What I’d Do Differently: Switzerland Edition
Updated April 2026 | 3 min read
- Buy the Swiss Travel Pass
- Pack Your Own Food for Mountain Days
- Lucerne Is More Interesting Than Zurich
- The Glacier Express Is Not What You Think
- Budget 200+ CHF Per Day Per Person
- What We Got Right
- Travel Tools We Actually Use
- Book Tours and Activities
- Gear We Recommend
- Find Flights to Switzerland
- Plan Your Trip to Switzerland
Switzerland is the most expensive country we have traveled in. Beautiful beyond description, but every mistake costs more here. Here is what we would change.
Buy the Swiss Travel Pass
We bought individual train tickets and spent a fortune. The Swiss Travel 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 immediately.
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. We started packing lunches on day three and saved over 100 CHF in the remaining days. Buy groceries at Coop, Migros, or Aldi.
Lucerne Is More Interesting Than Zurich
We based ourselves in Zurich because it seemed like the main city. Zurich is nice but Lucerne has the lake, the mountains, the Chapel Bridge, and better day trip access to Mt Pilatus and Rigi. Next time we would base in Lucerne.
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.
What We Got Right
Visiting in September. The weather was warm, the crowds were smaller than summer, and the early fall colors in the valleys were stunning.
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
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:
Find Flights to Switzerland
Cheapest Flights to Switzerland
| Departure at | Return at | Stops | Airline | Find tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 April 2026 | 26 April 2026 | Direct |  |
Tickets from 546 |
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.
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Plan your own trip: guides I actually use
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- Best Travel Credit Cards for 2026: The Cards I Actually Use and Why
- Best Travel Insurance for 2026: What I Actually Recommend After 15 International Trips
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Finding cheap flights:
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- 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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Staying connected abroad:
- Best VPN for Travel 2026 — NordVPN vs Surfshark and Why You Need One
- Best eSIM for Travel 2026 — Holafly vs Airalo vs Nomad
Travel gear I actually use:
- Best Portable Chargers for Travel in 2026: Which Size You Actually Need
- My Exact Travel Tech Setup After 15 International Trips
- Best Noise-Canceling Headphones for Travel in 2026: Tested on 40+ Flights
- Best Travel Backpacks for 2026: The 5 I Have Actually Used
- Phone Photography Tips for Travel: How to Take Great Photos With Just Your iPhone
Written by Jenna Fattah
I have visited 25+ countries across 6 continents, attended 7 Formula 1 races, and spent 4 years writing about what actually works and what I would do differently. Every recommendation on this site comes from trips I planned and paid for myself. Read more about me
