Switzerland - Too expensive for its own good?
Aug 5th, 2011, 11:49 AM
#1
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Switzerland - Too expensive for its own good?
I love Switzerland. But here's a counter to thinking that they have it so good, and we travelers (Switzerland lovers) are the only ones who suffer for their high prices.
http://news.yahoo.com/switzerland-pa...172212573.html
Whatcha think?
http://news.yahoo.com/switzerland-pa...172212573.html
Whatcha think?
Aug 5th, 2011, 01:42 PM
#2
My Swiss friends complain about Switzerland all the time. While they are proud to be "superior," most of the urban Swiss know that it would be in their best interest to be part of the EU, even if it reduces their status.
Aug 5th, 2011, 02:04 PM
#3
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Go there a tonne the swiss have been neutral and the fortress
Bankers for the world for centuries they will never be dumb
enough to saddle the fiancially irresposible PIIGS.
Portugal
Ireland
Italy
Greece
Spain
The price we travelers pay is increased prices and their stock
market does poorly beacause their exports are so costly.
I paid $7 for a $2 Big Mac when in Zurich last.
save a tonne in the cities on lodging on the betterbidding.com
sites snagged the Zurich Marriott for $80 nt riverview suite
that was 600 euro per nt.
But owners of Swiss Franc ETF(FXF) currently
appreciating 5%/year against euro and dollar
So I pay for my travels with that...
So even for travelers there can be good go for business
Prefer Italy for fun better food weather and cheaper...
Bankers for the world for centuries they will never be dumb
enough to saddle the fiancially irresposible PIIGS.
Portugal
Ireland
Italy
Greece
Spain
The price we travelers pay is increased prices and their stock
market does poorly beacause their exports are so costly.
I paid $7 for a $2 Big Mac when in Zurich last.
save a tonne in the cities on lodging on the betterbidding.com
sites snagged the Zurich Marriott for $80 nt riverview suite
that was 600 euro per nt.
But owners of Swiss Franc ETF(FXF) currently
appreciating 5%/year against euro and dollar
So I pay for my travels with that...
So even for travelers there can be good go for business
Prefer Italy for fun better food weather and cheaper...
Aug 6th, 2011, 04:49 AM
#4
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We were in Switzerland in 2002 and 2004. We actually didn't find it outrageously expensive. We got a wonderful hotel room in Lucerne for $150/night including breakfast. But I see now that that same hotel has that room for $265/night (This is all in US dollars.) Same for a hotel in Bern which cost us also about $150/night and now is $350/night!
Didn't spend a lot on meals. Never heard of at $24 "regular" hamburger like another poster wrote in another thread. But I don't think we ate hamburgers there.
Maybe the combination of the weak Dollar and Switzerland's upward surge has taken it to the stratosphere. (At least for Americans.)
They lose if if less tourists come (loss of jobs), and they sell less of their exports because of their high prices.
Didn't spend a lot on meals. Never heard of at $24 "regular" hamburger like another poster wrote in another thread. But I don't think we ate hamburgers there.
Maybe the combination of the weak Dollar and Switzerland's upward surge has taken it to the stratosphere. (At least for Americans.)
They lose if if less tourists come (loss of jobs), and they sell less of their exports because of their high prices.
Aug 6th, 2011, 06:10 AM
#5
There are, IMO, a lot of places that are now "expensive" in terms of using a US Dollar. I've been traveling to Switzerland for years and have always thought it wasn't exactly the cheapest place to visit BUT
a lot depends on where one stays and what one spends their money on wouldn't you agree?
In terms of the Swiss and their feelings of xenophobia, not to mention superiority, there are plenty of people right here in the US who feel exactly the same way. Fortunately those feelings do not detract from the scenery and other positive aspects of both places.
Whining about the costs of travel is unlikely to change much.
a lot depends on where one stays and what one spends their money on wouldn't you agree?
In terms of the Swiss and their feelings of xenophobia, not to mention superiority, there are plenty of people right here in the US who feel exactly the same way. Fortunately those feelings do not detract from the scenery and other positive aspects of both places.
Whining about the costs of travel is unlikely to change much.
Aug 6th, 2011, 06:13 AM
#6
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"most of the urban Swiss know that it would be in their best interest to be part of the EU, even if it reduces their status"
The Swiss we know have the complete opposite view. They are very relieved NOT to be part of the eurozone - they feel that slopping the PIIGS with their country's momey would be lousy financial management. That would anything but "in their best interests".
The Swiss franc is high because the the U.S. and several countries in the Eurozone (and the UK too) have let their financial houses get completely out of order.
The Swiss we know have the complete opposite view. They are very relieved NOT to be part of the eurozone - they feel that slopping the PIIGS with their country's momey would be lousy financial management. That would anything but "in their best interests".
The Swiss franc is high because the the U.S. and several countries in the Eurozone (and the UK too) have let their financial houses get completely out of order.
Aug 6th, 2011, 08:44 AM
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I just came back from a trip to the val d'Aosta, where you can enjoy an affordable summer vacation of wonderful hiking through stunning Alpine scenery, and best of all, you get to eat Italian food and drink Italian wine in the bargain. You can see the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc. You can take spectacular cable car rides that are cheaper than the ones in Switzerland, or you an get away from the tourist scene completely in lots of sweet small towns and flower-filled Alpine valleys. I rented a car and didn't face any restrictions driving it. There is a fairly good public transportation network. The central cities of Aosta is culturally much more interesting than most Swiss cities, and there are castles and forts everywhere.
Aug 6th, 2011, 09:15 AM
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While Switzerland is beautiful in many places, it's not the only Alpine destination that exists.
Even in Switzerland, you pay different prices in areas like the Lower Engadin than in the Berner Oberland. No budget destination, though. It NEVER has been a budget destination.
And since everyone between L.A. and London is almost addicted to the Berner Oberland, they not only pay for the exchange rate, but also for choosing the most overrun destination. Double misery. As if someone from Europe was complaining about high costs in Provincetown or Bar Harbor when the dollar was high against the euro.
I heard stupid comments of people saying you can't drive in Switzerland because cars are banned in villages. Which is only true for a handful of overrun destinations like Wengen, Mürren, et al. But it shows the single-track mind of many tourists that takes them no further as on the train from Zurich airport to Interlaken.
People who like the Alps, but can't afford CH (of which there are MANY in Europe, even before the drop of the Euro against the Franken) go to Austria or Northern Italy or the Slowenian Alps.
While the Dolomites are somewhat known to American tourists, you will hardly see anyone from the US in Austria/Carinthia or Tyrol. It's the same mountains - just that you pay €3 for your bratwurst instead of 10 Franks a bit more west.
They go to Salzburg for the Sound of Music tour, and then travel 500 miles to the Berner Oberland and spend a fortune while they could get the same "Alpine experience" just one hour south of Salzburg for half the price.
Even in Switzerland, you pay different prices in areas like the Lower Engadin than in the Berner Oberland. No budget destination, though. It NEVER has been a budget destination.
And since everyone between L.A. and London is almost addicted to the Berner Oberland, they not only pay for the exchange rate, but also for choosing the most overrun destination. Double misery. As if someone from Europe was complaining about high costs in Provincetown or Bar Harbor when the dollar was high against the euro.
I heard stupid comments of people saying you can't drive in Switzerland because cars are banned in villages. Which is only true for a handful of overrun destinations like Wengen, Mürren, et al. But it shows the single-track mind of many tourists that takes them no further as on the train from Zurich airport to Interlaken.
People who like the Alps, but can't afford CH (of which there are MANY in Europe, even before the drop of the Euro against the Franken) go to Austria or Northern Italy or the Slowenian Alps.
While the Dolomites are somewhat known to American tourists, you will hardly see anyone from the US in Austria/Carinthia or Tyrol. It's the same mountains - just that you pay €3 for your bratwurst instead of 10 Franks a bit more west.
They go to Salzburg for the Sound of Music tour, and then travel 500 miles to the Berner Oberland and spend a fortune while they could get the same "Alpine experience" just one hour south of Salzburg for half the price.
Aug 6th, 2011, 09:44 AM
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Cowboy, while I agree with most of your statements, especially on the overrun Bernese Oberland, I do not think that you get the same Alpine experience in Tyrol compared to Switzerland. I am just back from the Lower Engadine with excursions to Upper Engadine, Valposchiavo, neighbouring Tyrol (Austria) and South Tyrol (Italy) and must say the overall experience and beauty of landscape (and towns) was superior in this part of Switzerland compared to neighbouring Austria and Italy.
Subjective, of course. But I am happy that others think differently so the Lower Engadine doesn't get overrun
I.
Subjective, of course. But I am happy that others think differently so the Lower Engadine doesn't get overrun
I.
Aug 7th, 2011, 12:50 AM
#12
Switzerland is getting nervous. The Franc is high and our export businesses and tourism is suffering.
It's frustrating because our economy is stable, unemployment is low and spending is in check. We've tried to do things right and are, in a way, being penalized for it.
Switzerland is attracting highly-qualified foreigners, especially Germans, to work and live. Housing construction is booming. The price of rent is creeping upwards due to high demand. Housing credit is between 2-3% but the cost of a 3 bedroom apartment is from SFr. 600,000 upwards, depending on location and quality. We are speaking more "high" German than ever before due to the influx of foreigners.
Most Swiss don't want to join the EU. You'll find more French-speaking Swiss who want to join the EU than German-speaking Swiss. In fact, many Swiss want to put a limit on how many foreigners can enter the country.
For a middle-class employee, Switzerland is a comfortable place to live in. 13 months pay, 4-5 weeks vacation, lots of public holidays, good schools, functioning government, great public transportation and beauty all around. Work ethic is generally high though our welfare recipients is increasing. We still try to buy cars and other goods w/o credit but this is beginning to change.
I guess this is just a prime example of when too many countries go under, we are all affected.
It's frustrating because our economy is stable, unemployment is low and spending is in check. We've tried to do things right and are, in a way, being penalized for it.
Switzerland is attracting highly-qualified foreigners, especially Germans, to work and live. Housing construction is booming. The price of rent is creeping upwards due to high demand. Housing credit is between 2-3% but the cost of a 3 bedroom apartment is from SFr. 600,000 upwards, depending on location and quality. We are speaking more "high" German than ever before due to the influx of foreigners.
Most Swiss don't want to join the EU. You'll find more French-speaking Swiss who want to join the EU than German-speaking Swiss. In fact, many Swiss want to put a limit on how many foreigners can enter the country.
For a middle-class employee, Switzerland is a comfortable place to live in. 13 months pay, 4-5 weeks vacation, lots of public holidays, good schools, functioning government, great public transportation and beauty all around. Work ethic is generally high though our welfare recipients is increasing. We still try to buy cars and other goods w/o credit but this is beginning to change.
I guess this is just a prime example of when too many countries go under, we are all affected.
Aug 7th, 2011, 01:42 AM
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I've not been to the areas of Switzerland Ingo mentioned, but I found the Alta Badia area or North Italy more scenically spectacular and beautiful than my trip to the Bernese Oberland (which is indeed scenically spectacular and beautiful) and not only do I think many might find the cable car rides over Mont Blanc, which begin in Italy, as thrilling as the trains up to the Jungfroch, I think that overall the food and wine and small town life of Italy's val d'Aosta is more congenial and historically interesting than what I've experienced in Switzerland (or the Dolomiti).
Aug 7th, 2011, 02:25 AM
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Spaarne: "The Swiss don't care what us damn Yankees think about the price of goods."
Of course they do. The U.S. is the number one market (or one of the largest markets) for many of the products Switzerland exports, including pharmaceuticals. Switzerland's economy isn't based just on tourism, chocolate and expensive watches.
Of course they do. The U.S. is the number one market (or one of the largest markets) for many of the products Switzerland exports, including pharmaceuticals. Switzerland's economy isn't based just on tourism, chocolate and expensive watches.
Aug 7th, 2011, 04:42 AM
#15
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This article was not mostly about how expensive it is for us tourists to travel to Switzerland, it was about how the high cost of living is effecting the Swiss.
But - if you want to speak about this from the tourists' point of view - We went to the Dolomites a couple of years ago and loved it. Much less $$ than Switzerland, just as beautiful. Food great our 1/2 board family run hotel. (Although the pizza everywhere was pretty awful.)
But - if you want to speak about this from the tourists' point of view - We went to the Dolomites a couple of years ago and loved it. Much less $$ than Switzerland, just as beautiful. Food great our 1/2 board family run hotel. (Although the pizza everywhere was pretty awful.)
Aug 10th, 2011, 09:51 AM
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Isn't it hard to get around the Dolomites without a car, however??
That is why I like the BO--you can see everything by using public transportation.
I live in Philadelphia and have to drive on the horrendous Schuylkill Expressway every day. I DO NOT want to drive whilst I am on holiday.
You also have the added expense of renting a car, paying for petrol, paying for parking, etc.
Some of you think you are just sooooooooooo smart. Well, I disagree.
The Great and Powerful Pippy Peppington
That is why I like the BO--you can see everything by using public transportation.
I live in Philadelphia and have to drive on the horrendous Schuylkill Expressway every day. I DO NOT want to drive whilst I am on holiday.
You also have the added expense of renting a car, paying for petrol, paying for parking, etc.
Some of you think you are just sooooooooooo smart. Well, I disagree.
The Great and Powerful Pippy Peppington
Aug 10th, 2011, 10:58 AM
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I AM soooooo smart.
I don't drive. Not needed where I live. Now that's smart!
Yes, we used a car in the Dolomites, although I do know that there are buses as well.
Cost of renting a car - true. But in the BO you have the cost of the very expensive Swiss rail.
I don't drive. Not needed where I live. Now that's smart!
Yes, we used a car in the Dolomites, although I do know that there are buses as well.
Cost of renting a car - true. But in the BO you have the cost of the very expensive Swiss rail.
Aug 10th, 2011, 03:25 PM
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<i>
P_Peppington on Aug 10, 11 at 1:51pm
I live in Philadelphia and have to drive on the horrendous Schuylkill Expressway every day. I DO NOT want to drive whilst I am on holiday.</i>
My sediments
, exactly. By the time I finished a one month road trip from Frankfurt to Istanbul and back I needed a vacation. My boss laughed.
BTW, the Schuylkill Expressway is the Sure Kill Expressway. I survived a couple of trips.
P_Peppington on Aug 10, 11 at 1:51pm
I live in Philadelphia and have to drive on the horrendous Schuylkill Expressway every day. I DO NOT want to drive whilst I am on holiday.</i>
My sediments
, exactly. By the time I finished a one month road trip from Frankfurt to Istanbul and back I needed a vacation. My boss laughed. BTW, the Schuylkill Expressway is the Sure Kill Expressway. I survived a couple of trips.
Aug 28th, 2011, 11:10 AM
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Looks like the dollar is strengthening against the franc - a little at least.
For those who think the Swiss are itching to be part of the EU/eurozone, here's a YouTube short video that sums up pretty clearly what some Swiss think about that idea (it's being shown as an advert in Swiss cinemas)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dE-mCm3vQpY
For those who think the Swiss are itching to be part of the EU/eurozone, here's a YouTube short video that sums up pretty clearly what some Swiss think about that idea (it's being shown as an advert in Swiss cinemas)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dE-mCm3vQpY
Aug 28th, 2011, 10:08 PM
#20
Just watched the clip. The SVP our very strong, righteous, conservative political party. They are for a traditional Switzerland and only want rich foreigners to live in Switzerland. Their current campaign is an initiative to stem the flow of foreigners coming into Switzerland and they usually use very aggressive and almost nazi-like images in their posters. It was nice to see the above clip because they've finally found some appropriate marketing that still makes their platform clear.
The clip was indeed against foreigners coming to Switzerland and keeping Switzerland "Swiss".
The clip was indeed against foreigners coming to Switzerland and keeping Switzerland "Swiss".
