Belgium, Switzerland

The Swiss Alps are stunning... but so are the Alps just about everywhere. If you want to see the mountains but don't want to pay Swiss prices, see them in France. Although not cheap either, costs are generally far more reasonable, especially for food.

Oh, and the time of year makes a big difference too. Absolutely not worth the money in the spring or late autumn.

Delilah,

Living in general isnt cheap.

Traveling is the same.

Its all how you look at it. If its something you want, you will find a way.

ALso, the way i see it, youre going to spend about 1k + to get over there and all that is, is warming a seat on a plane. Is that worth it?. So, make the most of it and go. Dont look back, but only at the memories.

look for economy places to stay or places that will fit the basic necessities along with cleanliness. I see lodging as a place to drop my stuff, shower, use the toilet, and sleep. For some people its a status statement. If you can afford a status statement, then $$ inst an issue. Lodging will probably be one of the top 3 costs for you. The rest you can fudge on.

happy trails.

Tom - we are going last two weeks in October. Does that qualify for "late fall"?? I have always wanted to go to Switzerland so will probably just go for it. So much to see there, but I've been told that Lauterbrunnen Valley and Lucerne are must-see places.

Just FYI about the Swiss prices. I found that staying up in the Berner Oberland mountains in Muerren was less expensive than down below in Interlaken, probably because bus groups stay down and train up whereas small families can get right in amongst.

Having stayed about half a dozen times in Interlaken before we followed the advice to stay up in the mountains we will now never do it again. Muerren rocks...

Picnics aren't very expensive, eating out can be relatively expensive. We often eat at the MMMigros supermarket cafeteria at Interlaken West or a similar one at the Coop supermarket at Interlaken Ost because it is good nutritious food that isn't expensive. Staying in Luzern can be expensive but there are alternatives. I don't know if you are training or driving, but there is an Ibis hotel in the Luzern district of Kriens, somewhat out of the centre, and I believe that there is a new Ibis Styles (formerly known as All Seasons) closer to the centre. If driving there is a reasonably priced Holiday Inn Express (with a Movenpick Marché next door) at the last southbound rest area just above Luzern at which we have stayed many times.

If you are careful with your Swiss Franks you can keep some of them in your pocket.

And yes, having been up close and personal with US and Canadian Rockies, and with the Alps in Austria, France and Italy as well as Switzerland, to me the Lauterbrunnen Valley and the mountains surrounding it (as well as the other side from Kandersteg way) are, for me, the top of the pile.

Yes, late October is well into the shoulder season. Not the best use of your travel time or money to risk it for that time of year. You have a better than even chance that those mountain views you dreamed of will stay mostly hidden behind a veil of fog and clouds for long periods of time.

Tom - wow, very good to know, though not what I wanted to hear. Switzerland will have to wait for another time. :( Do you know anything about Belgium? My sister went to Brussels years ago and loved it, but I don't know much about it. I'll have to investigate.

We were in Switzerland for 3 weeks this summer. Without lodging and transportation (we were there on a home exchange and didn't need these) I budgeted $150 per day. That was with very little dining out...mostly spent money on lift tickets so we could hike, groceries from the grocery store, entrance fees, and gas for the car. It cost $120 to fill the car (Volvo SUV). When we did eat out it was usually lunch and, for the three of us, it was never less than $90. Nothing fancy...wine, pasta or salad, sometimes soup or sausages. Crazy expensive. Our most expensive day was in Zermatt. We paid for parking in the garage down the valley, the train up to Zermatt, lift tickets for hiking, two snacks, and one dinner, and it was a $600 day.
That said...Switzerland is well worth the price! I won't be going back anytime soon but I think you need to see it at least once. There are other parts of the alps that are spectacular but there is something about the mountains, the culture, the cows, the cowbells...it's unique. Just save your pennies and go...you'll be glad you did!

"Do you know anything about Belgium?" Well, my wife is Belgian and I usually spend at least one or two weekends there per month, so I guess you could say I might know a thing or two about that country... although I spend the majority of my time in Limburg province, which generally isn't a big foreign tourist destination.

I was in Belgium for the first time this past Christmas. It's the easiest country I've ever traveled in. Most people speak English and are very helpful. I stayed in the historic centers of Bruges, Antwerp, Ghent and Brussels. Food costs had the most variability; lots of tea shops where you can get an inexpensive light meal and lots of international food choices. Trains between cities are frequent, distances are short and therefore inexpensive, and you can take a train to and from the airport without needing a taxi.

My trip was Brussels-Bruges-Switzerland (stayed with friends)-Kitzbuhel (stayed with friends)-Antwerp-Brussels. Not including airfare (or chocolate) I spent about €120 per day traveling solo.

There are lots of ways to get around the expenses in/of Switzerland. Rent a small car and you will have the flexibility to travel in and out of the country. Hotels and food are cheaper in nearby Italy and France. I'd make day trips into the country as much as possible. If you rent and return a vehicle within the same country, often this is far less expensive than training; you can opt for out of the way, less expensive accommodations and travel to places you might not have otherwise been able to. If you are looking for scenery the French and Italian Alps offer similar experiences. That being said, Grindelwald and Zermatt are breathtaking. How are you getting from Belgium to Switzerland?