Cost to travel to Switzerland
Last Updated on March 5, 2024
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker
Even if it is an expensive vacation destination, Switzerland can still be an inspire choice if you want to discover its beautiful cities or wonderful mountain resorts. The 26 cantons (it is also called the Land of the Cantons) and the 4 national languages (German, Italian, French, Romansch), make Switzerland an example of balanced and harmonious living. Recognized in the world for watches, the banking sector, and delicious chocolate, Switzerland is still a country with many more attractions to visit.
But how can you visit it without spending a year’s salary? Let us tell you how much a holiday in Switzerland costs. First of all, you should know that the currency used in Switzerland is the Swiss Franc (CHF). One CHF is equivalent to $1.
How much does it cost to travel to Switzerland?
If you are thinking about traveling to Switzerland, you should be prepared to spend around $210 per day. According to past travelers, the local transportation costs around $30, and the meals for one day are almost $45. Also, the cost of a hotel room for a couple is $240. So, the cost of a one-week vacation to Switzerland for two people is around $2,900.
If you are traveling to Switzerland by yourself, you should budget around $1,450 for one week’s vacation. The costs per individual will be lower if you are traveling as a family of three to four members because the hotel rooms can be shared and the tickets for children are cheaper. Also, if you travel for a longer period, you will reduce the expenses per day.
But you can get a better idea about how much you should budget for traveling to Switzerland by reading the following lines where we talk about each cost category.
Accommodation costs in Switzerland
The cost of a hotel room for one person in Switzerland is around $120 per night, while for a typical double-occupancy hotel room you will have to pay almost $240 per night. Of course, the costs may be lower or higher depending on the period, location, and level of luxury.
Transportation costs in Switzerland
Be prepared to pay more for a taxi ride than for public transportation. According to other travelers, you will spend around $30 per day on local transportation in Switzerland.
For instance, the cost of a City Pass for two is $28, and Cable Cars for two cost $60.
You might also like our articles on the cost of a holiday in Tokyo, Aspen, or Prague.
In case you want to travel between towns and cities in Switzerland, you will need around $100. The cost of a ticket depends on the type of transportation used, the date, and the length of the route.
The cost of a flight ticket to Switzerland depends on the company you choose, the date, and the airport you are leaving from and arriving on. For example, the price of a round-trip flight ticket from Newark to Bern is around $670.
Food costs in Switzerland
As we already mentioned in the beginning, plan on spending around $45 per day for food in Switzerland. If dining out, the cost of an average meal is $20 per person. Also, the cost of breakfast is around $15 per person.
Water costs
It is considered safe to drink public water in Switzerland, but if you want bottled water, it costs around $3.5 per day.
Alcohol costs in Switzerland
Expect to spend around $20 per day on alcohol in Switzerland. Obviously, you can spend much more if you want and have enough money.
Handouts and tips costs
Plan on spending around $5 per day for tips in Switzerland. In general, the usual amount for a tip in Switzerland is 5% to 15%.
Entertainment costs in Switzerland
Plan on spending around $40 per day for entertainment and other fun activities in Switzerland. These may include fees paid for admission tickets to attractions and museums, sightseeing costs, and day tours. For example, if you want to rent a bike for one day, you will have to pay almost $32.
Traveling to Switzerland on a budget
In Switzerland you can go for several types of tourism: skiing in winter, if you are passionate and the budget allows you to (they are known to have among the most exclusive ski resorts in the world), in spring and summer when everything is green and the temperature is warm you can schedule a holiday to discover the country by car, the landscapes being downright spectacular, or throughout the rest of the year in a city break (there are regular flights), cultural or luxury shopping.
Public transport in the cities is very well developed, and certainly much cheaper than the taxi (among the most expensive in the world), so if you want to save money, go on foot or by bus.
If you don’t want to rent a car, it’s good to know that public transport is very well developed and integrated – trains, boats, cable cars (especially useful if you want to reach the highest peaks of the Alps).
The water from the public fountains is very good and clean, so don’t waste your money on bottled water from the store.
As for accommodation, depending on the allocated budget, you can choose between luxury hotels and resorts, apartments, and guesthouses, and if you are fond of sleeping at altitude, you can also find cabins on high peaks.
As for the food, you will find something for all tastes and budgets, from luxury restaurants with Michelin stars, normal restaurants with a good price/quality/quantity ratio, small and bohemian cafes, or the inevitable fast-food chains.
Swiss cuisine
Traditional Swiss cuisine has several aspects. Although some dishes, such as fondue, raclette, or rosti are ubiquitous throughout the country, each region has developed its own specific dishes according to the differences in climate and language. Traditional Swiss cuisine uses ingredients similar to those of other European countries, as well as dairy products and specific cheeses, such as Gruyere or Emmental, produced in the Gruyeres and Emmental valleys.
Chocolate has been manufactured in Switzerland since the 18th century, but it gained its reputation at the end of the 19th century, with the invention of conching and crystallization techniques that allowed it to be produced at a superior quality. Another discovery was the invention of milk chocolate in 1875 by Daniel Peter.
Wine is the most popular alcoholic beverage in Switzerland, a country known for its range of grape varieties, given the wide variety of types of wine-growing areas, with specific combinations of soil types, air, altitude, and light. Swiss wines are produced mainly in Valais, Vaud (Lavaux), Geneva, and Ticino, the majority (slightly) being white wines.
Top tourist attractions in Switzerland
Lucerne – the most beautiful city in Switzerland
You will surely fall in love with Lucerne, considered the most beautiful city in Switzerland. Discover every street, cross the flower bridge (called Kapellbrücke), and discover the Jesuitekirche and the Lion Monument. Stroll along the lake of the same name and admire the view toward Mount Pilatus.
Mount Titlis
Visit Mount Titlis in Switzerland and climb over 3,000 meters above sea level. Take a ride on the world’s first rotating cable car, enter the heart of a glacier formed 5000 years ago… and cross the highest suspension bridge in Europe!
Interlaken and the view from Harder Kulm
Prepare to be surprised! Interlaken is located between two very famous lakes in Switzerland – Thun, and Briez. Whether you’re walking around the city, on the waterfront, or going on a mini cruise, Interlaken is a place where you can enjoy Swiss tranquility.
Lauterbrunnen – the valley of the 72 waterfalls
The small village in the heart of the Alps is an extremely picturesque place that you will love from the first steps.
In addition to the impressive landscapes that will delight you, here you will discover one of the highest waterfalls in Europe.
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