Three years ago, I made a terrible financial decision. I booked a weekend in Switzerland “just to see what the fuss was about.” That weekend turned into a week. That week led to four more trips.
My bank account still hasn't recovered, but honestly? Worth every overpriced franc.
Here's the problem when it comes to travel to Switzerland: it ruins you for other places. Once you've experienced Swiss efficiency, cleanliness, and those ridiculous mountain views, everywhere else feels like a compromise.
Why Switzerland is Worth Visiting (Despite How Expensive It Is to Travel There)
Source: Depositphotos.
The Sticker Shock Is Real
I'll give it to you straight – Switzerland is stupid expensive. My first coffee cost 6 francs (about 7 dollars) and I thought there was a mistake. Nope. That's just Tuesday in Zurich.
A basic hotel room runs 200+ francs per night. A meal at what locals consider a “cheap” restaurant will set you back 30 francs minimum.
The weird part? Swiss people aren't particularly wealthy compared to other Europeans. They've just accepted that everything costs more because the quality is genuinely better.
Their minimum wage is around 4,000 francs per month, which sounds amazing until you realize rent for a one-bedroom apartment costs 1,500+ francs.
But here's what took me three trips to understand: you're not just paying for products or services. You're paying for a system that actually works. Trains arrive exactly on time – not approximately, exactly.
Hiking trails are maintained better than most city sidewalks elsewhere. Public toilets are cleaner than many hotel bathrooms in other countries.
Source: Depositphotos.
When Mountains Become an Obsession
I grew up thinking mountains were just bigger hills with snow on top. Switzerland taught me I was an idiot. These aren't just geological features – they're personalities with moods, weather systems, and the power to make you feel insignificant in the best possible way.
The Matterhorn broke my brain the first time I saw it. Photos don't prepare you for the scale or the perfect pyramid shape.
I spent four days in Zermatt just staring at it from different angles like some kind of mountain stalker. The town is touristy as hell, but when that peak comes into view, you understand why people put up with crowds and inflated prices.
Jungfraujoch was my biggest splurge – the train ticket costs more than some people's weekly grocery budget. But standing on a glacier at 11,000 feet, surrounded by peaks that seem to go on forever, was one of those life moments you can't put a price on.
Well, technically I did put a price on it: 218 francs.
Source: Depositphotos.
The Swiss Know How to Move People
Their transport system is basically what every other country wishes it had.
I tested this obsessively on my second trip – timing every train, bus, and cable car connection. The delays were measured in seconds, not minutes. Seconds.
The Swiss Travel Pass initially gave me heart palpitations at 300+ francs for a week. Then I started calculating individual journey costs and realized it's actually reasonable. Everything is included – trains, buses, boats, most cable cars, even museum entries. Without it, you'd go bankrupt just getting around.
Mountain railways are engineering porn. The Bernina Express between St. Moritz and Tirano in Italy climbs through landscapes that shouldn't be possible to reach by train. Sitting in a warm carriage while glaciers and 4,000-meter peaks slide past your window feels like cheating somehow.
One unexpected discovery was meeting other travelers on these trains. I ended up talking with a Dutch family doing Switzerland cycling tours through the Graubünden region – they were shipping their bikes between valleys using the postal bus system and tackling some seriously challenging mountain passes. Made my train travel seem pretty tame by comparison.
Source: Depositphotos.
Cities That Don't Suck
Swiss cities surprised me by being pleasant rather than just functional.
Zurich has this lake running right through the city center where locals swim during lunch breaks. In August. In a major financial capital. This shouldn't work, but it does.
Bern felt like a movie set – those covered walkways, the medieval towers, the bear park. But real people actually live and work there instead of it being some preserved tourist zone. The pace is relaxed in a way that major capitals usually aren't.
Geneva left me cold despite the impressive lake and mountain views. Too international, not enough personality. Good for a day trip, not worth staying longer.
If you're looking for a more budget-friendly destination, Basel can be a great option with its mixture of modern and historic architecture. Close to the borders to France and Germany, the city offers less pricey experience compared to the other Swiss cities.
Source: Depositphotos.
Food Adventures and Failures
Swiss cuisine is comfort food designed for people who burn 3,000 calories hiking every day. Cheese, bread, potatoes, repeat. Not sophisticated, but perfect after spending eight hours in the mountains.
Fondue is a tourist trap, except when it isn't. The difference between good and bad fondue is dramatic.
Good fondue – creamy, alcoholic, served with proper bread – is a religious experience. Bad fondue – stringy, flavorless, served with stale bread – is expensive disappointment.
The chocolate thing is not hype. Even gas station chocolate is better than premium brands elsewhere. I spent an embarrassing amount of money shipping Swiss chocolate home, then ate most of it before it arrived.
Source: Depositphotos.
Tips for Traveling in Switzerland
Thinking I could “do Switzerland on a budget” was my first error. You can't. Accept the costs or go somewhere else. Fighting Swiss prices just makes you miserable.
Staying in city centers was another costly mistake. Swiss public transport is so good that staying 20 minutes outside major cities cuts accommodation costs significantly without affecting convenience.
Not buying groceries was stupid. Restaurant meals cost 3-4 times what supermarket ingredients cost. Swiss supermarkets stock excellent local products, and cooking facilities are standard even in budget accommodations.
Source: Depositphotos.
Conclusion
Switzerland does something most places can't: it consistently exceeds expectations. Every mountain view is better than the photos. Every train connection works perfectly. Every hiking trail is maintained better than you expect.
The environmental preservation is real, not performative. Strict building codes keep valleys from being overdeveloped. Public transport reduces car dependence. Recycling is mandatory and efficient.
Swiss people seem to actually enjoy living there, which isn't true everywhere. They're not particularly warm to strangers, but they're helpful when asked and proud of their country in a quiet way.
The outdoor access is unmatched. Where else can you eat breakfast in a city, take public transport to a glacier, and be back for dinner? The infrastructure makes serious mountain experiences accessible to ordinary people.
Switzerland costs more than anywhere else I've traveled, but it's also the most reliable. Every trip delivers exactly what's promised – stunning scenery, perfect logistics, and experiences that justify the expense.
Is it worth it? Depends on your budget and priorities. If you can afford it without stress, Switzerland offers mountain and cultural experiences that set global standards. If the costs would cause financial strain, save up and visit properly rather than trying to do it cheaply.
My Swiss addiction continues despite my accountant's disapproval. Some places you visit once for the photos. Switzerland becomes a recurring obsession that's impossible to shake.
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