A trip to Switzerland doesn't have to be that expensive
Photo Credit: @wanderchu
As dreamy and beautiful as it is, Switzerland has frequently been flamed as an expensive country to travel to. Nevertheless, it's not to say there aren't ways to travel to Switzerland on a budget. From value-for-money travel passes to free walking tours, cheap accommodation options, and tons of attractions that offer free entry, we've come up with a list of practical tips to help you plan your Switzerland trip without breaking the bank! Save these tips - we promise they'll come in handy. ✨
12 helpful tips to travel Switzerland on a budget
1. Get a Swiss Travel Pass
Photo courtesy of @arielinpink
If you've been doing your research about planning a trip to Switzerland, chances are you've come across many recommendations for getting a Swiss Travel Pass. Some say it's expensive while others swear it's worth every penny. We'd say it'll be the latter if you use it strategically and book one that suits your itinerary and travel style! The best part of a Swiss Travel Pass is the fact that there are so many options for you to choose from, and they're essentially all-in-one passes that will save you loads of time and money if you make full use of them. ✨
Klook Tip: Plan your intercity trips and excursions smartly to fully utilize your Swiss Travel Pass - you won't need it for days when you're planning to be based in a specific city, so do decide whether to get a consecutive or flexible pass depending on your itinerary. Also, if you add on the mountain excursion discounts (some are free!) and free museum admissions, your savings from the Swiss Travel Pass will add up quite significantly!
Photo Credit: @chanwon92
Awesome perks that come with the Swiss Travel Pass:
- Unlimited rides on trains, buses, and boats
- Unlimited use of public transport in over 90 towns & cities
- Up to 50% off on mountain excursions
- Access to scenic routes & panoramic trains (some may require reservation fees)
- Free admission to 500+ museums & galleries
- Free travel for all children aged 0 - 15
- 30% discount for youth aged 16 - 24
2. Cook your meals
We're not gonna lie, food in Switzerland is expensive, especially if you're dining out. Meals at restaurants typically cost between CHF25 - 35 (RM110 - RM160) and can go up to CHF50 if the restaurants are close to tourist attractions. If you'd like to avoid high meal costs, we'd recommend cooking your food during your trip!
Book accommodation that comes with kitchen space, and shop for groceries at local supermarkets so you can cook your breakfast, and dinner, or even pack your lunch. Of all supermarket chains in Switzerland, Aldi and Lidl offer the cheapest prices, so definitely check them out if there are near where you stay. Otherwise, other supermarkets are good enough too.
3. Always bring along a reusable bottle
Save up on drinking water by bringing a reusable bottle when you're out and about! Switzerland's tap water is fresh, clean, 100% drinkable, and free from many water fountains scattered across the country, especially in major cities.
Fun fact: there are over 1,200 water fountains in Zurich, making it one of the cities with the largest number of fountains in the world. Some of these fountains are iconic enough to be considered a tourist attraction, having been around for hundreds of years. You can also request tap water at restaurants - simply ask the waiter for a glass of “Leitungswasser” or “Hahnenwasser".
4. Stay at a youth hostel or Airbnb
Hotels in Switzerland are expensive, but there are some budget-friendly options for those who don't mind simple, no-frills accommodation. Youth hostels with dorm rooms are popular amongst backpackers while Airbnbs are perfect if you're travelling in a group with friends or family. If you're up for a unique experience, many farms in Switzerland offer accommodation in stables and homes, and you can even go camping if that's your sort of thing!
5. Explore the city on free public transport or free bikes
Yes, some cities in Switzerland offer free public transport and bikes! As we mentioned earlier, we'd recommend saving your Swiss Travel Pass for days when you're travelling intercity - if you're based in a city for a day or two, do some research online or check with your hotel/hostel reception to see if they have a free transport pass available for tourists. The last we checked, places like Geneva, Basel, Bern, and Lucerne have some sort of transport pass that allows for free public transport rides. 🚌
6. Sign up for a free walking tour
Photo Credit: @catherine.kaixin
Besides free public transport and bikes, many of the major cities in Switzerland even offer free walking tours conducted by local volunteer guides! These informative and entertaining tours can be joined by anyone with no upfront cost, and you can choose to tip your guide at the end of the tour, with an amount that you're comfortable with. These free tours are available in a variety of themes from street art to history, pub crawls, and nature explorations. We even spotted a Ghost Tour that takes place after dawn in Basel!
Klook Tip: If you'd like to embark on further day trips to popular destinations such as Jungfraujoch, Mount Titlis, Grindelwald, Interlaken, and more, book discounted day tours on Klook instead! These all-inclusive tours may not be cheap but they cover everything from transportation to local guides, and will save you the headache of figuring out how to get there yourself.
7. Visit attractions that offer free entry
Exploring the beauty of Switzerland doesn't always have to come with a hefty price tag. Many attractions and museums in Switzerland offer free admission, and there are lots of hiking trails and nature spots with beautiful sceneries that cost nothing. Most cathedrals and churches in the country are also free to enter!
Klook Tip: besides unlimited rides on trains, buses, and boats, Swiss Travel Passes also come with free entry to over 500+ museums and galleries in Switzerland! Here are some popular attractions that are covered with the pass:
- Matterhorn Museum, Zermatt
- Swiss National Museum, Zurich
- Chillon Castle, Montreux
- Glacier Garden, Lucerne
- Olympic Museum, Lausanne
- St. Gall's Abbey Library
- La Maison du Gruyère cheese factory
8. Download the "too good to go" app
Here's another insider tip to save some meal expenses! Founded with a mission to fight food waste, "Too Good To Go" is an app that allows you to purchase food available at discounted prices, from supermarkets, restaurants, and even cafes.
Simply download the app on your mobile, enable location, and you'll be able to browse through offers in your vicinity, with discounted rates of at least 50% off retail price. Once you place your booking, you can head to the supermarket or restaurant to pick up your affordable meal.
9. Rent a car
If you're travelling to Switzerland in a group, renting a car may be a more affordable way to get around. You can rent a vehicle for under RM300 per day on Klook and split costs with your friends and family! From compact cars to SUVs and spacious vans, you'll be able to choose a vehicle that fits your need.
Besides being budget-friendly if you're travelling in a group, self-driving would allow you more flexibility when exploring Switzerland - chances are you'll come across a breathtaking lake, suspension bridge, valley, or viewpoint while driving to your next destination, and can make pitstops whenever and wherever you want. ✨
10. Don't jam-pack your itinerary
Photo Credit: @chanwon92
This one's a big personal tip from us. Trying to cover too much of Switzerland in a week or two can be extremely exhausting, especially since you'll need to hop on a train to head to other neighbouring cities and towns.
Instead of trying to hop through too many destinations, we'd recommend allowing yourself more time to explore every city or town you decide to base yourself in. Sit and have a tranquil picnic by the lake, get lost in charming old towns, and people-watch from a quaint cafe - it's ok to take it slow on some days of your trip.
11. Get discounts off day tours on Klook
If you'd like to base yourself in one or two cities and go on some day trip excursions instead of renting a car or getting a travel pass, you can consider booking day tours available at discounted prices on Klook!
Whether it's a day trip to Mount Titlis (cable car ride included!) or an adventure to Grindelwald, Interlaken, or the Rhine Falls, we've got day tours suited for all budgets and types of travellers. These tours are especially suited for families who want a hassle-free experience, or solo travellers who'd prefer exploring the country with the accompaniment of a local guide. Make sure you check out our list of ongoing promo codes to save some bucks!
12. Travel outside of high season
Photo Credit: @wanderchu
Switzerland is pretty in all seasons, and you'd get to enjoy different activities and weather depending on when you travel there. If you'd like to avoid huge crowds and save a lil on accommodation, it's said that April, October, and November are typically the cheapest months to travel to Switzerland as they're considered shoulder travel seasons.
Budget-aside, we think it's most important to plan your trip during a season you'd enjoy more personally. Those who want to see snow-clad peaks and enjoy winter sports like skiing tend to plan their trips in the winter, while those who wish to go on hiking excursions and avoid the winter chills opt to visit in spring or summer.
Ready for your Switzerland adventure?
We hope our tips have been helpful! You can also check out our 7-day Switzerland itinerary guide here if you need more information on planning your unforgettable adventure.
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