Four tips for for a cheap family holiday in Switzerland this summer

Sure, the surrounding European regions beckon with a weakening euro. But if you are worried about spending your vacation abroad because of the health situation in some areas, you may want to heed the recommendation of Swiss tourism officials and stay in the country.

According to 20 Minuten news portal, these are some of the inexpensive, family-friendly Swiss destinations:

Budget-friendly accommodations

The youth hostel in Leissingen in canton Bern is located right on Lake Thun with its own beach. The chalet once belonged to the Ovomaltine inventor Albert Wander, who used it as a summer house.

Accommodation prices start at 49 francs per night including breakfast in a six-bed room. Wander’s former bedroom, a charming, double room with a view of the lake, costs a little more per person, 64 francs. But honestly, where in Switzerland can you get such a double room right on the lake?

While there you can use free surfboards, a rowboat (7 francs / hour), as well as table tennis, bocce ball games, and more activities (all free of charge).

At one with nature

The Swiss ‘Nature friends’ movement dates back to 1905 and continues to be committed to sustainable development and the preservation of natural habitats.

Several dozen ‘Nature friends’ houses welcome guests throughout Switzerland, even non-members. They offer a variety of accommodations, ranging from large dormitory-style spaces to double rooms, including self-catering options.

A night in the charming Alpine chalet in Stampf in Sigriswil (BE) costs 19 francs per night for adults, 12 for children up to 16 years, and children under 6 years stay free of charge. 

Boutique Hotel Pellas

A ‘boutique’ hotel may sound fancy, and it is. But Pellas is also quite affordable. 

The completely renovated hotel is scenically located in the Lumnezia Valley in Graubünden, a perfect place for people looking for active or relaxing holidays, especially as it is a stone's throw away from the Davos Munts mountain bathing lake.

Pellas offers a family holiday package: 7 nights for 2 adults with 2 children in the family suite for CHF 1995. Included for the whole family are daily breakfast and a gourmet menu in the evening.

In addition, a rental hiking backpack with a packed barbecue and the SurselvaCard with free admission or discounts in baths and mountain railways and other attractions in the region in included in the price. 

Camping

While this kind of vacation may not be everyone’s cup of tea, some people love it as it brings them close to nature and allows them to pitch a tent on beautiful sites.

Prices vary according to location but most are certainly cheaper than alternative lodgings.

These sites give you an idea of what is available where and for how much:

A great variety of campsites – swisscamps.ch 

Find campsites throughout Switzerland and book now – gocamping.ch 

TCS, the largest provider of campsites in Switzerland – tcs.ch/camping