How to Travel to Switzerland on a Budget

Co-authored by Angela Rice

Last Updated: December 8, 2021 References

Switzerland is a beautiful country with an abundance of natural and urban attractions, so it’s no surprise that it’s a popular destination for tourists. It is also widely thought that Switzerland is an expensive place to live and travel around. With a little bit of planning and commitment to saving on accommodation, transport and leisure, you’ll be able to get the full Swiss experience without spending your life’s savings.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:
Planning Your Transport

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Book your travel ahead of time. Whether you are flying or getting the train to Switzerland for your trip, you’re likely to get cheaper fares if you book at least 3 months in advance.^{[1]
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Research source} Compare a variety of options, either on your own or with the help of an agent, to choose the best one for you.
- Keep an eye on the flight prices ahead of buying them for any price drops.
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Research public transport options. Switzerland’s public transport system is very comprehensive so you shouldn’t have trouble getting around major cities using their bus and train systems.^{[2]
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- If you’re staying at a hotel in Geneva, Lucerne, Lausanne, Bern or Basel, you can use local public transport for free.^{[3]
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3
Purchase a travel pass. Eurail passes offer different options depending on how long you’ll be in the region, and whether you’ll be visiting other countries.^{[4]
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Research source} If you’ve planned out your destinations, this is an inexpensive way to get around by train while you’re there.
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Book domestic transport in advance for cheaper fares. This is particularly important for train rides. Make sure you buy 2nd class tickets, and if possible, don’t reserve a seat to save more money.^{[5]
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Consider ride sharing options. There are a few different options available for ride sharing in Europe and Switzerland. Check online to find out if there are other travelers heading to the same places as you, or use an application such a BlaBlaCar to find a ride.
- If you’re travelling with a larger group, consider hiring a van to transport you for longer journeys.
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Consider your destinations carefully. Switzerland is a tiny country and travelling between cities can eat through your budget. It may be a good idea to set up a home base for yourself and explore the rest of the country from there.^{[6]
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Expert Source

Angela Rice
Travel Specialist
Expert Interview. 18 September 2020.}
7
Plan your trip in one direction. When booking your flights, take into account domestic travel during your trip. If you can fly into Zurich and out of Geneva (for example), you’ll save yourself a trip to another city to catch your international flight.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:
Finding Accommodation Options

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Consider free accommodation options. Accommodation is one of the biggest costs when travelling. Many travelers save on accommodation by utilizing free options, either through an organized service, or using their own connections.^{[7]
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- Try staying with people you know in the area or using an organized service for couch surfing.
- Consider working for your accommodation through volunteer experiences such as Workaway or WWOOFing.
- Ask around local hostels to see if they have will allow you to work in exchange for free accommodation.
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Check out farm stay options. Farm stays offer you the experience of living on a working farm. These are generally cheaper as they are run by private farmers to supplement their income, and are growing in popularity across many rural parts of Switzerland.^{[8]
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Research source} Not only will this save you money, it will also provide you with local insight into farming, agriculture and the community.
- Some farm stays will allow you to work in exchange for your accommodation, so look into all the options before deciding.
3
Check out hostels or discount hotels. You can get cheaper prices if you avoid the high season (July, August, and late December to mid-March.^{[9]
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Research source} At other times of the year, you’ll find hostel/hotel prices will be significantly lower. Hostels are generally cheaper than hotels, but some discount hotel prices can be quite affordable if you have a longer stay.
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Use your hotel rewards points for discounts. Many hotel chains offer rewards or loyalty schemes for their customers. With accommodation in Switzerland being relatively expensive, this would be an excellent time to utilize any rewards or discounts you’re entitled to.^{[10]
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Look for cheap camping options. If you’re travelling through Switzerland in the warmer months, there are plenty of options for campsites.^{[11]
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Research source} If you want to stay in a tent, one option is Camping Arolla, Europe’s highest campground. If you’re looking for a more equipped campsite, Tamaro offers fully-equipped caravans, with power and water on the edge of Lake Maggiore^{[12]
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Research source} Camping will provide you with an authentic outdoor experience at a relatively low cost.
- Check out Switzerland's tourism websites or forums for more specific regional camping information.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:
Eating and Drinking While You're There

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Cook your own meals. Food is notoriously expensive in Switzerland, especially if you eat at restaurants or cafes for your meals. You can save a lot in your budget if you make your own food at your accommodation.
- Consider going vegetarian, as meat prices in Switzerland are exceptionally high. Even if you buy meat from local butchers, you’ll be paying much higher prices than non-meat alternatives.^{[13]
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- If you want to eat meat, deli meats are a good compromise.
2
Eat yesterday’s bread. Many bakeries participate in Ässbar, which is selling old bread at a cheaper price. You can find Ässbar stores in St. Gallen, Winterthur, Zurich, Bern, Fribourg and Basel.^{[14]
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- They may also give their bread to local hostels so be sure to research this in your area.
3
Utilise lunch specials if you want to dine out. Many cafes and restaurants offer a Menü with fixed price lunch options.^{[15]
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Research source} Ethnic restaurants such as Middle Eastern or Thai will offer better deals.
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Try free samples at farmers markets. Many markets will offer samples of their products for prospective buyers. Wander around and experience some local culture and cuisine, while also indulging in some snacks.^{[16]
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Avoid spending too much on drinks. Buying drinks at bars can easily become one of the biggest costs on your trip. If you want to drink, try and utilize happy hour or two-for-one deals to minimize your spend.
- Take a drink bottle with you wherever you go. There will be plenty of places to fill it up for free, and Switzerland’s water is safe to drink.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:
Keeping Yourself Entertained

1
Do a free walking tour. By planning ahead and doing some research, you can have yourself a pretty comprehensive walking tour without having to pay a company to do it for you.
- You could also join a free walking tour, however, these usually have an expectation of a small tip at the end.^{[17]
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Use a free bike. Many cities offer free bike hire for a certain amount of time for a small, refundable deposit. As well as saving money on transport, these can be a great way to see the city in between sightseeing.^{[18]
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- Make sure you familiarize yourself with the local traffic laws before riding your bike around town.
3
Participate in free outdoor activities. Switzerland is home to many beautiful natural wonders which can easily be explored for free. Rhine Falls (Europe’s largest waterfall) has some free entry options, with upgrades available for fare paying customers.
- There are also a variety of hiking tracks for you to plan a walk along, or rivers and lakes for swimming.
4
Plan your ski trip ahead of time. It’s best to go in the low season and avoid peak times such as school holidays. Ski passes are usually cheaper at small, low-key resorts, so if you want to ski on a budget, avoid the bigger name resorts.
- If travelling with your family, look for options for children to ski for free.
- Pre-book ski passes to save on upfront costs
- National airline Swiss allows you to take your ski gear for free depending on your ticket type
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Explore urban areas for free. Each city offers its own history and architecture that you can marvel at for free. From Bern’s Old Town, to Lucerne’s 14th-century Kapellbrücke bridge, there are plenty of options for sightseeing on a budget.
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Look for complimentary entry. Many museums and galleries are free to go into, with specific exhibits inside costing money. Some museums also offer free entry on certain days, for example, the permanent collection at Kunsthaus Zürich is free on Wednesdays.^{[19]
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Choose your time to splurge. Switzerland has many iconic foods and activities that cost more, and it’s worthwhile to treat yourself every now and again. Splash out on some famous Swiss chocolates, go out for fondue or stay one night at a fancy resort. As long as you plan and stay within your budget, you’ll still be able to experience Switzerland fully.^{[20]
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Expert Source

Angela Rice
Travel Specialist
Expert Interview. 18 September 2020.}

Community Q&A

Question

How do people afford a trip to Switzerland?

Angela Rice
Luxury Travel Specialist
Angela Rice is a Luxury Travel Specialist and Co-Founder of Boutique Travel Advisors, a luxury travel advising business in Phoenix, Arizona. Angela specializes in consulting and curating highly customized and unique travel itineraries for clients seeking luxury, group, and multi-generational family travel. Angela studied at Arizona State University and The University of Iowa Tippie College of Business. She has prior consulting experience in accounting and business, which helps her run her business behind the scenes. Angela has been featured in The Washington Post, Reader's Digest, Travel Weekly, USA Today, Travel Market Report, Phoenix Magazine, and MSN. She is also a frequent guest on WBBM News Radio 105.9 FM's Travel Tuesday show.

Angela Rice

Luxury Travel Specialist

Expert Answer

They save up! Trips to Europe, and especially places like Switzerland, are expensive. To a certain degree, there's just no way around that. Think about what you're going to get out of the trip! That can really help you put it in perspective; yes, it's going to be expensive, but it's probably worth the price tag.