How to Do Switzerland on The Cheap

LBullion Baron on 05/02/2017 - 18:51
Last edited 05/02/2017 - 20:30 by 1 other user

Later this year I am touring Europe with my wife. The longest stop we would like to make is Switzerland for 8-10 nights (European summer). We stayed in Zurich for 2 nights on a trip to Europe 5 years ago and it was our favourite country, postcard views everywhere, but our stay was too brief.

We'd like to do 2-3 nights in one of the cities (probably Bern?), then 5-7 nights in some smaller townships, perhaps around the Interlaken area (e.g. Wengen is one we are considering).

Looking at the hotel costs they are significantly more expensive than other European destinations, does anyone have any tips or recommendations for good value towns / locations in Switzerland we could consider? Best sites for booking accommodation? Are we better off booking accommodation in advance or winging it with last minute offers? We want to spend some quality time around The Alps, walking, sightseeing, relaxing, near water (e.g. lakes and similar) would be good.

Any other tips for ozbargaining our way through Switzerland would be great. I recall the food was particularly expensive and will probably try to do some self prepped meals.

Travel

Comments

  • mskeggs on 05/02/2017 - 19:39
    +3

    I've been to Switzerland twice, and struggled to find affordable options.
    I can confirm the lower cost accommodation options are of a lower standard, to the point where we got the front desk banging on the door as my wife took too long in the shower.
    Next time I'll be looking at airbnb in the hope of finding something suitable.
    It's a special place, so I don't begrudge the cost, but I'll be keen to find any cheap options, too.
    I will say one of the nicest things was the difference between areas, e.g. Zurich and Geneva.
    Maybe the Italian side of the alps might be a way to access it more affordable?

    • Bullion Baron on 05/02/2017 - 19:54

      Northern Italy would definitely be a possibility, might check out some hotels on that side of the border. We are traveling from Pisa anyway (our arrival/departure into Europe), then looking to head to Paris from the Alps or Bern.

      • mskeggs on 05/02/2017 - 20:12

        We caught a sleeper train from Geneva to Venice, which was lovely and saved the hassle of airport transfers etc. and was a memorable part of our trip.
        A big part of the fun/complexity of travelling in Europe is just the range of options and alternatives to get from A to B.
        If you consider the same, I suggest preparing for the fancy dining car, which we skipped, but would have been a good experience (not cheap!) in retrospect.

        • mskeggs on 05/02/2017 - 20:22
          +3

          To expand on that a bit, I have found that the hassle time of airports really adds up in europe, where the flight times are short, and the cheap flights are from out of town airports.
          No fun to save forty euro on flights versus a train, but spend 30 of it in bus fares and an hour of time to get back to the city.
          I'm the kind of person who allows time for hiccups in travel, but found I spend too much time in departure lounges piecing together cheap Ryanair flights, resulting in overall worse value than just paying a bit more for trains or direct flights to central airports.
          If I was a backpacker with a year to coast around cost savings are king, but when the holiday is weeks not months, getting there quick, convenient or pleasingly (like on a train, for example) ends in better value.
          You might detect I am a touch envious of your planned trip!

        • Bullion Baron on 05/02/2017 - 22:48

          @mskeggs: I think we'll mostly be transiting via train. That worked well last time and it's great to see the views out the window. I'm looking at the Eurail pass with 10 days travel (over 2 months) for travel between major stops.

          We are over in Europe for 6 weeks all up, sorry if that increases the envy, but I have not had more than 3 weeks off work (at one time) in 15 years I think I've earned a decent break :P

          The sleeper train is an interesting option to save on some accommodation costs I had not considered, might look at this for our Amsterdam to Munich leg, thanks.

  • [Deactivated] on 05/02/2017 - 20:08
    +2

    make sure to visit lauterbrunnun

    • Bullion Baron on 05/02/2017 - 22:49
      +1

      Thanks, we'll give it some consideration. Like Wengen it appears to have a waterfall in the backdrop. Looks amazing.

  • spacemansam on 05/02/2017 - 21:06
    +1

    We did Switzerland last year and spent very little (approx AUD$100 per day), mainly because we went in a Wicked Campervan, parked at free campsites and cooked our own food. I know campervanning is not everyone's thing but we had an absolute blast! Interlaken was an absolute highlight, the hiking was incredible there :)

    • Bullion Baron on 05/02/2017 - 22:54

      Thanks, interesting idea we had not considered. Looks like they have limited collection and drop off points, did you just pass through Switzerland with the camper? Is there a decent website you can share which would outline the free campsites, etc? Do they have amenities (toilets, shower, etc)?

      • spacemansam on 06/02/2017 - 07:13

        We used a book called Camperstops Europe which was really helpful but a lot of the times we just parked at empty parking lots (legality is questionable but a lot of the big campervans did this) so they didnt have amenities (but if you have a big campervan you'd have your own toilet and shower. We just used public toilets along highways/shopping centres etc

        • spacemansam on 06/02/2017 - 08:45
          +1

          And yes we picked up the Campervan in Berlin (Germany) then drove through Switzerland and dropped the van off in Munich

        • Bullion Baron on 06/02/2017 - 11:28

          @spaceangelz: Thanks, will give some consideration.

  • [Deactivated] on 05/02/2017 - 22:27
    +1

    Keep an eye out for groupon type sites in the cities your visiting.

  • anna10 on 06/02/2017 - 11:07

    My tip is to catch the tram if arriving in ZRH into town as it is the cheapest. May take a little bit longer, but you do see a bit on the way in.

  • MrTweek on 06/02/2017 - 19:51

    Camping an option? You'll find camp sites everywhere in the country, even in cities.

    Hitchhiking is a great way to explore Switzerland as well :)

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