What I’d Do Differently: Switzerland Edition

Updated April 2026 | 3 min read

Switzerland consistently ranks as one of the most expensive countries to travel in. Beautiful beyond description, but every mistake costs more here. Here is what frequent visitors say is worth planning around.

Buy the Swiss Travel Pass

Buying individual train tickets instead of the Swiss Travel Pass is one of the most common regrets travelers report after a Switzerland trip. The pass covers unlimited trains, buses, boats, and gives free entry to most museums. For any trip over three days with multiple cities, it pays for itself quickly.

Pack Your Own Food for Mountain Days

A sandwich at a mountain restaurant costs 18-25 CHF. A sandwich from Coop or Migros costs 5 CHF. Packing lunches instead of buying at mountain restaurants can save well over 100 CHF across a multi-day trip. Buy groceries at Coop, Migros, or Aldi.

Lucerne Is More Interesting Than Zurich

Zurich is the obvious pick as “the main city,” but Lucerne has the lake, the mountains, the Chapel Bridge, and better day-trip access to Mt Pilatus and Rigi. It is the stronger base for most itineraries.

The Glacier Express Is Not What You Think

It is an eight-hour train ride, not a quick scenic trip. The scenery is spectacular but you are sitting on a train all day. Consider doing half the route instead — the Lucerne to Andermatt section has the best views and takes three hours.

Budget 200+ CHF Per Day Per Person

Switzerland is legitimately expensive even if you eat cheap and take trains. Hotels, even basic ones, start at 150 CHF per night. Accepting this upfront and budgeting accordingly is better than constant sticker shock.

When to Visit

September is a strong month to target: the weather is still warm, crowds are smaller than summer, and early fall colors in the valleys are worth planning around.

Travel Tools We Actually Use

• eSIM Data: Airalo eSIM for Switzerland — Buy before you land. You need data the moment you arrive for navigation and translation apps.
• Car Rental: Compare rental prices for Switzerland — We compare across all major companies here. Book early for best rates.

Book Tours and Activities

• Switzerland Tours and Activities on Viator

Gear We Recommend

• Osprey Farpoint 40 Travel Backpack — Carry-on sized, opens like a suitcase.
• Anker Nano Power Bank — Essential for long days of navigating with your phone.
• Packing Cubes (6-Pack) — We bring these on every trip now.
• Universal Travel Adapter — One adapter for every country.
• Rain Jacket (Marmot Precip) — Mountain weather changes in minutes.

Book on GetYourGuide:

• Jungfraujoch Top of Europe Day Trip
• Lake Lucerne Cruise

Find Flights to Switzerland

Plan Your Trip to Switzerland

Ready to book? Search flights to Switzerland to compare prices across airlines. And compare hotel rates in Switzerland to find the best deals for your dates.

Affiliate disclosure: This post contains affiliate links at no extra cost to you. SafetyWing, Skyscanner, Airalo, Booking.com, Viator, GetYourGuide.

Plan your own trip: guides I actually use

Cards, lounges & insurance:

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• Is Priority Pass Worth It in 2026 — My Honest Review After 15 Airports
• Best Travel Credit Cards for 2026: The Cards I Actually Use and Why
• The 6 Best Travel Insurance Companies for 2026, Compared After 15 International Trips

Finding cheap flights:

• Going vs Dollar Flight Club vs Thrifty Traveler: Which Flight Deal Service Is Worth It in 2026?
• When to Book Flights by Region — The Booking Windows That Actually Save Money
• How to Find Error Fares and Flight Deals — The Services I Actually Use

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