Switzerland is far from cheap, but it's a gorgeous place. If you've made up your mind to visit, I've compiled important points about the cost of meals, accommodation, transport and activities, along with tips and tricks to save money so you can travel longer and farther!
It goes without saying that you must book accommodations with cooking facilities, such as hostels, Airbnb, or campgrounds. Cooking most of your meals while traveling can save you a ton of money! That said, definitely try the local specialties.
Let me show you how you can eat eat delicious , healthy meals without burning a hole in your pocket while you travel around Switzerland.
Eat local and seasonal -
Food is not only an essential expense but also a crucial part of the experience in a new country. Always try to sample local cuisine, especially the fresh seasonal fruits! They also add the essential vitamins and minerals to your diet without a whole lot of effort.
2. Ready-to-eat meals - not an enemy, rather a friend !
Given that Switzerland is so expensive, and on long trips you might crave Indian gravies and spices, it makes sense to carry some ready-to-eat food. MTR and ITC offer great products suitable for lunch and dinner. Maggi is also a comforting option, especially on cold, rainy days.For breakfast, consider packing ready-to-eat upma, poha, and cereal.
However, be careful not to overpack these items, as they can add significant weight to your luggage and slow you down. This is especially important if you plan to use budget airlines like EasyJet or Ryanair, where excess weight can add to your expenses.
Important note on ready-to-eat meals: They can save you cooking time, which is great after a long day of exploring, but they are not the healthiest options. To make them tastier and healthier, add salad leaves, more veggies, eggs, or chicken.
3. Make that trip to Grocery store!
Our favorite thing to do when we visit a new country is grocery shopping! Yes, that's right. MIGROS and COOP are the larger grocery stores in Switzerland. You can buy milk, bread, eggs, fruit, veggies, cheese, yogurt, meats and ready-to-eat meals at these markets.
Make your own sandwich or buy one from a grocery store to enjoy a picnic on the hills!
4. Plan for which restaurant you want to visit during your trip.
The approximate cost of meals at budget restaurants is CHF 15-25, at mid-range restaurants is CHF 40-70, and at fine dining restaurants can exceed CHF 100 per person. As sit-down restaurants can be expensive, reserve that experience for special places like the restaurant at Harder Kulm to enjoy cheese fondue.
5. Try Ethnic restaurants-
Turkish, Chinese, and Indian restaurants , offer delicious meals and are great value for money value for money. In Interlaken, you can find Indian lunch buffet spreads priced at 10 to 15 CHF.
6. Buy coffee at COOP or MIGROS -
Coffee to-go is easily available at grocery stores like COOP and MIGROS, where prices are generally lower than cafes and restaurants (around 3 to 4 CHF). These stores are conveniently located near railway and bus stations, making it easy to grab a coffee and go without long waits.
Another option is to buy NESCAFE/STARBUCKS ready to drink coffee mix sachets, where you simply empty the contents into a mug and pour hot water (usually 10 for 3.5 CHF) for your morning coffee fix.
If you're a masala chai lover, it's better to carry tea packets and masala chai powder from India.
7. Chocolates -
The cheapest and best deals on some of the famous Swiss chocolates are available at MIGROS and COOP. Buy some to take back home!
8. Wine -
Not many people are aware that Switzerland produces some great wine. You can buy wines at grocery stores.
9.Milk, cheese and ice-cream -
When in Switzerland, make sure to sample the variety of milk and cheese available here. It's delicious!
Can any trip be complete without indulging in some ice cream? In Switzerland, a single scoop costs around 3.5 CHF and a double scoop costs 4.5 CHF.
10. Water -
Buying water can be unnecessary and expensive. Carry your own bottle and fill it at the fountains widely available throughout the country. Tap water is safe to drink in Switzerland.
So, if you plan on cooking most of your meals during your vacation, I would suggest carrying small packs of salt, sugar, pepper, and butter. This not only saves money but also eliminates the need to buy these items from grocery stores, which can be cumbersome to pack and carry when moving from one place to another.
So here is all you need to know about saving money by cooking your meals while you travel and still enjoying some of the world-famous Swiss cheese, chocolates, wine, and ice cream! Happy eating, happy traveling :)
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