Is it possible to have a cheap holiday in Switzerland?

[munchbunch12]

Hello wise and well-travelled mumsnetters!

I enjoyed a couple of summer holidays in Switzerland when I was a child and would love to go back next year with DH & our 2 DCs, but know it’s expensive.

Does anyone have any tips on how to visit on the cheap? If we go, it’ll probably be for 4 or 5 nights at Spring Bank (so late May to early June 2025).

I’d love to stay where I stayed before, in the Grindelwald/Interlaken area of the Bernese Oberland if possible.

We are in the West Mids, so would ideally fly from there, but could travel to Manchester or London airports if necessary. We wouldn’t be going for long enough to make driving or trains to get there an option.

Does anyone have any tips on airlines with cheap flights? Good value accommodation? Attractions that a teen and pre-teen would both like? All for under about £3000.

I know it may not be possible, so am posting in hope rather than expectation!

Thanks

Did this last year! Booked easyJet flights within an hour then being released to Zurich and cost about £120 each return with carry on not check in bags.

Train to Lake Lucerne. For the kids you can get an unlimited pass that covers trains, boats trips, cable cars and buses.

Stayed in a simple air BnB and made breakfast at home. Lunch was something from a local cafe or from the train station. Just cheap and cheerful.

You absolutely can go on a budget, this was our second time and both times were great fun!

Thanks, that's great to know re the flights. When are flights released, is it 12 weeks before the date or longer than that?

Last time we went I remember we got some sort of tickets that covered trains, buses, boats and most cable cars.

I think it was around the new year in January 2023 to travel in July. The kids monthly pass was really reasonable but can't remember the price for life of me.

I'm going with dd in a couple of weeks. Got Easyjet flights, then later discovered Swiss Air would have been cheaper and better times, so I'm annoyed with myself for not researching properly.

Thanks, I'll bear that in mind and look at different airlines.

Check out myswitzerland.com for resort and accommodation ideas and sbb.ch for travel passes. Some areas offer their own inclusive passes such the Jungfrau pass www.jungfrau.ch/en-gb/jungfrau-travel-pass/

Thanks, the travel passes sound good.

The time of year you’re planning to go is quite a good one in terms of the price of holiday rentals in ski resorts. I really recommend Interhome - we’ve had some lovely apartments and chalets through them at decent prices (the highest prices are in winter in the alps), and cleaning is included (as well as access to help and information from their local offices).

Just been on Camping Jungfrau's website. The mobile home will cost you about £900 for five nights. The cottage is a bit more (and much the same, it appears) or you could book a variety of bunk rooms for less 🙂

Migros prices are pretty reasonable, plus Interlaken has an Aldi AND a Lidl! You should buy a Guest Travel Pass for all your public transport needs.

https://campinglodge.934hospitality.com/availability?property=1&from=2025-05-28&to=2025-06-02&adults=2&children=2&infants=0

Trip Advisor's budget restaurants in Interlaken:
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurants-g188081-zfp16-Interlaken_Bernese_Oberland_Canton_of_Bern.html

It's pretty pricey.

We went by train so only spent 3 days there with more time in France and Italy as they were cheaper.

Thanks, I haven't heard of Interhome so will definitely check them out.

That's really helpful, I remember a shop like Aldi/Lidl, maybe it was an Aldi or a Lidl! The travel card does sound similar to what we used before too, so it's good to hear they're still available.

That's great, I just picked 'x-port pizzeria' to look at from the list and the prices of pizzas aren't as bad as I expected!

That's an idea we hadn't considered... maybe we could visit 2 places, although I don't think we'd have time for 3.

A friend stayed in a youth hostel in interlaken. They drove from the uk and took bikes and dried food. My suggestion would be to stock up on fresh foods at coop or migros. Dont eat out. Good luck

Thanks, a couple of people have mentioned Migros and Coop so we'd definitely look out for them.

Thanks, I'll definitely look into Youth Hostels.

This outdoor thermal spa was one of the highlights of our stay in Switzerland. The dcs loved trying out all the different baths and the amazing slides. We took a picnic and stayed for the whole day

Link leukerbad.ch/en/therme

Thanks for this, I think we'd all enjoy it, and if you can stay all day the price is OK too.

There are lots of lakeside bathing beaches and outdoor pools in summer although may not be quite warm enough end May unless you head south to Ticino.

Could also consider the Reka holiday villages?

reka.ch

Or stay on a farm?

If you book hotels or apartments, don't be too put off by pictures. Often the decor will be a bit dtaed but it will be clean and everything will funcrion.

Definitely buy food in supermarkets and if you want it eat out pick a restaurant at the bottom of. a mountain, not at the top.

Use a refillable water bottle, instead of buying drinks . For example in Basel all the fountains (of which there are many) have drinking quality water.

Depends what you mean by cheap. In this area package deals can be good value as they block book hotels. I found 5 days b&b for £4000 in grindelwald with inghams but there will be cheaper. This includes transfer train tickets and half price cards. Not cheap bit cheap for Switzerland.

It's not just accommodation, it's also food... I travel there for work and even though I'm not paying, it makes me jump!