Switzerland on a Shoestring - Money Saving Tips
Switzerland is one of the most expensive countries to visit compared to other European countries. Such high pricing is often reflected in the quality of life, stunning alpine beauty and world-class transport facilities it offers.
After travelling across Switzerland over multiple trips, we discovered a lot of insider tips which helped us travel at ease within our budget. Switzerland is one county where you need to plan well in advance to save money.
Here are some tips to save money while traveling in Switzerland:
Currency
Unlike other European countries, Switzerland uses “Swiss Franc” which has slightly higher conversion rate than Euros. It is easy to go cashless in Switzerland. Most of the places accept payment through cards. Invest in a good travel forex card to avoid high exchange rates and also earn rewards on your spends.
Best Times to Visit
-
Low Season: November-March
- Lower accommodation rates
- Fewer tourists
- Winter sports options
-
Shoulder Season: April-June, October
- Better weather
- Moderate prices
- Good hiking conditions
Local Commute/Transport
Guest Cards
- Many places in Switzerland offer complimentary Guest cards based on the region you are staying at. Often, the price of the guest card is included in the stay cost.
- One has to look out for such stay options offering Guest cards to avail the benefit.
- These guest cards help you to commute free of cost within the town/city you are staying at.
- Beyond free local commute, these also include discounts & reduced prices for attractions, mountain railways, cable cars and boats depending on the guest card.
Passes
Switzerland is one country that offers various travel passes to their visitors. These passes either provide discounts or option to travel unlimited through trains, buses, boats or even access museums, mountain excursions & attractions. Investing in such passes is a smart way to manage your budget effectively. Study these passes and pick the one which suits your travel plans. Example for few types of travel passes to look out for -
- Half fare pass - Helps you to get discount on everything from transport to attractions
- Regional pass - Decide the region you are going to explore the most & explore the passes based on the region. Eg. Jungfrau Travel Pass for Jungfrau region, Bernese Oberland Travel Pass for Bernese Oberland region.
- Swiss travel pass - Swiss travel pass offers unlimited travel through public transport, discounts on admissions or even free entry to various museums & attractions.
- Swiss family card - Very useful if traveling with children to avail various free benefits.
- Saver day pass - If you are traveling a lot in a single day within Switzerland, then investing in this pass can help you save on multiple trips.
- Special saver tickets - Based on the season, special tickets on few excursions are released which are usually at a discounted price but comes with few terms & conditions.
SBB Mobile application
SBB is one of the best designed mobile applications used to plan your travel across trains, buses, boats and gondolas. You can plan your local commute hassle-free at one click without having to stand in queue to purchase your tickets. The best part is the app provide you with one ticket, one price for multiple mode of transport & this ticket can be used anytime within the said journey date. Few routes also offer discounts if booked in advance through SBB application.
Accommodation
Stay costs are pretty high considering Switzerland being an expensive country. So staying in a touristy location is not a prerequisite if you want to save those pennies. Switzerland offer extensive public transport connectivity across the country which means it gives ample opportunities to stay at any location and still be able to commute at ease. Tips to look out for, when booking a stay in Switzerland -
- Stay away from touristy locations. There are many non-touristy villages which are a train/bus away to main attractions. Explore stay options at these villages.
- Explore options beyond hotels like Airbnb’s, hostels, homestays, local farm stays, campsites etc.,
- If traveling longer, few homestays offer “long-stay discounts”. Base your stay at one location & avail such long stay discounts.
- Stay costs can be much cheaper if traveling during off-season or shoulder seasons.
- Traveling with group can bring down the overall per head costs.
Food & drinks
Food in Switzerland is extremely expensive. But if you manage to cook your own meals, then the overall cost drastically comes down. Tips to look out for saving on food costs in Switzerland -
- Stay at places with Kitchen, and you can plan to cook your own meals.
- On days when you can not manage to cook, carry few ready-to-eat options for easy grab and cook or pick up fresh salads from the supermarkets.
- Avoid those restaurants in touristy locations which compels you to order per person basis or charges you for sharing food or charges you extra for dining with larger groups.
- Watch out for the supermarkets timings to stock up your groceries as many supermarkets close by evenings.
- Look out for local Farm fridges in a few villages which sell basic items like milk, cheese etc.
- Most of the water across Switzerland comes directly from mountains and are drinkable. Carry reusable water bottles and refill them instead of buying drinking water.
Attractions
One of the best ways to plan your visit to attractions in Switzerland is to not book them way in advance. Yes, you heard it right. Switzerland is known for its breath-taking landscapes and stunning alpine views. But considering the mountain terrains, the climate can be quite unpredictable. Luckily, there are various live webcams across Switzerland to view the weather and plan your visit. Types of attractions Switzerland offers -
- Mountain excursions like Jungfrau, Zermatt etc
- Stunning waterfalls like Rhine falls etc
- Intriguing cave explorations like Trummelbach Falls, etc
- Breathtaking hiking trails like Fronalpstock etc
- Scenic mountain passes like Gotthard pass etc
- Boat rides on pristine lakes like Lake Lucerne etc
- Visiting Museums, chocolate factories etc
Tips to look out for planning your visit to attractions -
- Prices to attractions do not change much. So watch out the live webcams especially for mountain excursions and plan your visit accordingly instead of buying them in advance and not have a clear view.
- Explore travel passes discussed above that offer discounts and unlimited access.
- There are a lot of free hiking trails with breathtaking views. Visit a tourist information center, grab a map and explore them free of cost!
- When visiting during off-season, do check out if the attractions are open or not.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best Swiss travel pass for a week-long trip?
The Swiss Travel Pass offers the best value for extensive travel, covering trains, buses, and museum entries. For focused regional travel, consider regional passes.
How much should I budget per day in Switzerland?
- Budget Travel: 100-150 CHF/day
- Mid-Range: 200-300 CHF/day
- Luxury: 400+ CHF/day
When is the cheapest time to visit Switzerland?
November to March offers the best rates on accommodation and fewer tourists, though some attractions may have limited access.
Share your Switzerland money-saving tips in the comments below!