How much does it cost to travel to Switzerland?
You should plan to spend around $295 (Sfr259) per day on your vacation in Switzerland. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $65 (Sfr57) on meals
- $40 (Sfr35) on local transportation
- $347 (Sfr305) on hotels
A one week trip to Switzerland for two people costs, on average, $4,125 (Sfr3,630). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Average Daily CostPer person, per day
$295
Sfr259
One WeekPer person
$2,344
Sfr1,815
2 WeeksPer person
$4,125
Sfr3,630
One MonthPer person
$8,840
Sfr7,779
One WeekFor a couple
$4,125
Sfr3,630
2 WeeksFor a couple
$8,250
Sfr7,261
One MonthFor a couple
$17,679
Sfr15,559
This data comes from the travel budgets of real travelers - How it works. Put these numbers on your website.
How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Switzerland cost?
A one week trip to Switzerland usually costs around $2,063 (Sfr1,815) for one person and $4,125 (Sfr3,630) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
A two week trip to Switzerland on average costs around $4,125 (Sfr3,630) for one person and $8,250 (Sfr7,261) for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Switzerland will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.
A one month trip to Switzerland on average costs around $8,840 (Sfr7,779) for one person and $17,679 (Sfr15,559) for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Switzerland expensive to visit?
Switzerland is a moderately priced destination to visit. It's about average with most other countries for travel costs. The prices for food, accommodation, and transportation are all fairly reasonable.
Within Europe, which is known to be an expensive region, Switzerland is very expensive compared to the other countries. It is in the top 10% of countries in Europe for its travel costs. There are only a few countries as expensive or more expensive than Switzerland in the region.
For more details, see Is Switzerland Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Switzerland?
The average Switzerland trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Switzerland travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
| Category | Cost |
|---|---|
| Accommodation1(Double Occupancy) | Sfr305($347) |
| Local Transportation1 | Sfr35($40) |
| Food2 | Sfr57($65) |
| Entertainment1 | Sfr51($58) |
| Tips and Handouts1 | Sfr3 -9($3 - 10) |
| Alcohol2 | Sfr12 -36($14 - 41) |
Accommodation Budget in Switzerland
Average Daily Costs
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Switzerland is $173 (Sfr153). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Switzerland is $347 (Sfr305). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Accommodation1Hotel or hostel for one person
$173
Sfr153
Accommodation1Typical double-occupancy room
$347
Sfr305
Hotel Prices in Switzerland
Looking for a hotel in Switzerland? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Find the best hotel for your travel style.
Actual Hotel Prices
The average hotel room price in Switzerland based on data provided by Kayak for actual hotel rooms is $170. (Prices in U.S. Dollars, before taxes & fees.)
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world.
Recommended Properties
Local Transportation Budget in Switzerland
Average Daily Costs
Calculated from travelers like you
The cost of a taxi ride in Switzerland is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $40 (Sfr35) per person, per day, on local transportation in Switzerland.
Local Transportation1Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$40
Sfr35
Recommended Services
What did other people spend on Local Transportation?
Typical prices for Local Transportation in Switzerland are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Local Transportation prices in Switzerland, but your costs will vary based on your travel style.
City Pass (2)
Sfr26
Cable Cars (for 2)
Sfr60
Food Budget in Switzerland
Average Daily Costs
Calculated from travelers like you
While meal prices in Switzerland can vary, the average cost of food in Switzerland is $65 (Sfr57) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Switzerland should cost around $26 (Sfr23) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Switzerland is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
Food2Meals for one day
$65
Sfr57
Recommended
What did other people spend on Food?
Typical prices for Food in Switzerland are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Food prices in Switzerland, but your costs will vary based on your travel style.
Breakfast for 2
Sfr12
Tea at Interlaken
Sfr30
Entertainment Budget in Switzerland
Average Daily Costs
Calculated from travelers like you
Entertainment and activities in Switzerland typically cost an average of $58 (Sfr51) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Entertainment1Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$58
Sfr51
Recommended Activities
What did other people spend on Entertainment?
Typical prices for Entertainment in Switzerland are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Entertainment prices in Switzerland, but your costs will vary based on your travel style.
1 Day Bicycle Rental
Sfr31
The Swiss Transport Museum Entrance Fee
Sfr32
Tips and Handouts Budget in Switzerland
Average Daily Costs
Calculated from travelers like you
The average cost for Tips and Handouts in Switzerland is $6.44 (Sfr5.67) per day. The usual amount for a tip in Switzerland is 5% - 15%.
Tips and Handouts1For guides or service providers
$6.44
Sfr5.67
Alcohol Budget in Switzerland
Average Daily Costs
Calculated from travelers like you
The average person spends about $27 (Sfr24) on alcoholic beverages in Switzerland per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Alcohol2Drinks for one day
$27
Sfr24
Recommended
Water Budget in Switzerland
Average Daily Costs
Calculated from travelers like you
On average, people spend $4.41 (Sfr3.88) on bottled water in Switzerland per day. The public water in Switzerland is considered safe to drink.
Water2Bottled water for one day
$4.41
Sfr3.88
Last Updated: Mar 13, 2023
Switzerland On a Budget
Lausanne, Switzerland
Most people who visit Switzerland go there to see the very impressive and breathtaking Alps. They're dramatic, they're beautiful, and they're unlike anywhere else on earth. The highest peak in the country is Dufourspitze, which stands 4,634 meters high. If you head to this area in the winter, it has some of the best skiing and winter sports in the world. If you're not a winter sport enthusiast, you can head here in the summer months and enjoy some wonderful hiking or simply hop from charming village to village on the train or bus.
While the Alps are easily the biggest draw to the area, there are definitely some less famous attractions that are still worth visiting. Switzerland has some absolutely beautiful lakes, as well as rolling hills and flat plains. If time allows, definitely make sure you venture out to some of the less visited parts of the country, as they can be quite charming and enjoyable as well.
Whenever you visit, it's important to realize that this can be an expensive destination. Come prepared, and accept that it will cost you more than you'd like. If you know what to expect, you can enjoy it none the less. There are a few handy tips to help keep costs down. In particular, skip activities like the cable cars. They are a fun way to see parts of the country, but they're also one of the most expensive ways. If you're planning to travel by train, book your tickets well in advance as this will save you a good amount of money. Also consider cooking your own meals as restaurants in Switzerland can be shockingly expensive and can really make a dent in your budget. Definitely give yourself a day or two to enjoy the skiing and snowboarding in the area, but realize that if you make this a daily occurrence it will quickly eat through most of your budget. Also consider couchsurfing if at all possible. Accommodation can be expensive and finding a free place to crash will save you a fortune. Many people speak English and are eager to show you their country. It's a fun way to meet and experience a new country and culture.
Related:
Are you a student or backpacker headed to Switzerland or Austria?
Need a hostel in Zurich or Vienna?
Find a Contiki tour to Europe.
Top Tourist Attractions
Chateau de Chillon: A wonderfully preserved medieval castle dating back to the 11th century. This castle is beautifully situated on the shore of Lake Geneva. It is made from over one hundred free standing buildings that have gradually be connected into the structure that is there today.
The Gruyere Region: A beautiful region with rolling green hills. Its the best place to sample some fondue, made with the Gruyere cheese that originated in this area.
Rhine Falls: The largest waterfall in Europe, it's in northern Switzerland on the Upper Rhine. You can catch a boat to the middle of the river to get perfect views of the falls.
Popular Foods
Zurcher Geschnetzeltes: This is a dish that includes thin strips of veal served with mushrooms and a cream sauce along side a potato side dish. It's most popular in and around the city of Zurich, and in some variations includes a bit of veal kidney.
Cervelat: The national sausage of Switzerland, cervelat is made from beef, bacon, and pork rind. It is usually prepared by either smoking it or boiling it.
Fondue: A Swiss cooking style where cheese is melted in a pot on the table and served with bread or potatoes. Some variations use a broth or oil to cook small pieces of meat. There is usually a flavored dipping sauce and vegetables on the side.
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.
1 Categories averaged on a per-item basis.
2 Categories averaged on a per-day basis.
For example, the Food2 daily average is for all meals for an entire day, while Entertainment1 is for each individual purchase. Thus, the overall daily average cost is not a summation of the individual categories.
As an enthusiast with a deep understanding of travel costs and budgeting, I can confidently break down the information provided in the article on the cost of traveling to Switzerland. The data is sourced from the experiences of real travelers, offering valuable insights into the average expenses associated with accommodation, local transportation, meals, entertainment, and more.
Average Daily Cost in Switzerland:
- Per person, per day: $295 (Sfr259)
- Meals: $65 (Sfr57)
- Local transportation: $40 (Sfr35)
- Hotels: $347 (Sfr305)
One Week Trip for Two People:
- Total cost: $4,125 (Sfr3,630)
- Includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
Additional Breakdowns:
- Two weeks for one person: $4,125 (Sfr3,630)
- Two weeks for a couple: $8,250 (Sfr7,261)
- One month for one person: $8,840 (Sfr7,779)
- One month for a couple: $17,679 (Sfr15,559)
Independent Travel:
- Switzerland is moderately priced compared to other countries.
- It falls in the top 10% of European countries in terms of travel costs.
- Traveling independently offers benefits such as affordability, freedom, flexibility, and personalized experiences.
Category-wise Breakdowns:
-
Accommodation:
- Average cost for one person: $173 (Sfr153)
- Typical double-occupancy room: $347 (Sfr305)
- Average hotel room price: $170 (actual data from Kayak)
-
Local Transportation:
- Average daily cost: $40 (Sfr35)
- Typical prices for services like City Pass and Cable Cars.
-
Food:
- Average daily cost: $65 (Sfr57)
- Typical prices for breakfast, tea, and entertainment.
-
Entertainment:
- Average daily cost: $58 (Sfr51)
- Examples include bicycle rental and entrance fees to attractions.
-
Tips and Handouts:
- Average daily cost: $6.44 (Sfr5.67)
- Tips for guides or service providers.
-
Alcohol:
- Average daily cost: $27 (Sfr24)
- Spending on drinks for one day.
-
Water:
- Average daily cost: $4.41 (Sfr3.88)
- Spending on bottled water for one day.
Tips for Budget Travel in Switzerland:
- Switzerland is known for its breathtaking Alps and moderately priced attractions.
- Expenses can be managed by skipping expensive activities like cable cars.
- Booking train tickets in advance can save money.
- Cooking meals or considering alternatives like couchsurfing can help control costs.
Popular Tourist Attractions:
-
Chateau de Chillon:
- A medieval castle on Lake Geneva.
-
The Gruyere Region:
- Known for rolling green hills and Gruyere cheese.
-
Rhine Falls:
- The largest waterfall in Europe.
Popular Foods in Switzerland:
-
Zurcher Geschnetzeltes:
- Veal strips with mushrooms and cream sauce.
-
Cervelat:
- The national sausage made from beef, bacon, and pork rind.
-
Fondue:
- Swiss cooking style involving melted cheese served with bread or potatoes.
In conclusion, this comprehensive breakdown provides valuable information for anyone planning a trip to Switzerland, helping them understand and budget for various expenses based on real travel experiences.
