We are US college students spending a weekend in Zurich and on a budget:) Why we picked the most expensive city in the world for our first trip I'll never understand:) I'm sure it has a lot to do with the beauty of Switzerland. Does anyone have any recommendations on budget friendly (free would be great) things we can do? Also, we would like to go to Interlaken on a day trip. We have looked at a few trains and they are all around $115.00 round-trip. Does anyone know of a cheaper alternative?
Posted by
Knoxville, TN, USA
7209 posts
First suggestion is to get out of Zurich. Yes, Interlaken "area" is beautiful and there are several hostels dotted around that area. So go there and stay instead of Zurich.
http://www.mountainhostel.com/
Both in the Interlaken "area" - but NOT in Interlaken. If you want to be in the beauty of Switzerland avoid Interlaken the town. It's best used as a transportation hub.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32732 posts
This is effectively a duplicate of a question in Student Travel Forum, with additional answers there.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32732 posts
Are you just flying over for the weekend and flying back, or are you arriving from or going to somewhere else in Europe on this trip?
How many is "we"?
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16893 posts
Transportation won't be cheap, but you can save money by staying in the hostels recommended above and picnicking or cooking at the hostel. If you do plan to take a few lifts around the Berner Oberland, then your transport costs become high enough that a Swiss Half Fare Card would save money ($125 per person, purchase online or at your first train station in Switzerland).
Posted by
Beverly Hills, MI
797 posts
All of Switzerland is very expensive. Just going to Interlaken is rather like going o the Grand Canyon and stopping at the parking lot. Zurich is an interesting city but not a way to maximize the impact of your limited time and funds. That being said, use Zurich as a way point on your way to Tim's suggestion of the Valley Hostel in Lauterbrunnen and you will see some of Switzerland at its very best. The Lauterbrunnen valley is beautiful and if your funds allow, you can go to Murren while you are there for just a few dollars as a single destination or for some more money take the Schilthornbahn all the way up to the Schilthorn and make Murren an intermediate stop. Another option while there would be to take the train up to Wengen. This will be an expensive week end but; 1) you will never forget it and 2) you will be back.
How many are in your group? If there are four, you could possibly rent a car for two days cheaper than the train. You only rent the car once vs. how many train tickets you buy.