Chasing Cheese and Chocolate: My Semi-Affordable Solo Swiss Adventure
Switzerland has always been on my travel bucket list, but let’s be honest it’s not known for being affordable. I went into this trip fully expecting it to be expensive, but with a little planning, I managed to experience some of the most beautiful places in the country without completely blowing my budget.
Flying from London to Zurich
I started the trip with a round-trip flight from London Gatwick to Zurich that cost $135, which already felt like a win. Flying from a major European city definitely helped. Getting from the airport into the city was easy. I took the train to my hostel — technically tickets are checked, but no one came around on my ride. To be safe though, a one-way ticket is only about $6.
Staying at MEININGER Zürich Greencity
For accommodation, I stayed at MEININGER Zürich Greencity, and honestly, it was a great choice. My stay came out to $218.76 for three nights, which is pretty reasonable by Swiss standards.
The hostel was modern, clean, and comfortable. It is more like a hotel-hostel hybrid than a traditional backpacker spot. My room had four people, with a bunk bed, two twin beds, and a private bathroom, which made a huge difference. There’s also a communal kitchen, food and drink options, and a strong focus on sustainability, which I really liked.
It’s located slightly outside the city center (train station just 5 minutes from the hostel ), but Zurich’s public transportation is incredibly easy to use, so getting around was never a problem.
A Relaxed Day Trip to Lucerne
On my first day, I took a train to Lucerne, which cost about $40. The ride itself was smooth and scenic, with mountains surrounding the tracks the entire hour long ride.
Lucerne was charming and calm, with its beautiful old town and lake views making it easy to just enjoy being there. I spent time walking through the cobblestone streets, crossing the famous wooden bridge, and popping into small shops to browse —especially for Swiss chocolate and souvenirs. I also took a boat ride on Lake Lucerne for $35, which really showed off the town’s views and was such a peaceful way to experience the area from the water.
The Day Trip That Completely Sold Me on Switzerland
The highlight of my entire trip was the Grindelwald, Interlaken & Lauterbrunnen Day Trip from Zurich, booked through Tripadvisor. It cost $150 and was worth every penny.
This day felt unreal in the best way. One minute I was on a coach leaving Zurich, and the next I was standing in places I’d only ever seen in photos. Grindelwald’s mountain views were insane, Interlaken felt perfectly placed between lakes and peaks, and Lauterbrunnen honestly looked like something out of a fairytale with its waterfalls and valley views. What I loved most about this tour was how easy it made everything. Switzerland’s transportation system is amazing, but it can get expensive and confusing if you’re short on time. Having everything planned out lets me fully enjoy the scenery without stressing over logistics.
I did spend an extra $90 to take the cable car to the top of the mountain in Grindelwald. It was completely optional but absolutely worth it. The views from the top were some of the most stunning I’ve ever seen.
A Chill Zurich Day
My last day was my most relaxed one. I spent a full day just walking around Zurich, exploring the city, grabbing coffee, and taking everything in at my own pace.
I happened to be there on a Sunday where almost the entire city was closed but it did not stop my fun. Some museums in the city have free entry which is such a win in an otherwise expensive city. I popped into a couple without feeling rushed, wandered along the river, and sat on the lakes edge reading my book for hours. It was the perfect slow day between bigger excursions and reminded me that you don’t always need to spend a lot to enjoy a place.
Food in Switzerland: Expensive but Simple
Eating in Switzerland definitely comes with a price tag, but that doesn’t mean everything has to be fancy. Over the course of my trip, I kept things fairly casual. I grabbed coffee and croissants at cafés, stopped by McDonald’s, tried a Thai place, enjoyed a burger at the top of Grindelwald’s mountain, and got a matcha and sandwich at Joe & The Juice. All told, my food expenses added up to around $160 for 3 full days of eating. While it was definitely more expensive than I’m used to, it was still manageable. I got to enjoy a mix of quick bites and sit down meals without needing to go somewhere posh.
What This Trip Actually Cost
Here’s the full breakdown:
Round-trip flight (London → Zurich): $135
Hostel (MEININGER Zürich Greencity): $218
Grindelwald, Interlaken & Lauterbrunnen tour: $150
Lucerne train ticket + boat ride: $75
Grindelwald Cable Car: $90
Food/Drinks: $170
Total: $848
Final Thoughts
Switzerland will probably never be a true budget destination, but this trip showed me that it doesn’t have to be completely out of reach either. Staying in a hostel, flying from London, taking advantage of free activities, and choosing day trips instead of constantly changing cities made a huge difference. If Switzerland feels like one of those “maybe one day” destinations because of the cost, this is your sign that it can be done and it’s absolutely worth it.
