Is Switzerland Expensive?

Is Switzerland expensive to visit?

Switzerland is known as both a well-liked and moderately priced destination. It falls roughly in the middle range for overall travel costs. When compared to the rest of Europe, which is known to be an expensive region, it is a somewhat more expensive country. It places in the top 25% of countries in Europe for its overall travel costs. This puts it on par with destinations such as Greenland and the Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands.

Because Switzerland is a fairly popular destination, there are a number of great detstinations in the country that attract visitors. Some of the more expensive places to visit in Switzerland include Bern, Zurich, and Murren. For more affordable options, you can visit Geneva, Lucerne, and Zermatt.

Average daily price of selected cities in Switzerland, by affordability

How expensive is Switzerland?

The average daily spending amount for tourists in Switzerland tends to be around $284 (U.S. Dollars). Keep in mind that your travel style, spending habits, and trip length will influence these costs. However, you can keep fairly close to this budget if you opt for moderately priced hotels, dine at economical restaurants, and make use of public transportation when available. See more travel costs for Switzerland here.

How expensive is a one week trip to Switzerland?

Based on our calculations from previous travelers, a one week trip to Switzerland will cost around $1,986 per person. This amount includes sightseeing activities, hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and other travel expenses. For two people, a one week trip would cost $3,971.

How expensive is a two week trip to Switzerland?

On average, a two week trip to Switzerland costs about $3,971 per person. This is based on the previous expenses of actual travelers, and includes accommodation, food, activities, local transportation, and more. For two people, a two week trip costs $7,942.

How expensive is a month long trip to Switzerland?

A one month trip to Switzerland costs about $8,510 per person on average, based on the previous expenses of other travelers. This includes accommodation, sightseeting activities, transportation, food, and nightlife. For two people, a one month trip costs $17,019.

Is it expensive to backpack in Switzerland?

Switzerland is a very popular destination for backpackers, offering an extensive network of over 60 hostels across the country. The average cost for a dorm room in these hostels is approximately $52 per night. (See detailed information on hostel prices in Switzerland here.) Notably, backpackers often flock to the popular hostels in Lucerne, Interlaken, and Zurich. If you're looking for budget-friendly options, Interlaken has some of the most affordable hostels, averaging $50 per night. Conversely, you'll find the most expensive hostels on average in Zurich with an average cost of $57 per night.

Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Switzerland.

• $54 for a dorm bed at Backpackers Lucerne in Lucerne
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• $47 for a dorm bed at Balmers Hostel in Interlaken
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• $60 for a dorm bed at Zurich Youth Hostel in Zurich
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Where to find affordable hostels in Switzerland

Are hotels expensive in Switzerland?

When analyzing the price of hotels in Switzerland, they're generally moderately priced compared to the rest of the world. The average price is $170 per night for a decent hotel room. Keep in mind that places like Grindelwald are more expensive, averaging around $260 per night. But fear not, there are budget-friendly destinations like Basel where you can book a room for an average of $114 per night.

Where to find affordable hotels in Switzerland

How expensive are sightseeing activities in Switzerland?

In Switzerland, the cost of activities and things to do can vary by the type of activity, its length, and the location. To provide an estimate of what to expect during your visit, below are several popular activities that are common in the country. On average, previous travelers have spent around $56 per day on sightseeing and entertainment.

• Private City Tour & Photoshoot with a Local in Zurich: $232
• Sledding adventure with Chocolate degustation: $129
• Whitewater Action Rafting Experience in Engadin: $156
• Fondue and wine private Tuk Tuk tour in Geneva: $123
• Lake Lucerne Peninsula e-Bike Tour: $291
• Lausanne (City Center) Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $16
• Geneva: Private Cruise on Lake Geneva with Aperitif: $111
• Private sailing cruise on Lake Geneva from Geneva: $173

Is food expensive in Switzerland?

In Switzerland, the cost of food can vary by the type of restaurant and food options available. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible. On average, previous travelers have spent around $62 per day on food, per person.

• Fondue Cooking Class and Cheese Workshop in Switzerland: $143
• Sunset hike with outdoor Cheese Fondue dinner: $167
• Private Traditional Swiss Fondue Cooking Class: $73
• Geneva City Tour with Cooking Class: $144
• Bern Food Market: Brunch & Local Food Tour: $63
• Interlaken: Cheese and Chocolate Full-Day Food Tour: $736

Is transportation expensive in Switzerland?

Local transportation in Switzerland can vary in price depending on the type of transit used. Generally, other travelers have spent $38 on local transportation per person per day. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.

Expenses for intercity transportation within Switzerland can vary based on the type of transportation used and the distance traveled. On average, previous travelers have spent $120 per person per day for intercity transit. To save money, it's advisable to choose long-distance buses or trains over air travel. This is generally a more cost-effective choice despite the potential increase in travel time.

More for Switzerland

If you're planning a trip to Switzerland, check out these other informative travel guides.

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We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.