Since mid-June, the average CHF/GBP exchange rate has fallen by more than 2%. Why not use this as an argument for a holiday in Switzerland? We suggest what to see and how much it costs to travel, stay, eat and visit tourist attractions in this charming Alpine country.
How to get to Switzerland?
Car travellers can start their expenses by purchasing a vignette (valid for 12 months), which costs 40 CHF (about 34 GBP). It can be purchased in traditional or electronic form. Gasoline or diesel costs (converted) almost 20 pence more than in the UK, from where you can also travel to Switzerland by plane. For a round-trip ticket, for example, between London and Zurich, one person will pay about 200 GBP.
Prices in Switzerland
Accommodation
Accommodation prices in Switzerland can be high, especially in popular tourist destinations.
- For a night in a mid-range hotel, you'll pay between 100 and 200 CHF or between 87.5 and 175 GBP.
- You can sleep in hostels for around 30-50 CHF (26-44 GBP) per bed in a dormitory room.
- Renting a flat for 2-3 people can cost between 70 and 150 CHF (61-131 GBP) per night, depending on location and standard.
Transportation
Switzerland has one of the best-developed rail networks in the world. If you plan to stay for a long time and take the train frequently, you might consider buying a Swiss Travel Pass. This gives you unlimited travel for a specified period and discounts at certain tourist attractions. Swiss Travel Pass prices start at 244 CHF (about 213.5 GBP) for a 3-day ticket. As a point of reference, for a single journey on the Zurich-Geneva line, for example, you will pay between 50 and 100 CHF (about 44 and 88 GBP), depending on the class of train and type of ticket.
Public transportation is very well developed in larger cities, with single ticket prices as high as 2.5-4 CHF (2.2-3.5 GBP).
Food
Lunch in a mid-range restaurant costs around 20-40 CHF (about 17.5-45 GBP). In luxury restaurants, prices can exceed 100 CHF (87.5 GBP) per person. Grocery items are slightly more expensive than in the UK. For example, a litre of milk will cost about 1.6 GBP, a loaf of bread about 2.6 GBP, a kilo of potatoes about 1.8 GBP and 1 kg of local yellow cheese almost 20 GBP.
While in Switzerland, take advantage of a chance to try a local speciality - fondue, a mixture of cheeses heated in a special pot on a stove. In the culinary world, the Alpine country is generally famous for cheese, high-quality chocolate and desserts. Chocolate pralines, cakes and other pastries are popular here.
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The best places to visit in Switzerland
The Alps, resorts and spas are the main attractions of Switzerland. Those passionate about mountain walking or cycling will find plenty of trails. You can also relax by the water and enjoy the views. Lake Geneva, one of the largest in Europe, is surrounded by picturesque mountains, beaches, swimming areas, towns and vineyards.
From an alpine tourism perspective, the most prestigious seems to be the Matterhorn, one of the most recognisable peaks in the world, attracting tourists and climbers from all over the globe. It is located near the town of Zermatt, a popular winter sports resort. An interesting highlight of your holiday could be a trip by cable car to the Klein Matterhorn, which offers an incredible view of the area.
The Jungfraujoch, known as the 'Top of Europe', is the highest railway station in Europe at 3,454 metres above sea level. A trip to the Jungfraujoch is an unforgettable experience with views of the Aletsch glacier and the Bernese Alps. Take the train from Interlaken to the Jungfraujoch, where the journey is an attraction in itself.
Noteworthy sights include Lucerne, Basel and Bern. Switzerland's capital is a city with a rich history and beautiful architecture, whose tour can start with the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to be followed by a visit to the Bundeshaus (seat of the Swiss parliament), St. Vincent's Cathedral and the Paul Klee Museum.
Zurich, Switzerland's largest city and global financial centre, attracts visitors to museums, art galleries and theatres. A stroll through the old town (Altstadt) and a cruise on Lake Zurich are almost constant highlights for tourists visiting Switzerland.
Currency in Switzerland and how to save on payments in CHF
Cashless payments are popular in the Helvetian country. When exchanging pounds to Swiss francs or euro to Swiss francs it is worth avoiding mistakes that can increase the cost of your trip. Land-based exchange offices, especially those at airports or in city centres, often offer unfavourable rates and high spreads, i.e. the difference between the buying and selling price of the currency. Using a regular debit or credit card abroad for non-cash payments also exposes you to skyrocketing commissions, which can be as much as several pounds. A multi-currency card seems a much more convenient and advantageous way to pay in other countries. It can be topped up on an ongoing basis, keeping expenses in check, but it can also be used to withdraw money from ATMs.