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

Trip length

When do you leave?

Number of travellers

Accommodation type

Budget type

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:

$ 123 for 2 ppl.
$ 31 per person
$ 17 per person
Free activities

Total budget:

$ 3036* (2534 CHF)

Average budget
(traveller)

Daily budget:

$ 181 for 2 ppl.
$ 69 per person
$ 40 per person
$ 23 per person

Total budget:

$ 6203* (5180 CHF)

High budget
(tourist)

Daily budget:

$ 245 for 2 ppl.
$ 116 per person
$ 83 per person
$ 46 per person

Total budget:

$ 10233* (8540 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 2023

Cost of living: Switzerland VS United States

Compare with the average cost of living in:

On average, the cost of living in Switzerland in 2023 is 57% higher than 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

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	6% more	Travel budget and cost of living in Zug
Zurich	5% more	Travel budget and cost of living in Zurich
Winterthur	4% more	Travel budget and cost of living in Winterthur
Schaffhausen	2% more	Travel budget and cost of living in Schaffhausen
Lausanne	2% more	Travel budget and cost of living in Lausanne
Neuchatel	1% more	Travel budget and cost of living in Neuchatel
Lucerne	1% more	Travel budget and cost of living in Lucerne
Frauenfeld	1% more	Travel budget and cost of living in Frauenfeld
Bern	1% less	Travel budget and cost of living in Bern
Locarno	1% less	Travel budget and cost of living in Locarno
Davos	1% less	Travel budget and cost of living in Davos
Montreux	1% less	Travel budget and cost of living in Montreux
Thun	2% less	Travel budget and cost of living in Thun
Lugano	2% less	Travel budget and cost of living in Lugano
Vevey	2% less	Travel budget and cost of living in Vevey
Interlaken	2% less	Travel budget and cost of living in Interlaken
Basel	3% less	Travel budget and cost of living in Basel
Geneva	3% less	Travel budget and cost of living in Geneva
Sion	4% less	Travel budget and cost of living in Sion
Fribourg	4% less	Travel budget and cost of living in Fribourg
Glarus	5% less	Travel budget and cost of living in Glarus
Langenthal	5% less	Travel budget and cost of living in Langenthal
Arbon	6% less	Travel budget and cost of living in Arbon
Wil	6% less	Travel budget and cost of living in Wil
Chur	6% less	Travel budget and cost of living in Chur
Nyon	7% less	Travel budget and cost of living in Nyon
Olten	9% less	Travel budget and cost of living in Olten
Buchs	11% less	Travel budget and cost of living in Buchs
Rapperswil	16% less	Travel budget and cost of living in Rapperswil

Show all cities (13 more)

Switzerland: get the best price!

from

Finding flights. Thank you for waiting.

Find a flight to Switzerland:

Departure city:

Arrival city:

Depart on:

Return on:

Adults (over 16):

Children (under 16):

Babies (under 2):

Class:

Compare results with Skyscanner

Try it! The search engine checks several airline and travel agents to guarantee you the best price!

Local prices in Switzerland by expense type

Switzerland: Restaurant budget

On average, budget for eating in a restaurant in Switzerland is 55% more expensive than in the United States (USA).

Lunch

$ 30/person
($ 18 to $ 42)

60% more than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 19

3 course dinner

$ 60/person
($ 48 to $ 90)

52% more than in the United States (USA)

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

McDonald's meal

$ 18/person
($ 17 to $ 22)

81% more than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 9.9

Local beer

$ 7.8 for 500ml
($ 5.4 to $ 11)

41% more than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.5

Imported beer

$ 2.9 for 330ml
($ 1.2 to $ 4.8)

20% less than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.7

Cappuccino

$ 5.7/cup
($ 3.6 to $ 7.8)

12% more than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.1

Fizzy drink

$ 4.9/can
($ 3.6 to $ 6)

95% more than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.5

Water bottle

$ 4.4/bottle
($ 3.6 to $ 6)

123% more than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2

Switzerland: Hotel and accommodation budget

On average, hotel and accommodation budget in Switzerland is 29% more expensive than in the United States (USA).

1-star hotel

$ 130/night
($ 116 to $ 147)

3% more than in the United States (USA)

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

2-star hotel

$ 159/night
($ 113 to $ 259)

10% more than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 146

3-star hotel

$ 202/night
($ 156 to $ 298)

2% less than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 208

4-star hotel

$ 288/night
($ 205 to $ 449)

5% less than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 305

5-star hotel

$ 623/night
($ 419 to $ 981)

4% less than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 653

Hostel/Youth Hostel

$ 146/month
($ 121 to $ 182)

12% more than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 131

Room with kitchen

$ 366/month
($ 192 to $ 717)

86% more than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 198

Hotel with swimming pool

$ 345/month
($ 169 to $ 733)

85% more than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 187

Cottage or guest house

$ 201/month
($ 127 to $ 351)

19% less than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 250

Family room

$ 425/month
($ 271 to $ 731)

122% more than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 192

Switzerland: Supermarket food budget

On average, the price of supermarket food in Switzerland is 20% more expensive than in the United States (USA).

Milk

$ 1.9/litre
($ 1.4 to $ 2.4)

74% more than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.1

Bread

$ 3.6/500g
($ 1.8 to $ 5.4)

1% more than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6

Rice

$ 3.3/kg
($ 1.8 to $ 5.4)

26% less than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.5

Eggs

$ 6.9/12 eggs
($ 3.6 to $ 10)

61% more than in the United States (USA)

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

Chicken

$ 30/kg
($ 15 to $ 45)

124% more than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 14

Apples

$ 4.4/kg
($ 2.4 to $ 6)

15% less than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.3

Tomatoes

$ 4.7/kg
($ 2.4 to $ 7.2)

4% less than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.9

Potatoes

$ 2.9/kg
($ 1.2 to $ 4.8)

3% less than in the United States (USA)

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

Water bottle

$ 1.4
($ 0.6 to $ 2.4)

30% less than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.1

Switzerland: Public and private transport budget

On average, the price of transport in Switzerland is 80% more expensive than in the United States (USA).

Bus ticket

$ 4.2/ticket
($ 3.2 to $ 7.2)

52% more than in the United States (USA)

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

Taxi (per km)

$ 4.7/km
($ 3.6 to $ 6)

153% more than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.8

Petrol

$ 2.3/litre
($ 2 to $ 2.6)

107% more than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.1

Taxi (initial pick-up charge)

$ 7.8
($ 6.8 to $ 14)

102% more than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.8

Car hire

$ 34/24hrs
($ 14 to $ 169)

12% less than in the United States (USA)

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

Switzerland: Leisure activity budget

On average, budget for leisure activities in Switzerland is 93% more expensive than in the United States (USA).

Cinema

$ 23/ticket
($ 20 to $ 30)

72% more than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 14

Tennis

$ 45/hr
($ 30 to $ 58)

114% more than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 21

Switzerland: Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes

On average, shopping budget in Switzerland is 66% more expensive than in the United States (USA).

Cigarettes

$ 10.5/pack
($ 9.6 to $ 11)

7% more than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 9.9

Levi's jeans

$ 126
($ 60 to $ 180)

143% more than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 52

Summer dress

$ 61
($ 36 to $ 102)

48% more than in the United States (USA)

Average price in the United States (USA): $ 41

Plane ticket budget

London → Geneva

$ 150
(fair price: $ 93)

New York City → Zurich

$ 691
(fair price: $ 594)

London → Zurich

$ 151
(fair price: $ 126)

New York City → Geneva

$ 701
(fair price: $ 573)

Manchester → Zurich

$ 237
(fair price: $ 212)

Manchester → Geneva

$ 132
(fair price: $ 104)

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 01-02-2023.

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 2023

Cost of living: Switzerland VS United States

Compare with the average cost of living in:

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: Leisure activity budget

Switzerland: Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes

Plane ticket budget

About the information on the cost of living in Switzerland

Low budget
(backpacker)

Average budget
(traveller)

High budget
(tourist)