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Schlagwort: Public transport Switzerland

  • 🇨🇭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!