The Beyond Tourist

Travel more pay less

Kategorie: Country guides

  • 🇨🇭Switzerland on a Budget: Secrets just Locals know💸

    Welcome to Switzerland, land of chocolate, mountains… and some of the sneakiest tourist traps in Europe. I’ve lived here all my life, and trust me: most of what tourists spend their money on makes locals shake their heads. So here’s the stuff we actually do (and avoid) when it comes to food, transport, and getting around.

    Secret #1: The Kitchen is King

    Let’s get one thing straight: restaurants here are a scam for budget travelers. Even a sad little Margherita pizza will set you back 20 CHF. A “Swiss dinner”? Meat, potatoes, noodles—different shapes, same idea. And you’re paying triple the price for it.

    So what’s the real move?

    • Shop at Aldi or Lidl. They’re everywhere, cheap, and actually have fresher veggies than the so-called premium stores.
    • Avoid Coop unless nothing else is open. It’s overpriced and the pre-packed meals are tragic.
    • Head to bakeries for quick food. Same price as Coop but 100x better quality—fresh bread, real sandwiches, and pastries that don’t taste like cardboard.

    Here’s the bottom line: if you come to Switzerland, book a place with a kitchen. Don’t argue, just do it. Your budget depends on it.

    Secret #2: Outsmart the Train System

    The Swiss train network is famous for a reason: it’s clean, fast, and connects even tiny mountain villages. But it’s also one of the easiest ways to get ripped off if you don’t know what you’re doing.

    • Never buy the first pass they offer. The 8-day Swiss Travel Pass? Tourist bait.
    • Download the SBB app. Look for “Supersaver” tickets. Book in advance and you’ll sometimes pay half-price.
    • Interrail/Eurail: If you’re hopping borders, these are worth a look. Interrail is for Europeans, Eurail for everyone else.

    💰 Price secrets:

    • Over 28? A 3-day Swiss pass is 193 CHF. Under 28? It’s only 145 CHF. Huge difference.
    • Want to explore more than Switzerland? The global pass lets you ride across Europe for 24 hours straight.

    And don’t forget: FlixBus exists here too. It’s not fancy, but it’ll get you from Basel to Zurich for pocket change.

    Secret #3: Taxis Are a Joke

    Nobody in Switzerland takes taxis unless they’re desperate or loaded. Even locals can’t afford them. From airports like Zurich or Geneva, trains are the only smart choice.

    • Uber: It’s cheaper than taxis but still not great for a tight budget.
    • Hitchhiking: Technically possible, but Swiss people are suspicious of strangers. You’ll wait forever.

    So yeah, if you value your money: skip the taxi stand.

    Secret #4: Rent Cars Like a Local Hack

    Want a car? Great—just don’t rent one in Switzerland unless you enjoy throwing money away. Instead, do what locals in border towns do:

    • Rent across the border in France or Germany.
    • Special trick: Basel Airport is half in France, half in Switzerland. Walk out the French side, rent your car there, and drive straight into Switzerland. I once saved a few hundred francs this way and cruised around in a French car the whole trip.

    Secret #5: What Tourists Don’t Realize

    • Switzerland’s bus network is almost as good as the trains and much cheaper.
    • Bakeries are everywhere—stop relying on sad pre-packed sandwiches.
    • Locals don’t spend every night in restaurants. Why should you?

    Final Word

    The biggest secret is to cook your own meals. Book accommodation with a kitchen and shop at Aldi or Lidl — they’re cheaper and fresher than Coop. For quick bites, visit local bakeries instead of overpriced restaurants or supermarket pre-packs. Are Swiss restaurants really that expensive?

    💡 Bonus tip: Switzerland’s bus system is almost as good as the trains and much cheaper. Combine buses with Supersaver train tickets for ultimate budget travel!

  • 🌍 The Ultimate Budget Travel Guide 2025: How to Travel More & Pay Less

    Do you dream of traveling the world but think it’s too expensive? Good news: it doesn’t have to be. I’ve spent over a decade exploring Europe, Asia, and Australia on a nurse’s salary—and along the way I’ve learned that smart travel isn’t about cutting corners, it’s about knowing the right tools, hacks, and strategies.
    This budget travel guide will show you how to plan your own trips—even as a beginner—while saving money on flights, trains, vans, cars, and accommodation.

    Step 1: The Travel Triangle – Where, When, and Budget

    Every trip starts with three questions:

    • Where do you want to go?
    • When do you want to go?
    • How much do you want to spend?

    Your answers will shape everything else—from flights and trains to accommodation and food.


    This “Travel Triangle” decides everything else


    👉 Example: If you know you want to visit Australia but your vacation dates are flexible, you can track the cheapest flight months.
    ->If instead your leave is fixed (say September), you can look up which countries are affordable in that timeframe. Flexibility = savings.

    If you decided where and when to go, there is the Question: How am I going to get there?

    🚍 Step 2: Choosing Your Transport
    Transport costs can eat up a huge part of your budget—so choosing wisely is key.
    ✈️ Flights
    Best for: Long distances & tight schedules.
    Cheapest with: Apps like Trip.com or WayAway.io where you can search by timeframe instead of destination.
    Downside: Least eco-friendly option.
    💡 Pro tip: Always search in “incognito mode” to avoid price hikes based on repeat searches.
    🚍 Buses
    Best for: Budget Europe trips & cross-country routes.
    Cheapest option almost always.
    Must-try: Flixbus (cheap tickets, easy booking).
    Downside: Slower, less comfortable, but amazing for seeing landscapes.
    🚆 Trains
    Best for: Scenic routes & sustainable travel.
    Strong networks in Europe & South Asia.
    Pro hacks: Interrail passes, Flixtrain in Germany.
    Downside: Can be pricier without pre-booking, but flexibility makes it worth it.
    🚐 Vanlife
    Best for: Freedom + transport + accommodation in one.
    Works for solo travelers or couples (but beware: close quarters = intense!).
    While it looks expensive at first, you save on hotels & daily transport.
    🚗 Rental Cars, Scooters & Bikes
    Best for: Exploring beyond city limits.
    Always book cars in advance (often sold out).
    Scooters/bikes: Cheaper to rent on the spot, especially in Asia.
    🚕 Ride-Hailing (Uber, Bolt, Tuk-tuks)
    Best for: When you’re short on time.
    Downside: Pricier, less immersive—you don’t see much of the surroundings.
    Tip: In countries like Thailand, use it only when absolutely needed.

    🏨 Step 3: Finding Affordable Accommodation
    Accommodation doesn’t have to break the bank. Here’s how I do it:
    First night secured: Always book your first night before arrival, then stay flexible.
    High season hack: Even during busy months, you can find last-minute stays if you’re open to different neighborhoods.
    Go with the flow: If you like a place—stay longer. If not—move on.
    Vanlife = double savings: No need for hotels if your transport is also your home.
    💡 Insider tip: Booking sites raise prices if you search repeatedly. Use incognito or apps like Hopper to track price drops.

    🎁 Freebie: Grab My Notion Budget Travel Planner
    Want to put this into action? I’ve created a Notion Travel Planner that helps you:
    ✅ Compare transport options side by side
    ✅ Track your budget & expenses
    ✅ Plan your trip by “Travel Triangle”
    ✅ Save notes, bookings, and ideas in one place
    👉 Download it free here