Switzerland Doesn’t Have to Break the Bank
Switzerland has a reputation for being an expensive travel destination. But those in the know find numerous ways to explore the country even on a smaller budget. Savings begin with travel arrangements. A Swiss Travel Pass, valid for 3 to 15 days, provides free travel on trains, buses, and boats, as well as admission to many museums, can be a smart investment. For those preferring flexibility, daily tickets or saver fares from SBB offer affordable options.
Another money-saving tip lies in accommodation. HotelCard functions as a “half-fare” card for hotels, offering discounts of up to 50 percent at 500 hotels throughout Switzerland – from simple guesthouses to stylish city hotels.
Guest cards also ease the strain on the wallet. Many tourist regions offer them to guests from their first overnight stay – providing discounts on experiences and public transport. This allows for affordable discovery of mountain adventures, museums, or sights, as illustrated below for four popular holiday destinations.
Tessin
Tessin is one of Switzerland’s most popular holiday regions. Known as the “sunshine corner” of the country, the Ticino Ticket, available from the first overnight stay, provides numerous benefits. Holidaymakers travel free by bus and train, and receive discounts on mountain railways and museums. A trip to the popular Monte Brè, for example, costs just 11 francs instead of 16 with the ticket. The summit offers a stunning view of Lake Lugano – especially beautiful at sunset!
Attractions like Swissminiatur or the toboggan run in Bosco Gurin can be visited at a 20 percent discount. Admission to the Castelli di Bellinzona is free – at least to the courtyard and for a walk along the walls. Those wishing to visit the museum benefit from a 30 percent discount with the guest card.
Entry to the Brissago Islands costs only 8 francs with the guest card. Thanks to the mild, subtropical climate on Lake Maggiore, around 1700 plant species from all continents thrive here. Access to Parco Scherrer, a small, enchanted paradise with ponds, fountains, sculptures, palm trees, camellias and cypresses in Morcote, is also free with the Ticino Ticket.
Hotel Tip: The Villa Sassa Hotel in Lugano features a 3000 square meter wellness area with an infinity pool – and serves Mediterranean cuisine with the best views of Lake Lugano at “Ai Giardini di Sassi.” With HotelCard, a night often costs up to 50 percent less (from 136.50 instead of 273 francs).
Wallis
In Wallis, each holiday destination has its own guest card. It’s therefore worth checking what discounts or inclusions are offered with the corresponding card. In the Sion region, for example, Lake St-Léonard offers a unique and affordable experience: a boat trip on Europe’s largest underground lake costs just 12 francs. The guest card in Crans-Montana provides free access to many leisure activities such as tennis, mini golf or indoor swimming pool, the same applies to mountain railways.
The Saastal Card for the entire Saas-Fee region offers similar benefits. For example, summer or autumn skiing is 22 percent cheaper, and entry to the Aqua Allalin bathing center costs only 10 francs. All mountain railways (except Metro Alpin) and public transport are free with the guest card in summer and autumn. This allows for great excursions such as the “Path of 18 Four-Thousanders” – an impressive panoramic circular route with views of no less than 18 peaks over 4000 meters above sea level from the Hohsaas mountain station.
Hotel Tip: The Walliserhof Grand-Hotel & Spa in Saas-Fee VS. This five-star hotel boasts excellent cuisine and a 2100 square meter spa area. With HotelCard, the price is often 50 percent lower – from 209 instead of 418 francs per room per night.
Basel
Basel is a must-visit for culture enthusiasts. In fact, some museums offer free admission to their collections at certain opening times or even on entire days. The Kunstmuseum Basel, for example, is free on the first Sunday of the month, as well as Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 5 to 6 pm and Wednesdays from 5 to 8 pm. With the BaselCard, visitors also enjoy free travel on public transport and 25 percent off at the Zoo Basel or in the Basel Museums.
Ideally, rent an e-bike for exploring the city, available at a discounted price of 25 francs with the guest card. Or take the tram and bus – both are free for cardholders. A particularly beautiful option is the panoramic tour on line 16, which covers various districts and sights. The tour lasts about 50 minutes and is available daily from sunrise to sunset. You can board at the Schifflände, Marktplatz or Barfüsserplatz stops. Alternatively: the sightseeing bus tour is 25 percent off with the BaselCard. Advantage: this tour also provides valuable background information.
Hotel Tip: The Hotel Victoria is located in the heart of the city, offering an urban lifestyle and the Bar&Bistro restaurant with fine cuisine. With HotelCard, a night costs from 133 instead of 266 francs per room.
Engadin
In Graubünden, the individual holiday regions or destinations offer guest cards similar to those in Wallis. Especially in the Engadin, it’s worth staying a little longer in summer and autumn. In St. Moritz and the Upper Engadin, holidaymakers receive free use of all mountain railways and public transport from two overnight stays. This also applies if bikes and dogs are brought along. This allows for a free trip to the Diavolezza – and enjoy a breathtaking view of the imposing glaciers and peaks of the Bernina massif. Climbing fans can also use the climbing routes free of charge here.
The PLUS guest card for the Lower Engadin region around Scuol and Zernez offers free travel on public transport and mountain railways from one overnight stay, and a 20 percent discount on admission to the popular thermal baths in Scuol. A visit to the National Park is also worthwhile: it is free as an excursion area, and admission to the visitor center costs 8 francs with the guest card. Here you can immerse yourself in the world of the National Park before exploring it on your own.
Hotel Tip: The «Nira Alpina» in Silvaplana is located directly at the Corvatschbahn. Ski-in Ski-out in winter, hiking and biking trails over 1870 meters above sea level in summer. After an active day, the Shanti Spa and three stylish restaurants invite you to relax. With HotelCard, it is often 50 percent cheaper – from 225 instead of 450 francs.
