In this post, I share my best tips to travel to Switzerland on a budget so that you can move up this beautiful country on your destinations list. There are imposing mountains, tasty fondues and chocolate, huge banks protecting the cash, precision watches and a peaceful society.
The majestic mountains and breathtaking landscapes have a cost, and the Swiss are a very costly country. Despite Switzerland being so expensive to travel, it is clear that most backpackers are hesitant to leave and stay in Europe for ages.
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.
01. How Much I Spent in Switzerland
Tell me the cost of a trip to Switzerland (Zurich, Bern, Geneva and Interlaken) (in Swiss Francs) that were around $1.03 USD when we went there: food: 107.74 Accommodations: 179.36 Transports: 1.04 Euro.
But it requires hard work and constant monitoring. I relied heavily on shared economics (see below). The possibility of going on free hiking trips helped, as did the ability to visit free attractions, though during the winter when skiing costs are high.
02. Travel Switzerland on a Budget
You can visit Swiss cities for several different reasons. You know what a spectacular view is. It is easy to understand Swiss chocolate. Your taste is endless! It's about time to visit the Alps. Your bag is now packed subconsciously.
Are you unsure if the trekking shoes will fit or if there are any extra calories when eating chocolate or if you have to carry a German dictionary? If not for the persistent voices in my mind. It is the question that keeps us awake all night with countless answers.
03. Do Grocery Shop
It's easy enough to get money in Switzerland and live in an ordinary town! Skip the restaurant and head straight to the grocery store to buy snacks and preprepared lunches. Although Swiss living isn't cheap and prices can still be expensive you can still find many of the best restaurants here.
04. Don't buy a travel pass
Get away with not buying boarding passes unless it is clear that you are considering the options. Travel tickets offer great value when used by public transportation. They sometimes have no logic.
Is there a solution? For more money saving advice, do research. Tell me the best answer for your next travel plan and how to get one. Check if buying a ticket in advance, using half price cards, Interrail/Eurail Passes or a Swiss Pass or Supersaver ticket is most cost effective for you.
05. How to Save Money in Switzerland
The money was saved as I had to not take part in many activities but had travelled throughout the country during the time of the year that I could walk (free). While a bit of money can be saved (go one way, drink none, avoid Starbucks in Geneva) it does not matter how expensive you are (life a little).
If I did ridesharing or Couch surfing during the trip, I'd transfer the money into something else that would be more valuable. I believe I should travel more cheaply but be frugally and not cheaply.
06. Explore the city on free public transport or free bikes
Yes, there's a few Swiss towns that offer free bicycle access! We recommend you save a Switzerland travel pass for days when you travel intercity, if your hotel or hostel is in town for the weekend to see what you can find online, or check your hotel reception. For our recent check places like Geneva Basel, Bern & Lucerne we offer a transit pass which offers free bus travel. '
07. Do Take Advantage of Grocery Store Restaurants
My favourite Switzerland budget travel secrets are... . - The supermarket, restaurant! At least two major supermarket chains in Switzerland, Migros and Cooperative have an IKEA-esque restaurant. These are an affordable vacation dreams.
Some buffets offer stacked plates where you can have as much food at fixed cost while others focus on dinner deals or A la Carte foods. I am sure you'll find a good meal at the restaurant. If your itinerary has already been completed you should ask them before you leave to check if these stores are available.
08. Buy Souvenirs at Grocery Stores
If you buy lunch in a supermarket, why not buy some souvenirs? It's possible that Swiss chocolate will be twice as much for groceries versus tourist places. Some supermarket stores in the large cities often have a souvenir section in Switzerland, where the shop sells chocolate, cheese and stuffed animals.
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09. A trip to Switzerland doesn't have to be that expensive
So dreamily beautiful, the Swiss countryside is often regarded as a very costly destination to travel. There is still no way to visit Switzerland without money. We have found the best value travel pass that can be used on your Swiss vacation without breaking any bank! Keep this tip handy. It is.
10. Don't Travel to Switzerland During High Season
It is true that everyone says it, but the length of travel to Switzerland is likely to affect lodging rates. The Swiss peak season runs from May to August. During March to April and November to November are the budget cheapest times for Switzerland travel.
Tip: When searching for Switzerland accommodations during peak season you may find the right hotel with Free cancellation up to the specified point. You can then often check out new and cheaper properties available after cancellation.
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11. Put your connections to use
Nothing helps a backpacker save money as well as friendship. Saving 30-40 CHF on accommodation yearly is enough for one Swiss trip ticket. With Switzerland being so small, there are day trips to virtually all the corners and it is also possible. Alternatively, you could go Couchsurfing instead. It is more common than you think and is an excellent way to contact local people.
12. Skip Staying in the Major Cities
Guests can stay in major Swiss towns. Proximity to everything makes easy access to museums, shopping and restaurants, although people come into Switzerland for a view. Swiss have some of the worlds best scenery and you can visit a town with views.
This is more inexpensive and you may have better pictures and postcard images of Switzerland if you want to. You can also not travel far outside a city for stunning views. Train travel is a common means to get around Switzerland and it's easy to get places despite being away from major cities.
13. Cheap or Free Accommodations
Nowadays, budget travellers find plenty of accommodation. The choice isn't limited anymore between hotel rooms or hostels. It's possible to hire people's homes or rooms or even sleep under a couch. However, our two recommendations on experiencing Switzerland on a budget are Workaway or Sleep on Straw.
The WorkAway program provides you with a few hours a week for free in exchange for a housing arrangement. You can work in a variety of fields like teaching, animal care and farming.
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14. Do Utilize Day Trips to Save Money
Staying at an unrestricted location may be more efficient compared to frequently changing hotel rooms. The rates on nights get better with time spent in the hotels. Airbnb also gives extended-stay discounts to guests staying longer than a week.
This travel tip will help you plan your travel around a day trip and not just move between different locations. Plans for city excursions, such as a day trip to Lucerne or a day visit Zürich, are simple thanks to the well-established transport networks. For remoter regions such as Jungfrau it is easy to take day trips. Follow these simple money-saving tips when planning your trip and you'll see how it really is possible to travel Switzerland on a budget!
15. Visit attractions that offer free entry
Discovering the beautiful Swiss countryside is often not cheap. Many attractions and museums offer Free Admission to Switzerland, and many hiking trails and landscaped areas offer beautiful landscapes which cost zero.
Most churches in America can be entered for a fee. Swiss Travel Passes also provide free entrance to over 400 museums in Swiss Switzerland! These famous attractions can be covered by this pass: Matterhorn museums. Zermatt Nationalmuseum. Zurich Chillon Castle Montreux Glacier Gardens. Olympic museum in Luzern Lausanne.
16. Drink Tap Water
Food is expensive here, but also beverages are expensive. Thankfully Switzerland has very clean water. There are fountains all around the world for filling water containers.
17. Stay at a youth hostel or Airbnb
Swiss accommodation is expensive but some budget choices can certainly be found if you want an easy and cheap stay. Youth hostels with dormitories are a favorite for backpackers, while the Airbnb is ideal for groups with friends. There are plenty of farm houses in Switzerland to stay with, you can go camping if you like!
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18. Buy old bread
This one is even better. It happens. The idea of "sbar" is now widespread in Switzerland. This group collects the foods that bakeries cannot sell during the day and offers it for half of the next day.
This means that you can buy a huge variety of baked goods at a huge discount. Ssbar stores can be found throughout St. Galles Winterthur, Zurich, Fribourg and Basel. Because of its popularity, this project will expand into other cities.
19. Get discounts off day tours on Klook
You can also arrange a day trip for a day trip instead of hiring cars or buying travel passes on Klook. We've got day tours suitable for any budget and type of traveller. These tours are particularly suited to families who want an enjoyable experience and to individuals who like to explore with local guides or independently. Keep a look out on this list for a few coupons that can save you money!
20. Do Take Advantage of City Guest Cards
I'll bet the research will pay for a real Swiss project on a budget. Switzerland has several initiatives to promote the tourism sector. Using the city guestcard is useful. You'll need to find out if your destination offers such incentives, but most hotels provide guest cards.
21. Do Consider Buying Travel Passes
Should a traveler want to travel in Switzerland on a budget, it is worth considering comparing costs for a ticket to each destination in their itinerary. Switzerland travel passes can be costly, so determining your route with an eye to detail should be your first choice.
22. Don't Miss Out on Student Discounts
The discount for young and students traveling in Switzerland is able to help save time and money for your trips! In addition, young tourists aged 15-24 have the option of enjoying discounts in Switzerland on the Pass.
Typically these discounted tickets appear in a reduced section in ticket lists. Not every activity or transportation has it, however, it can be useful to check ahead of time so you know when to take full advantage of the opportunities.
Use SBB Mobile app to save money on trains in Switzerland Trains are the best way to get around Switzerland on a budget. Some offer free public transport, others have cheap international flights – so decide which parts of Switzerland you want to visit first and structure your cost-effective itinerary second. If you're going to be on the rails every other day, then look into buying a Swiss Travel Pass, Eurail or Interrail Pass. The Swiss Travel Pass gives you almost complete access to the country; entry to about 500 museums, train, bus, boat tickets, etc.
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