Dimitri BurkhardThink Switzerland is only for the rich? Think again! Here’s how you can explore Switzerland on a budget without sacrificing the experience of a lifetime.
Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of experiencing Switzerland without breaking the bank. These are tips and strategies I usually tell only friends - or those who ask nicely!
Discover My Budget Hacks for Switzerland
Swiss Public Transportation: Cheap Tickets
Switzerland’s public transport system is world-class. But all those comfy seats, oversized panoramic windows, and punctual departures come with a price tag. If you don't know these insider tricks, using trains, buses, trams, and boats can quickly drain your wallet.
Buy Supersaver Tickets at SBB
With a bit of flexibility and a commitment to stick to a particular connection, SBB Supersaver tickets can save up to 70%.
Simply book your train ticket in advance on the SBB website or in the SBB Mobile app. Discounted Supersaver tickets for specific schedules are marked with a red percentage (%) symbol.
Insider tip: Avoid rush hour when traveling by train to find better Supersaver deals (and actually travel while seated).
Buy a Saver Day Pass at SBB
Saver Day Passes are all-inclusive tickets with limited availability. If you plan in advance and know that you will be moving a lot in any particular day, a fixed-price (discounted) Saver Day Pass may be a good deal.
In the best case scenario, unlimited daily travel could be had for as low as CHF 52.
Insider tip: If your plans are flexible, download the FAIRTIQ app to automatically calculate the lowest fare based on your travel patterns.
Unlock Discounts for Children
Children aged 6 to 16 travel free with a parent or designated adult who has a valid ticket if they have a Junior Travel Card (CHF 30 annually) or a Children’s Co-Travelcard (also CHF 30 annually). Kids under six travel completely free.
Regional Guest Cards: Free Transportation and Discounts
Regional guest cards are your golden ticket to free transportation and discounts across Switzerland. Here’s a helpful table summarizing some of the best options:
| Guest Card | Benefits | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Basel Card | Free public transport in Basel plus discounts on attractions, incl. half price admission to museums and the zoo | Stay at least one night in participating hotels, hostels, bed and breakfasts or apartments |
| Davos Klosters Premium Card | Free mountain railways and discounted leisure facilities | Stay at least one night in participating accommodations |
| Geneva Transport Card | Unlimited access to Geneva's public transport network (buses, trams, trains, boat-buses) | Provided digitally three days before arrival when staying in approved Geneva accommodations |
| Interlaken Guest Card | Free public transport and discounts on excursions | Stay at least one night in participating accommodations |
| Lausanne Transport Card | Free travel on all public transport in Lausanne and surrounding areas for up to 15 days | Available for stays in hotels, youth hostels, B&Bs, or campsites where tourist tax is applied |
| Ticino Ticket | Free public transport throughout Ticino, including boats | Stay at least one night in participating accommodations |
| Upper Engadine Guest Card | Free mountain railways, cable cars, and museums | Stay at least two nights in participating accommodations |
Insider tip: Some cities sell their passes at tourism offices or online, like Geneva with its Geneva City Pass. Depending on your plans, it may pay off quickly given the many included activities for free or a reduced admission.
Food on a Budget: Shop and Eat Like a Swiss Local
Food costs in Switzerland can be steep, but these hacks will keep your stomach full without emptying your wallet. As a general rule of thumb, packing a picnic is always a smart move since a mixed salad in a sitdown restaurants could easily eat up your day's food budget...
Supermarkets and Budget Lines
Shop at local grocery stores for ready-to-eat meals: Aldi, Coop, Denner, Migros. Look for their budget lines to save on your purchases (Prix Garantie at Coop and M-Budget at Migros).
Insider tip: For Swiss chocolate as souvenirs (or for your own consumption), I always recommend Migros. Their "Frey" store brand is absolutely legit, and the selection includes inexpensive chocolate bars in all kinds of flavors, shapes, and sizes.
Äss-Bar: Discounted Bread and Sandwiches
Forget paying a premium for Swiss breads and pastries! Äss-Bar, now popping up in Basel, Bern, Lausanne, Lucerne, and Zurich, rescues delicious baked goods, selling them at seriously slashed prices later in the day.
Think top-notch Swiss delicacies without the top-tier price tag. Every franc saved is another franc for chocolate, right? Plus, you're helping reduce waste. Check the Äss-Bar website for locations and daily deals.
"Too Good To Go" Mobile App
Another hack to fight food waste and protect your wallet is the mobile app Too Good To Go. It allows you to find shops and restaurants in Switzerland selling leftover food at deeply discounted prices. This hack is not only good for your wallet but it also reduces food waste
Picnic Spots with Public BBQ Grills and Firepits
Pack a picnic lunch for mountain hikes and take advantage of over 500 Schweizer Familie outdoor fireplaces, pre-stocked with chopped wood and communal grills.
Find an official firepit in Switzerland
Drink Tap Water Wherever You Go
Always carry a water bottle because Switzerland has thousands of public fountains with drinkable water. In fact, signs are required on fountains where water isn’t safe to drink!
Did you know that Zurich alone has 1200 water fountains - and counting?
Cheap Sleeps in Switzerland
Accommodation doesn't have to cost a fortune if you know where to look. Switzerland may be the birthplace of luxury hotels, but there’s no need to overspend.
With a bit of insider knowledge, you can find comfortable stays at a fraction of the price. The key is being flexible with your accommodation style and booking strategically to maximize value.
Affordable Swiss Overnight Stays
- Reka Villages: Perfect for families, Reka villages offer budget apartments with shared amenities like indoor pools and playgrounds. Check the official website or consider our review of a Reka family getaway.
- Campgrounds: Stay in stunning locations for CHF 25 to CHF 80 per night for a family of five in a tent. Select among more than 370 top-rated Swiss camping sites, or opt for one of 25 proven TCS campgrounds.
- Farm Stays (Schlaf im Stroh): Sleep in converted barns at Swiss farms for as little as CHF 30 per person. Some farms offer activities like horseback riding for a small fee. (agrotourism switzerland)
Swiss Youth Hostels
Swiss youth hostels aren’t just inexpensive stays, they are often located in prime spots in Switzerland. Imagine staying in Zermatt for as little as CHF 50 in a shared room or CHF 120 for a private room, and breakfast is included.
Plus, if you’re a member, you’ll shave off an extra CHF 7 per night. (Because: every franc saved is one more franc to spend on cheese/chocolate/you name it!)
Become a member (CHF 30 annually) or get inspired by our youth hostel experiences.
Buy a HotelCard Subscription
I have never actually owned a HotelCard but have often found the premise intriguing. According to their website, members can save up to 50% on 500 or more hotels in Switzerland.
If you do the math, a CHF 79 annual fee will pay off in one stay if you book a night in a five-star hotel. In fact, while researching this Switzerland budget hack, I selected one night at The Chedi Andermatt. The half-price room rate remains a juicy deal even when the card fee is factored in: CHF 550 plus CHF 79 = CHF 629 per night.
Dang, I think I've just convinced myself to buy a HotelCard!
Time Your Visit Strategically
When you visit Switzerland can make or break your budget:
- Travel during shoulder seasons like May or September to enjoy lower accommodation and transportation prices. Also, fewer crowds and pleasant weather! (April and June are often rainy, just FYI.)
- Winter sports lovers should aim for early to mid-December, or mid-March. These periods offer good snow conditions without all the crowds and surcharges. For instance, we've often skied Zermatt the week before Christmas when the slopes are empty and day-passes are CHF 80.
- In other words, avoid the peak seasons of July, August, and late December to February.
Cheap/Free Switzerland: Where to Start?
When it comes to free things to do, Switzerland delivers in ways that will surprise you. With over 65'000 kilometers of marked and maintained hiking trails (!), world-class museums offering free admission, free walking tours and wine tastings, you can fill your days with without spending a franc.
Whether you're marveling at prehistoric fossils, smell the camelia, explore vibrant art collections, or zip up to the University of Zurich in the Polybahn cable car, these activities prove that "free" doesn’t mean "boring."
Hiking Trails: Abundant Options
Switzerland is a hiker’s paradise, offering trails for all levels of adventurers. I can tell from own experience that the many trails offer something for everyone.
Starting with the longest, the Via Alpina, a 390-kilometer trail crossing 14 alpine passes and six cantons, is a must for extreme hikers. Prefer something shorter? Try the Eiger Trail, a six-kilometer descent with jaw-dropping views of the Grindelwald Valley. And if you’re looking for panoramic views, simply keep an eye out for trails labeled Panoramaweg - they never disappoint.
Pro tip: Trail signs are color-coded for difficulty: yellow for easy walks, red for mountain trails, and blue for alpine routes. These markers ensure you’ll always know what to expect, and listing the time is more accurate than the distance.
World-Class Museums: Sneaking a Peek for Free
We've written many posts about Swiss museums, where to start? How about with those that offer free admission on specific days or times? Here are my hacks for visiting Swiss museums for free:
- Museum Tinguely (Basel): Free on Thursdays after 6 PM, this museum celebrates kinetic art with interactive exhibits that are fun for all ages.
- Olympic Museum (Lausanne): Every first Saturday of the month, Lausanne throws open its doors to all musuems - including this gem!
- Zoological Museum (Zurich): See over 1,500 animal specimens, from giant whales to live beehives. Perfect for families and nature enthusiasts.
- Kunsthaus Zurich: Free every Wednesday, this museum showcases masterpieces by Swiss legends like Paul Klee and Alberto Giacometti alongside Impressionist icons like Monet and Van Gogh.
- Migros Museum of Contemporary Art (Zurich): Admission is always free. Explore thought-provoking modern art installations that challenge conventional ideas of creativity.
- Augusto Giacometti Hall (Zurich): Hidden inside a police station, this Art Nouveau masterpiece is free to visit but requires ID for entry.
Free Walking Tours
Why pay for a guide when cities like Basel, Geneva, and Zurich offer free walking tours? Operated by locals who work on a tip basis, these tours cover everything from history to hidden gems you’d never find on your own.
Check online for schedules and meeting points.
Cycle Swiss Cities for Cheap
In cities like Bellinzona, Thun, or Zurich, 30-minute bike rentals are free for those with an annual B-Local subscription (CHF 49). Since you are likely visiting as a tourist, register for a free account in the PubliBike Velospot app and pay some CHF 3 for a 30-minute rental. Depending on where you want to go, this could be cheaper than buying a public transportation ticket.
For longer rides during the day or overnight (10 PM to 8 AM), try carvelo. This hourly service offers (electric) cargo bikes perfect for exploring the outskirts and countryside.
Get Into a Swiss Spa for Cheap
Craving that Swiss spa bliss without the sky-high price tag? Ditch the high-end spots and dive into the places where locals hang out. Perfect for rainy days, too!
Some public indoor pools, such as in Davos, hide surprisingly lush sauna and steam rooms for a fraction of the cost. Many Fitnesspark facilities will pamper you in sleek saunas and plunge pools for around CHF 40 a day.
Insider tip: Many public pools with spa facilities have a Feierabendtarif (evening rate) that kicks in after 6 PM. You'll get access to the saunas and steam rooms for a steal, perfect for unwinding after a day of hiking or exploring.
Sip Swiss Wines Without Spending a Fortune
Switzerland may not be the first country that comes to mind when thinking about wine regions, but it should be! With unique grape varieties like Chasselas and Cornalin grown in mineral-rich vineyards, Swiss wine is an experience not to miss. And frankly, you may not have to spend a single franc...
Open Wine Cellars Events (Caves Ouvertes)
Every spring and fall, Switzerland hosts Open Wine Cellar days across its wine regions, including Valais, Vaud, Geneva, Ticino, and Neuchâtel. For around CHF 20 (sometimes less), you’ll receive a tasting glass and access to dozens of wineries where you can sample wines freely without pressure to buy.
These events often include free snacks or regional specialties and discounted public transport offers, such as with RailAway.
- Geneva Open Cellars: Geneva is more then a city. In fact, this small canton is home to lots of winemakers who offer up their best vintages.
- Vaud Open Cellars: Discover the famous Swiss Chasselas grape while shuttling across the UNESCO World Heritage vineyards on a free choo-choo train.
- Valais Open Cellars: Visit up to 230 wine cellars featuring rare varieties like Petite Arvine and Humagne Rouge - two must-try wines from Valais.
Free Wine Tastings at Individual Wineries
Many wineries in regions like Lavaux or Ticino offer complimentary tastings on weekends or during harvest season (September to October). While there’s no obligation to buy wine at these events, purchasing even one bottle is appreciated. Plus, it makes for an excellent souvenir!
What’s your biggest money concern about traveling to Switzerland? Drop a comment below - I’d love to help!
Traveling Switzerland on a Budget: Q&A
Buy a Swiss Travel Pass at GetYourGuide
Purchase the Swiss Travel Pass online at the most reputable vendor starting at USD 291. You will receive an immediate email confirmation with a PDF ticket.
