SWITZERLAND ON A BUDGET | 17 Tips to SAVE MONEY on your Swiss Vacation | Is Switzerland expensive?

Is Switzerland expensive? It CAN be, but doesn’t HAVE to be! Here are 17 ways to SAVE MONEY on your Swiss vacation & travel Switzerland on a budget!

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// LINKS WE MENTIONED //

HotelCard
*Sept.2023: HotelCard now costs 69 CHF

Train Pass Checklist

Lucerne, Switzerland Travel Guide

Travel Credit Cards

HolaFly eSIM with 5% discount code APLINSINTHEALPS

Switzerland Itineraries

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00:00 Switzerland budget tips
00:31 Hotel discounts
01:51 Airbnb discounts
02:35 Choose the right train pass
03:46 Guest Cards
05:05 Too Good To Go
06:15 Lunch vs Dinner
06:47 Access to a kitchen
07:31 Meatless meals
08:26 Picnic lunches
09:44 Local Currency
10:35 No foreign transaction fees
11:23 Bottled water
11:56 Cell phone data
13:00 Birthday freebies
14:15 Train pass discounts
15:54 Enough is enough
16:52 Things to do

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// ABOUT THIS VIDEO //

Here’s the big question: IS SWITZERLAND EXPENSIVE?

The price might be one of the only reasons not to visit Switzerland. But here’s a reality check:
→ Switzerland CAN be expensive, but it doesn’t HAVE to be!

After spending months traveling Switzerland (and now living here), we’ve pulled together our best tips to help you visit Switzerland on a budget.

(Note: We've even included estimated savings you can expect using these 17 tips, based on the average cost of a 10 day trip to Switzerland.)
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🏨 HOTELS IN SWITZERLAND
You gotta stay somewhere, but that doesn’t mean it has to cost more than 200 CHF per night! We use HotelCard to maximize our Swiss budget travels! HotelCard saves us up to 50% on hotels, with an average savings of 100 CHF per night. The best part is that you can view the available hotels BEFORE you even buy the card!

*September 2023 update: The HotelCard now costs 69 CHF, but that price is still valuable enough to save 69+ CHF on your very first booking!
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🫕SWISS FOOD
If you’re wondering how to travel Switzerland on a budget, start by considering how you can save money on food. We share 5 bang-for-your-buck tips that will reduce your Switzerland budget by at least 300 CHF per person for a 10-day Swiss trip!
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🚂SWISS TRAIN PASSES
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: Not buying a Swiss rail pass is like throwing your money in the garbage! That’s because having the RIGHT pass(es) can save you hundreds of Swiss francs.

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🇨🇭BEST THINGS TO DO IN SWITZERLAND
One thing is certain: you will never have enough time in Switzerland to see and do everything! (Maybe that’s why most travelers visit Switzerland over and over again??) Skip the giant guidebooks and internet scroll that feed your endless ideas. Instead, buy a done-for-you Switzerland itinerary!

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💳TRAVEL CREDIT CARDS
We can’t discuss budget travel without mentioning travel credit cards! We estimate that we have saved more than $25,000 using travel credit cards — and you can too! Check out how to score free flights, earn free hotel stays, erase the cost of a rental car, and more!

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WATCH NOW to see all 17 Switzerland budget tips!

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// SWISS TRIP PLANNING RESOURCES //

Traveling to Switzerland soon? 👉Buy a done-for-you SWISS TRAVEL GUIDE
Interlaken, Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, Jungfraujoch, Lucerne, and more!

Need more personalized support? 👉Book a 1-on-1 SWISS VACATION CONSULTATION with Jana + Brett

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// LET’S BE FRIENDS //

SUBSCRIBE to come and see Switzerland with us!
🔔Don’t forget to hit the bell too

➡️ WEBSITE

📬 WEEKLY EMAIL NEWSLETTER

🇨🇭SWISS TRAVEL GUIDES

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// GET TO KNOW US //

If you love traveling Switzerland, getting off-the-beaten-path, or having foodie experiences, then you're in the right place!

🙋🏻‍♀️🙋‍♂️We're Jana and Brett — Aplins in the Alps.

We help you TRAVEL SWITZERLAND 🇨🇭WITH CONFIDENCE to maximize your experiences while minimizing your budget and planning time.

▶️ Watch our channel from episode 1!

➡️ SWISS TRAVEL GUIDES & SWITZERLAND ITINERARIES

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#switzerlandtravel #swisstravel #budgettravel #savemoneytips #travelonabudget

[AplinsintheAlps]

We know, Switzerland CAN be expensive... Check out the helpful links in the description to start SAVING MONEY as you plan your next trip to Switzerland!

[anastasiafua]

My goodness you guys are amazing - these tips are so valuable to me! I’ve finally booked my trip the alps in May and I’m writing down all your tips!! 🎉 thank you for sharing your knowledge to all of us!!

[Papudepapus]

I was there 2 weeks ago, stayed at a airbnb close to grindelwald terminal for a whole week, we used to buy sandwiches at the grocery store in the terminal before getting a train or a gondola to another place, it would cost 7.20 chf and they’re tasteful, we only ate at a restaurant once a day and for dinner we would grab ramen or something cheap to do at the house 😃😃😃 great tips!!! I recommend hotel oberland at lauterbrunnen for dinner, food is really nice, a bit pricey but what isnt in the swiss alps?😂 BIGGEST TIP: dont buy too many souvenirs, they’re REALLY EXPENSIVE 😂

[aarontiscione]

Just wanted to say I've been planning a trip to Switzerland for over a year now and am finally traveling to the Jungfrau Region next week from Connecticut! I am beyond excited. Thank you so much for all the amazing content you both have shared on this channel. I've learned so many things from you both and feel well prepared for my adventure ahead. I've probably watched every one of your videos at this point and hope I can manage to do even half the things you guys have shown me. But as you both have said, it's also important to slow down and enjoy the moment. So I plan on doing lots of that as well. Thanks again!!

[DriverDude]

I recently used your guide (paid) for my visit to BO. Your guide and videos are very helpful. The recommendations in this video are particularly good. Another recommendation is to buy and return home with a healthy supply of Swiss chocolate. It will save you from having chocolate overnighted from expensive chocolatiers when you realize that good Swiss chocolate is not available in your home town.

[ImadImad-wo]

Thank
You for your suggestions but let me tell you that your the best, that is why Switzerland is beautiful but people there are the most beautiful

[MrGreatplum]

Some great tips here… but, cooking for a family of 4 after trekking through the mountains doesn’t sound too fun to me. I’ve always stayed in hotels in Switzerland and whilst it’s pricey, having half board is a life saver by the end of the day! But, we save money by raiding the breakfast buffet to make sandwiches for a picnic lunch! 😜

[char]

Thanks for the tip re the Too Good To Go app to use in Switzerland. I use it at home often, so I'll definitely use it on my trip to Switzerland when I go! :)

[elaineatthecraftshed]

We always stay in a reasonably priced self catering aparent and it allows us 2 weeks for what we would have to pay in a fancier apartment. We cook all our own meals on holiday and it saves a ton of money as you say. Last year we overheard people on the train talking about having spent over $100 each for one meal. That's our food budget for a week for 2 of us making our own plant based meals!

I've just watched another YouTuber talking about his visit to Switzerland and all he seemed to do was moan about cost and little inconveniences. Thank you got keeping your travel tips to this wonderful country positive and upbeat 😊

[sandiegriffiths]

Having come back from the berner oberland region a month ago, another big tip to save money on food is to visit the Coop or other local supermarket after 6pm... That's when all the glorious orange stickers come out (for items that have reached their sell by date) meaning you can purchase groceries at a 50% discount!

[divinehelps]

❤This video is exactly what I needed to hear today. Thank you for the inspiration!❤

[yac]

I am Swiss and I also use these tips to travel in my country.... Attention, German-speaking Switzerland is more expensive than Italian-speaking Switzerland and French-speaking Switzerland!

[warrenandyiching]

Thank you so much for the helpful tips! However, some of the tips are not the way I want to spend my vacation. Going grocery shopping and making home cook meals are exactly the reason why I want to go on vacation. To get away from doing that stuff!

[SabaFaizanMUA]

Hey guys. I have already reserved the Chic lodge in Grindelwald. I wish you came with this hotel card 3 months before. 😕 I also had to book another night somewhere else, because they were full and they couldn't add another night for us.

[slabby]

All your videos are great and thanks for the info on the Swiss half fare pass and BO region pass. Saved a lot of money.
I want to go to Mt. Pilatus in September. Should I buy the train/funicular tickets ahead of time? If so, where do I get them?
Also, I’ll be in Interlaken/Wengen region from Sept 6-10 if you want to meet!

[jose_eh_eh]

According to the hotelcard site, that card is only reserved for residents of Switzerland, EU/EFTA and UK. Beware that they can cancel your hotel bookings if you don't provide proof of residency.

[SabaFaizanMUA]

I have hotel booked. Ent have kitchen tap. I also like it idea of refilling water bottle but how can I do when I only have bathroom lol

[godschoiceappiahadjei]

Good Job sis and brother. Please can you do a video ofn personal items packed in your backpack bag please?

[baburikram]

Hi good evening mates. Another great video. Lot of very very useful info for savings. Great work.
Need bit help/ suggestion.
We (family of 5 including 3 kids ) are traveling to Europe at end of August with a group tour. Have total 3 days in Switzerland. Out of those, only 1 day is free. On that day I need recommendation for travel advice. I plan to visit Jungfraujoch and one more place (either of Grindelwald First or Schilthorn or Lauterbrennen valley with a few waterfalls. ) What travel ticket, or card or pass you recommend. And what 1 day itinerary in Jungfrau you suggest which includes Jungfraujoch too.
Important to mention, Our stay is to be in Zurich
I think may be half fare card will be better, but what's your advice?
Thanks for the tips..

[SabaFaizanMUA]

For the sim card that you have mentioned. When i have to buy it? As my UK provider allow us only 12GB date in Europe when we have more. Also they charge £2 every day when we use our allowance.