Switzerland Travel Guide

Switzerland Travel Guide

How Expensive is Switzerland?
Best Places to Visit
3 Day Interlaken Itinerary
Is Switzerland Safe?
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Best Time to Visit Switzerland

Summer (June to August) is ideal for hiking, sightseeing, and outdoor activities, with warm temperatures and long daylight hours. Winter is perfect for skiing and snowboarding in world-class resorts like Zermatt. Spring and autumn offer fewer crowds, lower prices, and beautiful landscapes; however, you may have to deal with cooler temperatures and greater rain or snowfall. One of the great things about Switzerland is each season provides unique experiences, making Switzerland a year-round destination!

How Expensive is Switzerland?

Switzerland is one of the most expensive travel destinations, with high costs for accommodation, dining, and transportation. Hotels, even budget options, tend to be pricey, while restaurant meals can quickly add up. Public transport, though efficient, comes at a premium, though passes like the Swiss Travel Pass, the Half Fare Card, and the Bernese Oberland Pass can offer potential savings. Some ideas for traveling to Switzerland on a budget include buying groceries and preparing your own meals, staying in hostels, and renting a small car if you will be moving around a lot.

Hotel: $75 – $300+

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Swiss Travel Pass: The Swiss Travel Pass offers unlimited train, bus, and boat travel, plus museum access and discounts. Get your pass here!

Half Fare Card: The Half Fare Card will grant you 50% of nearly all trains, gondolas, buses, and ferries. Valid for one month. Get your Half Fare Card.

Berner Oberland Pass: Travel to Bern, Lucerne, Interlaken, and Kandersteg with the Bernese Oberland Pass. Enjoy seamless journeys by train, bus, boat, mountain railway, and gondolas for 3, 4, 6, 8, or 10 consecutive days.

Car Rental: $50 – $150

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Food: $45 – $100 per day. The lower end of this range will require buying some of your own groceries!

Best Places to Visit in Switzerland

Grindelwald

Switzerland

Grindelwald, one of the most picturesque mountain villages near Interlaken, boasts breathtaking views of the Eiger and surrounding peaks. Visitors can hike alongside the Eiger North Face, venture to the high alpine lake of Bachalpsee, or take a cable car to Jungfraujoch, the famous “Top of Europe.” If you want a bit more adventure, consider a tandem paragliding ride that will get you up close with some of the most famous peaks in Switzerland! Either way, Grindelwald is a must-visit destination for those who love the outdoors!

Lucerne

Weggis

Lucerne captivate visitors with its stunning lakefront setting and breathtaking mountain scenery. The city’s iconic Chapel Bridge showcases its rich history, while the Lion Monument pays tribute to the Swiss Guards. A boat cruise on Lake Lucerne or a ride on the cogwheel train to Mount Pilatus are extremely popular for first time visitors. Also, we highly recommend visiting the town of Weggis on the north side of Lake Lucerne. It is truly one of the most beautiful small towns we’ve ever seen! Even Mark Twain, who lived there in 1897, praised its charm, calling it “the charmingest place we have ever lived in for repose and restfulness.”

Interlaken

Nestled between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, Interlaken is Switzerland’s adventure capital and a gateway to the stunning Jungfrau region. This vibrant town offers thrilling activities such as paragliding and canyoning, while also serving as an ideal base for hikers and climbers, with quick access to some of Switzerland’s best trails.

Interlaken is 30 minutes away from what may be the most beautiful hike in Switzerland – The Oeschinensee Panorama trail hike! See our guide on this amazing hike!

Lauterbrunnen

Nestled in a lush valley surrounded by towering cliffs, Lauterbrunnen feels like a scene from a fairytale. Legend has it that J.R.R. Tolkien drew inspiration for his fictional city of Rivendell in The Lord of the Rings after visiting the Lauterbrunnen in his youth. This gorgeous town also serves as a gateway to the car-free mountain villages of Wengen and Mürren, as well as the breathtaking Schilthorn peak, renowned for its mountain top restaurant with panoramic views.

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