Do some items on your bucket place seem unattainable? Think again!
As much as I had dreamed of glacier hikes and big pots of melted cheese fondue, I never thought I would be able to travel to Switzerland. It is the most expensive country in Europe. The cost of living is around 88% higher than that of the UK. It’s no wonder when you know that the average wage is around 6,700 Swiss francs per month — or £6,000. Yet even in a country as expensive as Switzerland, budget travel is possible. Keep reading to find out how.
Is Budget Travel to Switzerland Possible?
Last year, I stumbled across an advert for a Coliving space in Liddes. Swiss Alps Coliving had an offer at that time: 600 francs a month for two people. A converted chalet in a small village, the house has views of the spectacular mountains. You can step out of your door straight onto fantastic hiking routes.
My boyfriend and I immediately booked our tickets, and fell into a very affordable rythm. We ordered groceries online from a supermarket called Migros. The prices are slightly higher than back in the UK. Bit is still possible to eat a tasty vegetarian diet for 60 euros a week.
I brought my mountain bike with me, so my main activities were cycling and hiking, all completely free.
Along with other people in the coliving, we often took the Coliving minibus on weekends, and went to discover nearby places. We visited Chamonix, Zermatt, Geneva and Lausanne. Splitting the petrol between 6-10 people brought prices way down.
That is how, in Europe’s most expensive country, I still managed to live off 1000 euros a month.
Budget Travel Everywhere
The truth is, you can always find more affordable ways to travel, even in expensive countries.
Ok, privilege check time. Of course the notion of “cheap” is relative. I know these prices are still out of reach for many people. I am lucky enough to earn money from Western countries. Albeit a fraction of what the average Swiss person earns.
This article isn’t trying to suggest that travel is cheap, that money is a mindset issue or any of that. I just want to provide ideas that will open up new destinations to people with smaller budgets. And give tips to anyone who wants to lower their expenses!
Tips for Saving Money in Expensive Countries
Buy food from supermarkets
This doesn’t have to be a depressing thing. I love exploring foreign supermarkets and wondering what strange products are. You can often find great local delicacies as well. Cooking for yourself is an easy way of saving 30–100$ a day. Prepare sandwiches before going out for a day’s exploring so you don’t find yourself stuck with only expensive eating options.
If you don’t have access to a kitchen, bring a Tupperware and knife with you. You can make great salads without any cooking equipment!
In some countries, farmers’ markets also have good value food. Many vendors will let you sample different products before picking which one to buy.
If you’re a big foodie and tasting local dishes is one of your priorities when traveling, set aside some money to go to a well-reviewed restaurant during your stay.
Consider wild camping
Some of Europe’s most expensive countries are also some of the easiest to sleep outside in! Iceland, as well as many Scandinavian countries, allow wild camping all over the country. Save money on accommodation, and wake up with the most stunning views, all to yourself!
If you have a car, consider setting up a mattress in the back so you can sleep in it. Bring a camping stove and groceries from your home country. That way, your accommodation and food are dirt cheap. You can save your money for national park fees, museums, and fun activities.
For longer legs of the journey, you could use carpooling apps to find people to fill your vehicle. This brings down fuel costs.
Plan Your Trip Ahead of Time
Unfortunately, it is far less easy to wing it in expensive countries. Affordable accommodation books up months ahead of time. You need to take careful note of public transport options to avoid taxi fares. It’s a good idea to do research and find cheap eateries, rather than walking in to a random restaurant. I know we all hate doing that thing. The walking in, looking at the menu, skulking back out feeling very small thing. The general rule for traveling cheap is to plan, plan, plan.
Volunteer
I love platforms like Workaway which allow you to find volunteer work all around the world! You can live with a local family teaching English, help build traditional cobb houses in the Indian countryside, pick chamomile on farms in Portugal …
With Workaway, you get free accommodation and food in exchange for a maximum of 20 hours of work a week. This leaves you plenty of time to explore the country! You also get to meet some great locals, and discover a culture from within.
Couch surfing and hitch hiking
The old classics for shoestring travelling!
Couchsurfing is a paid service now, but it is still worth it if you use it regularly. There are also some free Facebook groups that are similar. For women, I recommend Host a Sister. Its a wholesome and lovely all-girls group, where you can easily find travel buddies or hosts all over the planet.
Hitchhiking is especially easy in rural areas. It is worth using Hitchwiki to find out the best way of hitchhiking in and out of specific cities. It also provides find tips for traveling different countries.
Other random, money saving tips
- Hand-Wash Your Clothes: Bring some laundry detergent made for hand-washing, to avoid paying to have your clothes washed!
- Travel light. This will save you money throughout your trip: you will be able to walk further, and skip taxis. You won’t have to buy check-in luggage on planes. You won’t have to leave your bags in luggage lockers in between trains and buses…
- Check for freebies: Many European cities offer free entrance to Museums on certain days of the month — Google it!
- Find out what the local drink of choice is — it will usually be the cheapest option!
- Travel during the off-season to get great deals on hotels and flights!
Do you have any tips for budget travel? Let me know in the comments below!
Ellie x
Other articles you might enjoy:
Complete Guide to Hiking in Finland (2025)
Shortcuts and Side Quests 
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