To most people, the word ‘Switzerland’ brings to mind glacial peaks, sparkling lakes, and chocolate-box villages – a first-class travel dream. But Switzerland is also the world’s most expensive country, and even budget travelers know better than to splash out here.
And as someone who’s recently driven through the whole of Switzerland for a week on a budget of only $500, consider this my through-the-holographic backing of your banknote: It’s true.
If you’ve dreamt of traveling to Switzerland but don’t know where to start when it comes to the dreaded ‘budget’, let this be your step-by-step guide to get you there in style without having to raid the Golden Vault.
Getting to Switzerland: Smart Flight Strategies
The biggest challenge you might face when beginning your Swiss experience – how to get there in the first place – is surprisingly tricky. Flight prices vary wildly, and upon some reflection, you might spot several strategic opportunities that could help offset some of those costs.
Direct Flights
You might score a deal there on a direct flight to Zurich or Geneva (prices start from $400-1000 from the US: look for the sales and be flexible on your travel dates).
The European Hub Strategy
Sometimes, you can save money by flying into a continental European hub and buying a separate flight to Switzerland:
Go to a website where you can find the cheapest flights: to London, or Paris. Such flights have high frequencies.
From there, book a separate ticket to Geneva or Zurich.
Following this two-step approach saves you a few hundred dollars every time. Within Europe, you can fly on some budget airlines for as little as $50 to $100 to any Swiss city.
Navigating Switzerland: Transportation Options
Once you land in Switzerland, you’ll want to see some more of it. The home of around 7.9 million people is blessed with two excellent tourist options for public transport.
The Swiss Travel Pass: Convenience at a Price
The Swiss Travel Pass is a nationwide ticket that gives you access to public transport in Switzerland. Information:
- Coverage: Trains, buses, and boats nationwide.
- Additional perks: Free use of some gondolas and 50% off others.
- Museum access: Free entry to over 500 museums.
Pricing:
- 3-day pass: Approximately $250.
- 8-day pass: Around $440.
Although the price looks high at first, in the end, the Swiss Travel Pass can be worth it if you take public transportation often and want to visit a lot of attractions.
Renting a Car: Freedom and Potential Savings
My favorite way (and the way I did it on my recent trip) is to hire a car. Here is how it balances up:
| Expense | Cost |
|---|---|
| Car rental (1 week) | $200 |
| Gas | $150 |
| Total | $350 |
Renting a car offers several advantages:
- Flexibility to explore off-the-beaten-path locations
- No need to adhere to public transportation schedules
- Cost-effective when traveling with a companion (split the expenses!)
- Current deals can be as low as $200 for a week-long rental.
Don’t forget the cost of petrol, which is pretty expensive in Switzerland—much more expensive than in the US.
Finding Affordable Accommodation
This is easily the biggest eating into your daily budget if you need to be more careful. So some good advice to keep it at a minimum is:
Airbnb and Vacation Rentals
If you plan a bit, it’s easy to get Airbnb accommodations somewhere between $25 and $100 per night per person. Prices can rise in high season, so book as far ahead as possible.
Mountain Lodges and Hostels
Don’t dismiss traditional guest house-style accommodation: On my trip, I found a lovely mountain lodge in Appenzell for CHF 45 per night—including breakfast—that my Swiss hosts described as ‘for the Swiss’. Vacation stays include skiing at Champery airport in the Valais region of Switzerland.
Camping
If you are here at the right time of year and have the necessary equipment, camping is a very budget-friendly way to stay, with many excellent campgrounds in beautiful settings. Switzerland has many.
Eating on a Budget in Switzerland
Unnerving restaurant prices are Switzerland’s most formidable enemy. Lunch or dinner at a restaurant could cost $40-$60 per head. Here’s how to eat for cheap—but well.
Grocery Store Strategy
Swiss supermarkets, especially Coop and Migros, are your best friends for cheap meals. Keep an eye out for some of these bargains:
- Chocolate bars: As low as 50 cents.
- Pasta: $1 per pound.
- Pre-made pastas and salads: $2-3.
- Local cheeses and breads: Often reasonably priced and delicious.
Picnic in Paradise
If you want to save money, buy supplies from grocery stores and have a picnic along Switzerland’s beautiful parks and mountainsides. One of the best ways to go on holiday to Switzerland is to enjoy Swiss nature to the fullest.
Fast Food as a Last Resort
Though you wouldn’t necessarily call it healthy, fast-food joints such as McDonald’s can be a welcome godsend to your bank account in Switzerland. A cheeseburger at the Swiss McDonald’s costs around $2.50—cheap by US standards but expensive for Switzerland.
Entertainment and Activities: Balancing Splurges and Savings
Switzerland is an adventurer’s paradise, from the breathtaking train rides in the countryside to the thrilling slopes of Arosa for skiing. Our resident travel expert gives a few tips that will help you embrace these activities without spending a fortune.
Leverage the Swiss Travel Pass
If you have bought the pass, use every (free) and discounted item it offers: many gondola rides and museum entries.
Hiking: The Free Swiss Experience
The best thing about Switzerland is its natural beauty, and hiking is free. If instead of walking in the mountains you want some adventure, hire a bicycle instead. You won’t get stuck in traffic jams like you do in the USA.
Hiking has a similar benefit to pruning a tree. The longer you are high up, the better and more beautiful your view becomes. The cost of gondola rides and vantage points in the Alps are very expensive.
For example, to see the famous Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau mountains, you have to ride a cable car up to a certain vantage point and pay $60 for a short ride. The last part of the ride is in a spaceship-like tube through snow, and you get a bad case of vertigo.
Instead, I decided to hike up the mountain of the Eiger and have solitude. I save money, too. In Grindelwald, a well-known town in this part of the mountains, I decided to pay 43 Swiss francs for lunch; it was the most expensive lunch I had ever had.
Strategic Splurging
Pick two or three ‘must’ activities that have the highest financial cost and save on the rest. The Jungfraujoch train excursion (entry to the top of the glacier run by the Jungfraubahn) is the most frequented and most expensive big-ticket item, with tickets running about $200. For most items, early bird specials and off-peak discounts are available.
Free and Low-Cost Activities
- Visit free museums and galleries.
- Take advantage of free walking tours in major cities.
- Enjoy Switzerland’s many beautiful lakes with beach days or rented paddle boats.
Final Tips for Budget Travel in Switzerland
- Travel during the shoulder season (Spring or Fall) for lower prices and fewer crowds.
- Use a credit card with no foreign transaction fees to save on currency exchange.
- Carry a reusable water bottle – Swiss tap water is excellent and free.
- In larger towns, city cards will often be available, which give free access to public transport and museums.
Beauty is the best doesn’t in Switzerland, and with a bit of strategic planning, this country needn’t be an expensive destination for budget travelers. Decisions about transportation, accommodations, food, and activities are the keys to keeping your costs low when visiting Switzerland.
Sometimes, the most thrilling adventures — such as hiking through the Alps or picnicking at a pristine lake — cost nothing.
