How to visit Switzerland without spending a fortune?

It is worth recognising that Switzerland is not associated with the concept of "cheap travel destinations". This small mountainous country is famous for high prices and is considered one of the most expensive in Europe. However, don't worry - visiting Switzerland on a tight budget is entirely feasible. With the right travel arrangements, using favourable transport deals and choosing the countryside over the cities, this magnificent country will be affordable for even the most frugal travellers.

How to save money on fares in Switzerland?

Public transport in Switzerland is renowned for its efficiency and wide coverage. Although tickets may seem expensive, planning your journey in advance can help you cut costs. Compared to car hire, fuel costs and parking, public transport remains the most economical and convenient way to travel. The Swiss Travel Pass, specially designed for travellers, offers unlimited travel throughout the country for three to 15 days. There are also regional passes, such as the Tell-Pass in Central Switzerland, which offer good value for money for frequent journeys in a particular region.

For longer stays, the Swiss Half Fare Card is a great option, allowing you to purchase train, bus and postal carriage tickets at a 50% discount. The annual version is popular with locals, but there is a more affordable monthly version for tourists. If you're planning a limited number of journeys, download the app to find economy tickets that can be booked in advance for specific routes, or buy a day pass for unlimited travel within 24 hours. Booking tickets early will also save you a lot of money.

Free travel and guest card

In Switzerland, travellers staying in a city for more than one night are required to pay a small fee, but in return they receive a guest card. This card provides free access to public transport and various discounts on museums and attractions. An example is the Ticino ticket, which allows free travel on trains and buses, as well as discounts on mountain railways, cable cars, museums and entertainment in the canton of Ticino, where the official language is Italian.

Most travel passes, including the Swiss Travel Pass, Half-Fare Travelcard and Saver Day Pass, are also valid on boats, allowing you to explore Lake Geneva, Lake Lucerne or Lake Zurich at no extra cost. Some of these trips could be called mini-cruises: Lake Geneva (Lac Léman) is so large that the ferry journey from Geneva to Montreux takes almost six hours.

Stay overnight in a hostel or stay in the hills

In Switzerland, even the most modest hotels can seem expensive, but there are affordable alternatives. Youth hostels are a great solution: for example, a place at the Saas-Fee Wellness Hostel 4000 costs from 61 euro and at Backpackers Lucerne from 35 euro, much cheaper than a hotel room. Many hostels are equipped with kitchens, saving you money on meals.

If you're up for an adventure and aren't afraid to carry luggage on your back, the Swiss Alpine Club's huts offer relatively inexpensive overnight accommodation in scenic locations. Book in advance, including dinner and breakfast, and enjoy delicious food, a friendly atmosphere and spectacular views of the starry sky. For example, at Cabane Rambert, a shared bed costs 43 euro and half board is 91 euro. Don't forget to bring your own sleeping bag.

Another budget option is camping. Check the website camping.ch for information on available campsites. Swiss campsites are clean, well-equipped and easily accessible by transport, and prices start from 9 euro per night per adult. Free camping is not allowed everywhere, so always check information with local tourist offices, get permission on private land and follow the rules of the Swiss Alpine Club.

Explore the Swiss landscape without spending a penny

Once you've sorted out your transport and accommodation, it's time to enjoy Switzerland's greatest asset - its magnificent nature. The country offers many hiking and cycling routes that are carefully marked and mapped. If you have a travel pass, choose starting points that can be reached by public transport so you don't have to spend money on cable cars.

Almost every settlement is connected by a public transport network. For example, the lift from Mörel to the mountain village of Riederalp is included in this network, but the cable car from Riederalp to the Moosfluh viewpoint on the Aletsch Glacier (the largest glacier in the Alps) is operated by a private company and requires a separate ticket. To save money, set off on foot.

Stopping at a mountain hut for a beer and a meat and cheese platter can be part of your hike, but to save money, a picnic is better. You can buy fresh bread, cured meats, ready-made salads and desserts at the Coop or Migros supermarkets located at most railway stations. This way you can enjoy your meal among alpine flowers and marmots. Keep in mind that meat is expensive in Switzerland, so you'll save even more by opting for a vegetarian menu.

See the sights for free

Walking through the medieval centre of Bern, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, strolling through the 14th century Kapelbrücke in Lucerne or enjoying a view of the Jé d'Eau Fountain in Geneva are all free. In addition, many museums offer access at a token price: the Kunsthaus in Zurich is free on Wednesdays, the Kunstmuseum in Basel in the evening, and the Museum of Art and History in Geneva is always open for free.

Underpriced delicacies

Äss Bar is a waste reduction initiative where bakeries take unsold bread, cakes and pastries at the end of the day and sell them at reduced prices the next day. It's a great way to grab a sandwich or slice of cake at a bargain price. You can find their shops in Zurich, Lausanne, Basel, Biel, Bern, Lucerne and Winterthur. Similarly, Too Good to Go connects customers with restaurants that have unsold food left over to resell at a reduced price at the end of the day. If you're flexible and spontaneous, this app will allow you to dine out for half price.

Conclusion

Visiting Switzerland on a budget can be not only possible, but also extremely exciting. With smart logistics and frugal solutions, you can enjoy the magnificent views and rich culture of this country while staying within your budget. With this approach, your trip to Switzerland will not only be affordable, but also filled with unforgettable experiences.