Student survival in Switzerland

Switzerland is one of the most expensive countries in Europe. Budgets below are realistic student ranges for 2026, not minimum legal amounts for visas.

Survival roadmap

Monthly budget → Housing share → Food → Transport → Insurance → Fun buffer

First-week checklist

• Phone: Swiss SIM or eSIM (Salt, Sunrise, Yallo, Migros Mobile) — compare prepaid vs contract.
• Transport: Download SBB Mobile; check if your canton includes a semester ticket in tuition.
• Food: Locate nearest Migros/Coop/Lidl; university Mensa opening hours.
• Cash/card: TWINT is ubiquitous — link to a Swiss account when possible.
• Laundry: Ask house rules (shared machines, coins, quiet hours).

Monthly budget by city (2026)

Last updated: May 2026 — visa proof-of-funds rules may require higher totals; confirm with your canton

Groceries and eating out

• Migros & Coop — Main supermarkets; “Migros Daily” / “Coop Pronto” for convenience (pricier).
• Discount: Aldi, Lidl, Denner — staples and weekly promotions.
• Markets — Saturday farmers’ markets for produce; close to closing for reductions.
• University Mensa — Often CHF 12–18 for a full meal — best weekday option.
• Too Good To Go — Bakery and restaurant surprise bags.
• Drinking water — Tap water is safe everywhere; carry a bottle.

Transport

• SBB Half-Fare Card — 50% off most tickets (~CHF 190/year) — pays off quickly.
• GA Travelcard — Unlimited travel — only worth it if you commute daily across zones.
• Night services — Limited; plan last trains on weekends.
• Bikes — Popular in flat cities; buy second-hand (Ricardo, Tutti, Facebook).
• International trips — Book SBB “Supersaver” tickets weeks ahead; FlixBus for budget routes.

Laundry and housing etiquette

• Shared laundry — Book slots; never leave wet clothes in the machine.
• Quiet hours — Typically 22:00–07:00 (building rules vary).
• Recycling — Separate PET, glass, paper, cardboard, organic (canton-specific).
• Shoes — Remove at the door in many households.

Weather and clothing

• Winter — Real snow in many regions; invest in waterproof boots and a good coat (Decathlon, H&M, second-hand).
• Layering — Trams and lecture halls are heated; dress in layers.
• Sun — Alpine UV is strong — sunscreen on ski trips and hikes.

Student discounts and free activities

• Museums — Many offer student/reduced tickets; some free on certain days.
• Sport — University sports centres (ASVZ Zurich, UNISPORT etc.) — cheaper than private gyms.
• Hiking — Free national pastime — SBB to trailhead + picnic.
• Libraries — Study spaces, sometimes instrument loans and events.

Scams and safety

• Rental scams — Never wire deposit before a viewing; beware listings far below market price.
• Pickpockets — Train stations and festivals in big cities.
• Emergency — 144 medical, 117 police, 112 European emergency.

Next step: mandatory health insurance — see the Health guide.