Last Updated on October 12, 2026 by A Teaspoon of Travel

How to Save Money on a Family Vacation to Switzerland

I thought that since we live in the Bay Area, prices in Switzerland would not shock me that much. But I was not prepared for the sticker shock once we arrived! Throw in the strong Swiss Franc and even the exchange rate was working against us. However, there are still ways to make a family vacation to Switzerland more affordable without skipping all the experiences that make the country so special. We traveled around Switzerland by train with our 2.5 year old in the summer, visiting Zurich, Lucerne, Lauterbrunnen, and Basel. By being strategic about our Swiss Travel Pass, staying in aparthotels with kitchenettes, and choosing a few mountain excursions rather than trying to visit every peak, we found ways to keep our travel budget under control. Here are the money-saving tips I would recommend if you’re planning a family vacation to Switzerland.

How to Save Money on a Family Vacation to Switzerland At a Glance

These are the tips that helped us save some money when planning our family vacation to Switzerland. But not every tip will make sense for every itinerary. The biggest savings can usually come by making a few major decisions before booking, especially around transportation, accommodations, and mountain excursions. By organizing our itinerary to maximize the use of our Swiss Travel Pass, we were able to save money on train tickets, attractions, and mountain peaks despite visiting during peak tourist season.

Expense	Money-saving approach	What to consider
Transportation	Compare passes and individual tickets	Routes and travel days
Accommodations	Find accommodations with a kitchenette	Book refundable stays
Mountain excursions	Prioritize a few peaks	Check pass discounts and weather
Food	Buy groceries to prepare breakfast, lunch, and snacks	Some restaurants charge an extra fee to share a plate
Activities	Alpine playgrounds, hikes, lakes	Some playgrounds require paid trains or lifts to access
Water	Bring reusable water bottles	Tap water is safe to drink in Switzerland, restaurants don’t always provide free water
Flights	Compare different airports, shoulder season rates	Not all peaks may be open in shoulder season depending on weather

1. Compare Swiss Travel Passes Before Buying Train Tickets

Train transportation is one of the main expenses when traveling around Switzerland. While it takes some homework, calculating train costs and comparing it to the different passes can end up saving you money. There are a couple different travel passes in Switzerland to choose from:

• Swiss Travel Pass – covers unlimited travel on consecutive days (3, 4, 6, 8, or 15 days) across trains, buses, boats, and public transit in over 90 towns and cities in Switzerland. It also completely covers Mount Rigi and offers discounts on other mountain peaks, and free or discounted admission to over 500 museums. Usually most cost effective for those visiting multiple regions and at least 2 mountain peaks (including Mount Rigi).
• Swiss Travel Pass Flex – provides the same transportation benefits as the Swiss Travel Pass, but allows for non-consecutive travel days within a 1-month period (available for 3, 4, 6, 8, or 15 selectable days). More expensive than the Swiss Travel Pass, but allows more flexibility.
• Swiss Half Fare Card – 50% discount on nearly all trains, buses, boats, trams, and mountain railways across Switzerland for a full month. Best for those taking fewer train rides.
• Regional Passes – passes that cover specific regions, like the Berner Oberland Pass and Lucerne Travel Pass. Best for those visiting one specific region for a few days.

We bought the Swiss Travel Pass both times we visited Switzerland. Especially when traveling with a toddler, we loved the convenience of hopping on any train without having to stop and buy tickets. However, we were strategic in how we planned our itinerary to maximize the value of our pass. We did not buy a pass to cover the entirety of our trip. We bought a pass for the fewest amount of days that covered our most expensive train journeys. Rather than activating on arrival day, we bought individual train tickets for the cheaper Zurich to Lucerne train journey. Then activated our Swiss Travel Pass during our most expensive train journeys and when we could take advantage of the included trip to Mount Rigi. The best option will depend on your itinerary. So I would do the math before purchasing, rather than assuming a pass is always cheaper.

One huge cost savings is that kids under 6 years old ride free on all trains and public transportation in Switzerland. For kids 6 years and older, one of these family travel passes can help you save money:

• Swiss Family Card – allows kids aged 6-15 years old to ride free on trains, buses, boats, and public transport when the adult they are traveling with holds a Swiss Travel Pass, Swiss Travel Pass Flex, or Swiss Half Fare Card. The Swiss Family Card is free and just needs to be booked at the same time as the adult pass.
• Swiss Travel Pass Youth – for travelers aged 16-25 years old, gives a 30% discount on the cost of the Swiss Travel Pass and Swiss Travel Pass Flex.

2. Maximize Discounts from Visitor Cards and Travel Passes

Visitor Cards

Some cities in Switzerland offer free tourist visitor cards if you book accommodations within the city. These visitor cards usually cover public transportation in the city center and offer discounts on many attractions, restaurants, and shops. We used the Lucerne Visitor Card for a free engraving at the Victorinox store. And we used the BaselCard for a discount at the Basel Zoo. The benefits vary, so check what’s included on the official websites and how to request it from your accommodations. It’s an easy way to save a little extra using a complimentary benefit.

Swiss Travel Pass Museum Discounts

If you’re planning on visiting any museums, don’t forget to check the museum perks included with the Swiss Travel Pass! The Swiss Travel Pass includes free or discounted admission to over 500 museums. We used it for 50% off at the Swiss Museum of Transport, our kid’s favorite hands-on museum in Lucerne. On our first trip to Switzerland (before we had a kid), we really maximized the Swiss Travel Pass by using it for free entry to Chillon Castle (in Montreux), Olympic Museum (in Lausanne), and Matterhorn Museum (in Zermatt). I wouldn’t add museums just to use the pass. But for museums already on your itinerary, these museum benefits can help offset the cost of the pass. Just check the current admission rules for any attractions before going.

3. Stay in Accommodations with Kitchens

Although accommodations with kitchens can seem more expensive initially, they can help you save money in the long run. This is mainly because food is very expensive in Switzerland. Having a kitchenette allowed us to prepare some meals at home to avoid eating out for every meal. We shopped at local bakeries and grocery stores, made breakfast in our apartment and packed some picnic lunches. This is especially helpful when traveling with children who can be picky eaters. Parents know that gut-wrenching feeling of ordering $20 USD chicken nuggets, only for your kids to take two bites of it and declare they’re done.

When comparing accommodations, I looked beyond just the nightly rate. I compared cleaning fees, service fees, and the cost of breakfast if it was included with the hotel. Airbnbs and home rentals usually have additional cleaning fees and service fees that can ratchet up the total cost. Aparthotels (apartments run by hotels) usually include everything into the nightly rate. I compare the total cost of the home rental to the total cost of the aparthotel or hotel room. An apartment isn’t automatically cheaper. But the ability to prepare one or two meals a day at home can make a difference in the food budget when traveling as a family.

We stayed in aparthotels in Lucerne and Basel and in an Airbnb run by a hotel in Lauterbrunnen. Having a kitchenette in each space made it so much easier to keep food costs down. We also liked being close to the train station or the Old Town so we weren’t spending extra money and time getting around.

4. Book Refundable Accommodations Early

If you’re planning to visit Switzerland in the summer, I recommend booking accommodations as soon as your travel dates are reasonably firm. Popular destinations like Lucerne and Lauterbrunnen have a limited supply of hotels and apartments that work for families. Especially if you’re looking for a place with a kitchenette or want to be close to the train station. We usually book refundable accommodations early so we have somewhere we’re happy with, and continue to check prices afterwards. If a better rate becomes available, I’ll rebook as long as the original booking allows full cancellation.

Refundable rates can be more expensive than non-refundable rates. However, that extra cost can be worth it if your plans change. And one thing I’ve learned from traveling with kids is that kids make traveling a lot more unpredictable. I would rather spend a bit more to have the flexibility to recoup all my costs in case we need to cancel.

5. Be Strategic About Which Mountain Peaks to Visit

One of the most scenic parts of Switzerland is ascending the mountain peaks to marvel at the scenery below. But transportation up to the peaks is expensive, even with discounts from a travel pass. Those expenses can add up quickly. Add in the fact that kids can get bored quickly looking at scenery, and you might end up paying a lot just to listen to kids whine about wanting to leave.

If you’re looking for ways to save money on activities in Switzerland, I would look into what each mountain peak has to offer and decide which experiences your family would enjoy most before booking. You don’t need to visit every mountain peak to enjoy the Swiss Alps. We chose Mount Rigi because it was completely covered by our Swiss Travel Pass. And we chose Pilatus because our toddler would enjoy the playground on the way down. In the Berner Oberland, we skipped Jungfraujoch and Schilthorn, two of the most expensive mountain peaks. Instead, we visited alpine playgrounds that gave us similar views but without the high prices (see our guide on Swiss alpine playgrounds for all the details on how to reach these playgrounds).

Before deciding which peak to visit, compare the cost for the whole family (including any discounts from travel passes). Check closely to see whether the pass covers the entire route, or just provides a discount. Some mountain peaks are more than just a viewpoint, and include hiking trails or other activities that may appeal more to kids. If the activities on the peak don’t sound like something everyone in the family will enjoy, then I would consider skipping the pricey summit visit in favor of a less expensive excursion.

6. Take Advantage of Free Activities in Nature

One of the humbling things about traveling with kids is that they remind you how much fun there can be in the simple things. Some of our kid’s happiest moments in Switzerland were when we were at a playground, or just walking on a trail where he could pick up rocks and throw them into a river. Even riding the train from place to place was a fun activity for our train-loving kid! These were some of our favorite experiences as a family, and they didn’t require paying for an expensive excursion. Switzerland is full of easy hikes that even kids can do, alpine playgrounds with amazing views for parents, and charming old towns filled with fountains that kids love. I would definitely make time for these easy (and free!) ways to enjoy the scenery, rather than filling every day with expensive excursions.

When planning your itinerary, look for free activities near the places you’re already visiting. But keep in mind that some alpine playgrounds and hikes require a paid train or cable car to reach them, so check the full transportation cost. The travel passes usually only cover part of the way up, and offer discounts for the rest of the journey. However, it will still be cheaper than going up the mountain summits.

7. Bring Reusable Water Bottles

Tap water is safe to drink in Switzerland and meets high quality standards. There are public fountains everywhere throughout the cities and towns where you can fill up your water bottles (just make sure it’s marked as drinkable water). We brought our reusable water bottles everywhere with us and refilled throughout the day. Not buying bottled water was an easy way to avoid small, unnecessary expenses in Switzerland.

8. Pack Strategically to Avoid Unnecessary Purchases

Weather in Switzerland can be unpredictable. And weather conditions can vary a lot between cities and mountain regions. On our first trip to Switzerland, we visited Lauterbrunnen in early June and had a snowstorm the night we arrived! Luckily, we had packed warmer jackets for the mountain peaks, so we didn’t have to buy extra jackets in Switzerland. I would much rather pack a few layers and a lightweight rain jacket than pay full price for something in Switzerland that I already own at home. Now, we check the weather in each city we’re visiting to pack appropriately.

9. Compare Flights and Airports

The main international airport in Switzerland is the Zurich airport (airport code ZRH). However, it might be worthwhile to search flights to Geneva airport (airport code GVA), Bern airport (airport code BRN), and EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg (airport code BSL) in case of deals. Another thing I consider is whether it would be cheaper to book a open-jaw ticket, where you fly into one city and out of another, to avoid paying the extra train fare to backtrack to Zurich. For example, if your itinerary starts in Zurich and ends in Basel, compare the cost of flights into Zurich and out of Basel to round trip Zurich tickets. Just make sure to factor in the train fare to get back to Zurich for the round trip flight.

10. Shop at the Supermarket for Souvenirs and Snacks

Switzerland is known for its chocolate. But my money-saving tip is to avoid the souvenir stores in the tourist areas, and go to the supermarket instead to buy your chocolate souvenirs! We found some AMAZING chocolates in the grocery stores that you can only find in Switzerland. Rather than buying tchotchkes and magnets at the souvenir stores for our friends and family, we brought home a variety of supermarket chocolate. We made little goody bags so they could try a bit of everything. Our friends and family loved it, and it was a souvenir everyone actually used.

We also loaded up on snacks at the grocery store for our daily outings. On our first day in a new place, we would visit the grocery store (they can usually be found in the train stations) to stock up on snacks and fruit. We made sure to pack a bunch of snacks every day, so that if our kid got hungry while we were out, we would not have to buy an expensive snack at a tourist stand to avoid a hangry meltdown.

11. Consider Travel During Shoulder Season

Summer is peak tourist season in Switzerland because that is when all of the hiking trails and mountain excursions are reliably open. However, you may find better deals for airfare and accommodations when traveling in early summer or early fall. However, I would check mountain railway schedules and seasonal closures before booking. Saving money on airfare and accommodations isn’t worth it if the mountain excursions or hikes you want to do aren’t available because of weather.

Create a Vacation Budget Before Booking

If you want to keep your family vacation to Switzerland relatively affordable, do the math on your biggest expenses before booking. It’s easy to pounce on a cheap flight deal and forget how quickly train tickets, accommodations, mountain excursions, and food can add up in Switzerland. We started by estimating the cost of transportation, accommodations, food, and activities, then looked for places we could save without giving up the experiences we valued the most.

For example, we wanted to see Pilatus again because our first visit was a weather fail, and we knew our toddler would enjoy the playground. We balanced that cost by visiting alpine playgrounds and doing scenic hikes in the Berner Oberland rather than visiting more expensive peaks there. Eating good local food is also a priority for us when traveling. Rather than eating out for every meal, we prepared most of our breakfasts and lunches and splurged on eating out for dinners. You don’t have to make the entire trip as cheap as possible. The goal is to spend your money on the things that matter most to your family.