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.

Low budget
(backpacker)

Daily budget:

  • $ 133 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 29 per person
  • $ 16 per person
  • Free activities

Total budget:

$ 3093* (2772 CHF)

Average budget
(traveller)

Daily budget:

  • $ 190 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 67 per person
  • $ 38 per person
  • $ 23 per person

Total budget:

$ 6191* (5544 CHF)

High budget
(tourist)

Daily budget:

  • $ 232 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 117 per person
  • $ 78 per person
  • $ 45 per person

Total budget:

$ 9895* (8848 CHF)

* 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 2024

Cost of living: Switzerland VS United States

Compare with the average cost of living in:

On average, the cost of living in Switzerland in 2024 is 54% 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:

Cost of living in Switzerland by city

See the table below for the variation in the cost of living in different cities in Switzerland compared to the national average.

Cities /Switzerland View Details
Davos 5% moreTravel budget and cost of living in Davos
Lausanne 1% moreTravel budget and cost of living in Lausanne
Lugano 0% lessTravel budget and cost of living in Lugano



Local prices in Switzerland by expense type

Switzerland: Restaurant budget

On average, budget for eating in a restaurant in Switzerland is 50% more expensive than in the United States (USA).
Lunch
Lunch
$ 29/person
($ 21 to $ 40)

43% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 20
3 course dinner
3 course dinner
$ 62/person
($ 46 to $ 91)

68% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 37
McDonald's meal
McDonald's meal
$ 17/person
($ 17 to $ 21)

56% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 11
Local beer
Local beer
$ 7.9 for 500ml
($ 5.4 to $ 11)

34% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.9
Imported beer
Imported beer
$ 2.7 for 330ml
($ 1.2 to $ 4.5)

22% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.5
Cappuccino
Cappuccino
$ 5.5/cup
($ 3.4 to $ 7.2)

8% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.1
Fizzy drink
Fizzy drink
$ 4.8/can
($ 3.4 to $ 5.6)

97% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.5
Water bottle
Water bottle
$ 4.4/bottle
($ 3.4 to $ 5.6)

120% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2

Switzerland: Hotel and accommodation budget

On average, hotel and accommodation budget in Switzerland is 17% more expensive than in the United States (USA).
1-star hotel
1-star hotel
$ 178/night
($ 89 to $ 551)

9% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 164
2-star hotel
2-star hotel
$ 181/night
($ 91 to $ 474)

20% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 152
3-star hotel
3-star hotel
$ 199/night
($ 96 to $ 512)

10% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 222
4-star hotel
4-star hotel
$ 265/night
($ 122 to $ 675)

13% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 305
5-star hotel
5-star hotel
$ 492/night
($ 250 to $ 1130)

8% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 457
Hostel/Youth Hostel
Hostel/Youth Hostel
$ 191/month
($ 102 to $ 529)

18% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 162
Room with kitchen
Room with kitchen
$ 283/month
($ 104 to $ 872)

21% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 236
Hotel with swimming pool
Hotel with swimming pool
$ 294/month
($ 113 to $ 836)

46% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 202
Cottage or guest house
Cottage or guest house
$ 202/month
($ 116 to $ 554)

9% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 222
Family room
Family room
$ 364/month
($ 136 to $ 1097)

83% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 200

Switzerland: Supermarket food budget

On average, the price of supermarket food in Switzerland is 27% more expensive than in the United States (USA).
Milk
Milk
$ 2/litre
($ 1.4 to $ 2.2)

89% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1
Bread
Bread
$ 3.7/500g
($ 1.7 to $ 5.6)

4% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.5
Rice
Rice
$ 4/kg
($ 1.7 to $ 5.6)

10% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.5
Eggs
Eggs
$ 6.8/12 eggs
($ 3.8 to $ 10)

88% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6
Chicken
Chicken
$ 29/kg
($ 15 to $ 40)

142% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 12
Apples
Apples
$ 3.4/kg
($ 2.2 to $ 5.6)

34% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.2
Tomatoes
Tomatoes
$ 5.9/kg
($ 2.2 to $ 8.8)

24% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.8
Potatoes
Potatoes
$ 2.5/kg
($ 1.3 to $ 3.9)

14% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.9
Water bottle
Water bottle
$ 1.2
($ 0.6 to $ 2.2)

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

Switzerland: Public and private transport budget

On average, the price of transport in Switzerland is 88% more expensive than in the United States (USA).
Bus ticket
Bus ticket
$ 3.9/ticket
($ 3.1 to $ 5.6)

60% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.4
Taxi (per km)
Taxi (per km)
$ 4.4/km
($ 3.4 to $ 5.6)

158% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.7
Petrol
Petrol
$ 2.1/litre
($ 2 to $ 2.2)

121% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 0.9
Taxi (initial pick-up charge)
Taxi (initial pick-up charge)
$ 7.2
($ 5.6 to $ 12)

102% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6
Car hire
Car hire
$ 68/24hrs
($ 42 to $ 137)

3% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 70

Switzerland: Leisure activity budget

On average, budget for leisure activities in Switzerland is 79% more expensive than in the United States (USA).
Cinema
Cinema
$ 23/ticket
($ 20 to $ 29)

55% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 14
Tennis
Tennis
$ 42/hr
($ 29 to $ 57)

103% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 21

Switzerland: Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes

On average, shopping budget in Switzerland is 60% more expensive than in the United States (USA).
Cigarettes
Cigarettes
$ 11/pack
($ 9.3 to $ 12)

3% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 10
Levi's jeans
Levi's jeans
$ 121
($ 67 to $ 168)

134% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 52
Summer dress
Summer dress
$ 60
($ 34 to $ 101)

43% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 42

Plane ticket budget

New York City → Zurich
New York City → Zurich
New York City → Zurich
$ 961
(fair price: $ 728)
New York City → Geneva
New York City → Geneva
New York City → Geneva
$ 975
(fair price: $ 708)
Sydney → Zurich
Sydney → Zurich
Sydney → Zurich
$ 1427
(fair price: $ 1194)
Los Angeles → Zurich
Los Angeles  → Zurich
Los Angeles  → Zurich
$ 1183
(fair price: $ 922)
Montreal → Geneva
Montreal → Geneva
Montreal → Geneva
$ 937
(fair price: $ 814)
New York City → Basel
New York City → Basel
New York City → Basel
$ 926
(fair price: $ 759)

Book a flight Flight prices to Switzerland




About the information on the cost of living in Switzerland

The information about the cost of living in Switzerland shown on this page comes from multiple sources, including : Numbeo, Skyscanner and Hotels.com.

Information about cost of living in Switzerland updated on 12-11-2024.

Change currency