerland, it’s really not worth doing. It’s not a big country, and the trains are fast, efficient, and noticeably cheaper than taking a plane. Getting between Zurich and Geneva ( from one end of the country to the other) takes under three hours, starts and finishes right in the central city, and costs around a third of a comparable flight.

Finally, it’s worth mentioning the Swiss All-in-One Travel Pass, which provides unlimited travel for anywhere between 3-15 days on all Swiss trains, buses, and public transport. It also includes free entry to hundreds of museums, one free mountain excursion, and discounts on many others. You can get all the details for it here .

With that out the way, here are a few examples of what you should expect to pay for transport in Switzerland.

  • Train or tram from the airport to downtown Zurich: CHF 3.40 (€3.60)
  • Zurich tram, bus, or ferry – single ride in one or two zones: CHF 4.60 ( € 5)
  • Zurich 24-hour public transport pass (two zones): CHF 9.20 (€10)
  • Train from Zurich to Lucerne (one-way): CHF 19 (€20)
  • Train from Zurich to Geneva (one-way): CHF 64.40 (€68)
  • Train and bus from Zurich to Vaduz, Liechtenstein: CHF 31.80 (€33.80)

Waterfront of Lake Lucerne

The Cost of Food in Switzerland

If I were to ask you what you know about Swiss food, odds are, you’d come back to me with two iconic dishes: cheese fondue and chocolate. After all, they’re two of Switzerland’s most famous creations, so — unless you don’t eat dairy! — you’re definitely going to want to sample both while you’re in town.

Fondue is life up in those Swiss mountains, and most restaurants offer it on their menus. You can think of it as a gigantic cheese dip that’s often served in a communal pot atop a small stove. To eat it, you dip rustic country bread into the melted cheese with a long metal fork. The cheese itself is typically a blend of 50-50 gruyère and vacherin and has been cooked with white wine and garlic, resulting in one of the tastiest dishes on the planet. You can expect to pay €30-35 per person .

Now, one thing to keep in mind is that the majority of Swiss people treat their lunch as their main meal of the day: this is when you’ll find cheap deals at cafes and restaurants. Either opt to join the locals and have a large meal at midday, or head to a grocery store to pick up supplies for a picnic. Head to Aldi, Lidl, or CoOp to find the cheapest provisions.

Whenever I find myself travelling in an expensive country like Switzerland, I find myself turning to fast food and street eats: specifically, kebabs. Yep, on a day trip from Zurich to Lucerne, I decided to up the classy dial and ordered a kebab for lunch. The cost? CHF 10(€11) . So much cheaper than almost any alternative in the city, and very tasty as well!

Swimming in Zurich river

The Cost of Activities and Entrance Fees in Switzerland

Next up: activities! Activities and entrance fees can often make up a large proportion of your travel expenses. Fortunately, in Switzerland, those costs can be relatively low, as there’s so much available to do for free.

Switzerland is a nature enthusiast’s playground, blanketed in mountains and lakes, which are easily to climb and explore. One of my favourite Swiss activities involve simply choosing a hiking trail, packing a picnic, and preparing myself for views that are straight out of a postcard.

An easy way to save money on your vacation is by utilising the country’s city cards to gain discounts and entrance to all of the most popular attractions. The Zurich Card , for example, is priced at CHF 29 (€31) for 24 hours of use, or CHF 56 (€59) for 72 hours. This offers up phenomenal value, because the card gives you access to unlimited use of public transportation in the city, a free boat trip on Lake Zurich, entrance to 40 museums, a 50% discount on the Zurich old town walking tour, and a 20% discount in several stores in the city. The Zurich card is also valid on transport between the airport and the city centre.

There’s also a Geneva City Pass , which is priced at CHF 30 (€32) for 24 hours, CHF 40 (€42) for 48 hours, and CHF 50 (€53) for 72 hours. As with the Zurich Card, you’ll receive free access to all public transport, entrance to tons of museums and attractions, free skiing, free cable car rides, free boat hire on the lake — you get so much with this pass that you’ll be saving money within a couple of hours of arriving.

Aside from the city passes, there are plenty of tours, excursions, day trips, and activities to sample. One museum that is worth the entrance fee is Zurich’s Lindt Home of Chocolate Museum — tickets are priced at CHF 15 (€16) per person and can be bought in advance here . If you love your chocolate, you’re going to adore this museum. Not only does your ticket grant you unlimited tastings of Lindt chocolate, but there’s also a nine-metre-high chocolate fountain to take photos with!

If you’re not planning on spending much time outside of Zurich, make sure to squeeze in a day trip or two, to ensure you see more of this beautiful country. This day trip to Grindelwald and Interlaken costs CHF 97 (€102) for 12 hours of exploring. You’ll see all the prettiest parts of Switzerland, as you gaze up at the triple peaks Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau, take the cable car up to Mount First, jump aboard the scenic train between Grindelwald and Interlaken, and funicular up to Interlaken’s Harder Kulm mountain.

Speaking of mountains, there are so many to see! From Lucerne, CHF 145 (€153) gets you up to the incredible Mount Titlis on this day trip experience . Mount Titlis is the only accessible glacier in Central Switzerland, and you’ll spend your day riding the world’s first revolving cable car up the mountain, dancing across Europe’s highest spectacular suspension bridge, and wandering through a real-life glacier cave.

From Geneva, I have to recommend taking a day trip out to Chamonix and famous Mont Blanc . How could I not? For CHF 105 (€111) per person , you’ll get to spend 10 hours exploring two of Europe’s most well-known destinations. After crossing the French border, you’ll hit up Chamonix — yes, the exclusive ski resort and the site of the first ever Winter Olympics. You’ll take the cable car to Aiguille du Midi, and take in Mont Blanc from so many different viewpoints. You can even opt to jump on the Montenvers rack railway to the Mer de Glace glacier.

If you know anything about Interlaken, it’s probably that it’s one of Europe’s top adventure travel destination. And the number one activity in town? Paragliding ! For CHF 180 (€190) per person , you’ll be able to jump on a tandem paragliding experience that’ll give you access to some of the best views in the country, if not the entire world. Seriously — check out the photos from the tour company!

And finally, I’ve saved the best activity for last, because if there’s one thing you simply have to experience while you’re in Switzerland, it’s Jungfraujoch! Simply buy your ticket online ( CHF 233.80/€247 for a return), exchange it for a pass at Interlaken Ost, Jungfraujoch, or Lauterbrunnen train station, then experience the journey to the highest train station in Europe. The views are phenomenal.

Lucerne lake and mountains from above

The Cost of Travel Insurance in Switzerland

If you’ve read any other posts on Never Ending Footsteps, you’ll know that I’m a great believer in travelling with travel insurance. I’ve seen far too many Go Fund Me campaigns from destitute backpackers that are unexpectedly stranded in a foreign country after a scooter accident/being attacked/breaking a leg with no way of getting home or paying for their healthcare. These costs can quickly land you with a six-figure bill to pay at the end of it.

In short, if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel.

Travel insurance  will cover you if your flight is cancelled and you need to book a new one, if your luggage gets lost and you need to replace your belongings, if you suddenly get struck down by appendicitis and have to be hospitalised, or discover a family member has died and you need to get home immediately. If you fall seriously ill, your insurance will cover the costs to fly you home to receive medical treatment.

I use  SafetyWing  as my travel insurance provider, and recommend them for trips to Europe. Firstly, they’re one of the few companies out there who will actually cover you if you contract COVID-19. On top of that, they provide worldwide coverage, don’t require you to have a return ticket, and even allow you to buy coverage after you’ve left home. If you’re on a long-term trip, you can pay monthly instead of up-front, and can cancel at any time. Finally, they’re more affordable than the competition, and have a clear, easy-to-understand pricing structure, which is always appreciated.

With SafetyWing, you’ll pay  $1.50 a day  for travel insurance.

How Much Does it Cost to Travel in Switzerland?

With all of that being said, it’s time to tally up all of my travel expenses in Switzerland, in order to give you an idea of how much you can expect to spend while travelling in this wonderful country:

Accommodation:  CHF 192 per day for two people (CHF 96 each ) Transportation:  CHF 19 per day Food:  CHF 31 per day Activities:  CHF 37 per day Total amount spent per day per person: CHF 183 (€193)

Are you planning a trip to Switzerland? Have any questions? Let me know in the comments below!

Further Reading on Switzerland 🇨🇭 15 Best Things to Do in Geneva, Switzerland 🏔 Top Things to do in Zurich, Switzerland ⚛️ A Private Tour of CERN’s Large Hadron Collider

Lauren Juliff

Lauren Juliff is a published author and travel expert who founded Never Ending Footsteps in 2011. She has spent over 12 years travelling the world, sharing in-depth advice from more than 100 countries across six continents. Lauren's travel advice has been featured in publications like the BBC, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Cosmopolitan, and her work is read by 200,000 readers each month. Her travel memoir can be found in bookstores across the planet.

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Switzerland Travel Guide

Last Updated: September 18, 2023

The Matterhorn with purple flowers in bloom, Switzerland

As one of the most expensive countries in Europe , Switzerland is often skipped over by budget travelers.

Yet, while it is not a cheap destination, Switzerland is one of the most beautiful places on earth.

This land-locked country is home to shimmering lakes (more than 7,000 of them!), picturesque mountains (hello Alps!), tiny walled medieval towns, historic cities, soaring peaks, endless green fields you want to run through, delicious chocolate and cheese, incredible beer, and friendly, welcoming people. It’s known for ski resorts, hiking trails, its neutral foreign policy stance, being a banking and finance center, and making Swiss watches.

Everything runs on time here, the country is safe, and everyone is super nice. I loved my time traveling around Switzerland and the country rocks no matter what time of the year you visit.

This travel guide to Switzerland to help you plan your trip, save money, and ensure you make the most out of your time here.

Table of Contents

  • Things to See and Do
  • Typical Costs
  • Suggested Budget
  • Money-Saving Tips
  • Where to Stay
  • How to Get Around
  • How to Stay Safe
  • Best Places to Book Your Trip
  • Related Blogs on Switzerland

Click Here for City Guides

Top 5 things to see and do in switzerland.

Historic buildings lining the waterfront and a large historic clocktower in the center in the Old Town of Zurich, Switzerland

1. Tour the capital

Bern has an amazing historic center. This part of town is filled with medieval clocktowers, cobblestone streets, churches, and well-preserved sandstone homes. Be sure to walk the River Aare way, visit the History Museum and the Einstein Museum, and check out the bears at the Bear Park!

2. Ski the Matterhorn

The Matterhorn’s sharp angular peak is one of Switzerland’s most iconic attractions. You have to take a train or bus into the Zermatt area (the closest town to the mountain) as cars aren’t allowed. If you miss ski season, come hike the mountain in the summer. You can take the world’s highest cable car up to the viewing platform.

3. Visit Zurich

Zürich is also set on beautiful Zürich Lake, near the mountains, and is close to a lot of other cities (like Bern ). I love the historic center that opens up on the lake. A perfect day here involves sitting in the parks and drinking a beer on the lakefront. The city is also very arty and full of street art and museums.

4. Be adventurous in Interlaken

Interlaken is one of the outdoor capitals of the country (though it’s quite touristy during peak season). There is a lot to do here for the adrenaline-seeker: skydiving over a Swiss glacier, water-skiing, skiing, hiking, and more. This is also ground zero for backpackers since there are so many free outdoor activities.

5. Visit the Swiss Riviera

The “Swiss Riviera” is situated in Lavaux (Canton of Vaud) and goes along Lake Geneva. You can visit unique terraced vineyards that overlook the lake, the 12th-century castle Château de Chillon built on the water, and the town of Montreux, which is famous for its annual jazz festival.

Other Things to See and Do in Switzerland

1. join in the fasnacht spring carnival.

This festival in Basel is a three-day party that welcomes in the warm weather and takes place annually on the Monday following Ash Wednesday. It’s something that’s highly anticipated by both tourists and locals, and it’s definitely Switzerland’s most popular festival. Fasnächtlers dress in elaborate costumes to hide their identities and parade around town with “cliques” (bands playing drums and piccolos). All the bars and restaurants in town remain open throughout the entire three days and everyone is in a good mood!

2. Explore Geneva

As the third-largest city in Switzerland, Geneva offers spectacular views of the city’s lake (Lake Geneva), the world’s largest fountain, one of the main UN headquarters, a historic city center, and a collection of international restaurants to satisfy anyone’s palate. While you’re here, make sure you check out the Geneva’s Art and History Museum and the Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum. There are 40 museums here in total so there’s a lot to keep you entertained!

3. Hike Mt. Pilatus

Located right outside the city of Lucerne, this beautiful mountain has breathtaking views of the alps. From the city, you can take a gondola or hike the trails to the top to look out over the Swiss Alps (it’s about two hours to the top if you hike and 30 minutes by gondola). There are some easier trails around the northern side of Pilatus, as well as other attractions in the summer months such as a ropes course.

4. Picnic at the Rhine Falls

Pack a picnic and admire the view of Europe’s most powerful waterfall. If you hop on a boat tour you can get extra close to the giant rock in the middle of the falls and tour the Rhine Falls Basin. Nearby in the town of Schaffhausen, there’s a medieval castle that also houses a hostel for cheap (but interesting) accommodations.

5. Explore St. Gallen

The seventh-largest city in Switzerland, St. Gallen boasts beautiful museums, colorful murals, and one-of-a-kind architecture. It doesn’t receive as much tourist traffic as the other cities and regions around the country, but it’s a fun town full of students and you’re likely to befriend a few locals during your visit. Don’t miss the Baroque cathedral and the Abbey Library, which is home to nearly 170,000 documents. Some are hand-written and over a thousand years old!

6. Tour rural Switzerland

Rent a car and explore the Graubunden area of the country, where there are houses and structures dating back to the 13th century. You’ll also be able to hear the ancient language Romansh, which has died out everywhere else in the country and many locals take great pride in keeping the tradition alive. Of course, it’s a haven for nature lovers too — there are 615 lakes and 150 valleys in the region. Soglio, Brigels, Bergün, and Vals are just some of the quaint villages worth visiting in the region.

7. Have a romantic time in Montreux

With a picturesque castle (Chateau de Chillon) lying at the edge of a lake, this area makes for a romantic getaway. Tour the castle, which dates all the way back to the 12th century and inspired the likes of Lord Byron and Mary Shelley. The town was also the home of Freddie Mercury and there is a statue here in his honor. It costs 13.50 CHF to visit the castle.

8. Discover rural culture in Appenzell

This small village of 7,000 lies in the canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden. There are no cars and the village has upheld much of its local traditions and culture, including dance and folk music. It’s an incredibly picturesque little town, with frescoed buildings and narrow alleyways. Its location near the foot of the Alpstein mountains makes it a great gateway for participating in summer and winter outdoor activities like hiking and skiing. Take the Appenzell Railway to Wasserauen, and explore the fascinating prehistoric Wildkirchli caves (which were inhabited over 40,000 years ago).

9. Visit Lucerne

You can’t get much more of a typical Swiss destination than Lucerne. Located on the beautiful Lucerne Lake, the city offers a wonderful combination of urban life and nature. Spend some time in the old town, especially Weinmarkt, surrounded by medieval guildhalls and decorative buildings. Cross Chapel Bridge, the world’s oldest surviving truss bridge, and pay attention to the 17th-century ceiling paintings showing events from Lucerne’s history.

10. Ride the Jungfraujoch Railway

The Jungfraujoch is the highest train station on the continent. Started in 1896 and stretching 9 kilometers (5 miles), this mountain railway takes passengers up Kleine Scheidegg to the Jungfraujoch where they can admire stunning views and an incredible amount of snow. A round-trip journey costs 210.80 CHF.

  For more information on specific cities in Switzerland, check out these city guides:

  • Basel Travel Guide
  • Bern Travel Guide
  • Geneva Travel Guide
  • Interlaken Travel Guide
  • Zurich Travel Guide

Switzerland Travel Costs

A street lined with white buildings with brightly colored shutters in the historic center of Basel, Switzerland

Accommodation – Hostel dorms average 30-40 CHF per night for a bed in a dorm with 6-8 beds. Private hostel rooms range from 70-120 CHF per night. Most hostels offer free linens, Wi-Fi, and some include breakfast.

For those traveling with a tent, there are a few campsites around Interlaken. Prices cost around 15-30 CHF per night for a basic plot for two people without electricity.

Hotels are super expensive, costing 70-120 CHF per night for a basic room. For something a little nice and more spacious, expect to spend closer to 150-200 CHF per night.

A much better alternative to hotels is Airbnb, where a private room typically costs 30-50 CHF per night and an entire apartment starts at about 70 CHF (though they usually cost double that so book early to find the best deals).

Food – With strong French, German, and Italian influences, Swiss cuisine is a mix of meat and potato-based dishes along with plenty of local cheeses. Popular dishes include veal and mushrooms, fondue (with bread or potatoes), rösti (fried grated potatoes), and quiche. Naturally, Swiss cheese and chocolate should not be missed either. When it comes to breakfast, muesli is a go-to healthy choice.

If you want to eat out, bars and cafés are the cheapest food option and cost about 9-15 CHF for a lunch special. An inexpensive restaurant costs about 25 CHF while a 3-course meal at a mid-range one costs about 60 CHF.

If you want to drink with your meal, a beer costs around 7 CHF and cocktails can cost 12-15 CHF.

Fast food (think McDonald’s) costs around 15 CHF for a combo meal. A large pizza is 15-21 CHF.

You can keep your food spending in check by going to the local supermarkets and buying your own groceries. Expect to spend around 100-125 CHF per week for basic staples like pasta, rice, eggs, seasonal produce, and some meat. The major supermarkets are Migros, COOP, and Spar. COOP is the most expensive.

Backpacking Switzerland Suggested Budgets

If you’re backpacking Switzerland, my suggested budget is 95 CHF per day. This covers staying in a hostel dorm, cooking al of your meals, taking public transit, limiting your drinking, and doing most free activities like enjoying nature and taking walking tours.

A mid-range budget of about 200 CHF per day covers a private Airbnb, eating out for a few meals, enjoying a few drinks, taking the occasional taxi to get around, and doing more paid tours and activities like visiting museums and going skiing.

For a “luxury” budget of 400 CHF or more per day, you can stay in a hotel, eat out for all your meals, drink more, rent a car or take more taxis, and do whatever tours and activities you want. This is just the ground floor for luxury though. The sky is the limit!

You can use the chart below to get an idea of how much you need to budget daily. Keep in mind these are daily averages — some days you spend more, some days you spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in CHF.

Switzerland Travel Guide: Money Saving Tips

Switzerland is a very expensive country to visit but there are plenty of ways to save money in the country, especially if you like the outdoors (nature is free!). Here are some ways I lowered my costs while visiting Switzerland:

  • Get a student discounts – Many museums and other tourist attractions offer student discounts so always ask if there are discounts if you happen to be a student. You’ll save around 20% off.
  • Get a city card – Most cities have a city tourist passes that get you discounts or free admission into museums and various local sights. Most of them also provide free public transportation too. If you’re planning on doing a lot of sightseeing, these cards are really cost-effective and can save you around 20-40%. Just make sure the cost of the pass is less than the cost of seeing the attractions you want.
  • Stay with a local – Couchsurfing is a service that lets travelers stay with locals for free. It was a lifesaver that allowed me to keep my costs down the most. Since a lot of travelers use this service, make your requests for hosts early.
  • Use BlaBlaCar – Transportation is very expensive, even more so than accommodation. Most intercity trains are around 50 CHF. That adds up quickly! Instead, use the ride-sharing website BlaBlaCar to avoid the trains and meet locals. It’s like Airbnb but for ridesharing. Just make sure you’re flexible as some rides will cancel last-minute.
  • Use hotel points – Hotel reward points are a lifesaver in an expensive destination. Rack up hotel points by travel hacking before your trip. This tip really only works if you are from the U.S. but hotel points have save me thousands of dollars a year. You can click here to learn about how to get points and free hotel stays .
  • Don’t drink – Alcohol is not cheap here. Skip the booze to save money and keep your budget intact. If you do drink, stick to happy hours and hostel bars for the cheapest drinks.
  • Cook your meals – Eating out here is expensive so go grocery shopping and cook your own meals to save. It’s not glamours, but it makes visiting Switzerland much more affordable! My recommendation is to make your own lunch and then eat out for dinner if you don’t want to cook.
  • Eat lunch specials – If you are going to eat out, do so during lunch when most lunch specials at cafes and restaurants cost around 10-19 CHF. It’s the cheapest time to eat out.
  • Bring a water bottle – The tap water here is safe to drink so bring a reusable water bottle to save money and reduce your plastic use. LifeStraw is my go-to brand as their bottles have built-in filters to ensure your water is always clean and safe.

Where to Stay in Switzerland

Hostels are the way to go in Switzerland but unfortunately there aren’t many of them. If you are traveling during peak season, be sure to book well in advance as they fill up quickly. My favorite places to stay in the country are:

  • Balmers (Interlaken)
  • Backpackers Villa Sonnenhof (Interlaken)
  • Zurich Youth Hostel (Zurich)
  • Oldtown Hostel Otter (Zurich)
  • City Hostel (Geneva)
  • Nyon Hostel (Geneva)
  • Bern Youth Hostel (Bern)
  • Bern Backpackers Hotel & Hostel Glocke (Bern)
  • Basel Backpacker (Basel)
  • Hyve Hostel Basel (Basel)

How to Get Around Switzerland

Red train climbing a dramatic incline with sharp mountain peaks in the background on the Jungfraujoch Railway in Interlaken, Switzerland

Public transportation – Cities and towns in Switzerland are incredibly well connected with trams, buses, funiculars, and trains. Each mode of transportation is safe, clean, and reliable. A single fare usually costs between 2.50-5 CHF depending on the length of time and number of zones you travel.

You should consider getting a Swiss Half Fare Card. It allows you to travel by train, bus, boat, and most mountain railways at half the price for one full year. It costs 185 CHF. This is only cost-effective if you intend to spend more than 370 CHF on public transportation.

If you’re staying a while and plan on cramming a LOT into your itinerary, you might want to look into getting a Swiss Travel Pass . It’s steep in price, ranging from 232 CHF for three consecutive days to 429 CHF for 15 consecutive days (there are non-consecutive passes as well), but it could be worth your time. It covers public transit, free travel on panorama trains, admission to 500 museums, mountain excursions, and more. The card also holds your Mobility and PubliBike memberships, and any MobilSki passes for the resorts.

If you’re considering the Swiss Half Fare Card or the Swiss Travel Pass, use the sbb.ch website to figure out the full fares for some of the trips you plan to make. This is the best way to figure out if either card is cost-effective for you.

Train – Train is the best way to travel in Switzerland and is the most preferred method for locals. It’s economical and efficient. Bern to Geneva (a two-hour ride) costs 50-95 CHF. The two-hour trip from Zurich to Interlaken is 54-96 CHF, while a one-hour trip from Zurich to Bern is 40-75 CHF. Expect to pay anywhere between 40-100 CHF for a second-class train ticket between cities.

As mentioned above, if you plan on doing a lot of train travel, consider the Swiss Travel Pass or the Half Fare Card.

Bus – FlixBus offers a few routes around the country. A 90-minute ride from Zurich to Bern starts at just 6 CHF, while a 5-hour journey from Zurich to Geneva starts at 17 CHF. It’s considerably cheaper than the train but options are much more limited than the train.

Flying – The country is so tiny, there’s no need to fly. It’s expensive and not worth the hassle. Take the train or bus instead.

Ridesharing – Using a ridesharing service like BlaBlaCar is one of the best ways to get around the country, although it does require some flexibility. You simply request a seat, pay a small fee, and off you go! It’s a faster and more interesting way to travel than by bus or train.

When to Go to Switzerland

Most visitors come to Switzerland in the summer, between May and September. July and August have the warmest temperatures, with snow-free hiking trails and longer days. If you’re around on August 1st, there are tons of celebrations for Swiss National Day (fireworks!). Peak summer temperatures are 18-28 °C (65°-82°F).

The shoulder seasons are from April-May and October-November, which is known in Switzerland as Zwischenzeit — the “between time” for the ski and summer seasons. It’s a good time for city hopping, but the ski resort towns are completely quiet and a lot of things are closed. The weather can also be unpredictable.

Ski season is from December to March, where resort towns get crowded and very expensive! If you’re a skier, that probably won’t matter much as Switzerland has some of the best skiing in the world. Conversely, cities like Zurich are quieter as everyone flocks to the mountains. The weather is cold and hovers below freezing so be sure to pack plenty of layers.

How to Stay Safe in Switzerland

Switzerland is one of the safest countries in the world. The most common type of crime is pickpocketing in tourist-heavy areas, but even that is rare. In some cities, like Geneva, petty crime is on the rise but it’s still nothing to be concerned about. Just keep your valuables secure and out of reach and you’ll be fine.

Solo female travelers should feel safe here, though the standard precautions apply (don’t leave your drink unattended at the bar, don’t walk home alone at night if intoxicated, etc.)

If you’re traveling in the mountains, keep an eye on weather reports and forecasts. The weather can be extreme and change rapidly so plan accordingly. If you go hiking alone, let your hostel/hotel staff know where you’re heading just in case.

While scams here are rare, if you’re worried about getting ripped off you can read about common travel scams to avoid here.

If you plan on hiking or spending some time skiing in the mountains, pay careful attention to weather reports. Heed avalanche warnings, and stay off the trails if you’re told to do so.

If you experience an emergency, dial 117 for assistance.

Always trust your gut instinct. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID. Forward your itinerary along to loved ones so they’ll know where you are.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance protects you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

Switzerland Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

  • Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
  • Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
  • Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
  • Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
  • SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
  • LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
  • Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
  • Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!

Switzerland Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on backpacking/traveling Europe and continue planning your trip:

The Best Walking Tours in Barcelona

The Best Walking Tours in Barcelona

How to Be a Digital Nomad in Europe

How to Be a Digital Nomad in Europe

The Best eSIM for Traveling Europe

The Best eSIM for Traveling Europe

The 6 Best Hotels in Athens

The 6 Best Hotels in Athens

The 6 Best Hotels in Stockholm

The 6 Best Hotels in Stockholm

The 8 Best Hotels in Amsterdam

The 8 Best Hotels in Amsterdam

Get my best stuff sent straight to you, pin it on pinterest.

  • Where To Stay
  • Transportation
  • Booking Resources
  • Related Blogs

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11 Cheapest Ways To Travel Switzerland On A Budget [2024]

  • Post author: Nicoletta
  • Reading time: 38 mins read
  • Post last modified: March 4, 2024
  • Post comments: 0 Comments

affiliate disclaimer

Many people think that traveling in Switzerland is incredibly expensive. That is why they eventually decide to spend a day in Zürich and walk away. However, such a decision only convinces them that Switzerland is an expensive country.

It doesn’t necessarily have to be true  if you can find your way . I visited Switzerland for the first time in a month and saved significant money. After that, I lived there for 3 years and found many ways to cut your expenses .

So, in this article, I’ll reveal the 11 cheapest ways to travel to Switzerland on a budget and explore as much of this stunning country as you want.

11 Cheapest Ways To Travel Switzerland On A Budget: Quick Guide

Here is a quick list of the cheapest way to travel in Switzerland for you:

  • Get Swiss Travel Pass
  • Purchase Half-Fare Card
  • Get Saver Day Pass
  • Buy Single Train Tickets Online In Advance
  • Get Regional Passes
  • Plan Your Itinerary
  • Go Camping/Hostels
  • Stay In A Local Family
  • Avoid Restaurants
  • Find Local Markets
  • Bring Your Water Bottle

✈ Travel Resources For Your Trip ✈

Here are some of my favorite travel resources I use for my travel adventures.

1. Get Swiss Travel Pass or Swiss Travel Pass Flex

The most important thing is getting a travel pass to see Switzerland. Never pay for a single ticket unless you buy it at a specific place for less or just need to make a single train ride.

With a travel pass, you’ll save up so much in Switzerland.

Swiss Travel Pass

If you want to travel to Switzerland for a longer time (at least 5 days) and see different places (at least 5), the best way to save up is to purchase a  Swiss Travel Pass .

This Pass is available for 3, 4, 8, or 15 days . All trains, buses, boats , and public transportation in cities are included in the Pass.

You can choose between 1st and 2nd class . If you are young, below 26 years old , your Pass will be considerably cheaper than for an adult (26 years and above).

Depending on the number of days you choose, you must travel on consecutive days with a Swiss Travel Pass.

Swiss Travel Pass Flex

Swiss Travel Pass Flex works the same as the Swiss Travel Pass. The only difference is that you can use the flex one on the chosen number of days within a month . In comparison, the Swiss Travel Pass has to be used on consecutive days.

Traveling with a Swiss Travel Pass in Switzerland is suitable for a longer itinerary .

Follow my 8-day Switzerland itinerary , which is designed to travel with a Swiss Travel Pass. Get the most out of Switzerland and your Swiss Pass, and save a lot.

👉 READ ALSO: Is Swiss Travel Pass Worth It?

is Swiss Travel Pass worth it me traveling with Swiss Travel Pass Flex

2. Purchase Half-Fare Card

Half-Fare Card is another great way to travel to Switzerland on a budget. It’s very similar to the Swiss Travel Pass Flex and can be a cheaper option in some cases.

If you want to travel to Switzerland for a few days and visit only specific places on your bucket list, the Swiss Half-Fare Card can be the best deal for you.

It costs 120 CHF for a month of travel in Switzerland. Once you have it, you’ll get 50% off every train , bus , boat , and cable car ride .

➡ Book your Half-Fare Card For Switzerland here.

Comparison 4-Day Swiss Itinerary (Half-Fare Card vs. Swiss Travel Pass)

Let’s say you have an itinerary for 4 days in Switzerland. And you only want to visit Lucerne , Interlaken , Jungfraujoch , Montreux , Zermatt , and Gornergrat .

If you calculate costs for all train rides and mountain excursions for this itinerary, you’ll see that having Half-Fare Card will be cheaper than having a Swiss Travel Pass. I calculated it, and it was around 150 CHF cheaper with Half-Fare Card.

So the longer you travel and the more places you want to visit , the better value the Swiss Travel Pass brings.

If you have a shorter itinerary and a few specific places to tick off your Swiss bucket list, Half-Fare Card will be more economical for your trip.

best day trips from Interlaken Schynige Platte train

3. Get Saver Day Pass

If you only have one day in Switzerland , the best deal you can get is the Saver Day Pass. It’s a pass that you can use for all trains, buses, boats, and public transportation in cities in Switzerland. However, it’s not valid for mountains in Switzerland .

Let’s say you’re in Paris and want to visit Switzerland for a day . You arrive in Zurich and want to travel to Lucerne and take a boat ride on a Swiss Lake . After, you’ll stay overnight in Switzerland and leave the country the next day . In this case, Saver Day Pass will be the cheapest way to travel to Switzerland for you.

You can buy it on the official SBB website .

PRO TIP: The more in advance you buy the Saver Day Pass, the cheaper it gets.

👉 READ ALSO: Trains From Paris To Switzerland: Comprehensive Guide Fastest Way From Paris To Zermatt

visit switzerland cheap

4. Buy Single Train Tickets Online In Advance

If you only have to take a single train ride in Switzerland, there are two ways to travel on a budget . Get the SBB App and buy your ticket in advance through the app. It usually has cheaper train tickets .

➡ Check the Trainline website for the best deals.

I lived in Switzerland for 3 years . I got a seasonal/regional pass for every season to explore the places I wanted to. However, this pass wasn’t valid for train connections to other Swiss cities. So whenever I had to travel to other parts of Switzerland, I got my ticket on Trainline . It saved me hundreds of money.

So check it out, buy your single ticket online, save it to your phone , and travel. Have an ID or passport with you as they’ll check it on the train .

5. Get Regional Passes

If you only want to explore a specific region in Switzerland , the cheapest way to travel on a budget is to get a regional pass.

The most popular regional passes in Switzerland are:

  • Jungfrau Travel Pass
  • Berner Oberland Pass
  • Lake Geneva-Alps Pass
  • Zermatt Peak Pass
  • Davos Klosters Premium Card

With these regional passes, you’ll explore the entire region using trains, buses, boats, and cable cars to the mountains free of charge .

These passes are the best way to explore a specific region if you’re staying longer and want to do at least 3 activities there.

👉 READ ALSO: Which Pass Is Best For Jungfraujoch? Which Pass Is Best For Schilthorn? Revealed! Jungfrau Travel Pass vs. Swiss Travel Pass

Jungfrau Travel Pass or Swiss Travel Pass which one to choose

6. Plan Your Itinerary

Planning your itinerary always saves your travel costs . Your costs significantly decrease when you’re organized and know what you’ll do and where you’ll go.

For instance, if you purchase the Swiss Travel Pass and intend to see many places, you’ll need an itinerary to get the most out of your pass . The Swiss Travel Pass already saves you a lot, but you can waste it if you don’t plan .

Look up train departure times, boat timetables, and cable car duration, and organize your journey . You can see more within a day than if you don’t plan.

So plan your itinerary, be organized, and get the most out of your trip and a travel pass.

Travel Itinerary Planning Services

cheapest ways to travel Switzerland plan your journey

7. Go Camping/Stay In Hostels

Accommodation in Switzerland can get expensive. But if you know where to stay, you can travel to Switzerland on a budget and save on accommodation.

One of the cheapest ways to travel to Switzerland is to go camping. However, you don’t specifically have to stay in a freezing tent and be uncomfortable.

Some places have big tents (like a hostel) where you can stay. It has a regular bed, and it’s warm inside. The best is that you’ll save a lot rather than staying in a hotel.

PRO TIP: One such camping tent is located in Matten bei Interlaken . So you can stay there if you want to explore the Jungfrau region.

cheapest ways to travel Switzerland on a budget go camping stay in hostels

8. Stay In A Local Family

Another way to save on your accommodation and even get some pocket money is to help a local family and stay with them for a while.

I spent 14 days on a Swiss farm in the mountains above Lake Brienz at the age of 22. I stayed there for free and helped the family make cheese .

Every day, I woke up and fell asleep with stunning views of Lake Brienz. I learned how to make delicious Swiss cheese, helped the family, and got to stay in Switzerland for free.

And I even got some pocket money that I used after exploring Switzerland.

PRO TIP: You can find such stays on the Agriviva website or Workaway .

👉 READ ALSO: How Swiss Cheese Is Made – learn about my experience on a Swiss cheese farm

cheapest ways to travel Switzerland on a budget stay in a local family

9. Avoid Restaurants

Restaurants in Switzerland are quite pricy. And honestly, many are average, and the food is not good. Of course, if you want to try Swiss fondue , a typical dish, the way to go is to eat in a restaurant .

However, you don’t have to eat in a restaurant every single time during your trip. Instead, go to a supermarket , make a sandwich, or buy stuff for the day.

You can also picnic in the mountains or near the beautiful Swiss Lakes. And it’ll be a much more enjoyable experience.

cheapest ways to travel Switzerland on a budget Swiss fondue

10. Find Local Markets

Some places organize local markets, where you can taste samples of typical food and support local communities . So check the area you’ll visit in Switzerland and whether they organize markets when you’re there.

It’s a cheaper and better alternative to eating in a restaurant.

11. Bring Your Water Bottle

Switzerland has the best water ever . No wonder vast mountains and glaciers surround you. So the water is clean and comes directly from pure nature. So take advantage of it and bring your water bottle.

There is no need to buy bottled water in a supermarket in Switzerland. The best way to go is to drink tap water . Or you can also drink the water from springs when hiking in Switzerland.

cheapest ways to travel Switzerland on a budget bring a water bottle

👉 READ ALSO: Switzerland In November: Best Things To Do & See

Practical Tips For Visiting Switzerland

I’ve got some further tips to help you plan your trip to Switzerland. See what month is best to come, budget you’ll need, and get my free packing list below:

What Month Is Best To See Switzerland

The  best months  to see Switzerland are  June and September .

In June , everything is beautifully green: hills are full of mooing cows, rivers are full of blue waters from the melting glaciers, mountains are still snowy, and waterfalls are falling off steep rock cliffs. It’s also much  less crowded  than in the summertime (July & August).

September  shines with  autumn colors , and Switzerland gets a slight upgrade. It’s a beautiful month; everything calms down after the busy summer season, and the landscape views are spectacular. However, it can snow towards the end of September, but it’s not usual.

best things to do in Jungfrau region & Interlaken Grindelwald Eiger Trail

What Is The Best Way To Get Around Switzerland

The best way to get around Switzerland is through public transportation : trains , buses, boats, and cable cars . This way, you’ll enjoy the breathtaking scenery and soak in the atmosphere.

The best way to use public transportation on a budget is to purchase a Swiss Travel Pass or a Half-Fare Card . They’ll help you save 50% of your travel costs in Switzerland. Check out the list of cheapest ways to travel Switzerland to learn more about these travel passes.

cheapest ways to travel Switzerland on a budget travel by train

How Much Should You Budget For A Trip In Switzerland

I’ve created a simple table for you comparing costs in Switzerland or individual travel items. Check it out below so that you know what budget you need for your Swiss trip.

Overall, you’ll spend around  100 Swiss Francs per day  if you want to travel to Switzerland on a budget and still enjoy some attractions.

How Expensive Is Switzerland?

I’ve also written a separate article about expenses in Switzerland . It’s a detailed guide on budgeting your trip, how much things approximately cost, and what you can expect. It also covers the cost of living and further useful tips .

Check it out by clicking on the image below :

is switzerland expensive budget guide cost trip

Get My Switzerland Packing List

Packing for a Swiss trip might be challenging because you have to prepare for all kinds of weather conditions . Nevertheless, I packed everything into a backpack for my month-long trip to Switzerland . And I want to help you with packing.

So get my Switzerland packing list for free, save time, and don’t overpack

switzerland packing list

I’ve also answered some of the frequently asked questions to help you plan your trip to Switzerland and create the best experience for you. So check them out below.

Is It Possible To Travel To Switzerland On A Budget?

Yes, it’s possible to travel to Switzerland on a budget. The most important thing is to get a travel pass , plan your journey , and avoid eating in restaurants all the time. This is the best way to travel to Switzerland on a budget.

What Is The Cheapest Way To Travel To Switzerland?

The cheapest way to travel to Switzerland is to buy a Swiss Travel Pass , Half-Fare Card , or a regional pass . With travel passes, you’ll save time and see the entire Switzerland.

If you stay in Switzerland longer and want to see many places , buy a Swiss Travel Pass .

If you have a shorter itinerary and only want to check some places off your bucket list, opt for Half-Fare Card . Get a regional pass if you only want to visit a specific region (e.g., Jungfrau region).

How Many Days In Switzerland Is Enough?

Switzerland is a beautiful country and offers many things to do. An optimal number of days to stay is between 8 to 14 days .

8 days is the shortest time to explore the highlights of Switzerland. If you want to see different regions and spend some time hiking, staying 10 to 14 days in Switzerland is best .

How Much Does It Cost To Spend 10 Days In Switzerland?

If you have a 10-day itinerary, plan to spend between 2000 CHF and 3000 CHF for the entire trip. It might seem a lot, but it’s considering that you’ll get the most out of your trip , do all the sightseeing activities and things the country offer, and eat well.

If you’re on a budget , you can plan to spend around 1000 CHF during 10 days in Switzerland.

What Is The Best Way To Tour Switzerland?

The best way to tour Switzerland is by train. Get a Swiss Travel Pass and explore all the corners of Switzerland. The best is to follow the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland on your own to see all the Swiss highlights. This way, you won’t miss anything important and will get the most out of your Swiss Travel Pass.

How To Travel Around Switzerland By Train?

The best way to travel around Switzerland by train is to follow the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland . It’s a designed itinerary by the Swiss tourism board to explore the highlights of Switzerland.

To get the most out of train travel, the best way to get around is to use a Swiss Travel Pass . It’ll give you flexibility, free travel on trains, buses, boats, and cable cars, and save you 50% off your travel costs.

Wrap-Up: 11 Cheapest Ways To Travel Switzerland On A Budget

These are the 11 cheapest ways to travel Switzerland on a budget. I hope it’ll help you plan your Swiss itinerary and get the most out of your trip to Switzerland. Switzerland is not the cheapest country in Europe, but you can significantly save costs .

The most important thing is to plan your journey , choose a good travel pass that suits your travel, and save up on food in Switzerland. This way, you’ll be able to travel Switzerland on a budget.

If you have any questions or need help planning your trip to Switzerland, contact me at info(at)voicesoftravel.com . I’ll gladly help you.

Happy Travels!

More Tips For Switzerland Travel

Looking to visit more places in Switzerland? Check out my related articles:

Best Of Switzerland Itinerary: 8 Days By Train

3 Days In Switzerland: 11 Itineraries For All Travelers & Seasons

Honeymoon In Switzerland: How To Plan Your Romantic Gateway

Best Time To Visit Switzerland

22 Amazing Day Trips From Interlaken

23 Incredible Things To Do In Jungfrau Region

Is Jungfraujoch Worth It? Ultimate Guide

5 Best Panoramic Trains In Switzerland

8 Best Mountains In Switzerland To Visit

Jungfrau Travel Pass vs. Swiss Travel Pass

Swiss Travel Pass: Unlimites Travel In Switzerland

Brienz Switzerland: Best Things To Do & Places To Visit

Grindelwald In Winter: Complete Guide For Your Visit

Does Switzerland Use The Euro? Revealed!

How Swiss Cheese Is Made

Switzerland Vs. Austria: Which Is Better To Visit?

voices of travel about me photo

About the author: Nicoletta  is a travel enthusiast and passionate language learner. While traveling, she loves to connect with locals using her language skills to learn about new cultures. Look for her skiing, hiking in the mountains, or exploring new destinations as she designs travel itineraries for her clients.

SWITZERLAND : Interested in more articles for Switzerland? Check out my Switzerland Travel Page .

Switzerland Travel Page

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Go Backpacking

Switzerland on a Budget: 10 Essential Tips

By: Author Alpaca The Bag

Posted on Last updated: April 17, 2023

Switzerland is notorious for being at the top of every “Most Expensive Country in the World” list, making it exceedingly difficult to travel Switzerland on a budget. But that doesn't have to be the case.

Even the most budget-conscious traveler should have Switzerland on their bucket list. Switzerland is full of dramatic landscapes that can take your breath away.

You can have a great time visiting Switzerland on a budget

It's where you find lush green rolling hills that have quaint little chalets with cows roaming freely around them. It's where mountains meet lakes, and you can eat endless amounts of delicious chocolate and cheese.

It almost seems too beautiful to be a real place. If these aren't reasons enough to want to pack your bags right now, we don't know what are!

Need airfare? Find cheap flights and more at Travelocity.com .

Want to travel around Switzerland by car? Find the best car rental service at  Traserbas.com .

Green rolling hills of Switzerland

So how do you visit one of the most expensive countries in the world without breaking the bank?

It's easier than you might think. Here are ten helpful tips to keep more money in your pocket while still traveling to the beautiful country of Switzerland.

How to Travel Switzerland

1. spend more time in one place.

Switzerland is a tiny country. Consider setting up a home base for yourself so you can explore the best places in the rest of the country from there.

Usually, the longer you spend in one place, the better the nightly rates for accommodations. This typically holds true whether you're staying at a hotel, youth hostel, Airbnb , etc.

Some hotels or hostels will even give you a free local transit pass, so check when booking.

Switzerland is a small, steep country, much more up and down than sideways, and is all stuck over with large brown hotels built on the cuckoo style of architecture. Ernest Hemingway

See also: Travel Credit Cards for Beginners

Swiss Railway map (credit: Swissrailways.com)

2. Skip Staying in the Major Cities

There are benefits to staying in major Swiss cities. Proximity to everything allows easy access to museums, shopping, and nice restaurants, but people come to Switzerland for the views.

Switzerland has some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world, so visit and stay in a town with views.

It will be less expensive, and you're more likely to get the picture-perfect postcard version of Switzerland that you're seeking.

You also don't need to go very far outside the cities to get spectacular views. Train travel is a popular way to get around in Switzerland, so it's easy to get places even when staying outside the main cities.

Check out the Swiss Railways website  to get an idea of what small towns fall on the major train lines, prices for train tickets, train stations, etc.

Sleep on Straw Switzerland

3. Cheap or Free Accommodations

Nowadays, budget travelers have so many options in finding a place to stay.

You're no longer limited to choosing between a hotel and a hostel. You can now rent peoples' apartments or private rooms or even stay on someone's couch.

However, our two recommendations to experience Switzerland on a budget are Workaway and Sleep on Straw.

Workaway is an exchange program that, in return for a few hours of work a day, you have your housing covered (and, in some cases, a few meals).

You can do various tasks, from working with schools, animals, or even farming.

This is an excellent program because it gives you a real, local experience, and you are giving back to the community you are visiting! Plus your accommodation is free.

There are also several other options when it comes to work, with Switzerland being one of the  best countries to teach English  to keep the funds topped up.

Sleep on Straw

Farms in Switzerland started opening up their doors and letting travelers experience a night sleeping on fresh straw.

It has become trendy over the summer months and can start at 6 Swiss Francs ($6) a night. 

What better way to experience Switzerland than waking up on a farm and walking outside to enjoy the mountains.

As with anywhere you stay, do your research. It doesn't matter if it's a hotel, Airbnb, Workaway, or Sleeping on Straw — read traveler reviews.

You might save a buck in the end, but if you end up being miserable because you didn't read reviews, it won't be worth it.

The Swiss Alps

4. Buy Food at a Grocery Store

Switzerland is one of the most expensive destinations for dining out; it's cheaper to buy your meals at grocery stores. 

This is not news to budget travelers. However, there are cheaper grocery stores where you get more for your money.

The two major grocery stores in Switzerland are Migros and Coop. The cheaper budget grocery stores are Aldi, Denner, and Lidl.

Stock up on white wine, cheese, and bread, and use it as an opportunity to make fondue !

Another option is to buy “ugly fruits and vegetables” from Coop.

Coop began selling “wonky” produce at reduced prices to reduce food waste. The produce is naturally deformed but does not have any defects in taste.

Just because they aren't pretty doesn't mean they don't taste good.

5. Buy Souvenirs at Grocery Stores

While you're buying your lunch at a grocery store, why not buy your souvenirs too? That Swiss chocolate may be half the price in a grocery store versus a tourist spot.

Many grocery stores in the larger towns often have a Switzerland souvenir section where you can buy chocolate, cheese, cowbells, ornaments, magnets, etc.

Museum of Art and History in Geneva

6. Drink Tap Water

Not only is food expensive in Switzerland, but drinks are too (including bottled water).

Luckily, Switzerland has some of the cleanest water available. There are fountains everywhere that you can use to fill up your water bottles.

7. Visit Free Museums

Whatever city you end up visiting, check what local museums they have, and if they're free, have days with free entry to visit or offer other discounts.

There are so many free museums in Switzerland. Below is a list of some of the more popular ones in Geneva and Zurich.

Free Geneva Museums and Sites

  • Natural History Museum
  • Art and History Museum
  • ICT Discovery
  • Tavel House
  • Botanical Gardens and Conservatory
  • Ariana Museum
  • Museum of the History of Science
  • Carouge Museum
  • The Museum of Ethnography

Free Zurich Museums and Sites

  • Zoological Museum
  • Augusto Giacometti Entrance Hall
  • Museum of Modern Art (Free on Wednesdays)
  • Museum of Anthropology
  • Botanical Gardens
  • Fluntern Cemetery (Visit James Joyce's grave)

Historic Town Gruyères Switzerland

8. Free Outdoor Activities

There are so many enjoyable outdoor activities in Switzerland that don't cost a dime.

Hiking is one of the major activities (the other being skiing) that Switzerland is known for. You could easily spend your whole visit hiking and be perfectly happy.

There are quite a few lakes in Switzerland and plenty of places where you can enjoy a swim in them too. They can be a little chilly sometimes!

Explore Historic Towns

Like many European countries, Switzerland is full of ancient and historic towns that you can explore.

Pop into the town's cathedral for a chance to see some beautiful art. A couple of must-visit towns are Gruyères and Altstadt.

One of the best things to do in any country is to participate in a festival. You can see the local culture at its best and usually get fireworks, music, etc.

Free Walking Tours

There are quite a few cities that offer free walking tours . They are run by volunteers and usually provide a couple of tours every day in several languages.

Cheese Making Tours

Depending on the area you choose to visit, small-town cheesemaking farms often will happily show you around and let you see how they make their cheese.

There are also larger factories that give public tours for usually a small price (around 5 Swiss Francs, or $5).

Related: Food Experiences in Emilia-Romagna

Cheese tour

9. Avoid High Seasons

There is no wrong time to visit Switzerland, but the high seasons for visitors are summer and winter .

The best time to visit, and get the most for your money, is during the shoulder months of spring and fall.

Accommodations will be cheaper, and there will be fewer travelers visiting.

If you choose to travel during spring or fall, and hiking is on your list of activities, check and see if trails are open while you are there.

Switzerland Shoulder Season

10. Invest in a Travel Pass

Travel passes can save you a lot of money, but you must first determine if it's the right pass for you.

If you don't use passes to their full potential, they can be more expensive for you in the long run.

Swiss Travel Pass

The Swiss Travel Pass gives you almost complete access to the country, entry to about 500 museums, train, bus, and boat tickets, etc. Again, this can save you money, but it can cost you too.

If you don't have a plan or itinerary for what you want to see, it may end up being more expensive for you.

Swiss Half Fare Card

The Swiss Half Fare Card allows visitors to buy train, bus, or boat tickets for half price for up to a month.

If you choose this option, there is very little difference between 1st and 2nd classes, and it's recommended to buy the 2nd class ticket.

Supersaver Tickets

Supersaver tickets are not a pass per se, but when you buy a train ticket online, you can sometimes buy a supersaver ticket instead.

These tickets are the cheapest available because they are offered at times when fewer people travel.

Swiss Coupon Book

The Swiss Coupon Book offers discounts and a lot of 2-for-1 deals. You can view the deals before purchasing the book.

This is not as popular as the other passes since you probably won't be able to use all the coupons to make it worthwhile. However, if you are in the country for a more extended period, it may make sense to buy the coupon book.

Student Passes

If you're a student or are under the age of 18 (and sometimes under 26), you may be able to get student discounts while traveling.

There are many ways to make a trip to Switzerland come to life without going broke.

Whether you're an outdoor adventurer or a history buff, there is plenty in Switzerland that you can do and still have extra money in your pocket after your trip.

Now all you need to do is grab your passport and travel!

We hope this guide to traveling to Switzerland on a budget has helped inspire you to plan a trip.

If you'd like to go but not alone, consider a small-group tour with G Adventures :

Trekking Mont Blanc is a challenging 10-day high-altitude adventure in the Alps. You'll start trekking in Chamonix, France, and pass through Italy and Switzerland as you make your way around Mont Blanc. The trip ends in Chamonix. 

London to Rome: Picnics & Pizza is a quick 7-day rail journey from London to Rome, including a stop in Interlaken, Switzerland. 

visit switzerland cheap

We are pun-loving, enthusiastic travelers combining our passion for travel with the idea of helping others realize their own travel plans! Check us out at alpacathebag.com.

Planning a trip? Go Backpacking recommends:

  • G Adventures for small group tours.
  • Hostelworld for booking hostels.

Sadye Reish

Sunday 3rd of September 2017

Nice work you guys!!!

Wednesday 30th of August 2017

Switzerland is an amazing place.We can enjoy the nature.Thanks for sharing this post.

THE 10 BEST Cheap Things to Do in Switzerland

Best budget-friendly things to do in switzerland.

  • 5.0 of 5 bubbles
  • 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
  • 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
  • Budget-friendly
  • Good for Kids
  • Good for Big Groups
  • Good for Couples
  • Good for a Rainy Day
  • Honeymoon spot
  • Hidden Gems
  • Good for Adrenaline Seekers
  • Adventurous
  • Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

visit switzerland cheap

1. Lake Lucerne

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2. Lake Geneva

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Recommended Experiences (16)

visit switzerland cheap

3. Lake Zurich

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4. Chapel Bridge

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5. Chateau de Chillon

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6. Old Town

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7. Rhine Falls

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8. Old City

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9. Harder Kulm

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10. Old Town Lucerne

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11. Lake Lugano

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12. Jet d'Eau

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13. The Olympic Museum Lausanne (Musee Olympique)

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14. Lion Monument

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15. Zoo Zurich

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16. Kunsthaus Zürich

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17. Trummelbach Falls

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18. Lauterbrunnen Valley Waterfalls

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19. Basel Minster

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20. Uetliberg Mountain

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21. Alpenbad

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22. Cathédrale de Saint-Pierre

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23. Hauptbahnhof

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24. Lake Brienz

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25. Freddie Mercury Statue

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26. Gruyeres Castle

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27. Montreux Lakeside

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28. Lindenhof Hill

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29. Stiftsbibliothek

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30. Kunstmuseum Basel

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What travelers are saying

Phil S

Champion Traveler

Cost of a Trip to Switzerland & the Cheapest Time to Visit Switzerland

The average price of a 7-day trip to Switzerland is $1,642 for a solo traveler, $2,423 for a couple, and $3,125 for a family of 4 . Switzerland hotels range from $80 to $374 per night with an average of $144, while most vacation rentals will cost $180 to $510 per night for the entire home. Average worldwide flight costs to Switzerland (from all airports) are between $685 and $1,003 per person for economy flights and $2,151 to $3,149 for first class. Depending on activities, we recommend budgeting $58 to $119 per person per day for transportation and enjoying local restaurants.

See below for average , budget , and luxury trip costs. You can also look up flight costs from your airport for more tailored flight pricing.

The Cheapest Times to Visit Switzerland

On average, these will be the cheapest dates to fly to Switzerland and stay in a Switzerland hotel:

  • January 8th to April 1st
  • September 3rd to December 9th (except the week of October 15th)

The absolute cheapest time to take a vacation in Switzerland is usually mid November .

Average Switzerland Trip Costs

Average solo traveler.

The average cost for one person to visit Switzerland for a week is $1,368-$2,539 ($195-$363 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $58 to $119 per day for one person’s daily expenses

Flights : $356 to $872 for economy

Lodging : $104 to $139 per night for one 2 or 3-star hotel room

or $101 to $123 per night for a 1-bed vacation rental

Average Couple’s Trip

The average cost for a couple to visit Switzerland for a week is $2,122-$4,244 ($303-$606 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $115 to $238 per day for two people’s daily expenses

Flights : $711 to $1,744 for economy

Average Family Vacation

The average cost for 4 people to visit Switzerland for a week is $3,952-$8,480 ($565-$1,211 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $231 to $475 per day for four people’s daily expenses

Flights : $1,423 to $3,487 for economy

Lodging : $207 to $278 per night for two 2 or 3-star hotel rooms

or $152 to $185 per night for a 2-bed vacation rental

Traveling Cheap to Switzerland

How cheap can you make a vacation to Switzerland? The cheapest trip to Switzerland is about $138 per person per day for travelers willing to take standby flights, deal with inconvenience, and otherwise limit travel expenses. About 1% of rentals are available in the $0 to $100 range for an entire place, and vacation rentals can be booked for as low as $20 per night. These inexpensive rentals must be booked as early as possible and may not be in the most desirable areas. 1-star hotels are more likely to be available, with rooms starting at around $68.

Even cheaper trips are possible depending on where you live and whether you can drive. Check the cheapest times to fly for more saving ideas.

Budget Solo Traveler

The lowest cost for one person to visit Switzerland for a week is $967-$1,944 ($138-$278 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $29 to $58 per day for one person’s daily expenses

Lodging : $68 to $80 per night for one 1-star hotel room

or $81 to $111 per night for a 1-bed vacation rental

Budget Couple’s Trip

The lowest cost for a couple to visit Switzerland for a week is $1,525-$3,229 ($218-$461 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $58 to $117 per day for two people’s daily expenses

Budget Family Vacation

The lowest cost for 4 people to visit Switzerland for a week is $2,968-$6,127 ($424-$875 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $117 to $234 per day for four people’s daily expenses

Lodging : $135 to $160 per night for two 1-star hotel rooms

or $121 to $167 per night for a 2-bed vacation rental

Overall it is very difficult to travel to Switzerland cheaply.

The Cost of a Luxury Switzerland Trip

There is no true ceiling on the cost of a luxury trip, so our estimates are based on what most people do in Switzerland.

Luxury Solo Traveler

The high-end price for one person to visit Switzerland for a week is $2,769-$9,991 ($396-$1,427 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $115 to $238 per day for one person’s daily expenses

Flights : $884 to $2,157 for first class

Lodging : $180 to $374 per night for one 4 or 5-star hotel room

or $513 to $1,028 per night for a preferred vacation rental

Luxury Couple’s Trip

The high-end price for a couple to visit Switzerland for a week is $4,465-$13,815 ($638-$1,974 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $231 to $476 per day for two people’s daily expenses

Flights : $1,768 to $4,315 for first class

Luxury Family Vacation

The high-end price for 4 people to visit Switzerland for a week is $8,924-$24,563 ($1,275-$3,509 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $461 to $951 per day for four people’s daily expenses

Flights : $3,537 to $8,630 for first class

Lodging : $360 to $748 per night for two 4 or 5-star hotel rooms

or $770 to $1,546 per night for a preferred vacation rental

Switzerland Hotel Prices

The cost of staying in Switzerland is much higher than the average city. On average hotels are less expensive than vacation rentals. Luxury vacation rentals are more expensive in Switzerland due to very high property costs. The graphs below show how much cost can vary depending on the type of experience you’re looking for.

Switzerland Lodging Cost by Star Status

The average price for the class of hotel is on the (y) axis. The hotel class (out of 5 stars) is on the (x) axis.

Prices are based on Switzerland hotel averages and may not reflect current prices. In some cases, we extrapolate prices to estimate costs, and hotels with your desired star rating may not be available.

Vacation Rental Prices

The percent of vacation rentals in the price range is on the left (y) axis. Price range is on the bottom (x) axis.

There are a healthy amount of vacation rentals serving all budgets in Switzerland.

Flight Costs to Switzerland

Averaging flights around the world, prices go from a high of $1,003 average in late June to a low of $685 in mid November. Median flight price is $781. These prices are based on millions of flights. For Switzerland our data includes thousands of originating airports, and hundreds of airlines. The area has more variance in price compared with other locations.

Average Flight Cost by Season

Average flight cost by day of week.

The cheapest day to fly in is typically Wednesday, and the cheapest day to fly back is usually Tuesday. Click here to see data for the cost of flights from your airport. In Switzerland, the difference between the cheapest and the most expensive week is about $318, so you can easily save about 46% simply by using our free flight guides and booking in advance.

Daily Expenses Budget

Daily vacation expenses vary more based on what you’re interested in doing. A fine dining restaurant with drinks around Switzerland can easily cost $439 per person or more, while a standard nice meal might be about $29 per person. Private tours can cost $878 per day, but self-guided tours to see the outdoor sights can be free. Costs vary wildly, so recommendations are made based on the cost of living and averages we see for this type of vacation.

Other Switzerland Guides

Travel costs nearby.

  • Brienz, Switzerland
  • Fluehli, Switzerland
  • Grindelwald, Switzerland
  • Gsteigwiler, Switzerland
  • Matten bei Interlaken, Switzerland
  • Aletsch Arena (Riederalp, Switzerland
  • Interlaken, Switzerland
  • Lungern, Switzerland
  • Wengen, Switzerland
  • Wilderswil, Switzerland

Travel Costs in Popular Places

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Budget Tours & Trips to Switzerland

Discover a varied offer of Switzerland budget adventures that will take you through some of the most renowned destinations such as Interlaken and Lucerne. Each affordable tour will provide you with great experiences for some of the lowest prices on the market.

14 cheap Switzerland tour packages with 225 reviews

From Prague to Zurich Tour

  • Christmas & New Year

From Prague to Zurich

Following are the things that should be included in your future offerings. - Tours should include some thrilling activities such as speed boat riding, 3D/VR experience, skydiving or other similar activities as an add-on options wherever available in the countries included in the package. This is because mere sightseeing and visit of cultural, religious and traditional places will add little to fun and thrill. - Hotels is the stay should be advised to ensure provision of basis necessities such as sleepers for washrooms, tooth paste. Hotels should also provide at least one or two Halal dishes to the people from Muslim countries.

Scenic Switzerland by Train Tour

  • Train & Rail

Scenic Switzerland by Train

It went well for the most part. The tour was very physical so being healthy and able to walk, climb stairs for extended periods of time is essential to this tour. At times it was difficult to follow the tour guide via the microphone headset. It was very warm throughout the tour and the hotels air conditioning systems either were not working ,ncapable of cooling the rooms and a couple didi not even have it. However, the trains were exceptional and the scenery of Switzerland was exactly why we decided on this tour! Thank you!

Barcelona to Zurich Tour

  • In-depth Cultural
  • Coach / Bus

Barcelona to Zurich

Ived enjoyed the trip overall.

Swiss Lakes Cycle Tour

Swiss Lakes Cycle

Interlaken Winter - Meet Us There Tour

  • Active Adventure
  • Hiking & Trekking
  • Ski, Snowboard & Snow

Interlaken Winter - Meet Us There

Meet Us There - Interlaken Winter Tour

Meet Us There - Interlaken Winter

Florence 2 Interlaken & Lake Como Tour

Florence 2 Interlaken & Lake Como

Grand Combin Traverse Tour

Grand Combin Traverse

Florence To Interlaken Winter Tour

  • Sightseeing

Florence To Interlaken Winter

European Extravaganza Tour

European Extravaganza

Super unorganized tour- it wasn’t Sofia’s fault but I would say it is the way the tours are structured to all overlap at various points. Very strange setup. We have done many other tours with different companies and I will not be recommending your company, nor would I ever book with your tour company again.

Switzerland Best Tour

Switzerland Best

Our guide Marilia was superb. All of us in our English group tour bus really liked her. She is very proficient in her job & caring. She goes above & beyond to help us especially our transfers since there were those leaving early & staying beyond the duration of the package tour. . KUDOS!!! to Marilia & our driver Nono... They are a good team. Will highly recommend. Cleo

Florence To Interlaken Winter - Round-trip Transport Smart Pack Tour

Florence To Interlaken Winter - Round-trip Transport Smart Pack

Grand Tour of Switzerland by Rail Tour

Grand Tour of Switzerland by Rail

Switzerland`s highlights in 4 days Tour

Switzerland`s highlights in 4 days

It is a wonderful trip!! Swiss Epic Tour headed by Catharina has a good choice of itineraries everyday. thanks

More Budget Tours in Switzerland

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  • Discover the Best Switzerland Vacation Packages 2024/2025
  • Switzerland Travel Guide | All You Need to Know

Travel Styles

  • Singles and Solo (85)
  • For Couples (44)
  • Young Adults (5)
  • Seniors (38)

International Versions

  • Deutsch: Günstige Reisen in Schweiz
  • Français: Circuits et voyages économiques en Suisse
  • Español: Circuitos baratos por Suiza
  • Nederlands: Zwitserland Budget Reizen in Zwitserland

Best Time to Visit

Weather & Climate

Switzerland Airports

Getting Around

Places to Visit in Switzerland

Top Things to Do in Switzerland

Top Things to Do in Geneva

One Week Itinerary

Most Scenic Train Routes

Switzerland's Nature Parks

How to Go Skiing

The Top Hikes

Matterhorn Complete Guide

The Most Beautiful Lakes

Foods to Try

Best Restaurants

Your Trip to Switzerland: The Complete Guide

visit switzerland cheap

If you've ever ogled over photos of Switzerland's Alpine peaks, rolling meadows, and pristine lakes, you'll be happy to know that it's even more beautiful in person. The central European country is small compared to its neighbors, but it packs a lot into its 16,000 square miles, including 13 UNESCO World Heritage Sites , more than 1,500 glaciers, and at least that many lakes.

All these geologic wonders add up to some of the more stunning scenery in the world. And that's enough to bring travelers—about 12 million of them per year —to Switzerland. When you factor in the countless opportunities for hiking, skiing, and boating; hearty Swiss food; modern, interesting cities; and what is probably Europe's best public transportation system, you're met with an accessible, exciting, and altogether satisfying vacation destination.

Planning Your Trip

  • Best Time to Visit :  The best time to visit Switzerland depends on what you want to do while you're here. Ski slopes are open November through March (though there is year-round skiing in a few places), while hiking and swimming are glorious in the summer months. But to beat the crowds, consider a visit in spring or fall.
  • Language:  Switzerland's cantons, or states, are mostly either French- or German-speaking. In the southern Ticino canton, Italian is the first language and in the Graubünden/Grisons canton, Romansh, a form of ancient Latin, is still spoken by about 60,000 people. The good news for travelers is that English is widely spoken, especially in hotels, restaurants, stores, and tourist attractions.
  • Currency:  Despite being in the middle of western Europe, Switzerland is not part of the EU, though it participates in the European Common economic market. The official currency here is the Swiss franc (abbreviated CHF). That said, your euros will probably be accepted at most places, though they'll give you change in francs.
  • Getting Around :  The clean, convenient, and comprehensive Swiss Travel System is the pride of Switzerland, and rightly so. The system includes trains, buses, lake and river ferries, funiculars, cogwheel trains, ski lifts, and gondolas that permit access to virtually every corner of the country. Because the system is so complete, we recommend touring Switzerland by public transportation, instead of by rental car. From airports and larger train stations, taxis are always available for those who don't feel like schlepping their bags.
  • Travel Tip:  If you plan to do a lot of travel within Switzerland, consider purchasing the Swiss Travel Pass , which grants the holder unlimited first- or second-class travel across the country's network of trains, buses, and boats, and most scenic railways. Plus, you'll get admission to more than 500 museums, as well as discounts on mountain excursions. However, if you just plan to visit a couple of places in the country, you can get by with individual train/transit tickets.

TripSavvy / Michela Sieman

Things to Do

While every traveler has their own reasons for visiting Switzerland, the big draws here can more or less be broken down into three categories: scenery, outdoor activities, and Swiss history and culture. Your trip will likely start or end in one of Switzerland's big cities, where that history and culture are on full display. Be sure to plan at least one (or several) excursions into the Swiss countryside, either on an easy or challenging hike, a boat ride across an iconic lake, or a cable car ride up to some of the highest peaks in Europe.

Here are some ideas for planning your Swiss itinerary:

  • Explore one of the country's culturally rich cities. If you're flying into Switzerland, you'll most likely arrive in Zürich or Geneva. Zürich , Switzerland's largest city, is a delightful place to spend a few days taking in art and history museums, dining in centuries-old restaurants, and strolling down the River Limmat. Geneva , in French-speaking Switzerland, is the diplomatic center of Europe, with plenty of history and classical appeal, and an idyllic setting on the shores of Lake Geneva.
  • Hike, bike, swim, or ski. No matter what time of year you visit, you'll find a huge range of outdoor activities in Switzerland—though admittedly, swimming is a bit brisk from October to June! There are biking and hiking routes for every level of fitness, extensive networks of ski "arenas" across the Alps and the Jura mountains, and rivers and lakes waiting for you to jump in for a swim or a paddle.
  • Choose a mountain excursion. In Switzerland, it doesn't matter if you're not a skier or hiker. You can answer the call of the mountains just the same, thanks to dozens of scenic mountain excursions that whisk you—by cogwheel rail, cable car, or ski gondola—for close-up looks at the Matterhorn , the Eiger, the Aletsch Glacier, and more. At most places, you can have lunch on the mountaintop while you enjoy the view. Don't leave Switzerland without partaking in at least one of these thrilling rides.

For more trip-planning ideas, check out our full-length articles on the top things to do in Switzerland , Switzerland's most scenic train rides , and Switzerland's top lakes .

What to Eat and Drink

Swiss cuisine is hearty, to say the least. Cheese, chocolate, potatoes, and meat feature heavily on Swiss menus everywhere, and risotto is popular in the cantons bordering Italy. Swiss wine, from vineyards mostly south of the Alps, is so popular among the Swiss that only 2 percent is exported!

Here are some of the foods and beverages you shouldn't miss in Switzerland:

  • Fondue. This classic dish of melted cheese, served with bread and vegetables for dipping, is as iconic as the Matterhorn. Fondue originated in French-speaking Switzerland , but it's pretty much ubiquitous across the country.
  • Raclette. Sort of a cousin of fondue, raclette is melted cheese served on a plate with bread, potatoes, and gherkins. Its roots are high in the Alps, where farmers would make meals from their abundant cheese reserves.
  • Rösti. Pancakes made of grated, fried potatoes, rösti may be served as a side dish or, when paired with eggs, meat, or cheese, as the main course.
  • Chocolate. Thanks to milk from grass-fed Alpine cows, plus a few "secret" recipes, Swiss milk chocolate is among the creamiest in the world. Brands to look for include Toberlone, Lindt, Sprüngli, and Läderach.
  • Swiss wine. Largely produced in the more temperant cantons south of the Alps, Swiss wine is equally celebrated in its red and white varieties. Chasselas and pinot noir are among the most common grapes, but across the country's wine-growing region, micro-vineyards specialize in small-batch wines. Be sure to sample the wine while you're here— Swiss wine is hard to find outside Switzerland.

Read more in our guides to the top foods to try in Switzerland and where to eat in Zürich .

Where to Stay

Switzerland's accommodation options range from rustic mountain bunkhouses for hikers to luxurious 5-star hotels with spas, Michelin-star dining, and every imaginable amenity. In between those extremes, there are concept hotels, ski-in/ski-out lodges, and a host of B&Bs, small inns, and vacation rentals.

If you're staying in a city, we usually recommend basing yourself in the historic center so that you're within walking distance of popular tourist attractions, restaurants, and bars. But cities like Zürich also have creative, modern districts outside of the center, which make for interesting bases as well. In an Alpine destination such as Zermatt, Saas-Fee, or Gstaad, we like cozy, traditional hotels that really impart a sense of place.

For a taste of what Zürich has to offer, check out our articles on Zürich's top neighborhoods and best hotels.

Getting to Switzerland

International flights to Switzerland, especially those originating outside of Europe, will likely arrive in Zürich or Geneva. Some intra-Europe flights might land at Basel's airport, which is actually located just over the French border.

You can reach Switzerland by train from the neighboring countries of Austria, Germany, France, and Italy. Note that if you're traveling to Switzerland from an adjacent country, your ticket will likely only cover you until your first stop in Switzerland; for example, if you're traveling from Milan, Italy, your ticket will take you as far as Lugano. After that, you'll need a travel pass or ticket from the Swiss Travel System if you want to change trains.

If you're driving to Switzerland, you need to purchase or make sure your car already has a motorway vignette —a sticker that permits access to Swiss highways.

Learn more by checking out our guides to Zürich airport , traveling to Switzerland from Italy , and Zürich's public transportation .

Culture and Customs

While there are no special "rules" for visiting Switzerland, travelers here might find the Swiss somewhat reserved, especially when compared to Mediterranean cultures to the south. Here are a few basic customs and courtesies to keep in mind:

  • Be on time. Trains aren't the only thing that runs on time in Switzerland. Plan to arrive on time, or even a few minutes early, for restaurant reservations or other reserved activities.
  • Don't be noisy. In restaurants, on public transportation, and especially in the evenings in residential areas, keep your voices at a conversational level.
  • Tip in moderation. While tipping waitstaff is appreciated in Switzerland, it's not expected. Tips for your hotel cleaning staff and bellhops are the norm, however.

Money Saving Tips

Here's something you should know about Switzerland before you start planning your trip: it's expensive. Hotels, dining, trains, and attractions are all costly compared to many other European countries, but there are a few ways you can save money:

  • Travel in the shoulder seasons. Visit Switzerland in the spring or fall to save money on airfare and hotels.
  • Drink tap water. Unless otherwise posted, tap water in Switzerland is clean and safe to drink. Bring a reusable water bottle and fill it up at any tap.
  • Pack a picnic. Before you head out for a day of adventures, stop at a grocery store and pick up bread, cheese, cold cuts, or whatever else you want for a picnic. Just don't forget to grab a chocolate bar for the road!

https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/ch

https://www.worlddata.info/europe/switzerland/tourism.php

Switzerland Tourism. "Language distribution." Retrieved on November 9, 2021.

Switzerland Tourism. "Currency." Retrieved on November 9, 2021.

BBC. "Tracing fondue’s mysterious origins." February 12, 2013.

The Top 20 Things to Do in Switzerland

The Best 17 Places to Visit in Switzerland

One Week in Switzerland: The Ultimate Itinerary

How to Travel Between Italy and Switzerland by Train

How to Travel From Florence to Paris by Train, Bus, Plane, and Car

The 10 Best Restaurants in Switzerland

The 17 Best Countries to Visit in Europe

The Most Beautiful Lakes in Switzerland

Matterhorn: The Complete Guide

Your Trip to Zurich: The Complete Guide

The Complete Guide to Switzerland's Nature Parks

How to Use Swiss Trains and the Swiss Travel Pass

The Best Time to Visit Switzerland

Getting Around Switzerland: Guide to Public Transportation

Skiing in Switzerland: The Complete Guide

The Top 15 Things to Do in Zurich

Switzerland on a Budget: Tips For Cheap Travel 

Switzerland on a budget

Wondering if it’s possible to travel to Switzerland on a budget? Of course, it is, but it depends on what your budget is. While the country can be explored without ludicrous amounts of money, it’s important to keep in mind that it’s still one of the most expensive countries in the world and is far from cheap. 

But there are ways to save money while traveling in Switzerland, and I want to tell you all about them. From finding cheap flights to getting the best exchange rates for Swiss Francs; here’s everything you need to know about traveling to Switzerland on a budget! 

Table of Contents

Typical Cost of Traveling in Switzerland

swiss franc banknotes

The typical cost of traveling in Switzerland depends on many different factors. The main thing to consider is what you’re going to spend money on – are you fine staying in one place the entire time, or do you want to ride trains to explore more destinations? 

Would you prefer to pay more for a hotel and save money on going out, or vice versa? Or are you looking for the most budget experience all around? The average cost of a trip to Switzerland is: 

  • Budget: 100-200 CHF per day
  • Mid-Range: 200-400 CHF per day
  • Luxury: 500+ CHF per day 

Keep in mind that it depends on so many things. If you can get cheap plane tickets, sleep on someone’s couch for free, eat only home-cooked meals, and pay only for attractions and train tickets, you can get costs under 100 CHF per day. 

Finally, I highly recommend you set apart a budget for iconic Swiss landmarks. Schilthorn , Jungfraujoch , Titlis , Pilatus , and other mountains are very expensive to visit, but worth every penny because it’s an experience unlike anything else. 

If you have to prioritize what to spend money on in Switzerland, I say eat sandwiches the entire time you’re there but splurge for access to visitor’s centers in the mountains. What’s the point of traveling to a country with such stunning natural landmarks if you’re not going to visit any of them? 

Can You Travel to Switzerland on a Budget?

visit switzerland cheap

Switzerland is one of the most expensive countries in the world but it is possible to visit it on a budget. Don’t get me wrong – a cheap stay in Switzerland can get you a four-star hotel with restaurant dinners every night in a different European city. But it is absolutely possible to travel the country without spending absurd amounts of money, and I’m going to share all my best tips with you! 

Ryanair Budget Airline

Start saving money right off the bat when looking for flights to Switzerland. Flying with a low-cost airline can save you hundreds of Euros, especially if you can manage to pack all your belongings in an underseat bag so you don’t have to pay extra for carry-on luggage. 

Low-cost airlines that operate flights to Switzerland are: 

It’s important to note that only Basel Airport is serviced by all four airlines. Zurich airport only works with Vueling and Easyjest, while the airport in Geneva works with all airlines except Ryanair. 

Low-cost flights are available from other destinations in Europe. If you’re traveling from overseas, look for flights to London, Munich, Paris, or other major destinations in Europe. From there, you can book a cheap flight to Basel for 20-30 Euros in one direction. 

Just pay attention to the airports. Budget airlines usually offer flights to airports that are farther outside the city. In practice, this means that you’re more likely to find cheap flights to Switzerland from say Gatwick Airport in London than Heathrow. 

I recommend looking for cheap flights to Basel first and then looking for flights from your city to the connecting one. It is a bit of a hassle, but if you use search tools like Skyscanner, Kayak, and even Google Flights , it should be easy enough. And it will save you a lot of money. 

Regional Transportation

lucerne interlaken train

Public transportation works very well in Switzerland; all the major cities are connected by trains, and you can travel around the entire country relying only on public transportation. However, trains in Switzerland are also notoriously expensive, so traveling on a tight budget isn’t the easiest thing in the world. 

But there are ways to save money and they’re called train passes! Some of the most popular options are: 

  • Eurail/Interrail Pass
  • Swiss Travel Pass
  • Half-Fare Card
  • GA Travel Card
  • Berner Oberland Pass 

…and more. Some of these passes are regional and won’t offer discounts outside a specific canton or city. Stay away from taxis and Uber because they’re significantly more expensive than train travel. 

If you’re serious about traveling to Switzerland on a budget, start by making a list of all the destinations you want to visit. Then look into the cost of the different passes, and see which one is the best value for the money. It’s often the Half-Fare card, especially if you’re in the country for a short time and don’t intend to travel to a new city every day. 

But if you want to ride trains often and get discounts on other attractions, the Interrail/Eurail Pass or the Swiss Travel Pass might offer better value. It’s hard to say without knowing your itinerary. Math doesn’t lie, so take the time to look into the cost of train tickets to towns you want to visit (available on sbb.ch ), and attractions you’re willing to pay for, and then just do the math. 

Additionally, SBB often offers supersaver passes at a discounted cost. These are usually train tickets you buy a couple of days in advance, and they’re valid only for the connection at a specific timeslot. But they can be up to 70% cheaper than standard tickets, so they are a great way to save money. Relying on supersaver tickets is an option if you don’t want to have a rigid itinerary in Switzerland, and instead prefer to be more spontaneous and flexible. 

Transportation Within Cities

Zurich Tram

Many cities in Switzerland offer multiple public transportation options to get around. Most Swiss cities don’t have a metro, and I’m pretty sure that Lausanne is the only city with a Metro system. Trams, buses, and local trains are public transport options in most other towns. 

The reason I’m even mentioning all of this is because public transportation within a city is often entirely free for tourists. In most Swiss cities, when you book a stay at a hotel or an apartment registered with that city’s tourism board, you’ll get a city pass that includes free public transportation in a certain zone and discounts for other attractions. This is the case in Geneva, Lucerne, Interlaken, and other destinations. 

I advise against riding any type of public transport without an appropriate ticket. Conductors often come and check, and if you are caught without a valid ticket, you’ll be fined so much money you wish you had rented a limousine to get around because it would have been cheaper. 

Finally, just explore on foot. If you don’t want to pay for public transportation, it’s better to walk around. Bike rental is usually cheap and in some places, it’s free, so you can get around faster for very little money. 

Food & Drinks

migros supermarket

Saving money on food and drinks is the easiest thing in Switzerland if you know where to go. For one, there are many fast-food joints and small restaurants where you can eat good food for little money. Kebabs and pizza are often the cheapest things to eat out in Switzerland, followed by sandwiches. 

Look for hole-in-the-wall shops, get recommendations from locals, and visit bakeries often. If you stay at a private apartment or a ho(s)tel with access to a kitchen, you can also prepare your own food. This is by far the best option for saving money because supermarkets in Switzerland are surprisingly affordable. 

The restaurants at those supermarkets and department stores are also significantly cheaper than proper restaurants with table service. They usually have a buffet-style menu and charge food by the kilo, and you can often get a generous portion for under 20 CHF. My favorites are: 

  • Migros restaurant
  • Coop restaurant
  • Manor restaurant

But cooking your own food is by far the best for eating for cheap in Switzerland. You can get about 500 grams of pasta, tomato sauce, some mozzarella, and olive oil for less than 10 CHF. That amount of food should be enough for at least 4 generous meals. In Zurich, 10 CHF can get you two scoops of ice cream. 

visit switzerland cheap

Even if you don’t have a full-sized kitchen, you can always make sandwiches. If there’s no fridge at your accommodation, buy foods that don’t need to be refrigerated, and get smaller sizes of the ones that do so they don’t go bad, and make sandwiches. If you can survive off sandwiches while you’re in Switzerland, you can easily save hundreds of Francs. 

And you can prepare picnics! This is my go-to for going out and exploring because restaurants in the mountains are even more expensive than those in the city centers. So, whenever I make plans to spend an entire day outdoors, I’ll prepare a picnic we can enjoy out in nature. It’s always a fun experience, not to mention how much money it can save you.

A meal at a restaurant costs 20-30 CHF on average, and that’s for basic meals in mid-range restaurants. High-end and fine-dining restaurants are significantly more expensive. Two meals a day for two people is at least 100 CHF, so avoiding restaurants in Switzerland is by far the best way to save money in the country. 

Finally, never buy water while you’re in Switzerland. The tap water is perfectly safe for drinking, so remember to bring a reusable water bottle and fill it up before leaving the accommodation. One thing to note is that many restaurants in Switzerland will charge you for tap water if you don’t order any other drink. 

Accommodation

Victoria Jungfrau Grandhotel Interlaken

Accommodation is expensive in Switzerland and will likely take up most of your travel budget. The cost of hotel rooms and apartments varies depending on the city, but in general, you can expect hostels to be up to 100 CHF, mid-range hotels are 100-300 CHF, and luxury hotels can be well over 1,000 CHF for a night. 

Keep in mind that the bang for the buck depends on the city. In a smaller place like St. Gallen, 300 CHF per night can be enough for a pretty good hotel. But in Geneva, it will likely get you a mid-range hotel room at best. 

Hostels and guesthouses are the way to go for a budget stay. Pitches on campsites are also a decent option if you’re no stranger to spending the night under the sky. You can camp outdoors in Switzerland, and this can actually be a great way of saving money while uncovering some of the country’s most spectacular natural landmarks. 

I recommend going with a hostel or a budget apartment for city stays. Even rooms at private properties are a good option, provided they come with a private bathroom and a shared kitchen at the very least. Anything that can allow you to prepare food at home is a good option because it can save you a lot of money. 

House-sitting and couch surfing are also options to consider, but they’re generally the best solution for friendly and somewhat adventurous travelers. There’s nearly a quarter of a million hosts for couch surfing in Switzerland, and if you’re up for it, you can save a bunch of money on accommodation. 

Personally, I prefer house-sitting because I’m somewhat of an introvert. And also because so many people who are looking for house-sitters need someone to take care of their pet while they’re away. I love animals, and I’m always thrilled to save thousands of Francs on accommodation simply because I need to feed a cat during my stay. 

Things to Do in Switzerland on a Budget

tseuzier lake

Switzerland offers surprisingly many free activities for one of the most expensive countries in the world. The country has stunning nature, and exploring its countless hiking trails often costs nothing. 

Well, that’s the case for hikes that are accessible from urban areas. Access to hiking trails in the Alps is generally not as easy and often requires you to ride mountain trains and gondolas, which are very pricey. 

But there are plenty of hiking trails to be explored without spending any money, as well as a bunch of free attractions. I can’t list everything, but I recommend you check out my detailed posts on free things to do in cities throughout Switzerland. I’ve got ideas for: 

  • Grindelwald

Botanical gardens and public parks are often free of charge in Switzerland, as are certain museums. CERN is also entirely free, so if you are traveling in the Lake Geneva region, stop by the famous science center to have your mind blown free of charge. 

The Flower Clock, Geneva

Additionally, the amount and nature of things you can do for free in Switzerland highly depend on the season. In the summer, you can usually go hiking for free, swim in the lakes and rivers, and even try climbing mountains. But in the winter you can’t do any of these things; you might be able to ice skate on a frozen lake or explore some winter hiking trails, but there are generally fewer cheap things to do in Switzerland once the snow falls. 

Also, free walking tours are available in most Swiss cities. They’re not entirely free because you are expected to tip the guide, but it’s still significantly cheaper than organizing something with an official operator. 

Finally, museums and other attractions can have discounted or even free access for select holidays and days of the month. Always check whether a place you want to visit grants discounts or free entrance for whatever reason, and you might just save some money in the process. 

Cheap Places to Visit in Switzerland 

visit switzerland cheap

Here’s the thing – there are no cheap places to visit in Switzerland. The prices are similar throughout most of the country with a few exceptions, and it’s expensive everywhere. One thing to keep in mind is that accommodation is often cheaper in bigger cities than in smaller villages, simply because there are more options. So, always choose to stay in a city or a town, as opposed to a village in the mountains. 

On top of that, don’t plan a trip to Zurich or Geneva if you’re trying to do Switzerland on a budget. They’re the two most expensive cities in the entire country and by far the worst Swiss destinations for budget trips. 

Instead, choose a smaller city. Chur, St. Gallen, Interlaken, and even Basel are all more affordable than Zurich and Geneva, especially in terms of accommodation and restaurants. Basel is a good destination because it’s close to the airport, it’s got many free activities, and you can easily travel to other destinations in Switzerland from the city. 

Lucerne is one of my favorite cities and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to experience authentic Swiss charm. It’s not exactly a cheap place, but you can find budget accommodation and visit many of the city’s best landmarks without spending a Franc. The Chapel Bridge, Spreuer Bridge, city walls, and the iconic Lion Monument are all free to visit in Lucerne. 

More Switzerland Budget Travel Tips (Do’s and Don’ts) 

Interlaken

I’m not done with tips for saving money while traveling in Switzerland, and here are some more ideas. 

  • Travel in the off-season. The peak season in Switzerland (summer/winter) means higher prices of accommodation, transportation, attractions, and even restaurants. Avoid traveling during peak season for the best deals. 
  • Always ask for discounts. It never hurts to ask for a discount; the worst that can happen is that you get denied a discount and spend the same amount of money you would if you didn’t ask. So, whether it’s a hotel, museum, or whatever else, ask if they offer any special deals or discounts and see if you’re eligible. You can also haggle at souvenir shops and local boutiques to try and save some money while shopping. 
  • Look into the city cards . All major cities in Switzerland have city cards (not the same as city passes that you get for free) that offer free access to attractions, discounts, use of public transport, and other deals for a select period. City cards are often hit or miss, and it’s best to once again do the math; see which attractions you’d like to visit and calculate the cost of tickets vs. the cost of the city card. The Geneva city card is a really good deal and I highly recommend getting that one if you’re planning to visit many landmarks in the city. 
  • Mind the exchange rates. The currency used in Switzerland is the Swiss Franc. When paying by card, you can choose whether you want to pay in Francs or a different currency. It’s generally best to pay in Francs because you’ll get the best exchange rates. I highly recommend a wise.com account and one of their free cards because they’ve got minimal fees even for ATM withdrawals. Also, you don’t need that much cash in Switzerland, but it’s good to have some on hand, just in case. You’ll get the best rates if you withdraw Francs from your bank account at the bank, otherwise, you can use ATMs, but you’ll pay steep fees.

visit switzerland cheap

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visit switzerland cheap

Guide: How To Visit Switzerland On A Budget

Switzerland doesn't need to come with a massive price tag, and this is your guide on how to plan an affordable vacation.

Switzerland, the mountainous Central European country, is one of the most beautiful places in the world. From the snow-capped Alps and numerous lakes to lush green scenery and medieval quarters, everything about Switzerland is breathtaking . Not to forget the world-famous Swiss watches and Swiss chocolates. Apart from these, the progressive economy also makes Switzerland amazing in unique ways.

Visiting Switzerland could be intimidating as it is of the most expensive countries to visit . Pouring all the money down for the sake of traveling is not something a wise tourist does. Therefore, here is a detailed guide to travel Switzerland on a budget.

Get Around Switzerland In A Budget-Friendly Way

Getting around the cities and sneak-peeking into the major attractions could be costly if the traveler hires a vehicle. Therefore, it is advised to make the most out of free public transportation available in certain cities like Geneva, Lucerne, and Bern when in Switzerland. It can cut the transportation cost and help save some bucks.

Most accommodations provide transportation tickets that are valid until one stays. Many hotels like The Canton of Ticino have started the concept of a travel jackpot wherein tourists staying on their property get an all-inclusive ticket. This ticket offers free travel on buses and trains. One also gets a good discount on boats, cable cars, and selected activities.

Seeing the huge success of travel-jackpot, more and more properties are joining this concept which is beneficial to both parties. The freebies are attractive, welcoming, and, most important, pocket-friendly. One is eligible for getting the travel jackpot even if one is staying for one night.

Apart from this, it is advised not to buy a travel pass until one knows the options. Travel pass makes sense only when the traveler uses public transport to get around the city. However, if there is an option of free travel with accommodation, the travel pass will go futile and a large sum of money too.

Planning the trip in advance and listing the places one wants to visit will help make the expedition budget-friendly. Dig out the best accommodation and travel options and figure out whether a Swiss Travel Pass,

Interrail Pass, Half fare Card, or Supersaver tickets will be value for money or not.

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Eat In A Way That Fits Your Pocket In Switzerland

Eating out in Switzerland is a costly affair too. Even if one catches a bargain, one meal costs 25 to 30 CHF ($27 to $32). So, embrace the inner chef and cook your own food, which is way more affordable. Groceries for a week may cost around 60 to 80 CHF, enough to keep the stomach and pocket full.

Supermarkets like Coop, Migros, Aldi and Lidl, and Denner are the best options to find groceries at affordable prices. Amongst these, Aldi and Lidl are home to the cheapest stores.

If one is not so cooking enthusiast and looking for inexpensive options, buying old bread is another way to save bucks in Switzerland. The concept of Assbar is the new fad in Switzerland in which the guys collect all the items bakeries could not sell during the day and sell them at a discounted price to people the next day. This concept was introduced to fight food wastage and provide people with affordable food options.

Through Assbar, one can get bread rolls, sausage rolls, pastries, sandwiches, and a lot more bakery items at a massive discount. What’s better than eating yesterday’s bread at half rate in order to save a few francs? Travelers can find Assbar stores in Zurich, Winterthur, Fribourg, St. Gallen and Basel. Since the concept of Assbar has gained a lot of popularity in recent times, it is expected that similar stores will open in other cities too.

While Assbar offers food at a discounted price, the farmer’s market is the place where one can get free food samples. The market offers free samples every now and then, and wise travelers make the most out of this opportunity. Although one won’t get a full meal, anything free is worth gold. Travelers can taste free olives, crackers, bread, and occasionally cheese and cookie. It is the best place to satisfy the mid-day cravings.

People visiting chocolate factories and biscuit factories can also get enough samples. However, one needs to pay a small entrance fee to visit the place.

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Enjoy Switzerland's Free Activities

While there are many activities that will dig a hole in the pocket, many are totally free of cost. For instance, Switzerland, with a gorgeous landscape, offers many hiking trails. Travelers can choose the trail according to their limits and explore the lush green mountains and valleys without spending huge.

Here is a list of a few activities that are perfect for every budget-friendly traveler-

  • Join free walking tours across the country organized in many cities.
  • Explore the wildlife (bears) in Bern and free wildlife parks in St. Gallen, Zurich, Winterthur, Interlaken, and many other places.
  • Visit free museums, churches, and old towns depicting the medieval era.
  • Check out chocolate, biscuit, and cheese factories and enjoy free samples for a gastronomic experience.
  • Tour the House of Parliament in Bern is free of cost.
  • Explore the botanical gardens to see native flora and fauna.
  • See Rhine Falls- Europe’s largest waterfalls at Schaffhausen.
  • Enjoy the lakes.

With pocket-friendly ways to stay and get around the city, one can stretch the money when in Switzerland. All that is needed is elaborate research and jotting the best and inexpensive ways to visit the country. Planning strategically can help witness the Alps closer and explore Switzerland on a budget.

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Best cheap vacations in Switzerland

Best cheap vacations in Switzerland

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Top-rated cheap travel packages in Switzerland

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Cheap 3-Day Switzerland City Break in Zurich

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Cheap 10-Day Switzerland Road Trip Vacation from Zurich to Bern, Geneva, Lausanne, and Basel

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Cheap 11-Day Switzerland Road Trip Vacation from Geneva to Interlaken, Lucerne, Zurich, and Bern

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Cheap 12-Day Switzerland Road Trip Vacation from Bern to Geneva, Lausanne, Interlaken, and Lucerne

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Cheap 5-Day Switzerland City Break in Basel

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  • There are loads of types of vacations in Switzerland and the cost will depend on what type of trip you’re taking and for how long you’d like to stay. Here are the latest prices for a 3 night trip for 2 travelers: Top vacation $457; Family vacation $366; Romantic vacation $510; Luxury vacation $495; Budget vacation $302.

Why should you book a vacation package to Switzerland?

When should you book a vacation package to switzerland.

It all depends on what you'd like to do. If you're into skiing and want to save money, a package in February of March could work out just fine. If you're headed to Geneva or Zurich for a city break, May and June are great times to go, and the early fall is prime hiking season in most lower Alpine valleys.

Where should you stay in Switzerland during your vacation?

For any vacation type in switzerland:.

It doesn't matter whether you travel as a family, alone or as a couple, the Hotel Krebs in Interlaken will be ideal. It's well situated for skiing or summer hikes, while a range of bars and restaurants caters for evening entertainment. Airport shuttles from Zurich take around two hours.

For visitors to Geneva, nowhere beats the Beau Rivage. Blessed with a beautiful location overlooking the lake, it's a short walk from attractions like Saint-Pierre Cathedral and is well-equipped with amenities to enhance anyone's stay. Airport taxis take just 10-15 mins.

For family vacations in Switzerland:

Geneva's Grand Hotel Kempinski is among the city's elite family hotels, with a Sunday children's club taking the pressure off parents, a wellness spa and pool. And it's all around 15 mins from Geneva airport (or 25 mins by bus).

If you're arranging a family ski trip to Zermatt, the Grand Hotel Zermatthof will fit the bill. A classic continental ski lodge, it provides relaxing massages, has three restaurants, an indoor pool and staff who are experts at handling kids. The taxi from Geneva Airport takes about 4 hours.

For romantic vacations in Switzerland:

The Hotel d'Angleterre is a wonderful boutique hotel in Geneva where the rooms are furnished with little touches like bathrobes, extra-soft pillows and iPod docks - creating an intimate, romantic atmosphere. It's handily located in the city center, around 15 mins by taxi from the airport.

The Gstaad Palace is perfect for skiing escapes with the one you love. Located at the base of a stupendously beautiful valley, it has 5 restaurants, a pool and spa which specializes in aromatherapy sessions - ideal for recovering from a day on the slopes. The drive from Geneva takes 2 hours.

For luxury vacations in Switzerland:

Located in the upscale ski resort of St Moritz, the San Gian is everything luxury ski fans could hope for, offering hot stone massages and reflexology, while hooking guests up with secure ski storage and the all-important passes. Zurich airport is around 4 hours away by road.

Cresta Palace is a superb premium ski hotel in Celerina where the deep soaking tubs provide the perfect way to recover from a day on the slopes, and the dining options seem to go on and on. The closest airport is Milan Malpensa in Italy, which is 3 hours away by taxi or hire car.

For budget vacations in Switzerland:

If you're taking your family to Zurich, the Novotel Zurich Airport Messe is both cheap and extremely convenient - as well as being a comfortable, friendly hotel. It has a terrace bar, fitness center and sauna, and is 5 mins from the airport.

Budget travelers can explore the fascinating city of Geneva without paying a fortune by staying at the Hotel des Alpes, where free wi-fi and hearty buffet breakfasts ensure a contented stream of customers. And the 3 mile distance from the airport means that transfers are extremely quick.

Where to stay in Switzerland

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  1. 7 Essential Tips to Travel Switzerland on a Budget

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  2. 11 Things to Do on the Cheap in Switzerland

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  3. 9 Switzerland Travel Tips

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  4. Zurich Bucket List: 10 Top Things to Do in Zurich, Switzerland

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  5. 10 Tips on Visiting Switzerland On A Budget in 2023

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  6. 14 Cheap & Free Things To Do In Interlaken, Switzerland

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COMMENTS

  1. How to Plan a Trip to Switzerland on a Budget (2024)

    Best Things to Do in Switzerland Under $100. I've included a few of the best excursions in Switzerland for under $100 US to help you plan the perfect trip! Rhine Falls Half Day Trip from Zurich. Lake Lucerne Panoramic Sightseeing Cruise. Annecy Half Day Tour From Geneva. Geneva City Tour and Boat Ride.

  2. 18 Do's And Don'ts To Visiting Switzerland On A Budget

    Don't Miss Out on Student Discounts. Youth and student discounts on travel in Switzerland can help you save on transportation and activities! For example, young travelers from 16-24 can get a discount on the Swiss Travel Pass. These discounts are usually found in the "Reduced" section of ticket charts.

  3. How to travel Switzerland on a budget

    Book into a swanky Swiss hostel. Even the most modest hotels can be budget-blowing in Switzerland, but thankfully there are alternatives. Swiss youth hostels are among the swankiest in the world, and while prices aren't dead cheap, a dorm bed in the Saas-Fee Wellness Hostel 4000 (from Sfr61) or the Backpackers Lucerne (from Sfr34) is considerably less than a hotel room.

  4. 10 Simple Ways to Travel Switzerland on a Budget

    And here are 10 ways to make your money last longer in Switzerland. 1. Use free public transport. Take advantage of free public transport in certain cities to make your money last longer in Switzerland. If you're staying in Bern, Lucerne, Basel, Geneva or Lausanne, you get to use local public transport for free.

  5. 10 Tips on Visiting Switzerland On A Budget

    Here's how much my trip to Switzerland (Zurich, Bern, Geneva, and Interlaken) cost (in Swiss francs, which at the time of my visit were worth around $1.03 USD):Food: 105.75 Accommodation: 171.36 Transportation: 222.30 Metro: 17.40 Alcohol: 66.90 Attractions: 30 Total: 613.71 (or 76.71 CHF per day). Overall, I did a good job keeping my costs down, spending around $79 USD per day.

  6. The Cost of Travel in Switzerland: My 2024 Budget Breakdown

    The Cost of Accommodation in Switzerland. You can visit Switzerland on a whole range of budgets, from a CHF 23 (€24) a night dorm bed in the Alps to an absolutely incredible CHF 900 (€950) a night hotel, the latter of which is the best hotel in Zurich and a haven for world-famous celebrities.. In this blog post, I'm going to be focusing on value. ...

  7. Switzerland Budget Travel Guide (Updated 2024)

    As one of the most expensive countries in Europe, Switzerland is often skipped over by budget travelers.. Yet, while it is not a cheap destination, Switzerland is one of the most beautiful places on earth. This land-locked country is home to shimmering lakes (more than 7,000 of them!), picturesque mountains (hello Alps!), tiny walled medieval towns, historic cities, soaring peaks, endless ...

  8. Budget Travel in Switzerland: 21 Practical Tips (2022)

    In 2022, a regular SBB Half-fare card costs CHF 185 for one year. But people living outside Switzerland may purchase a 1 month Half-fare card for CHF 120. The half-fare card can pay for itself rather quickly if you travel a lot by public transportation and go up a lot of expensive mountains.

  9. 11 Cheapest Ways To Travel Switzerland On A Budget [2024]

    Swiss Travel Pass. If you want to travel to Switzerland for a longer time (at least 5 days) and see different places (at least 5), the best way to save up is to purchase a Swiss Travel Pass.. This Pass is available for 3, 4, 8, or 15 days.All trains, buses, boats, and public transportation in cities are included in the Pass.. You can choose between 1st and 2nd class.

  10. Switzerland on a Budget: 10 Essential Tips

    Check out the Swiss Railways website to get an idea of what small towns fall on the major train lines, prices for train tickets, train stations, etc. Sleep on Straw (minus the cows) 3. Cheap or Free Accommodations. Nowadays, budget travelers have so many options in finding a place to stay.

  11. THE 10 BEST Cheap Things to Do in Switzerland

    Stunning Lucerne. Beautiful place. Stunning views of the lake, lake tours available and plenty to see and do around the town. Excellent travel hub for investigation of surrounding areas. Review of: Lake Lucerne. Written January 5, 2024.

  12. 12 Insider Tips to Travel Switzerland on a Budget 2023: Best Passes

    As dreamy and beautiful as it is, Switzerland has frequently been flamed as an expensive country to travel to. Nevertheless, it's not to say there aren't ways to travel to Switzerland on a budget. From value-for-money travel passes to free walking tours, cheap accommodation options, and tons of attractions that offer free entry, we've come up with a list of practical tips to help you plan your ...

  13. Cost of a Trip to Switzerland & the Cheapest Time to Visit Switzerland

    The high-end price for one person to visit Switzerland for a week is $2,769-$9,991 ($396-$1,427 per day) Food, Travel, and Sightseeing: $115 to $238 per day for one person's daily expenses. Flights: $884 to $2,157 for first class. Lodging: $180 to $374 per night for one 4 or 5-star hotel room. or $513 to $1,028 per night for a preferred ...

  14. 10 Best Cheap Switzerland Tours & Trips 2024/2025

    Discover Budget tours and authentic experiences in Switzerland, visiting places like Interlaken and Lucerne. All Major Brands. Biggest Selection. ... 14 cheap Switzerland tour packages with 225 reviews Save and compare this adventure. ... I want to travel in a maximum group size of up to: 50+ people. 5. 20 people. 3. 50 people. 6.

  15. Your Trip to Switzerland: The Complete Guide

    Travel Tip: If you plan to do a lot of travel within Switzerland, consider purchasing the Swiss Travel Pass, which grants the holder unlimited first- or second-class travel across the country's network of trains, buses, and boats, and most scenic railways. Plus, you'll get admission to more than 500 museums, as well as discounts on mountain ...

  16. How much your Switzerland trip will cost and how to save money

    Cheap day trips include hiking or visiting a nearby town. Find our extensive overview of free and cheap activities here. 2. Find cheap accommodation. There are many budget hotels, even on central locations in Switzerland's most popular towns. If you plan to stay in one town for a week or longer, consider renting an apartment. It's cheaper ...

  17. Switzerland on a Budget: Tips For Cheap Travel

    Cheap Places to Visit in Switzerland . St. Gallen is one of the cheaper Swiss cities to visit. Here's the thing - there are no cheap places to visit in Switzerland. The prices are similar throughout most of the country with a few exceptions, and it's expensive everywhere. One thing to keep in mind is that accommodation is often cheaper in ...

  18. Guide: How To Visit Switzerland On A Budget

    Here is a list of a few activities that are perfect for every budget-friendly traveler-. Join free walking tours across the country organized in many cities. Explore the wildlife (bears) in Bern and free wildlife parks in St. Gallen, Zurich, Winterthur, Interlaken, and many other places.

  19. How to travel Switzerland on a budget

    15 Best Budget Hikes in Switzerland. The most affordable mountain hikes in Switzerland, including tourist regions like Zermatt and Interlaken. Prices range from CHF 12-40/adult. In some cases, these fares are even cheaper with overnight guest cards, travel passes, and travel cards like SBB Half-fare.

  20. Tips for cheap (or at least more affordable) travel in Switzerland

    Switzerland is expensive to visit. Switzerland is well known for being expensive in comparison with surrounding countries (and most other countries in the world). Even a basic McDonalds meal will be painfully expensive to most visitors. ... My tips from hiking the Haute Route cheap: - Switzerland is one of the best places to use a multi-trip ...

  21. Best cheap vacations in Switzerland

    Download Europe's biggest travel marketplace to your phone to manage your entire trip in one place. Book the best cheap vacations in Switzerland, starting from 252 EUR. Compare and choose from 197 cheap vacations to Zurich, Geneva, and other top destinations in Switzerland.

  22. Switzerland Itinerary on a lesser Budget : Packed Again

    10 Day - Switzerland Itinerary on a Budget. Day 1 to 7. Carry on with your Best Switzerland itinerary for 7 to 14 days and take the above itinerary, BUT instead of heading on day 4 already into the Berner-Oberland, visit the Oeschinensee on day 7 when you're leaving the Valais on your way to Interlaken. On day 4 you have plenty of ...

  23. Switzerland vacation packages from $455

    Tips for finding Switzerland package deals. There are loads of types of vacations in Switzerland and the cost will depend on what type of trip you're taking and for how long you'd like to stay. Here are the latest prices for a 3 night trip for 2 travelers: Top vacation $457; Family vacation $366; Romantic vacation $510; Luxury vacation $495 ...