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Switzerland on a budget: how to do it well
Short answer
Switzerland on a budget is possible at about CHF 180 per person per day sharing a room, though it is never cheap. Hostels, supermarket meals, a well-chosen rail pass and free hikes are what make it work.
A realistic daily budget
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | CHF70 | CHF150 | CHF350 |
| Food & drink | CHF40 | CHF80 | CHF160 |
| Sights & tickets | CHF30 | CHF100 | CHF200 |
| Local transport | CHF40 | CHF60 | CHF100 |
| Per person, per day | CHF180 | CHF390 | CHF810 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Switzerland day-cost table.
Free things to do
- Zurich's Old Town, the Lindenhof viewpoint and the lakeside promenade
- Lucerne's Chapel Bridge and the Lion Monument
- Lauterbrunnen valley and Staubbach Falls
- Hiking in the Jungfrau region, such as the walk from Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg (lift fare aside)
- Swimming in Lake Zurich or the Aare at public bathing spots in summer
- Bern's old town (UNESCO) and its arcades
Cheap eats
- Supermarket sandwich or salad (Coop, Migros): about CHF 5–10
- Bratwurst from a stand: about CHF 8–12
- Migros or Coop restaurant self-service lunch: about CHF 12–20
- Kebab or falafel: about CHF 10–14
- Rösti in a simple mountain restaurant: about CHF 18–25
Where to sleep for less
Budget travellers stay in hostels in Interlaken, Lucerne and Zurich, or campsites in Lauterbrunnen. Dorm beds run roughly CHF 40–70 and budget doubles CHF 120–200 (around CHF 70 per person sharing).
Getting around cheaply
Trains are the backbone. A Half Fare Card or Swiss Travel Pass usually saves money; without one, book Supersaver tickets early on SBB. Zurich Airport has its own station, 10 minutes from the city.
A sample budget day
- Morning: train to Lucerne and walk the Chapel Bridge and old town
- Lunch: supermarket picnic by the lake (about CHF 10)
- Afternoon: Lion Monument and a lake walk (free)
- Evening: Migros restaurant dinner or a hostel kitchen meal
- Total: about CHF 180 including a shared budget room and transport
More ways to save
- Cook in hostel kitchens.
- Use the boat rides included in your rail pass.
- Travel in June or September for open lifts with fewer crowds.
- Choose lower summits (Männlichen, Harder Kulm) over the most expensive ones.
- Carry a refillable bottle.
- Check whether your hotel's guest card includes free local transport.
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Common questions
Can you visit Switzerland on a budget?
Yes, at about CHF 180 a day per person sharing a room, with hostels, supermarket food and a rail pass.
Where is the cheapest place to stay in the Swiss Alps?
Interlaken hostels and Lauterbrunnen campsites are usually the cheapest bases in the Jungfrau region.
How do I get from Zurich Airport to the city?
By train from the airport's own station, about 10 minutes to Zurich HB.