Cost comparison b/w Paris and Switzerland(wengen)
Oct 7th, 2015, 08:53 AM
#41
>>Yes, we are NOT much into Museums and history, rather like NATURAL BEAUTY MORE.<<
You have said this before - and it confuses me. You are going to 4 really wonderful cities . . . but NONE will offer you the 'Natural Beauty you seem to want'. Do you actually mean 'Natural Beauty' like mountains, lakes, beaches, forests, etc.?
Or are you talking about beautiful surroundings, like the caals/gorgeous buildings in Venice, the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame in Paris, etc. They are indeed beautiful - but definitely 'natural scenery/beauty.
And to save money - If you simply want to see mountains/alps you don't have to actually visit Switzerland. The Alpine region is in several countries.
You have said this before - and it confuses me. You are going to 4 really wonderful cities . . . but NONE will offer you the 'Natural Beauty you seem to want'. Do you actually mean 'Natural Beauty' like mountains, lakes, beaches, forests, etc.?
Or are you talking about beautiful surroundings, like the caals/gorgeous buildings in Venice, the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame in Paris, etc. They are indeed beautiful - but definitely 'natural scenery/beauty.
And to save money - If you simply want to see mountains/alps you don't have to actually visit Switzerland. The Alpine region is in several countries.
Oct 7th, 2015, 05:12 PM
#44
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I don;t understand why you have all cities if you want to se natural beauty. For that you should be going someplace in the Alps (French, Italian, German and Austrian) will all be cheaper than Switz. And while moving down the hill in Switz may be a little cheaper it is overall just more expensive.
If you stay in Interlaken and want to ascend the Jungfrau it will cost about 200 euros per person. If you want to take a steamer on lake Thun or Brienz it will cost in the area of 50 euros per person Cheap is just not a thing in Switz.
If I were you and interested in natural beauty I would do the alps in some other country, one of the Italian lakes, someplace at the sea in France and would switch out Madrid for Barcelona to also get some time at the sea.
The list you have is just the most famous cities, which are huge, crowded and really attractions for people wanting to see every famous museum, cathedral and royal palace - or shop or go to trendy restaurants. Granted you can get some feel for the culture - but you won;t have much at all in the way of scenic beauty. And doing a bunch of day trips to the countryside is just going to run up your costs.
Strongly suggest you have a look at some guide books and figure out which areas of natural beauty you want - not just the largest city in each country.
If you stay in Interlaken and want to ascend the Jungfrau it will cost about 200 euros per person. If you want to take a steamer on lake Thun or Brienz it will cost in the area of 50 euros per person Cheap is just not a thing in Switz.
If I were you and interested in natural beauty I would do the alps in some other country, one of the Italian lakes, someplace at the sea in France and would switch out Madrid for Barcelona to also get some time at the sea.
The list you have is just the most famous cities, which are huge, crowded and really attractions for people wanting to see every famous museum, cathedral and royal palace - or shop or go to trendy restaurants. Granted you can get some feel for the culture - but you won;t have much at all in the way of scenic beauty. And doing a bunch of day trips to the countryside is just going to run up your costs.
Strongly suggest you have a look at some guide books and figure out which areas of natural beauty you want - not just the largest city in each country.
Oct 7th, 2015, 09:18 PM
#45
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Well, well, well, who on earth will not be interested in visiting atleast 1 time in his life to the famous cities like PARIS, ROME AND VENICE. I surely said we want to see the mountains, alps, lakes and all but the above 3 cities are a must as well in our itinerary
We just want to grab eveerything, which may not be the best way, but who know when we can come another time to Europe again
now the next big question is
Which areas you people can suggest in Italy and France which can resember like Wengen, Murren, Jungfrau etc
We just want to grab eveerything, which may not be the best way, but who know when we can come another time to Europe again
now the next big question is
Which areas you people can suggest in Italy and France which can resember like Wengen, Murren, Jungfrau etc
Oct 7th, 2015, 09:45 PM
#46
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Nothing in France or Italy can compare with the dramatic and beautiful scenery of Wengen, Mürren, Jungfrau. The lesson is that if seeing at least 1 time in your life the most famous Alpine region is a must (beside PARIS, ROME AND VENICE), you must pay the outrageous prices, too.
Oct 7th, 2015, 10:48 PM
#47
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Hi asimm,
This is an interesting thread, and I've enjoyed watching it unfold.
Yes, Switzerland CAN be expensive, but there are ways to beat the costs. One way is by shopping for prepared food in the supermarkets (Coop & Migros); I'm not sure if other have mentioned that in this thread or other threads of yours.
But for one example -- I spent 2 weeks in Switzerland last November and spent under 300 chf, total, for my food. I was in an apartment, and, yes, it's a whole lot easier to economize when you're by yourself. But this is how I ate:
50 chf for groceries upon arrival (yogurt, cereal, some prepared bulgar or quinoa salads).
50 chf each for fondue & wine two times
25 chf for Rösti & wine in a small neighborhood restaurant
15 chf for roast beef sandwich in a Migros
6 chf for a hot croque monsieur sandwich in a Coop
8 chf for a salad in a Coop
8 chf for a pile of french fries to-go once when I had to run to catch a train
6 chf for two cheese tarts
So if you think you can keep your family happy with prepared salads and hot sandwiches and roasted chickens from grocery stores, then you should be able to make it in Switzerland.
Another way to economize is to eat your main meal at lunchtime, when restaurants offer prix fix meals and special deals; you can usually find restaurant meals for around 20 chf per person at lunch. Your apartment or hotel can cover you for breakfast, and then you can have a picnic of bread, cold cuts, cheeses, etc, for dinner. That should keep your food costs to around 30 chf per person per day.
Have fun as you plan!
s
This is an interesting thread, and I've enjoyed watching it unfold.
Yes, Switzerland CAN be expensive, but there are ways to beat the costs. One way is by shopping for prepared food in the supermarkets (Coop & Migros); I'm not sure if other have mentioned that in this thread or other threads of yours.
But for one example -- I spent 2 weeks in Switzerland last November and spent under 300 chf, total, for my food. I was in an apartment, and, yes, it's a whole lot easier to economize when you're by yourself. But this is how I ate:
50 chf for groceries upon arrival (yogurt, cereal, some prepared bulgar or quinoa salads).
50 chf each for fondue & wine two times
25 chf for Rösti & wine in a small neighborhood restaurant
15 chf for roast beef sandwich in a Migros
6 chf for a hot croque monsieur sandwich in a Coop
8 chf for a salad in a Coop
8 chf for a pile of french fries to-go once when I had to run to catch a train
6 chf for two cheese tarts
So if you think you can keep your family happy with prepared salads and hot sandwiches and roasted chickens from grocery stores, then you should be able to make it in Switzerland.
Another way to economize is to eat your main meal at lunchtime, when restaurants offer prix fix meals and special deals; you can usually find restaurant meals for around 20 chf per person at lunch. Your apartment or hotel can cover you for breakfast, and then you can have a picnic of bread, cold cuts, cheeses, etc, for dinner. That should keep your food costs to around 30 chf per person per day.
Have fun as you plan!
s
Oct 7th, 2015, 11:03 PM
#48
Make your mind up. Either seeing cities just because they are famous is important, or scenic beauty is important, or you want a bit of both. Right now you are overweighted on the former.
Plus, you need to provide your budget, per day in euros. At this point I'm inclined to suggest hostels, but you may be able to afford more.
Plus, you need to provide your budget, per day in euros. At this point I'm inclined to suggest hostels, but you may be able to afford more.
Oct 8th, 2015, 09:28 AM
#52
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Well it looks like the problem is that you are trying to force 20 pounds of stuff into a 5 pound bag.'
In your limited time you CANNOT see it all. And the more places you travel to the more time and money you will spend on just getting from one place to another rather than seeing and doing things.
If you want a mix, that's fine. If you will be happy with 4 days in the Alps for the natural beauty and are willing to pay for it (we love Switz and have been quite a few times and spent a lot - but for us time is more important for money) then go for it. If you then want to do several major cities, that's fine too - as long as you have allocated enough days to the trip.
I just urge you to lay the trip out day by day - inserting actual time from hotel in place A to hotel in place B - to get from one place to another, and then see how much time you have to actually see/do anything. Remember that it takes 2 nights in a place to have 1 full day there.
I think we are all very confused at this point about exactly how much time you have for the whole trip, what your nightly lodging budget is, and if seeing the Alps will satisfy your desire for natural beauty. If you want to start seeing a lot of other scenic places - then you will likely need to extend the trip.
In your limited time you CANNOT see it all. And the more places you travel to the more time and money you will spend on just getting from one place to another rather than seeing and doing things.
If you want a mix, that's fine. If you will be happy with 4 days in the Alps for the natural beauty and are willing to pay for it (we love Switz and have been quite a few times and spent a lot - but for us time is more important for money) then go for it. If you then want to do several major cities, that's fine too - as long as you have allocated enough days to the trip.
I just urge you to lay the trip out day by day - inserting actual time from hotel in place A to hotel in place B - to get from one place to another, and then see how much time you have to actually see/do anything. Remember that it takes 2 nights in a place to have 1 full day there.
I think we are all very confused at this point about exactly how much time you have for the whole trip, what your nightly lodging budget is, and if seeing the Alps will satisfy your desire for natural beauty. If you want to start seeing a lot of other scenic places - then you will likely need to extend the trip.
Oct 9th, 2015, 07:49 PM
#53
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Asimm... Search for a thread on this forum that Indy_dad posted a few years ago (2013?)about a week hiking the Bernese Oberland. He did a detailed cost comparison between Switzerland and many other European countries. At least for him, Wengen was cheaper then Paris, Ireland and Amsterdam.
I am no expert, and next year will be my first time to Switzerland, but once again, this is the least expensive part of my 3 week trip to Europe. It seems to me that if you stay in a mountain village like Wengen or Murren or Lauterbrunnen, and rent a chalet, you can manage a visit here for a reasonable cost. Renting a chalet allows you to buy food at the Co-op in Wengen and save a lot of money on food. Plus, hiking is free! If you were to stay in city hotels and eat in restaurants for every meal, then yes, I can see how that would add up. But look into a chalet rental in a mountain village and you might be surprised at how affordable it might be for you.
Good luck and have a great trip!
I am no expert, and next year will be my first time to Switzerland, but once again, this is the least expensive part of my 3 week trip to Europe. It seems to me that if you stay in a mountain village like Wengen or Murren or Lauterbrunnen, and rent a chalet, you can manage a visit here for a reasonable cost. Renting a chalet allows you to buy food at the Co-op in Wengen and save a lot of money on food. Plus, hiking is free! If you were to stay in city hotels and eat in restaurants for every meal, then yes, I can see how that would add up. But look into a chalet rental in a mountain village and you might be surprised at how affordable it might be for you.
Good luck and have a great trip!
Oct 9th, 2015, 10:46 PM
#54
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Thank you so very much for your interest in helping me our and sharing your feedback on this thread which now has become a leading thread for the last 10 days (hahahah)
A Europe trip from Pakistan comes once or twice in a life as there are many other countries we would love to travel in our future years and Australia and USA are at the top.
Yes, we want to see Venice, Paris and Rome. Though we may not be liking Museums much, but the "Feel" is there. Venice is a different country and who would not like to visit
Its a trip where we would like to do as a mixture of all types and yes i agree we are trying to put 20pounds into a 5pound bag, but we can put atleast 10pounds
We are on a budget with budget allocation details as follows
Hotel/night : Euro 100-130
Food (lunch/dinner) : Euro 50/(for family and we dont mind eating street foods - we dont drink Wine)
Entertainment/Museums : Euro 11/day for the family
Travelling : Budget travelling (would book 3months early to save)
Note : We do not need Guided or private tours
While searching for hotels/food/entertainment prices i think that we can surely manage in Paris/Rome/Venice but in even Wengen it is not possible to find an accomodation for Euro 130/ for the family and entertainments like going to Jungrau, Glacier express are too expensive and this is the main reason of thinking and calculating hard so that we do not go wrong and spend too much for our liking in the Swiss alps.
A Europe trip from Pakistan comes once or twice in a life as there are many other countries we would love to travel in our future years and Australia and USA are at the top.
Yes, we want to see Venice, Paris and Rome. Though we may not be liking Museums much, but the "Feel" is there. Venice is a different country and who would not like to visit
Its a trip where we would like to do as a mixture of all types and yes i agree we are trying to put 20pounds into a 5pound bag, but we can put atleast 10pounds
We are on a budget with budget allocation details as follows
Hotel/night : Euro 100-130
Food (lunch/dinner) : Euro 50/(for family and we dont mind eating street foods - we dont drink Wine)
Entertainment/Museums : Euro 11/day for the family
Travelling : Budget travelling (would book 3months early to save)
Note : We do not need Guided or private tours
While searching for hotels/food/entertainment prices i think that we can surely manage in Paris/Rome/Venice but in even Wengen it is not possible to find an accomodation for Euro 130/ for the family and entertainments like going to Jungrau, Glacier express are too expensive and this is the main reason of thinking and calculating hard so that we do not go wrong and spend too much for our liking in the Swiss alps.
Oct 10th, 2015, 06:46 AM
#56
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http://www.homeaway.co.uk/p2161277#ratesAnchor
This apartment is a one bedroom with a pull-out couches for more people for about 125 euros/night in Wengen in July.
This apartment is a one bedroom with a pull-out couches for more people for about 125 euros/night in Wengen in July.
Oct 10th, 2015, 06:57 AM
#57
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http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p1302740
This one is 105 Euros/night in Wengen in July and sleeps 4.
This one is 105 Euros/night in Wengen in July and sleeps 4.
Oct 10th, 2015, 09:06 AM
#58
Oct 10th, 2015, 10:23 AM
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This hotel is in Paris.. good price ( I found the triple room for july going for 116 euros a night) and the triple room is apparently a decent size .. and it has air conditioning.. often needed in summer in Paris .
www.hotel-paris-printemps.com/
Read the reviews on booking.com and tripadvisor.. all pretty good . Note the triple room seems to be the best one for the price.
www.hotel-paris-printemps.com/
Read the reviews on booking.com and tripadvisor.. all pretty good . Note the triple room seems to be the best one for the price.
Oct 12th, 2015, 08:47 AM
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Paris can be extremely cheap if you want it (need it) to be. There are still hotels for 40 euros in the less attractive parts of the city. And you can buy a lot of food for 5 euros in Paris.
Switzerland is lovely, but you will never find such prices there.
Switzerland is lovely, but you will never find such prices there.
