Headed to Switzerland for the Women's Euros? Pack your jersey, your passion and your savings

New York Times

a day ago

Switzerland is known for its priceless Alpine views, renowned watchmakers, the world's best chocolatiers and its established banking sector. But the country isn't without a price tag; it is consistently listed as the most expensive country in the world, according to Numbeo's cost of living index.
Switzerland is so expensive, even Swiss people escape across the border to shop.
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The reputation for sky-high prices isn't just a cliché; it's also a concern for players and fans heading into this European Championship.
'My family can (afford it), but I'm also aware Switzerland is a very expensive country,' England midfielder Georgia Stanway said at a press conference before the tournament. 'Even just for flights, hotels, the cost-of-living there is extremely high, so we understand the demand on fans. That's difficult for us as well because we want to help and support as much as possible, even with our own families. A lot of us are putting our hands in our pockets to make sure our families can get over there.'
Her teammate, Arsenal defender Lotte Wubben-Moy, echoed that sentiment, praising the dedication of England's traveling supporters.
'It speaks a lot to the fans that we have in England. A lot of people are willing to go above and beyond to watch us and that's quite inspiring for us,' she told reporters. 'It's something that we see as the cliché of our '12th woman' out there.'
That support means even more this summer, as the Lionesses look to go back-to-back and retain their Euros title.
The English Football Association (FA) provides all 23 players with an equal sum of compensation specifically to put towards getting loved ones to Switzerland. According to the FA, the amount is equal to what they were getting in Australia and New Zealand. It can be used for travel and accommodation with access to a travel service to book through and provide guidance.
'We give the Lionesses a good level of support, we give them a financial amount for their families to come and watch them at the tournament,' said Mark Bullingham, FA chief executive, speaking at a media briefing for Euro 2025. 'We think it is a significant amount of money that helps them get there. In a perfect world, everyone could have their whole family at every game. Whether or not they can achieve that, I'm not sure. But we certainly make a significant contribution to help them get there,' he said.
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Tournament organizers have said they've sold more than half a million of the 673,000 available tickets, with 22 of the 31 matches already sold out, according to UEFA's head of women's football, Nadine Kessler. UEFA expects to break the attendance record of 575,000, set during Euro 2022 in England, according to the Associated Press.
For fans and followers of all the teams in the tournament, savvy budgeting will be a must.
The 15,940 square mile country (about half the size of South Carolina) has roughly 8.8 million residents. It is gearing up to host the tournament across eight cities: Basel, Bern, Geneva, Lucerne, Sion, St. Gallen, Thun and Zurich. Pro tip: if you are headed to Basel, consider staying in Germany's Weil am Rhein or France's Saint-Louis, where a night at a hotel should be less than $200.
Conversely, a three-star hotel in Basel will run anywhere from $150 to $300 a night this month, according to Booking.com. These rates also apply to Geneva, home of the United Nations office — but if you venture into Alpine cities Lucerne, St. Gallen or Sion, get ready to pay over $200 per night. Three-star hotels in Zurich average $300 a night. In other words, you won't be just sleeping, you're investing.
Switzerland's public transportation is excellent, as punctual as their world-renowned watches, but not cheap. If you are staying at a hotel, congratulations, your local tram or bus ride might be free (check with the reception), according to local residents consulted for this article. Renting a bike via Publi Bike and joining thousands of bikers around the city will also save you some money.
Getting between host cities is another story. Switzerland has an incredibly well-run train system, but it comes with a price tag. A three-day Swiss Travel Pass will cost you 244* CHF ($300) in second class and 389 CHF ($475) in first class. If you're planning to follow your team across the country throughout the tournament, the eight-day pass will set you back at 419 CHF ($512) or 665 CHF for first-class tickets if you want to hang out with bankers. Your week-long train pass will cost more than a round-trip flight to and from many other European countries.
But not all is bad. UEFA told The Athletic that on matchday, match tickets will be valid for a second-class return journey on public transport from any Swiss locality to the match venue.
Though trains are not the only form of transport in the country, you could also opt to rent an electric car. Switzerland's electric card grid allows you to charge your vehicle anywhere in the country, but you have to pay a flat fee for the tolls in addition to car rental and insurance costs, which vary from company to company.
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Pro tip: Hit the supermarket and avoid bankruptcy.
Swiss breakfasts are typically included with hotel stays, but once you step outside, things escalate fast. Expect to pay 5 to 6 CHF ($6 to $7) for a simple cup of coffee. Want to stay hydrated? Bottled water at a kiosk will cost 5 CHF and at a restaurant it can cost 7 CHF. That's nearly $8. For comparison, a bottle of water at the Club World Cup in the U.S. matches is $5 to $7.
Want a casual sit-down lunch? It will cost you about 60 CHF ($75) if you want to add a glass of wine to your a la carte meal. For a cheaper option, opt for a 'prix fixe' menu, which costs around 25 to 30 CHF ($31 to $37).
And when it comes to beer, a half-liter draft can cost 8-9 CHF at bars or restaurants. Inside stadiums, you'll likely pay more.
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For supermarkets, Coop and Migros are your best friends if you're trying to survive this tournament on a budget. A takeaway sandwich at Migros runs about 5 CHF, a hot slice of pizza about 7 CHF, and yes, you can still snag a glass of wine for 8 to 9 CHF.
There are also discount supermarkets, such as Aldi and Lidl, in Switzerland, though they do not always have grab-and-go sandwiches.
Many experienced travelers who shared tips for this story said the same thing: bring everything with you.
It will be harder to pack meals in your suitcase, but you can pack basic hygiene products. They will likely be cheaper at home than in Switzerland. Here's a sampling of prices if you forget anything:
If it fits in your suitcase and you might need it, bring it. Or you'll be spending your food budget on shampoo and SPF 50.
If your team makes it to the final, and Switzerland has already emptied your wallet, there's a free way to get to the venue in Basel.
Toss your belongings in a waterproof bag (one you bring from home), jump into the Rhine River and let the current carry you toward St. Jakob-Park.
It's basically free public transport, just wetter and way more fun. You'll arrive refreshed, strangely optimistic and have traveled like a real local.
Bon voyage!