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

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

* 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 2025

Cost of living: Switzerland VS United States

On average, the cost of living in Switzerland in 2025 is 53% 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:

Local prices in Switzerland by expense type

Switzerland: Restaurant budget

Lunch

$ 30/person
($ 22 to $ 42)

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43% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 21

3 course dinner

$ 65/person
($ 47 to $ 94)

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68% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 39

McDonald's meal

$ 18/person
($ 18 to $ 22)

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56% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 12

Local beer

$ 8.2 for 500ml
($ 5.6 to $ 11)

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34% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 6.1

Imported beer

$ 2.8 for 330ml
($ 1.2 to $ 4.7)

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22% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6

Cappuccino

$ 5.7/cup
($ 3.5 to $ 7.5)

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8% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.3

Fizzy drink

$ 5/can
($ 3.5 to $ 5.8)

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97% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.6

Water bottle

$ 4.6/bottle
($ 3.5 to $ 5.8)

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120% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.1

Switzerland: Hotel and accommodation budget

1-star hotel

$ 163/night
($ 95 to $ 415)

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1% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 166

2-star hotel

$ 186/night
($ 96 to $ 448)

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19% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 157

3-star hotel

$ 208/night
($ 100 to $ 544)

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9% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 231

4-star hotel

$ 278/night
($ 129 to $ 724)

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13% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 323

5-star hotel

$ 562/night
($ 299 to $ 1164)

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9% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 520

Hostel/Youth Hostel

$ 184/month
($ 114 to $ 416)

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12% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 166

Room with kitchen

$ 299/month
($ 112 to $ 897)

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22% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 247

Hotel with swimming pool

$ 311/month
($ 121 to $ 856)

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49% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 210

Cottage or guest house

$ 201/month
($ 133 to $ 439)

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14% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 236

Family room

$ 380/month
($ 142 to $ 1141)

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86% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 205

Switzerland: Supermarket food budget

Milk

$ 2.1/litre
($ 1.4 to $ 2.3)

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89% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.1

Bread

$ 3.8/500g
($ 1.7 to $ 5.8)

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4% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6

Rice

$ 4.1/kg
($ 1.7 to $ 5.8)

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10% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.6

Eggs

$ 7.1/12 eggs
($ 3.9 to $ 10)

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88% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.8

Chicken

$ 30/kg
($ 16 to $ 42)

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142% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 13

Apples

$ 3.5/kg
($ 2.3 to $ 5.8)

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34% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.3

Tomatoes

$ 6.1/kg
($ 2.3 to $ 9.1)

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24% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5

Potatoes

$ 2.6/kg
($ 1.3 to $ 4)

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14% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3

Water bottle

$ 1.2
($ 0.7 to $ 2.3)

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48% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.2

Switzerland: Public and private transport budget

Bus ticket

$ 4/ticket
($ 3.3 to $ 5.8)

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60% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.5

Taxi (per km)

$ 4.6/km
($ 3.5 to $ 5.8)

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158% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.8

Petrol

$ 2.2/litre
($ 2.1 to $ 2.3)

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121% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1

Taxi (initial pick-up charge)

$ 7.5
($ 5.8 to $ 12)

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102% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.7

Car hire

$ 70/24hrs
($ 46 to $ 131)

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4% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 73

Switzerland: Leisure activity budget

Cinema

$ 23/ticket
($ 21 to $ 30)

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55% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 15

Tennis

$ 44/hr
($ 30 to $ 59)

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103% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 22

Switzerland: Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes

Cigarettes

$ 11/pack
($ 9.7 to $ 12)

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3% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 11

Levi's jeans

$ 126
($ 69 to $ 175)

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134% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 54

Summer dress

$ 63
($ 35 to $ 105)

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43% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 44

Plane ticket budget

New York City → Zurich

$ 950
(fair price: $ 725)

Sydney → Zurich

$ 1441
(fair price: $ 1203)

Montreal → Geneva

$ 951
(fair price: $ 837)

New York City → Basel

$ 960
(fair price: $ 785)

Toronto → Zurich

$ 1047
(fair price: $ 896)

New York City → Geneva

$ 1024
(fair price: $ 742)

Book a flight Flight prices to Switzerland