How much does a meal cost in Switzerland?
Going out to eat in most places in Switzerland can easily cost around 50 USD per person per meal, so grocery shopping in Switzerland is an absolute must. Cooking meals at an AirBnB or simply buying food that doesn't need to be cooked can save you literally hundreds of dollars a day when visiting Switzerland.
How much should I budget for food in Switzerland? If you eat out every meal during your Switzerland trip, I would budget about CHF 25-35 for lunch and CHF 40-50 for dinner per person including drinks. If you picnic, I would budget about CHF 10-15 per person per meal.
Tips for eating out on a budget in Switzerland
Put simply, eating out in Switzerland is expensive. To avoid haemorrhaging cash, make lunch your main meal, and always plump for the “menu”, or dish of the day. This comprises two or three courses of substantial, quality nosh, whether in a café or a proper restaurant.
Central Switzerland: Average coffee price is 4.20 Swiss Francs (6.8 minutes of work) Northwest Switzerland: Average coffee price is 4.29 Swiss Francs (6.7 minutes of work) Zurich: Average coffee price is 4.35 Swiss Francs (6.6 minutes of work)
Switzerland ranks above other expensive countries such as Luxembourg and Hong Kong by being the second most expensive country in the world, according to Numbeo. With a gallon of milk costing about $6.50 in Geneva and gas reaching almost $5 a gallon, there is no hiding from high prices.
In fact, you never have to worry about tipping in Switzerland. Nor need you feel bad for the nice waiter who served you all evening as he does not live off of tips (unlike the US). The system is different over here – for 35 years now, tips are generally included in the price and tipping is totally optional.
At 7.73 U.S. dollars, Switzerland has the most expensive Big Macs in the world, according to the July 2023 Big Mac index. Concurrently the cost of a Big Mac was 5.58 dollars in the U.S., and 5.82 U.S. dollars in the Euro area.
For budget travelers, you can expect to spend around $70 to $100 per day in Switzerland. This includes staying in budget accommodations, eating at budget restaurants, and using public transportation. For mid-range travelers, you can expect to spend around $200 to $300 per day.
Meal times
Lunch is usually served between noon and 2 pm, and even a little earlier at some restaurants. Dinner is usually served from 6 pm to 9.30 pm. Many restaurants and pubs, especially in the cities, also offer continuous (11 am-10 pm) hot dishes.
it is customary in many restaurants (though not the expensive ones!) for you to seat yourself (without waiting for someone to take you to a table). you are only supposed to deposit large pieces of cardboard (boxes etc.)
What kind of coffee do they drink in Switzerland?
- Kafi-crème. This is probably the most popular form of coffee in Switzerland. ...
- Schale. A schale is usually served in a big cup or bowl. ...
- Kafi Luz or Luzerner Kafi. If caffeine doesn't do the trick, it's time to add something fanciful. ...
- Espresso.
High Swiss tariffs on food and drink imports are designed to protect local farmers who generally have smaller farms than international competitors and the steep costs of 'high price island' Switzerland.
Coffee & Tea
Drinking coffee after dinner is common. Expect to get an espresso in a teeny tiny cup if you just order a “café.” If you want a latte, it is “renversé” in Switzerland, not “café au lait.” If you want a larger American coffee, order an “Americano.” If you want decaf, order “decafé.”
English is the most commonly spoken non-national language in Switzerland. It is regularly spoken by 45 percent of the population in Switzerland although it is more prevalent in German parts of the country than French and Italian. It is also more widely spoken in Switzerland's big cities such as Geneva and Zurich.
It is important to mention that there is no minimum wage in Switzerland.
Even though Switzerland's healthcare system is universal, there is no free public healthcare in Switzerland. Instead, all residents of Switzerland must pay for their own private health insurance. This applies to both Swiss nationals and foreign expats.
Swiss drinking water is of very high quality and meets strict guidelines regarding hygiene and safety. Like any natural product, tap water contains trace substances, but due to the stringent regulations on drinking water treatment, their concentration is at such a low level that it can be drunk without hesitation.
The most commonly accepted payment options are cash, credit cards and debit cards. Credit cards and debit cards are accepted almost everywhere. The most common are Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Maestro.
This is because the waitstaff don't want to intrude on your meal. Because of this, your waiter won't automatically bring you the check at the end of the meal, they will let you stay as long as you like. To ask for the bill, flag your waiter down and say “l'addition s'il vous plait” which means “the check please.”
Some traditional Swiss dishes, such as fondue and raclette, are more typically eaten in the winter. Others, such as muesli – also known in Switzerland as Birchermüesli – and rösti are popular all year round and come in many variations.
What is the average salary in Switzerland?
Swiss people earn USD 64 824 per year on average, much more than the OECD average of USD 49 165 and one of the highest in the OECD.
| Rank | City | co*ke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zurich, Switzerland | 5.60 |
| 2 | Zug, Switzerland | 5.27 |
| 3 | Lausanne, Switzerland | 4.96 |
| 4 | Basel, Switzerland | 4.83 |
Generally, the best time to visit Switzerland is in the spring/early summer and in the early fall, April through June or September and October. This is when you're unlikely to battle thick tourist crowds and enjoy some of the most pleasant weather.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) attributes the price hikes to the rising cost of kerosene, explaining that "high fuel prices, as well as other inflationary cost increases, can impact ticket prices if airlines are unable to absorb or avoid these costs."
A five to seven-day trip will let you see a broader mix of city and countryside attractions. And with 10 or 14 days, you will be able to get properly off the beaten track if you choose. Read on for itinerary options that will show you the very best of this small country.
