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

Lugano travel budget

Lugano: calculate your travel budget

Sample budgets for a trip to Lugano

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

* estimated local budget for 2 people for 2 weeks (excluding plane tickets).

Cost of living in Lugano compared to United States in 2025

On average, the cost of living in Lugano in 2025 is 62% higher than the average cost of living in the United States (USA).

See the graphic below for the price variation percentage by type of expense in Lugano in 2025 compared to average prices in the United States (USA):

Local prices in Lugano by expense type

Restaurant budget in Lugano

Lunch

$ 32/person
($ 26 to $ 39)

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57% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 21

3 course dinner

$ 96/person
($ 45 to $ 115)

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144% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 39

McDonald's meal

$ 22/person
($ 20 to $ 24)

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73% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 13

Local beer

$ 7.5 for 500ml
($ 6.3 to $ 10.1)

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26% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 6

Imported beer

$ 4.2 for 330ml
($ 1.9 to $ 5.1)

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16% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6

Cappuccino

$ 4.6/cup
($ 3.2 to $ 12)

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14% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.3

Fizzy drink

$ 5.1/can
($ 3.8 to $ 6.3)

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93% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.6

Water bottle

$ 4.5/bottle
($ 3.2 to $ 6.3)

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108% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.1

Hotel and accommodation budget in Lugano

1-star hotel

$ 126/night
($ 103 to $ 150)

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25% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 170

2-star hotel

$ 232/night
($ 90 to $ 513)

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39% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 167

3-star hotel

$ 241/night
($ 76 to $ 916)

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1% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 245

4-star hotel

$ 291/night
($ 87 to $ 1043)

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16% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 350

5-star hotel

$ 705/night
($ 331 to $ 1672)

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21% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 586

Hostel/Youth Hostel

$ 186/month
($ 120 to $ 294)

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6% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 177

Room with kitchen

$ 386/month
($ 103 to $ 1199)

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45% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 267

Hotel with swimming pool

$ 357/month
($ 85 to $ 1391)

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60% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 224

Cottage or guest house

$ 164/month
($ 80 to $ 408)

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36% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 257

Family room

$ 413/month
($ 109 to $ 1352)

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90% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 218

Supermarket food budget in Lugano

Milk

$ 2.4/litre
($ 2.2 to $ 2.4)

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117% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.1

Bread

$ 3.8/500g
($ 1.5 to $ 8.8)

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1% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.7

Rice

$ 4.5/kg
($ 3.3 to $ 6.2)

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4% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.6

Eggs

$ 7.5/12 eggs
($ 6.8 to $ 8)

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70% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.4

Chicken

$ 32/kg
($ 20 to $ 43)

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152% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 13

Apples

$ 3.4/kg
($ 2.6 to $ 3.6)

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36% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.3

Tomatoes

$ 6.3/kg
($ 3.8 to $ 10)

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28% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.9

Potatoes

$ 1.9/kg
($ 1.3 to $ 2.6)

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37% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.9

Water bottle

$ 1.3
($ 0.7 to $ 2.1)

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43% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.3

Public and private transport budget in Lugano

Bus ticket

$ 3.3/ticket
($ 2.6 to $ 3.3)

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31% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.5

Taxi (per km)

$ 5.8/km
($ 5.8 to $ 5.8)

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229% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.8

Petrol

$ 2.2/litre
($ 2.1 to $ 2.2)

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148% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 0.9

Taxi (initial pick-up charge)

$ 7.5
($ 7.5 to $ 26)

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116% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.5

Leisure activity budget in Lugano

Cinema

$ 20/ticket
($ 20 to $ 26)

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26% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 16

Tennis

$ 45/hr
($ 33 to $ 64)

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94% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 23

Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes in Lugano

Cigarettes

$ 12/pack
($ 10.1 to $ 12)

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7% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 10.4

Levi's jeans

$ 154
($ 64 to $ 229)

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190% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 53

Summer dress

$ 53
($ 39 to $ 77)

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21% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 44

Plane ticket budget

London → Zurich

$ 165
(fair price: $ 140)

Montreal → Zurich

$ 1043
(fair price: $ 918)

Manchester → Zurich

$ 239
(fair price: $ 191)

New York City → Zurich

$ 911
(fair price: $ 709)

Dublin → Zurich

$ 230
(fair price: $ 178)

Melbourne → Zurich

$ 1541
(fair price: $ 1235)