Ways to save money in Switzerland
In the lobbies of many EFH hostels you might hear a few hushed whispers or stories between travelers about how expensive Switzerland is, even to go as far as to avoid it due to the dent it will put into your savings account which you have worked so hard to stash your money into so you can travel around Europe and see as much as you can.
We get it, so here are a few broken myths and tips to help your money go further.
Traveling in Switzerland on a budget
One of the most frequent questions at the reception at Balmers is “What can I do for cheap/free here?”. We are guessing this question comes from being charged upwards of 5 euros for an espresso you had after landing in Zurich Airport , after being used to happily paying 1 euro from the Mediterranean country you have just come from. One of those dark, bitter yet ever so delicious things that have become a multiple times a day staple in your diet need not be forgotten about.
Getting the most of your bang for your buck in Interlaken
Using the trains when traveling around Switzerland into the next city on your list and using them as in indicator as to what everything costs in Switzerland is another sure fire way to make you question your decision to visit the land of cheese and chocolate. This is another thing mentioned when people are expressing how expensive Switzerland is to the people that live here, this is why we tend to have our finger on the pulse of how to get by in what is one of the most expensive countries in the world with transportation in an around Interlaken and the surrounding areas in the Jungfrau region.
Our tips to travel for cheap in Interlaken and Switzerland
Luckily, here at Balmers Hostel, we fully understand your plight with trying to get the most bang for your buck while visiting not only an expensive place but one of the most beautiful, which if done correctly will quickly become the highlight of your trip as you not only get to see some of the places that inspired Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings but you also get to leave with a healthier bank account than expected. So find here our special tips to save money and travel on a budget in Switzerland.
#1.Cheap transport in Interlaken
Pre-book your railway line as in Eurorail or Interrail passes already from home so you don’t have to worry about it on the road. And don’t forget if you let one of the Famous Hostels know in advance they will offer a 10% discount on the room rate.
Hitch hike! Most locals are very happy to offer you a free ride, be sure you don’t hitchhike on a highway, always best at a gas station, you can ask reception for a piece of paper and a marker. Hitch Hike if you are out of town people are friendly and tend to give you a ride.
Rent a bicycle and explore the whole of Interlaken, it is all flat and you can ride out to the lakes for a swim in summer too!
#2. Best exchange rates
Come prepared with the local currency in mind. The currency in Switzerland is the Swiss Franc or CHF (Confoederatio Helvetica Franc). People do accept Euros but the exchange rate is typically 1-1 and is not in your favor, it’s a convenient service that places offer. All change given is in CHF and no one takes Euro coins simply because the banks do not accept them or change them for companies in Switzerland. Presently, 100 euro will get you 112chf so you lose out on 12chf by not being prepared and coming into a country with the correct currency. The exchange rate in your home country when planning your trip is going to bbe etter than a flat 1-1 exchange rate or just change some at one of the banks in the previous country or when arriving in Switzerland. Alternatively use your card when possible, especially if they have no conversion or transaction fees.
#3. Make the most of your visitor card
We provide you with a Visitor card upon check-in at Balmers Hostel. We also have printed out in multiple places around Balmers Hostel the most common bus routes that people take and ask about which are free to use with the visitor's card. It also provides you with a plethora of discounts to certain tourist attractions the most popular being the Harder Kulm and coming in a close second the Trummelbach Falls and also a discount at the lesser known but equally as impressive St. Beatus caves. Make the most of it. Some shops even offer a free souvenir when you show the card. The bus routes take you as far as Iseltwald on Lake Brienz and in the other direction up to Beatenbucht, which is past the popular sunset spot of Neuhaus on Lake Thun and also past the St Beatus caves. Simply put, use the card there is no reason why you would not.
How to Make the Most of Your Interlaken Guest Card
#4. Discover Interlaken for free
One of the more underrated things is the walk along the river behind the casino to the sunrise lookout spot. The lookout spot in question looks out onto Lake Brienz, which just so happens to be facing the direction of the sunrise. Watching the sun coming up over an alpine landscape in the background and a lake in the foreground is not a bad way for anybody to start their day. There are many beautiful places that can be reached on foot and you will always see more this way.
If early wake-up calls are not your thing you can always catch the sun going down at the other lake of Lake Thun that we luckily happen to be nestled in between. The walk there is slightly longer but it takes you through a nature reserve, which has a couple of spots in the sun where you can go for a swim, you also pass a ruined castle while making your way to Neuhaus to watch the sun disappear behind a ridge line in the distance with a glass of wine in your hand which you packed for your picnic ;) and bought previously at some of the cheaper supermarkets like Lidl, conveniently close to Balmers Hostel.
Read also our article: Visiting Interlaken on a budget
#5. Cook your food
Make use of our Guest kitchen and cook yourself a meal, better still, gather a few of you and cook together and shop in a supermarket. This will be a great experience and you will hopefully get to experience other cultures food too. Bonus!
Best cheap restaurants in Interlaken
#6. Sharing is caring
Make friends with our staff or locals, they are always happy to share their insider tips.
You can also stuff your face with chocolate, you know you want to….you will soon shed the extra calories off on your next hike, but try local brands that come in packs of 5 in the supermarket and share it with your new friends
Our biggest tip is in sharing, not only will you make long-lasting friends but you will keep your purse full for activities or other things you may want to experience.
