Switzerland is a destination you have to see for yourself. From rushing waterfalls and wildflower meadows, to towering mountain peaks and turquoise lakes, Switzerland has it all. However, Switzerland is one of the most expensive countries to visit. If you want to experience the country without breaking the bank, we’re sharing 8 money-saving tips to help you visit Switzerland on a budget.
When people think of travel destinations to visit on a budget, Switzerland is not usually one of them. However, with careful planning and these travel tips, an affordable trip to Switzerland is possible.
Visit Switzerland on a Budget: 8 Money-Saving Tips
Don’t Fly into Switzerland
Roundtrip flights to Switzerland are expensive, so pair your Switzerland trip with another European country. We looked for the cheapest flights to Europe, spent a few days in Paris, then took a train from Paris to Geneva. We then booked a one-way ticket home. This ended up being cheaper than roundtrip flights to Switzerland, and we got to cross two destinations off of our bucket list.
If you’d rather just visit Switzerland, compare Zurich and Geneva flight prices. Flying into Geneva International Airport is often cheaper.
Rent a Car
Switzerland has an amazing public transportation network, but one of the most expensive ways to travel in Switzerland is via train. Renting a car is a cheaper option and allows more flexibility in your travel plans. If you have a travel rewards credit card that includes rental car insurance, be sure to decline additional coverage offered at the rental counter.
Many travelers recommend the Swiss Travel Pass, which allows you unlimited travel on most trains, buses, and boats. However, for a 6 day trip, this pass is $499 USD per person. If you’re traveling by yourself, this might be a reasonable expense, but renting a car is the more affordable option if you’re traveling in a group. Yes, gas in Switzerland is pricey, but our car rental and fuel costs were still less than a single Swiss Travel Pass.
Read More: The Perfect 7-Day Switzerland Road Trip Itinerary
Stay Outside of Major Cities
Staying outside of major cities can cut the overall cost of your trip. Choosing to stay in an Airbnb instead of a hotel can also be a budget-friendly option. One of our favorite stays was in Diemtigen, an area we wouldn’t have otherwise explored. Just look at this view!
Being further away from major points of interest will add some driving time, but the incredible views along the way make it worthwhile.
Read More: The Pros and Cons of Airbnb Stays
Skip Grocery Shopping at Coop
Grocery shopping and cooking your own meals instead of dining out is a great way to keep your Switzerland trip affordable. While most people recommend shopping at Coop, you can actually find lower prices at Migros or Aldi.
Hike for Free
Switzerland has some of the best hikes in the world, and many trails can be accessed via chairlift or gondola. If you’re up for a longer (and steeper) hike, you can skip the gondolas and hike most trails for free. We did this when hiking to Saxer Lucke; we started our hike in Brulisau and turned this hike into a day hike. We saved money, but I’m honestly not sure if we’d ever do this again.
Read More: 5 Hikes in Switzerland for Stunning Views
If you are buying gondola tickets, many do not need to be purchased in advance. Check the weather forecast and trail cameras before getting your tickets.
Take Grindewald First off of Your Itinerary
Grindewald First is beautiful but expensive to access. A roundtrip gondola ticket is about $90 USD per person. Even if you did purchase a Swiss Travel Pass, the gondola ticket would be half price, not free. You can skip the gondola and hike up or down, but it will take a few hours (at least) of your day. There are so many other amazing places to see in Switzerland without spending so much money, so we recommend leaving Grindewald First off of your itinerary.
Stick to Zero-Cost Activities
Switzerland has some of the best adventurous activities like paragliding, alpine coasters, via ferrata, and more. Decide on one paid activity or skip them all together and choose zero-cost activities instead. Go sightseeing, walk through the villages, swim in a lake, or hike to a waterfall.
Avoid Zermatt
Zermatt is so expensive to visit. If seeing the Matterhorn is on your bucket list, make sure you plan for this expense. If you choose to drive to Zermatt, you will have to pay for a car train, parking in Tasch, and a train to the car-free village of Zermatt. If you plan on doing any hiking in Zermatt, you’ll have to purchase a Gornegrat Railway ticket or start your hike from the village.
For our last full day in Switzerland, we decided to take a day trip to Zermatt. We can say we’ve seen the Matterhorn, but in our opinion the cost wasn’t worth it.
If you’re trying to affordably visit Switzerland, it is possible! We hope these money saving tips were helpful as you plan your trip. For more money-saving travel tips, check out our earlier posts here.
