Magnificent Swiss Scenery for a Mere €50
Two days and one night, and I only spent €50 within Switzerland!
Due to time constraints and a desire to economize, I spent just two days in the vicinity of Interlaken. Driving is extremely comfortable and convenient, as Switzerland is essentially one vast national park!
🚗 I rented a diesel Audi Q3 Sportsback in Luxembourg. The rental fee for two days was €115 (I also purchased comprehensive insurance for over €80 for two days, which is optional). The road conditions were excellent from Luxembourg 🇱🇺 through Germany 🇩🇪 and France 🇫🇷 to Switzerland 🇨🇭. Only the French 🇫🇷 highways required tolls. A full tank of diesel allowed me to travel 1000 kilometers, saving me the hassle of frequent refueling. The cost of fuel was €88.18.
🎫 The Swiss highway pass sticker can be purchased from staff at the highway entrance upon entering Switzerland. It costs 40 Swiss francs and is valid for one year, providing free access to all Swiss highways. When renting a car, inquire whether the vehicle is already equipped with a pass sticker.
💰 The total road expenses came to €330. Divided between two people, this is very economical and far more convenient than taking the train.
🗾 The route: From France 🇫🇷, I proceeded down to Lucerne 🇨🇭, then passed through Lungern, Interlaken, and on to Grindelwald, where I stayed at a hostel. The next day, I visited Lauterbrunnen to see the snow-capped mountains and waterfalls, Spiez to see the lakeside town, and then headed north from Bern towards Germany 🇩🇪 to depart from Switzerland, completing a small loop.
🚃 Taking the train is not only more cumbersome, but also more time-consuming, due to the need to wait at stations. Driving is far more comfortable; one can listen to music, enjoy the breeze, and stop to take pictures wherever the scenery is captivating. Parking in Switzerland is also convenient, with spaces available near most attractions, typically costing €1 per hour.
🏨 I stayed at a hostel in Grindelwald, at the foot of the snow-capped mountains. I booked at the front desk without a prior reservation. One night’s accommodation, including breakfast and parking, cost just €47! This is incredibly inexpensive by Swiss standards, and the facilities were also quite good. The hostel is nestled amongst four snow-capped peaks, offering an immediate view of the mountains illuminated by the rising sun. One can stroll through the dreamlike hills, and enjoy the starry sky from the terrace at night.
🍱 Knowing that Swiss prices are exorbitant and that the food is unexceptional, I purchased snacks, bread, and drinks in advance and stored them in the car. I did not dine at any Swiss restaurants, having heard that the prices are on par with those in China, on a one-to-one basis.
In conclusion, if circumstances permit, self-driving is an excellent option. While train routes are abundant, the burden of carrying luggage can be cumbersome. Switzerland is truly beautiful, with its snow-capped mountains, waterfalls, grasslands, cattle and sheep, blue lakes, and starry skies. It is the ideal place that I have dreamt of countless times! I did not visit any attractions that required an entry fee, which lowered the quality of the experience, but maximized value for money!
