There’s no doubt that Switzerland is a beautiful place. In my view, it’s one of the most beautiful countries on the planet.

The problem is that Switzerland isn’t the biggest place on Earth, and a lot of other people think it’s quite beautiful too.

Bastards.

If you studied economics like me, you know that low supply and high demand leads to the undesirable increase of prices. And that is certainly the case for Switzerland.

But don’t despair- there are certainly specific things you can do to make your stay in Switzerland a little less strenuous on the bank account.

I’m going to give you five of the best tips for how to travel Switzerland on a budget.

1- Go in the Early Fall or Late Spring

Back to our supply and demand lesson. Demand falls in the fall and the spring.

Which means prices will come back down. What we budget travelers love to hear. Praise the lord.

These months will give you lower prices and less tourists which is great, but it should also be said that there’s a reason why the summer is so popular. More sunshine, perfect temperatures (Switzerland rarely gets that hot).

Going right before the peak season or right after is the best thing to do to get the best of both worlds. I’m talking September-October (mid-October is peak foliage) and May.

2- Stay in Hostels

This tip feels stupid to put, but it’s worth repeating. Higher costs in Switzerland means higher costs for accommodation, which also means a greater difference in price between your average hostel and hotel.

Your travel costs are generally comprised of housing, food, travel, and activities. The rest of these tips are going to cater to one of those.

Housing is often the biggest cost for budget travelers. If you’re serious about cutting down on costs, this one’s a must.

A further tip is to book in advance, especially if you’ll be going in the summer or during peak ski season.

Click here to book your hostels now. Not a week before your trip. Don’t be a schmuck.

3- Eat From Supermarkets

Another tip that’s not unique to Switzerland. Although this is much easier to do than in other countries, and I’ll explain why.

Swiss supermarkets are incredible. Coming from America, where everything’s filled with a ton of chemicals and who knows what else, there’s just something about a Swiss supermarket that hits different.

And you can taste it in their products. The chocolate is richer and creamier. The milk and yogurt, and dairy products are so fresh. The jams have such intense flavors.

Food can be very simple in Switzerland- and delicious. Have cheese. Chocolate. Peanut butter and jam sandwiches. And you won’t be missing out on a thing.

OK, maybe get a fondue once or twice. But other than that.

4- Think Carefully About Your Transit Decisions

You have a number of options for how to best travel around Switzerland on a budget.

I’m purposely not listing a recommendation. Because it really does depend on circumstance. But I’ll go through the options and explain these circumstances, and how they should impact your choice.

Your choices are to buy some form of pass (usually the Swiss Pass), pay for trains individually, or to rent a car.

You should buy the Swiss Pass only if you’ll really be using it. If you’re not taking trains every day, it’s very likely that it’ll be a waste of money. Click here for a comprehensive guide to public transit passes in Switzerland to see if a pass would serve you well.

If you have a group of four or more, renting a car will almost certainly be the cheapest option and will allow you the most flexibility. Depending on the time you go, it’s possible that it’ll be the cheapest option even if you only have a group of two or three. Check pricing here.

5- Please Don’t Buy Water

Not much is free in Switzerland, but water is free, plentiful, and frankly incredible. Always cold and crisp.

I know this last tip isn’t going to save you as much money as the others in the grand scheme of things, but it needs to be said.

Don’t be that idiot who buys three water bottles a day at 3 Francs each.

There you have it! The five (alright, maybe four) best tips on how to travel Switzerland on a budget! Go and enjoy.