Which is better Amesterdam or Switzerland?

Although you could easily bust a budget in Amsterdam if you're not careful, Switzerland in general is one of the most expensive countries on earth.

Hands down, Switzerland is more expensive. Beautiful country though - loved driving through the Alps - breathe taking! Amsterdam, I found to be no more expensive than being in Germany or Austria.

Depends on what you do and where you do it. I bet I could live up in the hills of the Emmental cheaper than on the Herrengracht.

Switzerland is noticibly expensive, even when you think you're ready for things to be more expensive. I find myself avoiding Switzerland, in favor of German, Austrian, or even Italian Alps because Switzerland is so expensive.

With the Swiss franc much appreciated against international currencies, Switzerland has been even more expensive. Amsterdam and Brugge can be a less expensive trip leg, but you need to plan carefully.

We found Switzerland to be very expensive. On our first trip to London, we used take away for dinner quite often. On the six subsequent trips, we never used take away, except in Switzerland. We did find wonderful take away in Geneva, Lausanne, and Luzern. However, in Lauterbrunnen dinner at the Hotel Oberland was very tasty and at more "normal" prices.

Pauline, Either country can be expensive, depending on a variety of factors. I definitely agree with the others that Switzerland is one of the most expensive countries in Europe (some of the Scandinavian countries are equally expensive). While Switzerland can be "pricey", the costs can be mitigated to some extent by choosing less expensive Hotels and meal choices. I plan on returning to Switzerland this year, and quite looking forward to it (regardless of the cost)! Whether to choose Amsterdam or Switzerland will depend on what it is you're looking for. Happy travels!

The food in Switzerland is indeed brutally expensive. But on the whole overall prices aren't prohibitive. Just cut back on a few souvenirs here and there, don't order dessert, get one of the Swiss transit passes, book hotels early, and you're not really spending more than most other popular places in Western Europe. Visit during the shoulder season and it's actually a bargain. It's very easy for a tourist to shield themselves from CH's high cost of living, and it shouldn't deter anyone from visiting. I'm going on my fifth trip to the Berner Oberland this May and I'm no millionaire;)

But James, didn't you say in another thread it was for speeding in a 50 kph zone? Sorta like speeding in a town?

Pauline, MIchael has given you the key. The Berner Oberland is not terribly expensive, particularly with the best pass for your use. Finding the proper pass for your use will take a major sleuthing effort as the list is longer than your arm. But, while hotels and restaurants are incredibly expensive in the cities, the same in the Berner Oberland are quite reasonable.

I agree that it totally depends on where you're going. A hot summer night without air conditioning in Lausanne ran me well over CHF200 for a double, but a double in Mürren on the same trip was less than CHF100. In fact, I thought prices in the Mürren area generally were more like what one might expect in the Bavarian countryside. But even in big city Munich, a hotel very similar to the one I was at in Lausanne was around $112, as opposed to $257 in Lausanne. Same trip...very similar lodging. I know airports are high everywhere, but even snacks or a beer at ZRH are outrageous.

Sorry to hijack this thread but I wish to conclude the discussion claiming Switzerland is overly expensive by quoting what is claimed to be an excessive fine for speeding in a town. Its just as well you weren't caught here in the UK, James.
A fixed penalty notice here, if you would be given that option, would run £60 plus a crime victim fund payment (£15 the last time I looked - it may have gone up in the austerity climate) plus 3 penalty points on your license. If it went to court the guidelines state for up to 15mph over the posted limit £44 plus £30 costs plus crime victim fund (as above) plus 3 penalty points on your license. Sounds like €100 isn't so bad. You must have been glad with the small penalty in Germany.