Switzerland in summer--any suggestions for lowering the costs of a trip?

[JohnnyLib2]

We're especially interested in the Interlaken area, but beginning to think a different season (FAll?) would be more hopeful.

[no_hypocrisy]

1. Loved Interlaken.

Either convert your dollars to Euros BEFORE YOU LEAVE (get American Express checks) or if you have to convert, DON'T DO IT YOUR HOTEL. Go to the bank where you won't have a service charge for the conversion or an American Express office.

[unc70]

2. The Swiss do not use Euros

They have their own currency, the Swiss Franc.

I generally use ATMs for most of my cash in Europe.

[no_hypocrisy]

6. My bad re currency.

Same advice though.

[dhol82]

3. Switzerland does not use the euro. They have Swiss francs

I would suggest using the ATM’s that are all over.
Switzerland is never cheap.

[JohnnyLib2]

4. Sigh...

[liberal N proud]

5. Look in Lauterbrunen

It is up the valley from Interlaken and incredible, but so is all of Switzerland.

Try the Staubach hotel.

Consider Spring or Fall to cut costs. We like late October.

[JohnnyLib2]

8. Thanks.

Will look into that. What kind of weather did you encounter in late October?

[liberal N proud]

10. It was gorgeous

Cool, but not cold and full of color.

[Hav]

7. If you are close to the German border,

then do what the Suisse do. Do your shopping in Germany. But maybe that is because they can get the taxes back for products bought in Germany. It still seems as if prices for food are considerably more expensive in Switzerland. Whenever I'm in the US, I'm surprised how expensive food is in the US. Maybe I get the conversion rate wrong but it seems so absurd when you have to spend less to get Californian Pistachios or Jack Link's Beef Jerky in Germany.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

9. We loved Lake Lugano on the Italian border

George Harrison loved it so much had his ashes sprinkled there.

www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/read/lugano-the-sunny-side-of-switzerland