how to travel switzerland for cheap

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.

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Where to Stay in Zurich: Ultimate Guide for First time Visitors

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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?

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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!

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Alpine life, for less: Switzerland on a budget

May 17, 2024 • 9 min read

Camping in the mountains is a cost-effective way to experience Switzerland at its finest © Milo Zanecchia/ Ascent Xmedia / Getty Images

It’s no secret that  Switzerland doesn’t top the list of “cheap getaways.”

Indeed, this small and famously prosperous 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.

Yet traveling within Switzerland on a modest budget is in fact possible. If you plan carefully, make the most of the country’s many transport deals and prioritize the countryside over cities, even the most frugal of travelers can savor this beautiful country.

Here’s how to get the most out of Switzerland on a budget.

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

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 PostBus coaches supplying access to even the tiniest hamlet up the remotest mountain road. Tickets are relatively expensive – but if you plan ahead, there are ways to cut costs. Plus, compared to price of car rental, fuel and parking, public transport is 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 plan on 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 6 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 .

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  in 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.

Book into a swank Swiss hostel

In Switzerland, even the most modest hotels can blow your budget. 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, allowing you to save money by cooking instead of eating out.

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 cafe 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.

Take a self-guided lake tour

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

And these ferries are wonderfully extended attractions in themselves. So large is Lake Geneva (Lac Léman, to give it its proper name), for example, that the journey from  Geneva to Montreux by boat 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).

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 Rivers Aare and Rhine, respectively.

Head for the hills – and bargain beds

If you’re willing to put in the (sometimes considerable) effort to hike there on your own two legs,  Swiss Alpine Club cabins offer relatively inexpensive beds in eye-popping locations across the Swiss Alps, all 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 can 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 .

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.

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

Fall is one of the best times to visit Switzerland , with flights 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 by choosing a hike accessible by train or bus you’ll be rewarded with a blaze of autumnal color in the larch forests, a glorious sight that summer tourists never get to see.

Exploring Switzerland’s glorious landscapes is free

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 part of the quintessential Swiss 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, giving you the chance to fill your backpack with fresh bread and pastries, dried meat, hunks of Gruyère cheese, prepackaged 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 stick to vegetarian options.

Tuck into low-cost leftovers

The, um, amusingly named  Äss Bar ( ässbar in Swiss German, from essbar in German, meaning “edible”) is an anti-waste 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.

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 food and accommodation, too. You can soften the blow by choosing a less glitzy resort, where everything’s a bit more reasonable. Consider 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 mountain springs. It’s all drinkable as long as it doesn’t have a sign saying non-potable (“ kein Trinkwasser ”).

This article was first published Jul 16, 2019 and updated May 17, 2024.

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10 Tips on Visiting Switzerland On A Budget

Switzerland conjures up many images. On one side, there are majestic mountains, delicious fondue and chocolate, big banks sheltering people’s money, precision watches, and an orderly society.

But those majestic mountains and stunning scenery come at a price: Switzerland is the most expensive country in the world.

Understandably, with visiting Switzerland so expensive, it’s easy to see why so many backpackers and budget travelers skip over the country and wait until they are older and (hopefully) wealthier.

When I mentioned I was visiting Switzerland on a budget, many people shook their heads and wished me good luck with a “poor soul to think he can do that” expression.

I’ll admit, I was worried. While I’ve found that not all “expensive” destinations need to be tough on the wallet (though some are unavoidably expensive), traveling to Switzerland on a budget seemed daunting.

But, while Switzerland will never be a “dirt cheap” country to visit, where travelers can visit on just a few dollars a day, there are definitely ways to save here so you can visit without breaking the bank.

To help you plan your trip, save money, and ensure you make the most out of your budget visit, here’s everything you need to know to avoid breaking the bank in Switzerland:  

How Much I Spent in Switzerland

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. However, it took a lot of work and constant vigilance. I relied heavily on the sharing economy (see below) and cooking my own food to make this happen. Being able to hike and visit free attractions also helped, though in wintertime when you have to pay to ski, this might not be the case.

Having spent a few days in Zurich in the past, I didn’t feel the need to eat out a lot so I was happy to eat my own food versus ordering expensive restaurant food. Alcohol cost a fair bit (11% of my budget) but there was no way I was going to Interlaken without partying in the famous Balmers (also the only hostel I stayed in the entire time).

My biggest mistake was not paying attention to the fact I was flying in and out of Zurich. Since I went from Zurich to Geneva to Zurich, that meant I doubled back, costing me an extra 100 CHF in train tickets! This was such as stupid mistake, and I still kick myself for it. I mean, how could I miss such a simple thing?!

If I had gone one way, I would have saved a substantial amount of money and significantly lowered my average spending. Always pay attention to your direction to save money on transportation. It’s a hard and fast rule of mine and I completely messed up.  

Suggested Daily Budget in Switzerland

How much should you spend in Switzerland ? Well, that depends.

Depending on where you want to spend your money you could spend as little as $60 USD a day on a tight backpacking budget. This budget would require you to couchsurf every night, cook all your food, do only free activities (there’s plenty), and avoid alcohol. You’d be traveling on a shoestring. It would be hard but not impossible.

Below is a chart of some suggested budgets based on different travel styles to help you plan out your spending. Prices are in CHF.

For reference, on a mid-range budget of around 200 CHF per day, you can stay in an Airbnb, eat out for a few meals, enjoy a few drinks, take the occasional taxi to get around, and do some paid tours and activities like visiting museums or going skiing.

How to Save Money in Switzerland

Even if I had done ridesharing or Couchsurfing during my visit, I would have moved those extra savings into other activities. (Be frugal, not cheap is my travel philosophy. So, I think my budget was just right for the country.)

For those looking to keep costs low, here are ten high-impact ways to save money in Switzerland:

1. Use Couchsurfing As in any destination, accommodation costs can eat up a big portion of your budget. To offset that, try Couchsurfing . It’s 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. I put in 25 hosting requests in Geneva before I found someone to stay with.

2. Use BlaBlaCar Transportation is very expensive, even more so than accommodation. Most intercity trains are 50-100 CHF. That adds up! Instead, use the ride-sharing website BlaBlaCar to avoid the trains and meet locals.

This website lets you rideshare with people. Drivers with extra seats in their car will post where they’re going and you can pay a small fee to join them. Not only is it usually faster than the train or bus but you get to meet some interesting people along the way.

Though I only used it once, it saved me $50 USD and I met a cool French father and son team on their way to Germany (I got to practice my poor French):

A word of caution: be advised that many rides cancel. I had three rides canceled on me at the last minute (and one guy who just failed to even show up), so the service requires some flexibility. But when it works, it’s awesome. And it’s definitely something I want to use a lot more in Europe .

3. Cash in hotel points Hotel reward points are a lifesaver in expensive destinations, where even hostels are expensive and the chance of getting a Couchsurfing host is small. Rack up hotel points before your trip and burn them while you stay in the country. Most hotel sign-up bonuses are worth enough points for a few free nights in a hotel, saving you hundreds of dollars right off the bat. ( These are the best hotel credit cards .)

4. Don’t drink Alcohol is not cheap here. Most beers are around 8 CHF and cocktails can cost between 12-15 CHF. Plus, who wants to hike while hungover? If you must drink, stick to hostel bars where you can enjoy cheap beer during happy hours.

5. Cook your own meals With sit-down restaurants costing 25-40 CHF per meal, eating out in Switzerland can be costly. If you’re on a tight budget, buy groceries at the supermarket and cook your own meals. A week’s worth of basic staples like pasta, rice, bread, eggs, and produce costs around 65-95 CHF. Just be sure to book accommodation with a kitchen.

6. Go veggie Meat is expensive in Switzerland. Every Swiss resident or expat I talked to told me about how they limit their meat consumption because it costs so much. Do the same and limit your meat consumption. Your wallet will thank you.

7. Eat lunch specials If you are going to eat out, do so during lunch, when restaurants offer lunch specials. Moreover, stick to Chinese, Middle Eastern, Indian, and Thai restaurants for the best deals and biggest portions. Lunch specials are a great way to get a lot of bang for your buck and to enjoy the dinner menu but at a cheaper set menu price — this is the only way I eat when visiting countries as expensive as Switzerland. Cook breakfast, eat out lunch, cook dinner — you can’t go wrong!

8. Ask for discounts Many museums and other tourist attractions offer student discounts so always ask if there are student discounts if you happen to be a student.

9. Get a city tourism card Most cities have a city card or city pass that gets you discounts or free admission to museums and sights. Most of them also provide free transportation too. If you’re planning on doing a lot of sightseeing, these cards are really cost-effective.

For example, the Zurich Pass offers free local transportation as well as free admission to forty museums in the city for just 27 CHF.

10. Bring a water bottle – The tap water in Switzerland 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.

Switzerland is an expensive country to visit — there’s no doubt about it. But no matter your travel style or what you plan to do, following the tips above will allow you to visit Switzerland on a budget. It won’t be a bargain-basement trip but it won’t break the bank either, allowing you to maximize your spending as you explore this stunning, postcard-perfect destination.

Get Your In-Depth Budget Guide to Europe!

My detailed 200+ page guidebook is made for budget travelers like you! It cuts out the fluff found in other guides and gets straight to the practical information you need to travel while in Europe. It has suggested itineraries, budgets, ways to save money, on and off the beaten path things to see and do, non-touristy restaurants, markets, bars, safety tips, and much more! Click here to learn more and get your copy today.

Book Your Trip to Switzerland: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned!

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. My favorite places to stay in the country are:

• Balmers Hostel (Interlaken)
• Zurich Youth Hostel (Zurich)
• City Hostel (Geneva)

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect 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. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• Safety Wing (for everyone below 70)
• Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
• Medjet (for additional repatriation coverage)

Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.

Want More Information on Switzerland? Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on Switzerland for even more planning tips!

Editor’s Note : Visit Switzerland paid for my one-way flight from Zurich to NYC as well as reimbursed me for expenses. They provided no logistical support or had any input on how or where I went. I traveled the same way I would anywhere else.

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

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The Cost of Travel in Switzerland: My 2024 Budget Breakdown

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.

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!

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)

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!

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.

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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How would you recommend one – 1 1/2 week budget travel experience in Switzerland? After Switzerland, I plan to go to South of France. Any suggestions there?

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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

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?

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

👉 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.

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.

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 :

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

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?

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 .

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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.

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 .

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.

Table of Contents

1. Spend More Time in One Place

2. skip staying in the major cities, 3. cheap or free accommodations, 4. buy food at a grocery store, 5. buy souvenirs at grocery stores, 6. drink tap water, 7. visit free museums, 8. free outdoor activities, 9. avoid high seasons, 10. invest in a travel pass, how to travel switzerland.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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)

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

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.

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. 

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.

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

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.

Switzerland Travel Guide

The Best 17 Places to Visit in Switzerland

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The 10 Best Restaurants in Switzerland

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

France Guide: Planning Your Trip

One Week in Switzerland: The Ultimate Itinerary

How to Travel Between Italy and Switzerland by Train

Matterhorn: The Complete Guide

Your Trip to Zurich: The Complete Guide

The Most Beautiful Lakes in Switzerland

How to Use Swiss Trains and the Swiss Travel Pass

The Complete Guide to Switzerland's Nature Parks

Skiing in Switzerland: The Complete Guide

The Best Time to Visit Switzerland

Getting Around Switzerland: Guide to Public Transportation

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Save money in Switzerland - 33 tips for your trip

Switzerland is one of the most expensive countries in the world, but there are ways to get around on a budget. This article will show you how to save money while traveling in Switzerland. We'll help you plan your trip on a budget. Here you will find 33 valuable tips on how to save money on food, accommodation, leisure time and travel.

Saver Day Pass SBB - starting at 29 CHF

The Saver Day Pass is available at dynamic prices up to 6 months in advance. The earlier you book, the cheaper you travel. With this pass, you can travel throughout Switzerland without restrictions and use all means of public transport.

Validity: All day

Use your phone or print out the voucher

No booking fees

Discount: Swiss Half Fare Card

booked 1672 times

Swiss Half Fare Card

With the Swiss Half Fare Card you get a 50% discount on your trips by bus, train, boat and most mountain railroads. You can travel throughout Switzerland within one month.

Free cancellation

booked 57 times

Friends Day Pass for Youth SBB

The Friends Day Pass for Youth is an incredibly attractive offer for young people under 25. With up to three other people, you can travel all over Switzerland at an unbeatable price.

booked 15 times

Switzerland is one of the most expensive countries in the world. The stronger the Swiss franc, the more expensive it becomes for guests from abroad. Occasionally, the Swiss price level reaches twice the global average.

The internationally recognized "Big Mac Index" makes a tangible comparison*.

• US Dollar vs. Swiss Franc : The Big Mac costs 30% more in Switzerland: in the USA USD 5.15 | in Switzerland USD 6.71
• EURO vs. Swiss Franc : The Big Mac costs 40% more in Switzerland: in the euro area EURO 4.77 | In Switzerland EURO 6.55
• YUAN vs. Swiss Franc : The Big Mac costs 90 % more in Switzerland: in China YUAN 24.00 | In Switzerland YUAN 45.29

(*Values July 2022 with purchasing power adjustment)

This may discourage some people from visiting Switzerland. Which is a shame: because despite the generally high prices, there are numerous tricks you can use to save money on your trip to Switzerland. We introduce you to some valuable money saving tips for Switzerland to help you plan your trip on a budget.

• Focus on free activities

There are plenty of free attractions and activities in Switzerland. These include numerous zoos, theme trails, churches, quite a few museums and much more. In addition, visiting natural attractions such as lakes, waterfalls and gorges is free in the vast majority of cases. And of course, hiking or swimming in a pristine mountain lake is also very easy on your budget. Find out more in our article about 100 free things to do in Switzerland .

• Benefit from good exchange rates and low fees

In Switzerland, you can pay by card almost everywhere. If you use Revolut, you can pay your bills directly in Swiss francs and don't suffer any exchange rate losses. Through the app, you exchange your currency for CHF at the daily rate and pay in Switzerland as if you had a local debit card. This way you ensure that your fees and losses stay at a minimum.

• Choose the right time to travel to Switzerland

If you choose your travel time wisely and don't travel during peak season, you can save money on your trip. Learn more about the best time to travel to Switzerland .

• Avoid skiing around Christmas as well as in January and February.
• Seek out the mountains especially in April and June or late summer/early fall.
• Avoid the summer months of July and August for hiking.
• Use spring or fall for your excursions and hikes.
• Avoid Ticino between June and October because many things are booked up.
• Avoid winter sports hotspots

Tourism magnets are expensive. It is much cheaper away from the big crowds. If you avoid typical tourist destinations, you will save quite some money in Switzerland.

If you choose one of the big winter sports resorts with a ringing name like Zermatt, Gstaad or St. Moritz, it can be expensive. The formula for saving money is to look for the lesser-known ski resorts, of which there are over 200 to choose from in this country. For a more detailed overview of ski resorts in Switzerland , see our related article on the subject.

• Seek out destinations off the beaten track

A trip to Europe's highest train station on the Jungfraujoch is a special experience, but also very expensive. Areas off the beaten path offer cheaper yet extremely attractive destinations. Rural or sparsely populated regions are more affordable than cities or sophisticated hotspots.

Inexpensive and unforgettable travel experiences can be found throughout Switzerland. For example in the Jura mountains, in Appenzellerland, in the Aargau countryside or at hidden magic spots in Graubünden, Ticino or Valais.

• Save your budget with food highlights

Switzerland is the land of fine chocolate and delicious cheeses. Want to know what's behind it? Take advantage of the numerous offers to visit our chocolate factories , show dairies and other culinary manufactories for a small entrance fee or free. Who knows, you might discover a secret or two.

• Join a free walking tour

Thanks to their small size, Swiss cities are relatively easy to explore on foot. Many offer free walking tours. Because Switzerland survived two world wars intact, its historic old towns are largely intact today. This feature is not taken for granted in Europe and is appreciated by tourists from all over the world.

• Castles, museums, bridges and libraries preserve your budget

Even today, castles are difficult to access because you have to pay admission. But from the outside they always impress for free. This is the case with bridges anyway, and in Swiss museums you can sometimes get in for free or at a reduced price. A Raiffeisen membership, the museum pass, the Swiss Travel Pass , other special public transport tickets or a student card can help.

Many libraries are not only free for students. Besides free Wifi, they offer shelter in stimulating, beautiful reading rooms. Plus, you'll get a slice of local daily life.

• Visit Swiss cultural assets

Switzerland has countless cultural assets that are open to the public. Here are a few examples to help you save money in Switzerland.

• Collège Calvin in Geneva, founded in 1559, still functions as a high school and is open to the public.
• Low entrance fees invite you to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site Castello di Montebello in Bellinzona.
• Like all churches in this country, the Baroque cathedrals of Einsiedeln Abbey and the Abbey District of St. Gallen are open to the public free of charge.

These and another 13.400 historic buildings with special flair are part of the Swiss list of cultural assets. They can be visited free of charge or at low cost throughout the country. For your personal selection, you can find a detailed list of all cultural assets in Switzerland on the federal geoportal.

• Discover Switzerland in the panoramic train

Enjoy your train journey with a panoramic view thanks to large, high reaching windows. In such special trains you can explore the most beautiful sides of of Switzerland. Delight in the culinary delights while the breathtaking landscape breathtaking landscape passes you by.

If you have to buy a ticket, panoramic trains won't save you any money. But if you have a Swiss Travel Pass, an Interrail or a Eurail, you're in for unforgettable rides at budget prices. This way, the trip becomes a destination without you having to spend a lot of money in addition to your passport.

• Book well in advance or at very short notice

The higher the number of vacant rooms, the lower the overnight rate. Today, many hotels flexibly adjust their changing offers at short notice according to current demand. The same applies to trains and flights as well as to the entire offer in tourism. It often pays to book well in advance, when the prices are lower. But also make sure you check last minute offers carefully and keep an eye on them.

• Book the right flight

Booking a flight is easy today. Finding the best and cheapest flight on the Internet is more difficult. Here are some tips:

• Use comparison portals like Google Flights, Skyscanner, Momondo, Kiwi or Kayak to find the best deal.
• Check recommended flights additionally on the website of the respective airline. Sometimes they are offered cheaper there. Especially when it comes to checked baggage, which is often not included on booking portals.
• Avoid peak travel times, because high demand generates high prices.
• Book early and save up to 50%. Last minute bargains are rare on flights.
• Try to stay flexible. Sometimes a day earlier or two days later makes a big difference.
• Large airports and EU hubs allow for cheaper airfares to Switzerland.
• Direct flights cost more. Stopovers push prices down.
• Profit from discounted train tickets

If you are travelling through Switzerland for a few days and use public transport a lot, it is often worth buying a railway pass for your train trip in Switzerland .

If you have your main residence in Europe, the Interrail allows you unlimited train travel in 33 countries. This includes Switzerland. If your main residence is outside Europe, you benefit from the same discounts and opportunities with the Eurail. By the way, the Swiss Travel Pass also saves you a lot of money if you often cover longer distances on your trip.

There are also discounted tickets, such as the SBB savings ticket. Learn more about the Train tickets in Switzerland and discover new ways to save money.

• With the SBB Savings Day Card you can travel Switzerland for as little as CHF 29 per day if you book early enough.
• With the Swiss Half Fare Card you can travel through Switzerland at half price.

• Travel cheap by car

The more passengers you have in your car, the cheaper the trip will be. If the passengers pay, the trip will be especially cheap.

Once you are in Switzerland, you benefit from the flexibility and can go anywhere at any time. You don't have to pay attention to timetables. Another advantage is that you can also eat and sleep in the car if necessary.

Rental cars are also an option. The websites of the major car rental companies always offer bargains. Many comparison platforms help you with your online search.

• Long-distance buses bring you cheaply to Switzerland

Compared with air, car and train travel, the journey by long-distance bus is often cheaper. When the buses are fully booked, it can get crowded. Seat guarantee and WLAN still bring some comfort. In addition to the low fare, there are other arguments for traveling by bus. The luggage regulations are more generous than with airlines and the rebooking and cancellation options are more flexible.

Please note, however, that long-distance buses like Flixbus are only suitable for traveling to Switzerland, but not for getting around within Switzerland.

• Save with car sharing

Low rental costs with a low ecological footprint. Carsharing is the idealistic alternative to classic car rental. Here are two Swiss providers in comparison:

2EM is a community that dreams of a better world. On their app, private individuals share their vehicle for a contribution towards expenses. For the app expenses, the 2EM community takes a small commission.

Founded in 1997, the Mobility cooperative is the pioneer in car sharing. Around 250,000 users share 3000 cars at 1500 locations. Here, too, you benefit from convenient self-service with spontaneous and short-term 24x7 use. At many train stations in Switzerland there are red mobility (electric) cars as an optimal combination of road and rail.

• Uber and Vertt are sometimes cheap

In a direct comparison to conventional cab services, the ride-sharing service Uber comes out cheaper, especially for short distances. The Uber app automatically determines the route, calculates the price, charges your credit card and pays the driver.

Those who know Uber are at home with Vertt . The Zurich-based startup also uses algorithms to arrange ridesharing - just cheaper. The drivers pay less commission, which you notice clearly at the end of the ride. You already know the fare beforehand.

• Rent a bike

Switzerland has a well-developed bicycle network. Even if there is still room for improvement in the infrastructure, you can get around Switzerland wonderfully by bike. You can either borrow it for free or rent it cheaply. You can choose from around 20 bikesharing networks in Switzerland.

• Velospot operates in several Swiss cities.
• RentABike is a leading Swiss bike rental company with 150 rental stations. Many of them at major train stations.
• CargoVelo2Go rents electric cargo bikes by the hour.
• Publibike is an ecologically oriented bikesharing app.
• Free bikes are available for rent through Schweiz Rollt in cities like Zurich and Geneva.

• Book hotels with savings and special prices

Did you know that all-inclusive vacations are a Swiss invention ? Almost a hundred years ago, billboards advertised "7 days of sun, snow and sports from CHF 50." Hundreds of Swiss hotels offered all-inclusive packages, appealing to budget-conscious guests.

Even today, you'll find many low-cost or all-inclusive offers on hotel websites. They are aimed, for example, at families with children , wellness fans or city travellers. You can sometimes find overnight rates as low as CHF 30 per person, including a rich breakfast or half board.

The higher the number of detached rooms, the lower the overnight price. Many hotels today adjust their changing offers flexibly and at short notice according to the current demand. Therefore, it is worthwhile to obtain an online offer at the hotel of your choice for the desired period. It can pay off to plan well in advance or to react quickly.

• Stay in hostels

How about spending the night in a castle or in an original new building? And for little money with a sustainable environmental flair? Then one of the more than 50 Swiss youth hostels is the right place for you. From a bed in a 6-bed room to a double or single room with bathroom and toilet, there is a suitable solution for everyone.

Budget travelers benefit from free Wi-fi and luggage storage, bed linen and breakfast as well as common and leisure rooms or self-service restaurants. Inexpensive annual passes and the free hostel app bring benefits and discounts such as:

• easy booking or check-in
• annual pass on your smartphone
• hostel discounts
• cheaper entrance fees to museums as well as leisure facilities
• partner and family-friendly offers
• discounts on the public transport network
• Sleep in farms and guesthouses

Off the beaten track along the country roads you will find them: The country inns and farms with their moderate room rates. These traditional family-run businesses can be found all over rural Switzerland. Specialities of the Swiss cuisine according to grandmother's recipe or newly interpreted adorn the menus. To find the right accommodation for you, we recommend the platform MyFarm of Agrotourism Switzerland.

You will also find inexpensive accommodation and catering options in the many guesthouses, inns, bed and breakfasts and hotels. Throughout Switzerland they offer comfortable accommodation at favorable conditions. This leaves you more money for other nice things in your trip through Switzerland. A look at over 400 host offers you will find in this pension directory.

• Sleep on straw

Sleeping on straw is a farm adventure for the whole family. You lie in the fragrant straw and look forward to the strengthening breakfast. The fresh milk and the farm's own products are a unique pleasure. On corresponding websites you can find farms that offer sleeping on straw for as little as 10 CHF per person. But beware, not all of them are so cheap. Check out the MyFarm platform and find the right farm for you.

Swiss Activities Tip: Although sleeping on straw is a great experience, it is not suitable for everyone. If you suffer from allergies and have problems with hay, straw or dust, it's better to avoid it.

• Book a holiday apartment or a house

Are you travelling with family or friends? Then it often helps the travel budget if you book a holiday apartment or a holiday home. The more travellers, the lower the accommodation costs per person. If you want to save on meals, your holiday home is the right place. Cooking yourself is usually cheaper. You can find offers on the following platforms:

• HomeToGo is a meta search engine with forwarding function. If you like the accommodation, you will be guided to the right booking portal.
• Atraveo is suitable for offers from one week.
• Airbnb is ideal for accommodation in the city.
• Casamundo offers a practical map view for orientation.
• HomeAway helps with short stays in city apartments.
• Holidu offers vacation rentals throughout Switzerland.
• Discover attractive campsites and bungalows

Save money on accommodation and travel without complications? Camping is more popular today than ever before. Many Swiss campsites offer high standards of development with recreation close to nature.

You are traveling without equipment and want to arrive spontaneously? Book a fully equipped accommodation at the campsite. The trend is called "glamping" and combines glamour and camping. You spend the night in comfortable bungalows, romantic yurts or in a nostalgic circus wagon.

TCS Camping is the largest provider in Switzerland. As a member you have up to 20% discount on TCS campsites. Depending on your Switzerland itinerary it can be worthwhile. On the portals of TCS or Camping.info you will find the right campsite in Switzerland.

• Use Park4night and Roadsurfer Spots

What's better than getting to know the country and its people spontaneously on a road trip? Are you on a round trip through Switzerland with your car, caravan or motorhome? Apps like park4night and roadsurfer spots simplify your daily search for a parking space.

They show you where you can easily park for the night or in between. Park4night documents suitable public parking spaces. In Switzerland, this is completely safe. On the other hand, Roadsurfer Spots will guide you to natural parking spaces on private property, some of which you have to pay for.

• Find cheap lunch menus

Eating in Swiss restaurants does not always have to be expensive. Cheap lunch menus allow for inexpensive enjoyment. So look for restaurants, inns and bistros between 11:30 am and 1:30 pm. Look for signs at the entrance with the daily menus and prices. Often you can choose from three or more different menus and pay much less than you would in the evening or if you ordered à la carte.

• Eat near universities and schools

Near big schools and universities, there is often a high density of restaurants and take-away stalls offering reasonably priced meals. As they compete for the favour of students, prices are often lower than in other places.

• Save money at a self-service restaurant

Cheap is not always bad. That's true of self-service restaurants, too. They serve inexpensive and at the same time good quality food. In Switzerland, you can find them in shopping malls or at large supermarkets like Migros and Coop. School, university and company cafeterias welcome out-of-town visitors. Places like museums, open-air swimming pools or youth hostels sometimes also run restaurants.

• Spare in the fight against food waste

There are numerous concepts that combat food waste. These include the Ässbar and TooGoodToGo.

The Ässbar , which you can find in eight cities in Switzerland, offers delicious baked goods from the day before. With the slogan "fresh from yesterday," you get delicious creations from bakeries in the area. Perfect for a cheap meal or picnic for your next hike in Switzerland . By the way, the Ässbar sometimes also offers whole menus that were cooked and packaged the day before, but not sold.

Via the TooGoodToGo App you can see where you can save food from going to waste in your area. Restaurants, bakeries, supermarkets and even drugstores offer their food at a greatly reduced price, which is wonderful for your travel budget.

• Enjoy a picnic

Get your food at the counter and find a nice place to picnic. Since you're foregoing a set table with service, you'll save some money. Lakefront promenades, public fireplaces, lookout points and park benches, to name a few, are perfect for a leisurely picnic. Takeaway stands are booming in Switzerland and you'll find them everywhere:

• at train station arcades
• in shopping malls
• in pedestrian zones
• in large stores such as Migros, Coop, Manor, Jelmoli or Globus
• in restaurants with takeaway offers
• on lake and river promenades
• at mobile counters on streets and squares
• and near schools and universities
• Get your own groceries and be your own chef

The shopping possibilities in Switzerland are huge and the choice is enormous. So buy your own ingredients and cook your own food to save money on the restaurant. Here are some tips for good bargains:

• The big supermarkets Migros and Coop carry inexpensive budget products in their private label. At Migros, the packages are white and green striped and labeled "M-Budget." Coop labels them with "Prix-Garantie" in pink lettering on a white background.
• Discounters such as Denner, Lidl or Aldi are attractive for low-cost purchases.
• Products with the "Action" label promise interesting reductions.
• Shortly before closing time, orange discount points with up to 75% off stick on perishable goods.
• Shop on farms

At farms you have a wide selection of fresh vegetables, fruits, dairy products, eggs and homemade jams. Also fresh from the farm: sausages, lamb, turkey, pork and other meats. By buying the goods directly from the farmer, they are often cheaper than in the store. With over 3000 farm stores in Switzerland, the websites of Hoflädeli and MyFarm will help you find them.

• Save money on drinks

In Switzerland, drinks can add up when paying at the restaurant or at the supermarket. So take advantage of the abundant free fountains or tap water. Fountains with drinking water quality can be found on every corner in Switzerland. Especially in cities. Self-service restaurants and canteens offer free tap water. Often the taps are discreetly placed and not immediately visible.

Did you know that you can drink alcohol in public in Switzerland? So buy a cold beer and drink it on the lakeshore or in a cozy park. Another insider tip for thirsty budget travelers: Look out for the many happy hour offers.

Switzerland is one of the most expensive countries in the world. However, thanks to good travel planning, it is also an affordable destination for budget travelers. Now you know the ways and ways to save money in Switzerland.

Table of contents

Discover leisure activities, top destinations.

• Grindelwald
• Lauterbrunnen
• Brienzwiler

Top Activities

Top attractions.

• Harder Kulm
• First Cliff Walk
• Jungfraujoch
• Museum of Transport
• Mount Titlis
• Lake Lucerne
• Schynige Plate
• Lake Geneva
• Eiger Glacier
• Glacier Gorge Grindelwald
• Grindelwald First
• Chillon Castle

Find cheap flights to Switzerland from $178

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Best Switzerland Flight Deals

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Good to know

Faqs - booking switzerland flights, how to get to the city center from geneva international airport (gva).

The distance from the GVA airport to the city center is about 2.5 miles. It will take approximately 20 minutes and cost around 67 CHR ($70 USD) to take a taxi. Public transportation is preferable; in the arrivals hall, you may obtain a free pass for buses and trains. Buses take roughly 20 minutes to reach the city center, whereas trains take around six minutes.

Which facilities are available for those traveling with kids in Zurich Airport (ZRH)?

The kids' play areas are airside, at A81, A71, and B38. Zurich Airport has established a Family Services room to alleviate the hardship of flight for people with children. The space has diaper change tables, infant care supplies for sale, sleeping and nursing rooms, a kitchen with microwave and kitchenware, and a vast and colorful playroom of toys for the small ones and Playstation and video games for older kids. Childcare providers are available for assistance and support in the rooms airside at Gate A .Strollers are provided for children under four. You can get one at check-in and return it at your departure gate before flying.

What are the layover options from the U.S. to Switzerland flights?

The stopover options for flights from the U.S. to Switzerland vary depending on your airport, airline, and origin. Suppose you fly from Washington, D.C. (IAD) to Switzerland Zurich Airport. In that case, you could have stops at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Miami International Airport (MIA), Heathrow Airport (LHR), and Frankfurt Airport (FRA).

Are there lounges I can access at Zurich Airport?

Yes. If you are flying in economy class and arrive at Zurich Airport, you can visit the lounges by purchasing a day pass, paying at the door, or having an annual membership. The airport houses Aspire Lounge (Non-Schengen), located in Terminal E, on the third floor, near Gate E4. Aspire Lounge (Schengen), Dnata Skyview Lounge, Primeclass Lounge (Non-Schengen Area), and Swiss Lounge D are other lounges on the third floor.

Is a visa required to enter Switzerland?

Switzerland is a member of the European Schengen Agreement, which means that US Nationals can travel to Switzerland visa-free for up to 90 days. However, be advised that the 90 days applies to the Schengen area as a whole. As of 2021, an online ETIAS application will be required for entry. Official information can be found on the Swiss embassy’s website.

Are there nonstop flights to Switzerland?

There are international flights available to most of the airports in Switzerland; however, the only nonstop flights to Switzerland arrive in Zurich and Geneva, the country’s two busiest airports. Nonstop flights to these cities from the United States depart from several cities, including New York, Boston, Tampa, Las Vegas and Chicago.

Which city should I fly to for the best access to the Alps?

The Swiss Alps are one of the top tourist attractions in all of Switzerland, but they aren’t directly accessible from any Swiss airports. To get to the Alps, the best city to fly into is Zurich. After your flight lands in Zurich, you can transfer to the Alps’ base cities via train.

I want to visit Chillon Castle, which airport offers the easiest access?

Chillon Castle and the surrounding areas are another popular attraction for international tourists. The airport in Geneva provides the most convenient access to Chillon Castle. To get to the castle, you can catch a regional train from the city of Geneva to the city of Montreaux. Montreaux lies approximately 3mi from the castle.

How long is the flight to Switzerland?

An average nonstop flight from the United States to Switzerland takes 11h 32m, covering a distance of 4764 miles. The most popular route is New York - Zurich with an average flight time of 7h 35m.

What is the cheapest flight to Switzerland?

The cheapest ticket to Switzerland from the United States found in the last 72 hours was $380 one-way, and $392 round-trip. The most popular route is New York John F Kennedy Intl to Zurich and the cheapest round-trip airline ticket found on this route in the last 72 hours was $420.

Which airlines fly to Switzerland?

SWISS, United Airlines & Air Canada fly the most frequently from the United States to Switzerland.

What are the most popular destinations in Switzerland?

Based on KAYAK flight searches, the most popular destination is Zurich (74% of total searches to Switzerland). The next most popular destinations are Geneva (25%) and Lugano (0.3%).Searches for flights to Bern (0.0%) and to Thal (0.0%) are also popular.

How does KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy?

KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a given destination and date is likely to change within 7 days, so travelers know whether to wait or book now.

Top tips for finding cheap flights to Switzerland

• Enter your preferred departure airport and travel dates into the search form above to unlock the latest Switzerland flight deals.
• Zurich International Airport (ZRH) is Switzerland's most prominent and busiest airport. The airport, also known as Kloten, is a primary hub for the Swiss Airlines. The airline operates in Zurich and connects it to the country.
• Using charter flights, consider flying into Bern Airport (BRN) if you are heading to the Jungfrau Ski Region. If you fly into Zurich, it will take around one hour to use the train to the city center.
• If your final destination is around the French Alsace region, consider booking your flight to EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg (BSL). It is located in southwestern Freiburg in Breisgau in Germany, southeastern Mulhouse in France, and northwest of Basel, Switzerland. France and Switzerland jointly oversee the airport's administration. Hence, choosing to fly to this airport will give you more options to choose from.
• Zurich Airport is the finest place to travel if you want to discover Switzerland. It is serviced by many international airlines, so it has a wide variety of travel options. It has excellent rail connections to major cities in the country.
• Geneva International Airport (GVA) is the primary airport serving the city of Geneva, as well as the countries of Switzerland and France. This airport has two terminals: the new, larger Terminal 1 and the seasonally used Terminal 2, which is used during the winter for select aircraft (charter or scheduled).
• You’ll have a handful of different arrival cities available when booking your flight to Switzerland. Although most of the international air traffic arrives in Geneva or Zurich, there are also flights from the United States available to the city of Basel in northwestern Switzerland and Lugano in southern Switzerland.
• Swiss Francs are the only official currency in Switzerland, but Euros are accepted in some tourist areas, hotels and railway stations. If you pay in Euros at establishments that accept them, you’ll receive change in Francs, but you’ll get a more favorable rate if you simply obtain Francs from one of the widely available ATMs.
• If you’re traveling through the surrounding countries as well as spending time in Switzerland, flying into Milan, Italy can give you access to more flights from more countries than Lugano. Milan is close to the southern border of Switzerland and gives you access to both southern Switzerland and northwestern Italy.
• For travelers looking to explore several different parts of Switzerland, purchasing a Swiss Travel Pass is a great way to save money. Switzerland has an extensive network of regional trains and buses, and the Swiss Travel pass grants tourists unlimited travel for durations of 3, 4, 8 or 15 consecutive days.
• Whether you’re heading to France after spending some time in Switzerland or the other way around, you can take a train between the two countries. Trains run frequently between Geneva and Lyon, and the total travel time can be as short as 2h.

Top 5 airlines flying to Switzerland

A regional sized plane was used for a cross country flight with no overhead bin space. I had to "pink check" my laptop and my medications. I was NOT pleased!!!!

Absolutely nothing flight was cancelled and delayed for 2 days. Barely a heads up I want a full refund

The plane from SNA wouldn’t start after 5 tries. The team gave me an option of flying direct from LAX and giving me a Lyft ride there! Perfect!

Best airline! Always friendly and welcoming. Skyclub was great and loved the fast free wifi on board. I also love that you can pre-order your meal on the app!

Atlanta boarding crew at gate were filled with arrogance and were disrespectful. In flight crew showed indifference to the needs of passengers. This is about the flight from ATL to BDL.

The plane was FREEZING SEATS UNCOMFORTABLE Otherwise smooth Thank you

Boarding was chaotic. I didn’t finish dinner because I went to bed early. Breakfast omelet was overcooked and tasteless but croissant was better than usual. Plane was dirty—crumbs in every seam and lavatory was poorly maintained (paint peeling, etc.) and toilet paper had not been refreshed before takeoff. No cubby for storage in first and seat was narrow.

Boarding was somewhat chaotic. Unable to evaluate crew or food/drink because captain kept them seated due to turbulence. Have no idea if entertainment was offered.

West Jet has a horrible boarding process and the seats have no cushion.

Everything went smoothly. I didn’t like that when I booked in the main cabin my wife and I weren’t seated together. One would think when booking on an option that allows picking your seat. They would put you and your travel partner together. Had to call to get it sorted. They did fix.

Carry on luggage size for economy passengers significantly smaller than other airlines, so nearly all ecomy passengers had their bags taken and checked.

Had a short layover in Zurich, luggage marked expedite and short layover but still didn’t get luggage when arrived in Split until 3 days later even though husband got his.

On time flight, I requested wheelchair in Zurich , when I arrived they were no where to be found, I had one hour between flights I had to walk with great difficulty.

Far above average. The level of quality and service has really improved and passed most US carriers on this route. Go Edelweiss!

We had issues with upgrading our seats. The flight itself was fine.

Flight was late and crew were unwilling to help with information on connections. Call light had been on for 61 minutes without tesponse.

Kudos to Swiss!! My wife and I thought Swiss was like flying years back: good food service, refreshments, friendly and courteous crew! We look forward to another trip to Europe next year, and it will be a priority to hopefully fly Swiss, thank you! We strongly can say from experience - the treatment (food, drink, entertainment) in service for Economy Class is unmatched!!!

So terrible. They would not rebook me for a flight until 2 days. I had to spend so much money to get my own flight. They were rude and not helpful.

Overall a good experience, the flight was on time, the crew very attentive and friendly. However the seats are too cramped, there is no space, and as soon as the person in front reclines the seat, it's literally in your face.

Bag lost. Lost bag recovery process is an unsatisfying customer experience. Because 1) bag is still lost but also 2) the process is outdated and form-heavy and 3) in our case also involved a long line.

Not a fan of the diagonal partially enclosed business class seats or how they have to be converted to beds manually by crew. I prefer more isolation and user control for switching to lie flat.

No lounge access with “United First” ticket. False alarm about late flight, jeopardizing connection. Wrong meal. Loose power socket would not hold plug, could not charge device. In-flight access to text messaging did not work. Toilet seat on plane would not stay up.

We ended up with seats in the very back. So they did not recline. Have no idea why, we reserved and checked in very early. The isles were very narrow and the seats had very little leg room. But they did give us water, and a snack.

Energetic crew - flight full of swiftied going to Taylor's opening show in Paris! Long lines for bathroom made out kind of suck though

Check in etc was very good. As for on the plane, it was like flying in a freezer. It was so cold, i have flown for years and never been so cold on a plane. Staff on board said its always cold when flying which is a load of rubbish. They wouldnt put any heating on and now i have the flu because of this .

I’ve had a couple flights this week on United that were delayed by an hour or more

Flight was delayed 2.5 hours - a big deal on an overnight when you plan to sleep.

I feel like they have upgraded the app since I last flew United and I found it to be super helpful. I had stopped flying United unless absolutely necessary and my experience on this trip indicates they have been working hard to improve their services.

Surprisingly easy! I was hesitant to try this, but the cost swayed me. I actually felt like I had less stress than all the taxiing and possible delays that occur with short regional flights where you spend less time in the air than getting to and from the plane..

This flight was delayed multiple times and eventually canceled around 2-3ish. Original take off time was around 10:30am. By 3, there were no other options out of Houston, so stuck in Houston for from 3pm - 11am the next day.

Tray table was filthy when I sat down. I needed to have someone come clean it because there was food and stains on it WiFi didn’t work after paying for in flight WiFi Food was terrible and was not filling at all Chicken was rubbery Flight attendant had an attitude, interrupted me and wasn’t able to answer basic questions about the food selection such as “does the chicken have red sauce in it”. If your flight attendants are not going to know what is in the meals so we can make an educated decision based on dietary restrictions, they shouldn’t be on the plane. My 1.5 year old niece was sleeping and dropped her binkie. I went on the ground under the chairs looking for it. It was at that time that she came up to me as I’m CLEARLY on all 4s with a flashlight and said “I need to get by”. I said one moment please I’m getting something from under the seat (while my head was literally under the seat). Her reply was “no you need to move now” and proceeded to almost push me out of the way. I looked up and all I saw was her toes under my eyes. When I looked in front of me, her private parts were inches away from my face. I then made a comment “you couldn’t waited 2 seconds?” and her response was, “no I need to use the bathroom”. I understand that and would never want to be the reason someone couldn’t get to the bathroom but I was under the seat. She could’ve gone around the other way instead of harassing me, basically placing her private parts on my head and borderline pushing me out of the way. You don’t pay (especially this much) for this deplorable experience. This was by far the worst experience I have ever had on American. I will be absolutely thinking twice and thrice about flying American Airlines again. I would rather pay more to fly delta because at least I know their WiFi will work and their flight attendants won’t have a terrible attitude for no reason, nor will they act the way this woman did. Unacceptable.

Tray table was filthy when I sat down. I needed to have someone come clean it because there was food and stains on it WiFi didn’t work after paying for in-flight WiFi. Food was terrible and was not filling at all Chicken was rubbery Flight attendant had an attitude, interrupted me and wasn’t able to answer basic questions about the food selection such as “does the chicken have red sauce in it”. If your flight attendants are not going to know what is in the meals so we can make an educated decision based on dietary restrictions, they shouldn’t be on the plane. My 1.5 year old niece was sleeping and dropped her binkie. I went on the ground under the chairs looking for it. It was at that time that she came up to me as I’m CLEARLY on all 4s with a flashlight and said “I need to get by”. I said one moment please I’m getting something from under the seat (while my head was literally under the seat). Her reply was “no you need to move now” and proceeded to almost push me out of the way. I looked up and all I saw was her toes under my eyes. When I looked in front of me, her private parts were inches away from my face. I then made a comment “you couldn’t waited 2 seconds?” and her response was, “no I need to use the bathroom”. I understand that and would never want to be the reason someone couldn’t get to the bathroom but I was under the seat. She could’ve gone around the other way instead of harassing me, basically placing her private parts on my head and borderline pushing me out of the way. You don’t pay that much for this deplorable experience. This was by far the worst experience I have ever had on American. I will be absolutely thinking twice and thrice about flying American Airlines again. I would rather pay more to fly delta because at least I know their WiFi will work and their flight attendants won’t have a shitty attitude for no reason, nor will they act the way this woman did. Unacceptable.

Liked - nothing. Disliked - delayed 35+ min sitting on the plane. Caused me to miss my connection in Charlotte. American Airlines is the worst US Air Carrier company with atrocious customer service.

Worst situation ever! I booked my tickets for this trip on Alaska Airlines. I guess AA is a partner and we flew nonstop from Eugene to PHX on an AA jet. I had to pay for luggage from PHX to EUG. And this was an Alaska Airlines reservation paid for with Alaska airlines credit card! Got to the PHX airport and was not able to check bags because of some weird issue with the AA software. My reservation had to be the-entered by the agent. I will never pick another American Airlines flight on the Alaska Airlines website. While on vacation, I tried to upgrade our seats for the trip home. The request just buffered and never went through. I tried four times and was charged four times on my credit card. The card was charged but the seats were never changed. What a wreck!

Left from gate 30 minutes before flight. Never been late to a flight ever. It says 15 minutes before explicitly on the ticket.

I like the boarding process, it was fast. The seat doesn’t have a TV for a long flight and food wasn’t served, just snacks.

Use planes with TVs on flights over 4 hours. The free entertainment was a cheap in between solution for a very long flight that you don't even bother providing meals or decent snacks.

Even though we left CMI late, we mostly made up the time.

Delayed almost 4 hours for a 45 minute flight with no explanation.

Again, multiple delays and I eventually just canceled and drove!

- OK plane. Basic accommodations. OK food. The digital window shade wasn't working.

- OK plane. Basic accommodations. OK food. The digital window shade wasn't working. - Expect to be woken up more than an hour before landing when they start dinging the bell and making announcements and turning on all cabin lights to serve a snack. I would prefer they remain quiet and only serve people who want to wake up.

Better food and more space in the seats. Also when doing the web check in both times I was going in to your site the minute you open it and there is not really many seats to choose only to buy!!!

It was ok, not as good as it used to be. The Heathrow connection was a disaster - complete anarchy, unknowledgable and skimpy assistance and signage. Gate crew at next flight was great, held the flight while my wife struggled through security.

It was great! The seats were comfortable, and they fed me during the transatlantic flight, something which I have been missing out on for the past 3 years as I travel to and from school.

This flight was cancelled at the last minute. We were rebooked on another flight but a day later. We lost a day of our vacation and paid for a night in a hotel we couldn’t use. The flights we were rebooked on (both American) messed up our seating on both flights-we didn’t get the seats we had paid for. All in all, a terrible experience.

Lost our bags in Heathrow, We didn’t receive bags in Mallorca for 3 days, out of a 7 day cycling vacation. Really inconvenient and disappointing!

My luggage never arrived to Zurich. They can't confirm when it will arrive

We missed the flight to Barcelona because the flight from Baltimore was delayed. We flew on Vueling VW6653. Our luggage didn’t arrive. Please help us get our luggage. We are staying at Hotel Gran Via in Barcelona

The seats were tiny, being of a fairly petite build, I don’t usually expect to feel crammed and cramped in a seat, but I definitely was on this flight. I couldn’t even bend over to get anything out from under the seat in front and getting up to go to the bathroom at night with the seat backs reclined was nearly impossible. I had to do gymnastics to get over and out. For an airline that does long flights overnight, it’s kind of ridiculous.

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How to visit Switzerland by train on a budget: our tips

Last Update: 25/01/2024 2 COMMENTS

Switzerland is a very small country compared to its neighbors… However, it is probably also the country with the most trains. 🙂 Switzerland and trains are a love story, and if you decide to travel in Switzerland we can only encourage you to consider this means of transportation.

Ecological, practical, it is also an option that can be VERY scenic! Switzerland has some of the most beautiful train routes! By the way, if you are thinking about which route to take, we suggest you take a look at this article where we talk about the most beautiful train lines in Switzerland. 🙂

The Swiss travel pass

The swiss travel pass youth and the family card, regional passes – discover a swiss region by train, the half-fare travelcard, buy swiss train tickets on the spot (at the station or via the app), supersaver tickets – buy your train ticket in advance, supersaver day passes in switzerland, faq about train travel in switzerland – special tickets, visiting switzerland by train.

But enough of that, in this article we are not going to focus on the routes or the legendary punctuality of the Swiss trains, but on the train ticket system and the different options available to you. Switzerland is a country with a reputation for being expensive (we’ll be honest, it’s the case for many things). Nevertheless, if you do your homework and plan your trip in advance, you can save a lot of money on train tickets.

We start with the product that has been “created” for people who decide to visit Switzerland. This means that the Swiss Pass is only available to non-residents of our small country. This is the reason why we have never tested it personally… After that, we already did quite some research about it because we have already recommended it several times to friends who wanted to visit Switzerland.

The idea of the Swiss Pass is to make it simple: one card and everything (or almost everything is included). You choose the number of days you want and then the swiss pass will allow you to take any train, bus, boat, streetcar, subway in the country as well as access to more than 500 museums! The Swiss pass also includes a lot of cable cars and for those that are not included, the pass gives you a discount equivalent to the half-fare card that many Swiss people have. There are just some trains like the Glacier Express, the Bernina Express or the Golden Pass where you will have to pay a supplement for the seat reservation. You can see the validity of the pass on this map .

The swiss pass exists in 2 models:

• The classic Swiss Travel Pass : You choose between 3, 4, 6, 8 or 15 days of validity and then, upon activation, the pass is valid for the consecutive days.
• The Flex Swiss Travel Pass : ditto, you choose the number of days. The difference here is that the days can be used flexibly over a period of 30 days.

The flex pass is a bit more expensive, but in reality it’s often worth it because it allows you to use fewer days (basically you don’t activate the pass on days when you just take a bus to visit a city but keep the pass days for longer trips).

If you are interested in the Swiss pas, we encourage you to read our detailed review of the Swiss here .

Our links to Getyourguide are affiliate links. By buying the passes via Getyourguide you pay the same price as on the official website (actually for a reason that escapes me it’s even a few CHF cheaper via Getyourguide), and as a bonus we will get a small commission. In addition to supporting us in our independent research (because no, this content is not sponsored, it is our honest and spontaneous opinion on this product), you will also benefit from GetYourGuide’s flexible and simplified cancellation conditions.

To learn more about how we monetize our site via affiliate marketing, you can read this article .

The Swiss travel pass is also VERY advantageous for young people under 25 and families! On Getyourguide , you can simply select the youth rate in the menu. The price is about 30% lower!

For families, simply add the children to your order (it’s free) and you will get the Family Card. All children under 16 years old travel for free if they are accompanied by a parent holding the Swiss pass . Honestly, if you travel with children, it’s a good deal and also a very comfortable and fun thing to do everything by train! In addition, the Swiss pass also includes more than 500 museums throughout the country.

If your trip in Switzerland is limited to a particular region, it may be worth looking into a “regional” pass. Generally much cheaper than the Swiss pass, these regional passes allow you to benefit from the same transport advantages.

For example there is:

• The Jungfrau Pass : This pass gives unlimited access to the cable cars, buses and trains of the Jungfrau region (from Interlaken to Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, Mürren, etc). Please note that you will have to pay a supplement if you want to go to the top of the JungfrauJoch (but this would also be the case with the Swiss Pass)
• The Graubünden Pass : A card issued by the Rhaetian Railway that gives access to all trains, post buses and regional buses in Graubünden. It’s really cheap compared to the Swiss Pass, so if you only plan to visit Graubünden, it would be better to take this pass and just buy a Supersaver ticket to go to Graubünden.
• The Pass Saint Bernard : This one is next to us and frankly it is so crazy in terms of price that we just had to add it to this list… Sold for 139 CHF, it gives unlimited access to the region’s transportation, 15 activities and all the ski lifts of the region during 1 year (so even in winter). The “summer” pass costs 29 CHF and includes the same services but just for the summer months!
• The Zurich Card or The Fribourg City Card : These are city cards. They include public transportation as well as museums/tours. If you visit these regions and want to do some cultural tourism, they really pay for themselves very quickly (and it would be a shame to use a day’s worth of Swiss Passes just to visit a city)

Note that in some cities and regions (Lausanne, Dents du Mid region, Val d’Hérens and many others) these cards/passes are included if you stay there and they give you access to regional transport and activities.

The Half-Fare travelcard was originally reserved for Swiss residents. Its price? 185 CHF per year (165 CHF when renewed). In Switzerland, a lot of people take it (including us) because it allows to have a 50% discount when taking the train. For occasional travelers like us, it’s really quickly amortized. The problem is that it was not accessible to travelers passing through.

There is now a half-fare card version for foreign tourists. Sold at 120 CHF, it is valid for 1 month .

It sounds expensive, but believe us it pays for itself. What is an example? You are planning a small city trip in Switzerland. You arrive in Geneva and decide to go to Zurich, then to Basel and finally come back to Geneva via Sion.

At full price you would pay:

• Train Geneva – Zurich : 88 CHF
• Train Zurich – Basel : 34 CHF
• Basel – Sion : 92 CHF
• Train Sion – Geneva : 48 CHF

Total: 262 CHF. With the half fare card, it would have been 251 CHF (131 CHF for the half price tickets + 120 CHF half fare card). In short, if you add to that a few tram/bus rides or excursions, it’s quickly worth it.

If you want to see more itinerary suggestions as well as the prices comparing the half fare card and the Swiss Travel pass, you can take a look at our detailed blog post.

After that, I would say that the Flex Swiss Travel Pass is quickly more advantageous if you start taking more transports… Quite honestly, you have to have fun doing the calculations. If you want to see more details, you can read this article in which we compare the 2 products in more detail.

For the occasional traveler

As you can see above, multi-day tickets and passes are very convenient, but they are also relatively expensive. If your travel plans in Switzerland involve less travel, then it might be more interesting to do without a pass and just buy tickets or day passes as you go. But here again, there are a few tricks that can save you some CHF.

For almost all public transport in Switzerland, you will have the possibility to buy your ticket at automatic machines (only exception would be on some lines in the mountains/countryside where the ticket is still sold from by the bus driver). The machines in the stations are large touch screens where you can choose the language and pay by card, cash or via smartphone.

The solution of the machine works very well for individual tickets, even if personally I would rather recommend the mobile application of the SBB. Very well designed, it allows you to check the timetable and directly buy the tickets. You just have to create an account and connect a payment method.

One feature that is nice on the app is EasyRide. Basically, you don’t buy a ticket, but simply activate the button when you get on a bus/train. At the end of the day, the app calculates the cheapest ticket that covers all your trips.

Example: At 8 am I take a train to Lausanne from Vevey. Price of the trip: 11.20 CHF if I bought the ticket (valid for 2 hours) At 11:30 am I decide to meet a friend and get on a bus in Lausanne to make 3 stops. Price of a ticket: 3.70 CHF (valid 1h) At 4pm I take a bus back to the train station area: 3.70 CHF At 18h I return to Vevey by train. Price of the trip: 11.20 CHF

By taking the tickets individually each time I would have spent 29.8 CHF. With the EasyRide, the application would have calculated that for this day it would have been more advantageous to take a day pass of the region (6 zones) for 22.8 CHF. Of course, if you know in advance which trips you are going to make, you can directly take such a ticket, but in reality I find it convenient to let the application do the math 😉 In case of ticket control, the app generates a temporary ticket that is valid as long as you have activated the trip BEFORE getting on the bus/train.

A good way to save money on train tickets in Switzerland is to buy them in advance! Supersaver tickets are a number of tickets made available to travelers at low prices (up to 70% off) up to 2 months before the date of travel. The earlier you book, the cheaper it is! These tickets are available for Half-Fare card holders as well as for people without a basic season ticket, for both 2nd and 1st class. They can be purchased directly from the timetable page. If Supersaver tickets are available on your dates, you will see the discounted price displayed on top. You will then have to select the option on the next screen:

Also consider whether you are flexible on the hours… Discounts are much lower during rush hour than during off-peak hours. If you can, try to travel mid-morning or mid-afternoon.

But be careful: these tickets are advantageous because they are neither refundable nor exchangeable! Personally, we often buy them but only if we are sure of the schedule. Example: during our last trip to Slovakia, we left by night train from Zurich. We bought a 60% discounted ticket to go to Zurich from Valais (starting from home, it was easy for us to take some margin and not miss our train).

For the return trip, however, our night train had to arrive at 8:20 am in Zurich. A Supersaver ticket was available at 8:35 am and another one at 9:35 am. As the night train between Vienna and Zurich takes 12 hours, we assumed that it would be possible that it would be a little bit late. In short, we also took a Supersaver ticket but we played it safe and took it with a 1h margin.

Similar to the Supersaver Tickets, it is possible to buy Supersaver Day Cards. They are put on sale 2 months before the date of travel and are available to both holders of a half-fare card and to people without a card. If you book in advance, the Supersaver Day Passes are available from CHF 29 with half fare or from CHF 52 without half fare. If you are planning a long day of travel, it is definitely worth it!

But beware, these day passes are neither exchangeable nor refundable.

More info on the SBB website

Do the children have to pay a ticket?

Children up to the age of 6 travel free of charge on all public transport. From 6 to 16 years of age, the reduced fare (half fare) applies.

Afterwards, if you travel with children older than 6, it is possible to take a pass for them which will make the trips free:

• La Swiss Family Card : This card is free of charge if the parents have a travel pass ( Swiss Pass , Swiss Pass Flex or half-fare card). The card can be picked up free of charge at the station ticket offices. With this pass, children from 6 to 16 years old travel free of charge on the entire network!
• The Junior card : The card costs CHF 30 per year and allows children up to the age of 16 to travel free of charge if accompanied by a parent who pays a ticket. The parent does not need to have any travel pass.

Are dogs allowed on trains and buses in Switzerland? If so, how much does the ticket cost?

Yes, dogs are allowed on all public transportation. Dogs up to 30cm tall can travel free of charge but must be in a carrier bag at all times. Larger dogs or those not in a bag must have a half-fare ticket. Note: if you are making a longer journey, it is possible to take a “dog” day pass which costs 25 CHF (this is cheaper than a ticket for a Lausanne-Zurich journey for example). If you travel often, there is also an annual pass for 350 CHF.

Is it possible to travel with a bicycle on swiss trains?

Yes, on most lines this is possible. However, please note that your bike must have a ticket. For short trips, you can take a half-fare ticket or, for longer trips, buy a “bicycle” day pass at CHF 14. To make sure that bicycles are allowed and if a reservation is necessary, the best way is to use the advanced search options on the “timetable” page and check the bicycle box. By clicking on the “train composition” button you will be able to see in which carriage there are bicycle spaces.

Is there free wifi on swiss trains?

No, there is no public wifi in public transport. Switzerland is outside the European Union, so foreign travelers are often subject to roaming fees (check your subscription before coming!). If you don’t have mobile data included in Switzerland, we advise you to take a pre-paid card from Sunrise (they have a 0 CHF offer for travelers). Their package offers unlimited data and calls for 2,5 CHF / day (the amount is deducted only on the days you use it). As a bonus, the SBB have a partnership with them and thanks to FreeSurf app you will have a free connection in the trains (no charge on the pre-paid card).

That’s it for this article about traveling to Switzerland by train and the different ticket options. If you have any questions, feel free to leave us a comment.

See you soon!

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Reader Interactions

9 months ago

Thanks for the excellent information.

We are travelling as a family of 4 (2 adults, 10yo, 8yo) over 7 days. We are happy to book in advance and commit to specific train times at an off peak time – middle of days work best for us. I’ve played around with ticket prices and it would seem super saver or super saver day passes will be best for my husband and I, but I think this mean we are not eligible for a free Swiss family card for the children. Am I understanding it correctly that I can buy them a Junior card for 30CHF each and they will travel free, or alternatively buy a 30 day half fare card from myself and husband and we are then eligible for the free family card.

The half price card doesn’t seem to pay for itself booking super saver fares, but comes out about even if I take the free kids travel into account (saving 60CHF for junior cards). And we then have a half price card should we do more travel than currently anticipated during our week in Switzerland.

Many Thanks

7 months ago

Hallo Fabienne,

Eine Freundin und ich werden drei Tage am Anfang November in Schweiz Urlaub machen. Wir übernachten in Interlaken und bekommen Interlaken Gästekarte. Wir wollen am ersten Tag zu Jungfraujoch bis zum Top fahren.

Am am zweiten Tag nach Lauterbrunnen und andere Orte in Jungfraujoch Region besuchen.

Am letzten Tag wollen wir Montreux besuchen. Was ist am günstigsten zu kaufen, Swisstravel Pass (3 Tage)+ Jungfrau Travel Pass + Anschlussticket Jungfraujoch Top 63 CHF oder statt Swisstravel Pass lieber Swiss Half Fare Card +Jungfrau Travel Pass + Anschlussticket Jungfraujoch Top 63 CHF? Über Ihre Hilfe würde ich mich sehr freuen.

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More From Forbes

Affordable summer vacations 2024: how and where to travel for less.

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Monte Argentario in Tuscany, Italy—one of the cheapest destinations to head this summer?

As Google reveals that one of its most popular travel search trends is currently 'cheap summer vacations', there are lots of ways that travelers can find ideas to travel for less.

This is particularly important as Bloomberg reports that the post-pandemic travel boom, merged with curbs on hotel construction, overtourism and restrictions on Airbnb in many cities, is sending hotel rates sky high, especially in Europe.

It's also clear that travelers might be feeling the pinch. Vacasa, the home rental platform found that while 4th July and Memorial Day will be the big summer travel weekends, its poll suggests that some people have shifted their travel plans or planning behavior to be more budget conscious (81% of respondents), driven significantly by higher cost of living and inflation (74%).

Ways To Find Cheap Summer Vacations

Bloomberg recommends ignoring Instagram feeds for overhyped, over-expensive destinations and instead hitting places under the social radar for cheap summer vacations —in Italy, this might be the picturesque Costiera Cilentana, an hour from the Amalfi coast or the stylish but under-developed peninsula of Monte Argentario, just 90 minutes from Rome's Fiumicino airport.

If Italy still seems like too much on the beaten European track, Romania's travel star has been rising for a while, hot on the heels of the much-beloved (and still relatively cheap) Albania .

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There are also alternatives to the hotel for cheap summer vacations. Bloomberg reports that European hotel rates have increased 50% since 2019, according to market researcher CoStar Group, so maybe a boat would be better value.

Alternatively, HomeExchange, the home swap website, allows members unlimited exchanges for only $220 per year, meaning you can travel relatively cheaply but also visit places that might not be quite so crowded this summer.

The U.K's Telegraph also advocates finding some of the nicest youth hostels or staying in a mountain bothy in Britain —these are remote shelters in some of the most breathtaking hills and woods across the U.K. that are free to use for just an annual subscription of $32 from The Mountain Bothies Association. There are similar refuge schemes across Europe in the most spectacular places—many also run a basic menu for breakfast and dinner.

Change your mode of travel for cheap summer vacations. Though there are cheaper ways to fly (the London to New York route remains one of the most competitive, if you are available to fly at any time) but one of the most inexpensive ways to travel on holiday this summer might be by train.

The Telegraph lists several examples, notably Eurostar tickets if you book a long time in advance (around $50 one-way)—it's sometimes easier to find deals if you book to Brussels and not London to Paris. The 51-hour rail journey from Chicago, Illinois to Emeryville, California can be had for just under $100 if booked in advance.

Inter-railing across Europe can be cost-effective or you can take the train on a 28-hour, 1,300-mile journey from New Delhi to Goa for just $13 (first class is only $67)—and it can cost less than a dollar to travel across parts of the Himalayas.

Change your mode of finance for cheap summer vacations. One final way of limiting the damage is to use multi-trip travel insurance (if you travel often) and definitely go for a bank card that doesn't add on charges for overseas use and find one that charges lower fees when transfering between different exchange rates.

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A Snob's Guide to Summer Travel With Kids

We know your standards for the ultimate family vacation are high. Lucky for you, ours are too.

The Educational Trip

It sounds boring, until you tell them they're going to see giraffes in their natural habitat—and will get to brag about it to all their friends.

*Perfect for: little kids

Unlike the vast Serengeti, the Maasai Mara is small enough that you are practically guaranteed to snap all the top sightings in a few nights’ stay. Unpack into an interconnected tented suite specially configured for families at Angama Mara , then learn the art of keeping quiet as animals parade below in the Great Rift Valley. Days can begin with a hot air balloon ride or a game drive through the savannah to spy the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, buffalo) and end with parents at a sundowner and the littles in the Beading Studio. Maasai naturalists take everyone out on walking safaris, where they teach about medicinal plants on the escarpment and explain the relationship between the Maasai people and the wildlife that surrounds them. Come in July during the Great Migration, the largest land-based movement of animals (in this case, wildebeest and zebra) on the planet. Your kids will never see The Lion King with the same eyes again.

*Perfect for: big kids

Fly from the country’s capital of Lima to the Sacred Valley’s capital of Cusco, where you can ride on Paso horses through the Andean valley’s lush pathways. Dine at a working farm, called Hacienda Huayoccari , which has been run by the same family for 100 years, then spend the night at Belmond Palacio Nazarenas , the 17 th -century monastery-turned-hotel. Lazy tweens can take the luxe Hiram Bingham train all the way up to nearly 8,000 feet, or test their strength by disembarking at Km 104 and hiking up to enter Machu Picchu through the Gate of the Sun, just as the Incas did. Marvel at the citadel built into the steep slopes of the Andes, to this day their techniques and origin unknown. Then sleep above the clouds at Sanctuary Lodge , the Belmond property up there, and enter the 15 th -century UNESCO World Heritage Site before the crowds, with mostly only llamas in your company. Back in Cusco, tour the baroque churches and stay warm with hot chicha drinks, made from local corn. Can’t be bothered to book this all yourself? Blue Parallel can orchestrate the whole shebang, from flights to park permits.

The Adventure Trip

Adrenaline-pumping thrills to test their boundaries and spike their dopamine (in a good way).

Tossed into the North Atlantic just one degree below the Arctic Circle, this volcanic island of just 387,000 inhabitants feels like the best of far-flung New Zealand and the most exciting of snow-swept British Columbia. It’s also Scotland, Norway, Yellowstone, and Alaska, and all just a five-hour flight from the East Coast. The capital has been experiencing volcanic activity lately, so you may have to skip the best red-eye cure: A dip in the Blue Lagoon , a natural geothermal hot spring set conveniently between Reykjavik’s two airports and open at 8am. Either way, hop a flight to Akureyri, the second-most populous city in the country, and prepare to be awed by the vast mountain landscape of Deplar Farm . The grass-roofed wooden structure belies the luxury you’ll find within, including meals of local lamb and just-caught salmon prepared by Michelin-trained chefs. Included in every stay in summer is surfing, whale watching, fat-tire bike riding, hiking glaciers, lake fishing, and a peek at the single geothermal borehole that gives power to all 2700 residents of the Fljót Valley. Headed back toward the international airport, take the kids on a drive around the Golden Circle, a 190-mile loop of road that connects the geyser that literally gave all others their name (yes, it’s called Geysir) with Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the location of the Mid-Atlantic Rift (in which you can snorkel in dry suits), and the stunningly beautiful, 100-foot-tall Gullfoss waterfall.

You couldn’t possibly hit all the high-octane attractions in Costa Rica — the howler monkeys barking from the treetops of Tortuguero National Park, white-water rafting down the Pacuare River, zip-lining or horseback riding near the Arenal volcano, tapir- and ocelot-spotting on the Osa Peninsula—but if you pick two destinations in this bicoastal isthmus country, you’ll sneak a lot in. Park yourself first on the Osa Peninsula’s Cielo Lodge , a six-suite eco-lodge spread across 380 acres where guides will take you hiking through the rainforest to rushing waterfalls ripe for the jumping, get you catching waves on the second-longest left-hand break in the world, and frog-walking by moonlight. Then head up to Nayara Gardens , where the newly built Arenal Casitas come with private walled gardens and plunge pools surrounded by rain forest. From there, it’s an easy trek to go horseback riding at Arenal, ziplining in the cloud forest, and testing fate on an inflatable that takes you down class IV rapids. No kid comes home from Costa Rica without scheming a plan to return.

*Perfect for: all ages

Haters will hate, but there’s honestly no better way to tour the highlights of the largest state in the union than via cruise. To see it all, sign up for one of Oceania ’s Seattle-to-Seattle routes, each of which comes with an Alaska Explorer Youth Program that lets kids ages 5-12 head out with high-energy counselors and learn a little more about the 49 th state. But kids of all ages will start and end in Seattle, then cruise to ports like Ketchikan (ziplining!), Juneau (Mendenhall Glacier canoeing!), Sitka (sea kayaking and wave running!), and Victoria, British Columbia (bike tours!), but you can expand on this excursion by adding a pre- or post-cruise stay in Denali National Park, all stress-free and orchestrated by Oceania and including a four-hour scenic train ride into the interior and a hike to Denali’s Primrose Ridge with a naturalist who will explore the 10,000-years-long history of this Native American landscape. This is Alaska done right, trust us.

The Beach Trip

Heading out on a beach holiday doesn’t have to mean dumping the children in camp and working your way through the latest Plum Sykes novel.

West coasters have a straight shot to the Big Island, which offers about as far-flung a culture as you can find without needing to update your passport. There are tons to do outdoors—from surfing to exploring Volcanoes National Park to hiking through a lava tube—that will introduce your kids to the outer limits of Mother Nature’s wild imagination. The challenge will be picking a home base. There’s Mauna Kea Beach Hotel , which was originally built in 1965 by Laurance S. Rockefeller, and is the property that really put this destination on the map. Set on the Kohala Coast, the resort offers activities like lawn games and lei-making, an authentic luau with hula dancers, plus direct access to white-sand Kauna'oa Bay, where you can swim with the manta rays. Alternatively, snag a suite at the grand Mauna Lani , now part of the Auberge Resorts Collection, set in the middle of King Kamehameha’s royal fish ponds. Whichever you choose, carve out some time to learn to surf in Kona, visit a black sand beach like Punaluʻu, indulge in some shave ice at Ululani's , and just soak in all that untouched beauty. Now that's aloha.

It may be one of the most visited islands of Spain, but Americans typically never make it to this Balearic Island (though that’s changing with United Airlines’ new direct flights to Palma de Mallorca from JFK). There are plenty of family-friendly hotels on the sparkling beaches, but come summer they will likely be flooded with tourists. So instead book one of the new Garden Suites at Castell Son Claret , a 19th-century castle-turned-hotel with just 43 rooms, all set on 326 acres. Awaken to unimpeded views of the UNESCO-protected Tramuntana mountain range and a soundtrack of the braying sheep who will be neighbors for your stay. The Moorish architecture and glam jet-set design (not to mention the restaurant, Sa Clastra , run by native son Jordí Canto) will dazzle parents, while the pool (and those sheep) will keep the kids busy. Because the retreat is located in the middle of the island, it's an easy trek to one of the 20 hiking routes that wind through the terraced hills of the Tramuntanas (don't skip the adorable town of Valldemossa, ideal for that holiday card photo!), or down to beloved beaches like sandy Palmanova and the hidden cove of Cala Portals Vells. Don't miss that 13 th -century cathedral in Palma, or the chance to indulge in chef Santi Taura's prix fixe menu at Dins (we suggest hiring a sitter for this one).

This tiny islet in the Caribbean was first colonized by the Huguenots, and it still retains a très sophisticated French vibe. Little kids will love the gentle white-sand beaches, but this is a place for dining and shopping, too, so families with tweens and older are the best audience for this refined destination. Pack the D'Ascoli caftans and Vilebrequin trunks and book a villa through Le Barth Villa Rental , which gives you access to all the facilities—including the new kids club and the spa—at Le Barthelemy Hotel & Spa . (Our pick: the 10-bedroom Villa Unik , designed by Philippe Starck.) Or go traditional and stay at the casual-chic Le Sereno , whose beachfront villas overlook the pristine Grand Cul de Sac sands. Book ahead for classic dining spots like the upscale Bonito and Hotel Eden Rock ’s Jean-Georges restaurant, but don’t skip local favorites either, like the laid-back Ti' Corail . Indulge in life’s simple pleasures, like perusing the fresh produce at Marché or the Gustavia fish market. Then splurge on mother-daughter outfits at Clic and swimsuits at Delfina for your journey to Anse du Gouverneur beach. The shells (and the memories) are gratis.

The Nature Trip

Two foolproof ways to inspire genuine awe in even the most jaded tween.

SWITZERLAND

Words can barely capture the magic of summertime in the Swiss Alps. There’s the chocolate and cheese, of course, but the infinite shades of green that blanket the mountains and pines, the jagged edges of the mountains that scrape the sky, and the intimate connection to the environment that locals have (and happily share) will turn even the most jaded outdoors adventurer into a Swissophile. Experience it all at Tschuggen Grand Hotel , an exceedingly modern retreat on the edges of the mountains that’s accessed by a private train only a child could dream up. (Seriously.) Summer is a season for biking and hiking, and even small limbs can make the trek to the Bergkirchli, a church from 1492, or make the sunrise climb to spot bears and birds. Imagine long, leisurely days that begin with a frigid mountain-lake swim and end with a delicious hot tub and—for Mom and Dad—a muscle-melting massage at the 54,000-square-foot Bergoase Spa, set beneath glass-and-steel “sails” that twinkle in the mountain light. A south-facing Junior Suite with a sun loggia is the ultimate spot for that much-deserved cup of hot cocoa.

Horseback riding, fly fishing, archery, oh my! Montana’s state tagline is “Get Lost,” and it’s possible to actually lose yourself in one of the nation's largest—and least populated—states, but it can be hard to narrow down precisely how. So park yourself for a week at the Resort at Paws Up , just outside the town of Greenough, and you’ll gain access to 37,000 acres and all the amenities of a traditional dude ranch, but at a seriously luxe level. Choose a kitted out two-bedroom glamping tent on the banks of the Blackfoot River or one of the mountain homes, and have the concierge orchestrate the Wild West week of your dreams, with activities ranging from survival training and pony rides for little kids to cattle herding and chuck wagon dinners for the older ones. Confident kids can also pave their own path on an ATV adventure or take aim at the shooting range, or just learn the patience it takes to catch trout with an expert. Don’t be surprised if your city rats long to be country mice once they’ve trotted on a trail in the shadow of those spectacular Bitterroot Mountains. This just may become the start of an annual tradition.

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A Snob's Guide to the French Riviera

A Snob's Guide to the World's Best Kids Clubs

How Eating in Beverly Hills Got Hip

A Snob's Guide to Palm Beach

A Snob's Guide to Cruising

A Snob's Guide to Cruising the Islands

A Snob's Guide to Mediterranean Cruises

A Snob's Guide to the River Cruise

A Snob's Guide to the White Glove Cruise

A Snob's Guide to Polar Cruises

A Snob’s Guide to Chicago

Wealth of Geeks

31 Cheap Places to Travel in the US That Won’t Break the Bank

Posted: March 4, 2024 | Last updated: March 4, 2024

Cheap places to travel in this economy? It’s more likely than you think. Despite rising costs, some places in the United States remain affordable and, therefore, accessible to all kinds of travelers. Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway, bachelorette trip, or solo adventure, our list of cheap places to travel will have you ready to pull the trigger on booking that flight. The only thing you’ll need to worry about is what to pack while you’re away!

1. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

National parks make great vacation destinations precisely because they’re usually inexpensive to visit, and Grand Teton National Park is no different. Although the entrance fee is usually $35 per car and covers up to 15 passengers, there are multiple days each year when fees are waived. Camp-style, co-ed accommodations at resorts like the  Climber’s Ranch  start at just $35 per night.

2. St. Augustine, Florida

Culturally rich cities with historic sites to visit always rank high in terms of affordable travel, and St. Augustine is the oldest in the United States. With its public beaches, Fort Matanzas, Castillo de San Marcos, and Fort Mose , St. Augustine is the perfect cheap place to travel. The forts afford beautiful views, nature trails, and live demonstrations.

3. Yachats, Oregon

Located on the Oregon Coast, Yachats is full of wildlife, natural beauty, and tons of free outdoor activities. Visitors will love Tillicum Beach, just four miles north, with plenty of parking and public restrooms. There are also multiple local hotels and inns  to choose from.

4. Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio

Cuyahoga Valley  offers a great day trip from Cleveland, Ohio, or as a standalone outdoor adventure. There are more than 125 miles of hiking trails available, ranging from easy to challenging. For cheaper accommodations, camping is available less than 10 miles away from the park.

5. Moab, Utah

Another excellent choice for multi-talented adventurers,  Moab  offers hiking, mountain biking, and river rafting in the Colorado River. Visitors can enjoy free art trails and a fare-free transit service that serves the city. You’ll also love the unique, rust-colored desert views and vistas!

6. Detroit, Michigan

There are so many free things to do in Detroit it’s impossible to list them all, but one must-see is the  Belle Isle Aquarium , the oldest original aquarium in the country! Although a $5 donation is encouraged, it isn’t required. Over 16 months of the pandemic, the aquarium invested $1.2 million in renovations and new exhibits, so there are tons of brand new water creatures and wildlife to spy.

7. Branson, Missouri

Noël Russell, CXO and co-founder of  Whimstay , a budget-friendly platform for booking last-minute vacation rentals, calls Branson “a blend of entertainment and serene landscapes.” Russell encourages visitors to enjoy a meal at BillyGail’s Cafe, known for massive, delicious pancakes and country-style meals at affordable prices. Tickets at the Titanic Museum are reasonably priced and offer family-friendly fun. As if to underscore her point, Branson was previously featured in a shorter Wealth of Geeks collection of  affordable travel spots !

8. Chattanooga, Tennessee

Chattanooga is an outdoorsy city home to the ever-popular Lookout Mountain and Ruby Falls. Tours of the falls, which utilize a glass-front elevator to descend more than 260 feet below the surface, cost just $39. With multiple attractions within 15 minutes of each other, you could spend all day with your family and not see the entire thing!

9. Broken Bow, Oklahoma

Russell says Broken Bow is “a treasure trove of natural beauty and outdoor adventures.” Beavers Bend State Park is free to access and offers hiking trails, which visitors can follow up with affordable meals at Grateful Head Pizza Oven & Tap Room. The Forest Heritage Center Museum, with its nominal entrance fee, offers insights into the region’s rich forestry history. Affordable cabin rentals abound in Broken Bow, ranging from tiny rustic hideaways to sprawling estates. With Whimstay, Russell says travelers can expect an average savings of at least 24 percent.

10. Gulf Shores, Alabama

If you’re in the mood for a beach vacation but don’t want the high prices of other coastal cities, Gulf Shores has all the amenities you’re craving at lower costs. With miles of public beach and hotels and condos that range from affordable to fancy, there’s something here for every budget range. Gift shops, restaurants, mini-golf courses, and other activities abound.

11. Louis, Missouri

St. Louis is known for its pizza style, but one of its most popular attractions is the City Museum. Single-day tickets to the multi-story extravaganza cost $20, but kids under two play for free. Basic passes cost $45 and include access to many special events, plus come with a parking discount. Of course, you’d be remiss to miss out on taking a tiny elevator tube up to the top of the St. Louis Arch!

12. Raleigh, North Carolina

Much like Detroit, Raleigh is packed full of free activities that families and solo travelers will love. There’s no admission fee for the African American Cultural Center, Buckhorn Disc Golf Course, or the City of Raleigh Museum. While there are nicer boutique hotels available, there are also easily accessible and more affordable chain hotels as well.

13. Gatlinburg, Tennessee

According to Russell, one of many key highlights in Gatlinburg is the Gatlinburg Trail, one of the few dog-friendly trails in the area. It’s dotted with old settlements, and Russell calls it a “hiker’s paradise.” Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies offers admission for around $35, as well as discounts for children and seniors. Using Whimstay, guests could expect to save an average of 22 percent on hotel accommodations. 

14. Sedona, Arizona

Surrounded by seven wilderness areas, Sedona is the spot for hikers, outdoor lovers, and anyone interested in Native American heritage and history. Sedona is about three hours away from three separate tribal parks and has six national monuments within a three-hour drive. You’ll love having so many day trip options — perfect for a multi-night stay!

15. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

For a taste of local flavor, Russell says visitors should check out River City Cafe for mouthwatering burgers at wallet-friendly prices. Families and solo travelers will love the SkyWheel, a towering Ferris wheel with stunning views that offers affordable ticket options. The Carolina Country Music Fest brings the beach to life with tunes and ocean breeze each summer. 

16. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

With 250 blooming cherry trees in North Park, Pittsburgh comes alive with a beautiful pink color each spring. However, visitors can enjoy the 60-acre  Pittsburgh Botanic Garden , complete with a lotus pond, all year long. Admission starts at just $15, and there are multiple discounts available.

17. Big Bear Lake, California

Big Bear Lake offers outdoor adventure all year long, in any season. Travelers will love snowboarding, fishing, skiing, mountain biking, hiking, and more. From cozy rental cabins to resorts, private homes, and bed and breakfasts, there are also  accommodations  to fit every price range.

18. Bailey, Colorado

Bailey is home to the uber-funky Sasquatch Outpost, only a couple hours’ drive away from the larger city of Denver. Enjoy the quirky museum with interactive exhibits on a day trip, then head to the small downtown area to refuel at Aspen Peak Cellars. The winery features tastings, pick-up dinner nights, and even live bluegrass music.

19. Memphis, Tennessee

Memphis is the far more affordable sister to the state capitol of Nashville. A stroll down historic Beale Street offers live jazz and blues drifting from bars and restaurants at no cost, and visitors will love seeing the daily Duck March at the Peabody Hotel.

20. Fredericksburg, Texas

With its unique German heritage and picturesque Texas Hill Country scenery, Russell says Fredericksburg is one of the most enchanting cheap places to travel in Texas. Wine enthusiasts will adore the affordable tastings at local vineyards like Grape Creek Vineyards. Each spring, the town comes alive with the vibrant Fredericksburg Crawfish Festival, and the beauty of Wildseed Farms, a stunning display of Texas wildflowers, is always free.

21. Washington, D.C.

One of the best parts about Washington, D.C., is all the free historical sightseeing and museums. Whether you stroll down Pennsylvania Avenue to see the White House or ponder the giant statue of founding father Abe Lincoln at the Lincoln Memorial, there’s something here for every history buff.

22. Ocean City, Maryland

Ocean City is a haven for beach lovers and budget travelers, according to Russell. The Ocean City Boardwalk offers endless free entertainment, from people-watching to stunning ocean views. Thrasher’s French Fries, a beachside staple, is known for its simple yet delicious fries. For a tranquil escape, visit Northside Park, a perfect spot for a serene stroll or picnic by the bay.

23. Kansas City, Missouri

Kansas City features an excellent, free streetcar that has 16 stops in the  Crossroads Arts District ,  Power & Light District , and  River Market . After 2 pm, get free admission to Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead, which hosts hundreds of animals families will love to pet and learn about.

24. Pensacola, Florida

Pensacola offers all the beachy activities of Miami at a fraction of the cost. With dozens of hotels, inns, and condos that span a giant price range, you’re sure to find something in your budget. Although travelers will enjoy the stereotypical gift shops and seafood restaurants, the city also features late-night Irish pubs, dive bars, and other forms of nightlife.

25. Plains, Georgia

Plains makes for a cute, cozy trip in the Southeast. It’s the home of former President Jimmy Carter, so you can expect plenty of peanut-related merchandise paying homage to the peanut-farming executive at local gift shops. The Windsor Hotel is stunning and historic, and other chain hotels offer less expensive accommodations.

26. Portland, Maine

The Old Port district is the best of both worlds, combining pubs and nightlife with historic cobblestone streets, boutique shopping, and more. On Fridays, from 4 to 8 pm, the Portland Museum of Art offers free admission. There aren’t many other places where you can see original Andy Warhol paintings at no charge!

27. Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Much like Washington, D.C., Gettysburg is home to a history that’s integral to the United States. The town might be quaint, but many of the downtown activities and even some of the memorials are still dog-friendly, a rare amenity while traveling. Gettysburg National Military Park is one such location, allowing you to walk in the footsteps of soldiers who fought on that spot more than 160 years ago. 

28. Salem, Massachusetts

Although best known for its Halloween-themed activities, Salem is a beautiful New England town all year round. The Salem Witch Trials Memorial is free to visit, as is Old Burying Point Cemetery. This quaint, albeit dark, town offers a bewitching getaway for travelers who don’t mind getting a little spooked.

29. Asheville, North Carolina

Asheville offers both outdoor and free historical adventure. Being nestled just outside the Appalachian Mountains, visitors can choose from literally hundreds of miles of hiking trails that begin around the city. With soccer fields, picnic areas, disc golf, walking trails, bocce courts, sand volleyball courts, and a playground,  Buncombe County’s parks  are a cut above.

30. Baraboo, Wisconsin

Baraboo makes the perfect day trip getaway from the busy Chicagoland area. It’s best known for Devil’s Lake, a beautiful glacial lake ringed by hiking trails that offer challenging treks and unique rock formations. Dogs are allowed, a rarity for parks and trails!

31. Kissimmee, Florida

Just a stone’s throw from Orlando’s theme parks, Russell says Kissimmee offers its own affordable adventures. Explore the Shingle Creek Regional Park, where kayaking unveils Florida’s natural beauty and wildlife. Savor the flavors of Florida at Abracadabra Ice Cream Factory, where the treats are as magical as the prices. History buffs will enjoy the Osceola County Welcome Center and History Museum, which offers free admission.

No matter which state you’re from or hoping to visit, the US has some truly affordable day trips and cheap places to travel. While you should be on the lookout for cheap travel hacks that actually have the  potential to ruin your trip , these destinations aren’t a danger! Luckily, there’s something on this list for both nature lovers and those who prefer to have fun indoors. From free museum admission to national parks and more, you can easily travel on a budget if you get creative.

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Where will Eurovision 2025 be held? The three Swiss towns vying to host

Geneva, basel and st gallen have all thrown their hats into the eccentric musical ring, article bookmarked.

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Following  Nemo ’s big win in  Malmo ,  Sweden  with the song  The Code,  Switzerland  will host  Eurovision  for the third time in 2025.

The last time the Swiss hosted the contest was 35 years ago in  Lausanne in1989. Before that, the 1956 instalment of the competition visited  Lugano  in Switzerland’s Ticino region.

As the host country, Switzerland will join the Big Five – the  UK ,  France,  Spain ,  Germany  and  Italy  – to automatically qualify for next year’s live final.

Though the event often set up in the capital, there’s a huge tourism draw to wherever lands the title of host city.

Switzerland’s national broadcaster (SSR SRG) and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) are currently shortlisting the Swiss locations to set the stage.

Here are the potential host cities already bidding to be backdrop to the 69th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest.

Where could Eurovision 2025 be held?

According to local media Switzerland’s second city, Geneva , has already submitted a proposal to the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation with preliminary plans to host Eurovision 2025.

The Palexpo convention centre, with a capacity for nearly 15,000 spectators, is pegged to accommodate the contest if Geneva  were selected as the host city.

As the gateway to the Alps , glitzy Geneva is a city break favourite among the the skiing crowds, as well as those looking for top-notch watch ateliers, chocolate to satisfy a sweet tooth and lakeside vineyards.

Conradin Cramer, president of the canton of  Basel -Stadt, posted to Twitter/X: “Congratulations to Nemo on his great victory at #ESC2024 in Malmö! Switzerland will now host #ESC2025. # Basel is an excellent venue. And we are ready: with our infrastructure, accessibility and hospitality. #ESC2025Basel.”

The third biggest Swiss city is a tangle of pastel townhouses on the Rhine, edgy art fairs and al fresco watering holes come summer.

Spaces that could host the international performance include the St Jakobshalle concert hall and St Jakob-Park FC Basel sports stadium.

The newly opened St Galler Kantonalbank Hall in St Gallen has been proposed as a potential venue with the space to host 12,000 Eurovision fans.

Christine Bolt, head of the Olma Messen AG in eastern Switzerland expressed her support for St Gallen to take centre stage next year.

Bolt said: “Thanks to the new hall, we are playing in the first league.

“It is part of our core mission to carry out events in the interests of Eastern Switzerland. Together with our partners in the next phase, we will check whether we officially apply or not.”

If the contest was to set up in St Gallen, the charming north eastern city features a renowned business university and the baroque facades and library of the Unesco-listed Abbey of Saint Gall.

How is the Eurovision host city decided?

The Swiss Broadcasting Corporation and the EBU will select a shortlisted city based on their proposals and require that they meet the hosting criteria for the contest. A group of organisers are currently working in Bern to plan the details of the eccentric music competition.

A Eurovision destination must have:

• A venue with a capacity for at least 10,000 people 
• A press centre for journalists
• Reach to an international airport 
• Enough hotel accommodation to host delegates and their teams 

Switzerland’s chosen host city is expected to be officially announced in September after the Host City Bid process and ahead of ticket sales.

Read more: Basel city guide: Where to stay, eat, drink and shop in Switzerland’s underrated third city

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