How To Visit Switzerland On A Budget – However, although it is not a cheap destination, Switzerland is one of the most beautiful countries in the world.
This landlocked country is home to sparkling lakes (over 7,000 of them!), picturesque mountains (hello Alps!), small medieval walled towns, historic cities, towering peaks, endless green plains to traverse , delicious chocolate and cheese, incredible beer and friendly and welcoming people. It is known for its ski resorts, hiking trails, its neutral foreign policy position, being a banking and financial center, and the manufacture of Swiss watches.
How To Visit Switzerland On A Budget
Everything runs on time here, the place is safe and everyone is super nice. I loved my time traveling in Switzerland and the country rocks no matter what time of year you visit.
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This Switzerland travel guide will help you plan your trip, save money and make sure you get the most out of your time here!
Bern has an amazing historic center. This part of the city is full of medieval clock towers, cobbled streets, churches and well-preserved sandstone houses. Be sure to walk the Aare River Path, visit the History Museum and the Einstein Museum, and see the bears in the Bear Park!
The sharp angular peak of the Matterhorn is one of Switzerland’s most iconic attractions. You have to take a train or bus to the Zermatt area (closest mountain town) as cars are not allowed. And if you miss the ski season, come hiking in the summer.
Zürich is also located on the beautiful Lake Zurich, next to the mountains and is close to many other cities (such as Bern). I love the historic center that opens onto the lake. A perfect day here includes sitting in the parks and drinking beer by the lake. The city is also very artistic and full of street art and museums.
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Interlaken is one of the country’s outdoor capitals (although it is quite touristy during peak season). There is plenty to do here for adrenaline seekers: skydiving on a Swiss glacier, water skiing, skiing, hiking and more. This is also ground zero for backpackers as there are so many free outdoor activities.
The “Swiss Riviera” is located in Lavaux (Canton of Vaud) and runs along Lake Geneva. You can visit the unique terraced vineyards overlooking the lake, the 12th Century Château de Chillon built on the water and the city of Montreux, which is famous for its annual jazz festival.
This festival in Basel is a three-day celebration that welcomes warm weather and takes place every year on the Monday after Ash Wednesday. It is something that is highly anticipated by tourists and locals alike, and is without a doubt Switzerland’s most popular festival. Fasnächtlers wear elaborate costumes to hide their identity and parade through town with “kliks” (bands playing drums and piccoli). All the bars and restaurants in town stay open all three days and everyone is in a good mood!
As the third largest city in Switzerland, Geneva offers spectacular views of the city’s lake (Lake Geneva), the largest fountain in the world, one of the main headquarters of the UN, a center of the historic city and a collection of international restaurants to satisfy everyone’s taste. While you’re here, be sure to check out the Geneva Museum of Art and History and the Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum. There are a total of 40 museums here, so there’s plenty to keep you entertained!
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Located just outside the city of Lucerne, this beautiful mountain has stunning views of the Alps. From the city, you can take a gondola or hike the trails to the top for views over the Swiss Alps (it’s about 2 hours to the top on foot and 30 minutes by gondola). There are several easier trails around the north side of Pilatus, as well as other attractions in the summer months, such as a rope course.
Have a picnic and admire the view of the most powerful waterfall in Europe. If you take a boat tour, you can get closer to the giant rock in the middle of the waterfall and visit the Rhine Falls basin. Nearby in the town of Schaffhausen, there is a medieval castle which also houses an inn for cheap (but interesting) accommodation.
The seventh largest city in Switzerland, St. Gallen boasts beautiful museums, colorful murals and distinctive architecture. It doesn’t get as much tourist traffic as other cities and regions around the country, but it’s a fun city full of students and you’re likely to make friends with some locals during your visit. Don’t miss the baroque cathedral and the Abbey Library, which contains almost 170,000 documents. Some are handwritten and over a thousand years old!
Rent a car and explore the Graubunden area of the country, which has houses and structures dating back to the 13th century. You will also be able to hear the ancient Romani language, which has disappeared everywhere in the country and many locals they are proud to keep the tradition alive. Of course, it is also a haven for nature lovers – there are 615 lakes and 150 valleys in the region. Soglio, Brigels, Bergün and Vals are just some of the quaint villages worth visiting in the region.
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With a picturesque castle (Chateau de Chillon) perched on the edge of a lake, this area makes a romantic escape. Visit the castle, which dates back to the 12th century and inspired the likes of Lord Byron and Mary Shelley. The city was also home to Freddie Mercury and there is a statue in his honour. To visit the castle it costs 13.50 CHF.
This small village of 7,000 inhabitants is located in the canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden. There are no cars and the village has preserved many of its local traditions and culture, including folk dances and music. It is a very picturesque little town, with frescoed buildings and narrow alleyways. Its location near the foot of the Alpstein Mountains makes it an excellent gateway to participate in outdoor activities in summer and winter such as hiking and skiing. Take the Appenzell Railway to Wasserauen and explore the fascinating prehistoric Wildkirchli Caves (which were inhabited over 40,000 years ago).
You can’t get more quintessentially Swiss than Lucerne. Located on the beautiful Lake Lucerne, the city offers a wonderful combination of urban life and nature. Spend some time in the old town, especially the Weinmarkt, surrounded by medieval guildhalls and decorative buildings. Cross the Chapel Bridge, the oldest surviving bridge in the world, and notice the 17th-century ceiling paintings depicting events from Lucerne’s history.
The Jungfraujoch is the highest railway station on the continent. Started in 1896 and stretching 9 kilometers (5 miles), this mountain train takes passengers Kleine Scheidegg to the Jungfraujoch, where they can admire stunning views and an incredible amount of snow. A return trip costs CHF 210.80.
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Accommodation – Hotel dorms average CHF 30-40 per night for a bed in a 6-8 bed dorm. Private hostel rooms range from CHF 70-120 per night. Many hostels offer free linen, Wi-Fi and some include breakfast.
For those traveling with a tent, there are several campsites around Interlaken. Prices are around CHF 15-30 per night for a basic pitch for two without electricity.
Hotels are super expensive, costing 70-120 CHF per night for a basic room. For something a little nicer and more spacious, expect to spend closer to CHF 150-200 per night.
A much better alternative to hotels is Airbnb, where a private room usually costs CHF 30-50 a night and a full apartment starts at around CHF 70 (although they usually cost twice as much, so book early to find the best deals).
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Food – With strong French, German and Italian influences, Swiss cuisine is a mix of meat and potato based dishes along with plenty of local cheese. Popular dishes include beef and mushrooms, fondue (with bread or potatoes),
(crushed chips), and quiche. Of course, Swiss cheese and chocolate should not be missing either. When it comes to breakfast, muesli is a healthy choice.
If you want to eat out, bars and cafes are the cheapest food option and cost around CHF 9-15 for a special meal. A cheap restaurant costs around 25 CHF while a 3-course meal in a medium-sized restaurant costs around 60 CHF.
If you want to drink with your meal, a beer costs around 7 CHF and cocktails can cost 12-15 CHF.
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Fast food (think McDonald’s) costs around 15 CHF for a combo meal. A large pizza costs 15-21 CHF.
You can keep your food costs under control by going to local supermarkets and buying your own groceries. Expect to spend around 100-125 CHF per week on staples such as pasta, rice, eggs, seasonal produce and some meat. The main supermarkets are Migros, COOP and Spar. COOP is the most expensive.
Activities – Most museums cost around CHF 15-20 although there are often student discounts. Hiking tours and adventure activities start around CHF 70 while paragliding costs around CHF 160. Ski and snowboard lift tickets cost anywhere from CHF 55-95 per day depending on the -mountains Multi-day lift passes usually offer great discounts.
If you are backpacking in Switzerland, my suggestion
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