3 weeks to explore Switzerland in summer. Love the scenery. How do I plan it cheaply?

LiveOnce

Hi all,

I would like to do 3 weeks exploring Switzerland and it's mountains and natural scenery, beautiful villages etc.

How do I plan a trip to explore Switzerland like this?

I need it to be cheap as possible and will be using public transport ideally to move around.

I have never done such a big solo trip before so feeling a bit clueless so reaching out to you experienced travellers

melanzana

Start by deciding where you want to visit. Work out an itinerary and the train connections.

Think about an Interrail pass.

http://www.interrail.eu/interrail-passes/one-country-pass/switzerland.

I don't think interrail pass covers the Glacier Express, but you can check that out yourself.

Check out hostels, you will meet up with people from all walks of life, and that could be good if you are a solo traveller. Age is not important, all ages, types and nationalities use them.

http://www.hostelworld.com/hostels/Switzerland.

Factor in getting to and from Switzerland, you do not need to arrive and leave from the same airport, depending on prices!

peachyprice

Have a look on Swiss Travel Centre, they have details of all the passes available, there are a few different ones depending on your needs and routes not covered are often a reduced rate if you hold a pass.

Depending on how many of you are travelling, either hostels, or ski chalets are cheap in the summer months.

pogofish

Swiss rail passes are incredibly good value - and IME some of the best of them can only be bought before you arrive in the country. Although its been a few years since I last had one so things might have changed.

Another good thing about these is that they often do have a discount (varying amounts, up to 70/80%) on mountain railways/cable cars etc as many are subsidised by the government - For civil diefence usually. You don't IIRC get this on an Interrail card.

As for subsistance prices - that can be hefty. get used to buying the makings of your meals from a shop and doing for yourself. That saves a lot over cafes bars etc, although many places, incl bakeries/butchers do a reasonable "special" every day but its often to Swiss tastes and something you don't really see here, like rabbit, "don't ask" sausage or perch - which is absolutely delicious. Polenta and some kind of lumpy sauce-based dishes are also very common at the cheap end of the scale and do fill a hole.

Voyager2002

Another vote for the rail passes -- which also cover Postbuses (so you can go to places that the trains can't reach). They are likely to have bonuses like free admission to museums and castles, and discounts on cable cars and mountain railways.

There are also opportunities for extended hiking, since there is a network of overnight shelters in the more desolate parts of the country.

Blue264

LiveOnce wrote: »

Hi all,

I would like to do 3 weeks exploring Switzerland and it's mountains and natural scenery, beautiful villages etc.

How do I plan a trip to explore Switzerland like this?

Please check this site for the various ticket options available, particularly this one ...Swiss Half Fare Card: 50% discount on travelling in Switzerland.

http://www.sbb.ch/en/leisure-holidays/holidays--short-breaks-in-switzerland/swisstravelsystem.html

With a half fare card and Supersaver tickets, you can do train trips from Zurich to Geneva for as little as CHF 22.40 / £17.77 at particular times of day.

If you're a good walker, the Swiss mountain hut system might be an option for you. The facilities are basic, but the locations are stunning.

http://www.sac-cas.ch/en/huts.html

In the Swiss German speaking part of the country, other Swiss walkers will almost always great you with Grüezi or Grüezi mitenand as they pass you. If people don't greet you, they're usually foreigners

If you're not a great walker, but you are a genuine animal lover, you might like to check Trusted Housesitters and consider becoming a member. Animal care costs are very high here, so many people advertise for 'sitters' for their pets, and you get to stay in their apartment free. If you consider this option, it would be worth doing a couple of weekend sits in the UK to get yourself good references.

Blue264

Forgot to mention food. As has been said, this could take up a large part of your budget if you don't plan it. When you're in larger towns or cities, head for the hot food counter at the Migros supermarket chain. They often have tables that you can stand at to eat your purchase and their menu often changes throughout the day. Look for the 50% reduced items at the end of the day and 'Aktion' special offers in Migros and Coop. Having said that, I tend to shop at Aldi or Lidl to save money.