Switzerland on a Shoestring: Backpacking Adventure Through Europe!
So many people are heading to Switzerland lately, I figured I'd share some tips for traveling "backpacker style." It's a bit of a long one, detailing our journey day by day, but hopefully, it's helpful!
First off, know that this is budget travel, student-style – more about quantity than quality. We focused on minimizing unnecessary costs and soaking up every step of the journey. I'll reveal the total cost at the end…prepare to be surprised! 😉
I'm starting our adventure in Switzerland since I'd already spent a good chunk of time in Poland (I'll dedicate a separate post to that beautiful country later!).
From Chopin Airport in Poland, I hopped on a flight to Zurich. Even booking just 2-3 days before, the ticket was a steal at around 80 EUR! (Our group of 4 traveled with just backpacks – no checked luggage or even carry-ons!). Pro-tip: if you want to bring some wine to Switzerland (like I did!), buy it at Chopin Airport – it's WAY cheaper than in Switzerland! Trust me, your wallet will thank you. 😞
Day 1: Zurich Vibes
After landing at Zurich Airport, you have a few options, but renting a car is ideal. Book your car and hotel in advance for the best deals! Brands like Sixt, Europcar, Hertz, and Alamo are all reliable and reasonably priced. We went with Alamo and snagged a brand-new Peugeot 3008 for about 320 EUR for 2 days, with drop-off at Geneva Airport. In Zurich, we explored Lake Zurich, Grossmünster Church, the Bahnhofstrasse shopping street, and the Zurich Zoo.
For accommodation, we booked an apartment on Booking.com so we could hit up a supermarket and cook our own meals (around 130 EUR/night). Don't judge, but we even brought homemade Banh Gio (Vietnamese Pork Dumplings) from Poland for breakfast and lunch! For dinner, we'd buy groceries at the supermarket. We bought wine at Chopin airport. This costed us approximately 12 EUR/person 🤭, which could only get you a sandwich and a bottled water at a restaurant.
Day 2: Liechtenstein, "Crash Landing on You," and Lake Geneva
We woke up early, fueled up with breakfast, and hit the road to Liechtenstein (just over 100km from Zurich). The round trip, including sightseeing, took about 4 hours. Next, we drove to Iseltwald to take pictures at the filming location for the K-drama "Crash Landing on You," stopping at Lake Interlaken along the way. Looking at the map, we noticed Bern was only 70km away, so why not? After Bern, we headed to Lucerne to admire Lake Geneva and climb the Bois de Sauvabelin tower for panoramic city views. Our final stop for the day was Geneva, but given the high cost of Geneva apartments, we decided to book accommodation in France! Consider towns on the French side of the border like Gaillard or Ferney-Voltaire. Plus, groceries are cheaper in France!
Day 3: Lyon, France & Geneva's Charms
Another early start! We decided to check out Lyon, France. If you're driving, make sure your most experienced driver takes the wheel for the Geneva-Lyon stretch. The winter mornings can be pitch black at 7 AM, and there's a tricky overpass with multiple exits as you enter Lyon. One wrong turn can add kilometers to your journey! Also, note that there are toll road fees (around 30 EUR total). In Lyon, start at the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière to catch the sunrise (around 8:30 AM in winter), then visit churches like Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Lyon and Eglise Saint Nizier...
By the time we returned to Geneva, it was already noon. We dropped off the rental car and checked into our hotel – the Ibis Budget Geneva Aeroport (because it's cheap!). It's also super convenient for public transport. Take bus number 10 to the city center or the airport. When you check in, you'll receive Geneva Transport Cards, granting you free access to all public transport in Geneva, including the yellow ferries (M1 to M4)!
Geneva is brimming with photo opportunities: Lake Geneva, the Jet d'Eau fountain, the Flower Clock, the Palais des Nations (UN headquarters), the Old Town... and don't forget to window shop at the many watch stores (around 52 famous brands have stores here). In the evening, grab a drink at one of the Old Town pubs and support the tourism industry of one of the world's wealthiest countries! (Expect to pay around 18-20 CHF, or 20-22 EUR, for a cocktail).
Day 4: Geneva's Waterways & Off to Prague
After enjoying the buffet breakfast at the hotel for 14 CHF/person, we hopped on the bus (using our free Transport pass!) for one last trip into town. We rode all four public ferry lines, admiring Lake Geneva before heading to the airport for our flight to Prague.
Flights from Geneva to Prague are a bit pricier, around 130 EUR/person. Once in Prague… let loose! You'll feel like your wallet is much thicker than it was in Switzerland. So, treat yourself to a few beers at the famous U Fleku restaurant, which has been open since 1499. Prague also has amazing places like Wenceslas Square, Old Town Square and Charles Bridge. And remember to visit the memorial to the victims of the shooting on December 21, 2023.
And that's the end of our journey! Here are a few tips for traveling in Switzerland:
- Try to exchange some CHF in advance, because credit card fees and exchange rates are high.
- Always keep a few 1 and 2 CHF coins handy. They're used for parking and public restrooms! Many parking meters don't accept cards.
- When using buses in Geneva, you might have to search for the stop or take the bus to search for the right bus stop (for example, number 10 in the Old Town). Or sometimes, Google Maps is clear about the stop, but when you get there, you don't see it.
- Finally, don't order a Negroni at the pubs in the Old Town – it's really disappointing (I tried three places and was let down – just my personal opinion!).
In conclusion, including flights from Poland-Switzerland, Switzerland-Czech Republic, and Czech Republic-Poland; car rental, hotels for 5 days and 5 nights (we spent 2 days in Czech Republic), toll road fees… the trip cost approximately 21-22 million VND/person. Do you think that's cheap or expensive? 😍😍😍
#Switzerland #Lyon #Prague #Zurich #Bern #Lausanne #Geneva #Arrebol🔅 ```