Travel budget and cost of living in Switzerland how much does a trip cost?

Are you planning to go to Switzerland and need to budget for your trip? On this page you can see sample prices. This enables you to get to grips with actual prices and the cost of living in Switzerland. Then, why not use our free tool to calculate your Switzerland travel budget.

Travel budget in Switzerland

Switzerland: calculate your travel budget

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Flight: departure/arrival

Switzerland: sample budgets by traveller type

These example budgets assume a 2-week holiday in Switzerland for 2 people.

Low budget
(backpacker)

Daily budget:

$ 104 for 2 ppl.
$ 28 per person
$ 17 per person
Free activities

Total budget:

$ 2659* (2408 CHF)

Average budget
(traveller)

Daily budget:

$ 156 for 2 ppl.
$ 64 per person
$ 38 per person
$ 22 per person

Total budget:

$ 5623* (5082 CHF)

High budget
(tourist)

Daily budget:

$ 205 for 2 ppl.
$ 110 per person
$ 77 per person
$ 44 per person

Total budget:

$ 9275* (8386 CHF)

* Estimated local budget for 2 people for 2 weeks. This represents an average across the country (budget may vary depending on the city or region visited).

Cost of living in Switzerland in 2020

Cost of living: Switzerland VS United States

Compare with the average cost of living in:

On average, the cost of living in Switzerland in 2020 is essentially the same as in the United States (USA)

The graphic below shows the percentage of variation between prices United States in in the United States (USA) and United States by types of expenses:

Explore each type of expense in detail:

Restaurant Hotel

Food Transport

Housing Leisure activities

Shopping Plane ticket

Cost of living in Switzerland by city

See the table below for the variation in the cost of living in different cities in Switzerland compared to the national average.

Cities	/Switzerland	View Details
Zug	11% more	Travel budget and cost of living in Zug
Geneva	8% more	Travel budget and cost of living in Geneva
Zurich	8% more	Travel budget and cost of living in Zurich
Buchs	5% more	Travel budget and cost of living in Buchs
Winterthur	4% more	Travel budget and cost of living in Winterthur
Basel	3% more	Travel budget and cost of living in Basel
Davos	3% more	Travel budget and cost of living in Davos
Lugano	1% more	Travel budget and cost of living in Lugano
Wil	1% more	Travel budget and cost of living in Wil
Lucerne	1% more	Travel budget and cost of living in Lucerne
Rapperswil	1% more	Travel budget and cost of living in Rapperswil
Frauenfeld	1% less	Travel budget and cost of living in Frauenfeld
Bern	2% less	Travel budget and cost of living in Bern
Lausanne	2% less	Travel budget and cost of living in Lausanne
Glarus	3% less	Travel budget and cost of living in Glarus
Nyon	3% less	Travel budget and cost of living in Nyon
Sion	3% less	Travel budget and cost of living in Sion
Langenthal	3% less	Travel budget and cost of living in Langenthal
Montreux	3% less	Travel budget and cost of living in Montreux
Thun	4% less	Travel budget and cost of living in Thun
Arbon	4% less	Travel budget and cost of living in Arbon
Olten	4% less	Travel budget and cost of living in Olten
Schaffhausen	4% less	Travel budget and cost of living in Schaffhausen
Interlaken	4% less	Travel budget and cost of living in Interlaken
Locarno	5% less	Travel budget and cost of living in Locarno
Vevey	5% less	Travel budget and cost of living in Vevey
Fribourg	7% less	Travel budget and cost of living in Fribourg
Chur	8% less	Travel budget and cost of living in Chur
Neuchatel	13% less	Travel budget and cost of living in Neuchatel

Show all cities (20 more)

Switzerland: get the best price!

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Local prices in Switzerland by expense type

Switzerland: Restaurant budget

On average, budget for eating in a restaurant in Switzerland is 79% more expensive than in the United States (USA).

Lunch

$ 29/person
($ 17 to $ 41)

84% more than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 16

3 course dinner

$ 57/person
($ 41 to $ 84)

94% more than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 29

McDonald's meal

$ 16/person
($ 15 to $ 17)

93% more than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 8.1

Local beer

$ 7.8 for 500ml
($ 5.6 to $ 10)

55% more than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5

Imported beer

$ 2.7 for 330ml
($ 1.3 to $ 5.4)

8% less than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3

Cappuccino

$ 5.1/cup
($ 3.3 to $ 6.7)

19% more than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.3

Fizzy drink

$ 4.5/can
($ 3.3 to $ 5.6)

139% more than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.9

Water bottle

$ 3.9/bottle
($ 2.7 to $ 5.6)

154% more than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.6

Switzerland: Hotel and accommodation budget

On average, hotel and accommodation budget in Switzerland is 20% more expensive than in the United States (USA).

1-star hotel

$ 110/night
($ 97 to $ 127)

2% more than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 109

2-star hotel

$ 136/night
($ 104 to $ 174)

8% more than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 126

3-star hotel

$ 177/night
($ 141 to $ 222)

1% less than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 180

4-star hotel

$ 234/night
($ 183 to $ 302)

10% less than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 262

5-star hotel

$ 499/night
($ 363 to $ 698)

2% less than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 510

Hotel/Youth Hostel

$ 122/month
($ 106 to $ 145)

9% less than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 136

Room with kitchen

$ 253/month
($ 168 to $ 401)

50% more than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 169

Hotel with swimming pool

$ 267/month
($ 156 to $ 445)

62% more than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 165

Cottage or guest house

$ 159/month
($ 112 to $ 237)

28% less than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 223

Family room

$ 390/month
($ 268 to $ 578)

124% more than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 175

Switzerland: Supermarket food budget

On average, the price of supermarket food in Switzerland is 73% more expensive than in the United States (USA).

Milk

$ 1.8/litre
($ 1.3 to $ 2.3)

102% more than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 0.9

Bread

$ 3.1/500g
($ 1.3 to $ 4.4)

12% more than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.8

Rice

$ 3.2/kg
($ 2.2 to $ 5.6)

21% less than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.1

Eggs

$ 6.1/12 eggs
($ 3.3 to $ 8.8)

154% more than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.4

Cheese

$ 27/kg
($ 17 to $ 57)

127% more than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 12

Chicken

$ 29/kg
($ 17 to $ 39)

206% more than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 9.1

Apples

$ 4.4/kg
($ 2.3 to $ 5.6)

5% less than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.6

Oranges

$ 3.9/kg
($ 2.3 to $ 8.8)

3% less than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.1

Tomatoes

$ 4.5/kg
($ 2.3 to $ 7.4)

6% more than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.3

Potatoes

$ 3/kg
($ 1.7 to $ 4.4)

12% more than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.7

Salad

$ 2.6/salad
($ 1.6 to $ 3.9)

57% more than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.6

Water bottle

$ 1.1
($ 0.2 to $ 2.3)

43% less than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.9

Joint of beef

$ 57/kg
($ 29 to $ 90)

341% more than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 13

Switzerland: Public and private transport budget

On average, the price of transport in Switzerland is 101% more expensive than in the United States (USA).

Bus ticket

$ 4.1/ticket
($ 2.4 to $ 5.6)

66% more than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.4

Bus pass

$ 90/month
($ 75 to $ 134)

22% more than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 73

Taxi (per km)

$ 4.3/km
($ 3.3 to $ 7.8)

155% more than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.7

Petrol

$ 1.8/litre
($ 1.7 to $ 2)

160% more than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 0.7

Taxi (initial pick-up charge)

$ 7.5
($ 6.7 to $ 12)

131% more than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.3

Car hire

$ 69/24hrs
($ 26 to $ 173)

73% more than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 40

Switzerland: Budget for living and housing

On average, the cost of housing in Switzerland is 68% more expensive than in the United States (USA).

Electricity, water...

$ 222/month
($ 119 to $ 390)

36% more than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 163

Mobile phone

$ 0.4/min.
($ 0.1 to $ 0.6)

128% more than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 0.1

Broadband internet

$ 66/month
($ 51 to $ 101)

2% less than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 67

Studio flat (city centre)

$ 1678/month
($ 1112 to $ 2555)

23% more than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1375

Studio flat (suburbs)

$ 1296/month
($ 889 to $ 2000)

18% more than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1099

Flat (centre)

$ 3093/month
($ 2111 to $ 4443)

41% more than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2203

Flat (suburbs)

$ 2408/month
($ 1666 to $ 3554)

39% more than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1741

Gym

$ 96/month
($ 57 to $ 168)

148% more than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 39

Private nursery

$ 2500/month
($ 1666 to $ 3332)

163% more than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 952

Private primary school

$ 30285/yr
($ 22209 to $ 39975)

83% more than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 16573

Switzerland: Leisure activity budget

On average, budget for leisure activities in Switzerland is 109% more expensive than in the United States (USA).

Cinema

$ 22/ticket
($ 18 to $ 28)

72% more than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 13

Tennis

$ 40/hr
($ 29 to $ 51)

146% more than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 17

Switzerland: Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes

On average, shopping budget in Switzerland is 75% more expensive than in the United States (USA).

Cigarettes

$ 9.4/pack
($ 8.8 to $ 10)

18% more than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 8.1

Levi's jeans

$ 119
($ 78 to $ 168)

160% more than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 46

Summer dress

$ 58
($ 34 to $ 90)

55% more than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 38

Trainers

$ 127
($ 84 to $ 168)

63% more than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 78

Leather shoes

$ 179
($ 101 to $ 279)

82% more than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 98

Plane ticket budget

Los Angeles → Zurich

$ 1152
(fair price: $ 763)

New York City → Zurich

$ 916
(fair price: $ 561)

New York City → Geneva

$ 973
(fair price: $ 640)

Toronto (Ontario) → Zurich

$ 820
(fair price: $ 720)

Edinburgh → Geneva

$ 211
(fair price: $ 169)

Los Angeles → Geneva

$ 832
(fair price: $ 688)

Dublin → Geneva

$ 207
(fair price: $ 163)

Montreal → Geneva

$ 911
(fair price: $ 759)

Toronto (Ontario) → Geneva

$ 802
(fair price: $ 708)

Sydney → Zurich

$ 1301
(fair price: $ 1042)

Manchester → Geneva

$ 204
(fair price: $ 156)

Melbourne → Zurich

$ 1301
(fair price: $ 1057)

Dublin → Zurich

$ 232
(fair price: $ 174)

Montreal → Zurich

$ 962
(fair price: $ 824)

Edinburgh → Zurich

$ 288
(fair price: $ 225)

Sydney → Geneva

$ 1394
(fair price: $ 1144)

Perth → Zurich

$ 1224
(fair price: $ 1004)

Manchester → Zurich

$ 236
(fair price: $ 195)

Auckland → Zurich

$ 1554
(fair price: $ 1124)

Melbourne → Geneva

$ 1458
(fair price: $ 1216)

London → Geneva

$ 205
(fair price: $ 128)

Perth → Geneva

$ 1556
(fair price: $ 1262)

London → Zurich

$ 201
(fair price: $ 168)

Auckland → Geneva

$ 1737
(fair price: $ 1249)

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About the information on the cost of living in Switzerland

The information about the cost of living in Switzerland shown on this page comes from multiple sources, including : Numbeo, Easyvoyage and Hotels.com.

Information about cost of living in Switzerland updated on 18-09-2020.

Travel budget and cost of living in Switzerland how much does a trip cost?

Travel budget in Switzerland

Switzerland: calculate your travel budget

Switzerland: sample budgets by traveller type

Low budget (backpacker)

Average budget (traveller)

High budget (tourist)

Cost of living in Switzerland in 2020

Cost of living: Switzerland VS United States

Explore each type of expense in detail:

Cost of living in Switzerland by city

Local prices in Switzerland by expense type

Switzerland: Restaurant budget

Switzerland: Hotel and accommodation budget

Switzerland: Supermarket food budget

Switzerland: Public and private transport budget

Switzerland: Budget for living and housing

Switzerland: Leisure activity budget

Switzerland: Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes

Plane ticket budget

Recommended for you:

About the information on the cost of living in Switzerland

Low budget
(backpacker)

Average budget
(traveller)

High budget
(tourist)