No, Austria is significantly cheaper than Switzerland, with Switzerland often being 50% or more expensive, especially for dining, accommodation, and daily goods, though high salaries in Switzerland can offset some costs, while Austria offers a more moderate European cost of living with similar Alpine scenery.
Switzerland is much more expensive to visit than Austria (or other neighbouring countries) so if budget is any kind of an issue you might want to investigate costs of accommodation, meals, transport before deciding on definitive itinerary.
In absolute terms, Switzerland is the most expensive. Relative to income, however, a sit-down meal in Austria weigh more heavily on household budgets. If you live and work in Berlin, you'll spend less of your monthly salary eating out than in Vienna.
Austria is generally considered moderately expensive, pricier than Eastern Europe but often cheaper than cities like London or Paris, with costs varying by location (Vienna is pricier) and season (winter/summer peaks are expensive). You can budget around €70-€180 per day, saving money by using budget supermarkets, street food, and efficient public transport, while luxury travel costs significantly more.
In general, Vienna is quite expensive, especially for dinner in the majority of restaurants, but there's always the option to eat in one of the many street food spots that offer a variety of different foods. Entry to most museums and places of interest is also often expensive.
What is the most expensive European country for tourists?
1/ Switzerland (€241 per day)
The country's overall high standard of living, along with significant tourist interest, pushes up the prices for places to stay, dining, and things to do.
Budget travelers can enjoy Vienna for around €70 per day, mid-range travelers should budget approximately €180 daily, and luxury travelers can expect to spend €500 or more.
Hungary takes the lead in affordable pizza with a median price for a Margherita pizza of €7.46, ahead of Czechia (€8.46) and Austria (€9.50). Unsurprisingly, pizza prices in the Nordic countries tend to be higher, with Norway leading as the most expensive, boasting a median price of €16.15.
Switzerland has more spectacular sights but Austria is more beautiful overall and more homily. Austria doesn't compare to Switzerland! I've just been to both within the last 2 weeks and Switzerland wins hands down. The Swiss mountains are breathtaking.
The best month to visit Austria depends on your interests: Spring (May-June) offers blooming scenery and fewer crowds for city/nature trips; Summer (July-August) is ideal for warm weather hiking and festivals (but busy); Autumn (September-October) provides stunning fall foliage, harvest festivals, and pleasant hiking before winter; while Winter (Dec-Feb) is perfect for skiing and magical Christmas markets. Shoulder seasons (May, June, September, October) generally offer a great balance of good weather, fewer tourists, and lower costs.
As a tourist in Switzerland, don't be loud in public, assume everyone speaks English, or be late; instead, be punctual, keep voices down on transport, greet people, respect queues and quiet zones, pack proper hiking gear, buy groceries on weekdays (not Sunday), and be mindful of fire bans and local customs like proper waste disposal and not cutting in line. Avoid planning too much in a short time, and always have correct currency (Swiss Francs) and travel insurance.
But the cheapest way to eat is to do your own cooking. Some average prices: a cup of coffee/tea in a café: 3,50 euros, a sandwich at a bakery: 4.50 euros, a dinner in a typical student restaurant: 12 euros.
Tipping in Austria is certainly not as theatrical as in some parts of the world but is still very much part of the culture. Rather than performative verbal high-fives from staff who live for tips, tipping is more a quiet nod to good service: expected but discreet, appreciated but not demanded.
For a great introduction to Vienna, 3-4 days is ideal for hitting major palaces, museums, and cafes, but for a deeper dive or day trips, 4-5 days or even a full week allows for a more relaxed pace and exploring hidden gems or nearby towns like Bratislava or Hallstatt. The perfect length depends on your travel style, interests (history, art, music), and whether you plan any excursions outside the city.
Geneva, Switzerland, is considered the poshest European city for traveling, with a Posh Index of 98.3. The Top 10 most luxurious destinations are from Western and Southern Europe.
Bulgaria and Romania are the cheapest members, at 57% of the EU average. This means Luxembourg is about 2.7 times as expensive as Bulgaria and Romania, showing a significant but smaller gap compared to the difference between Switzerland and Turkey. Ten EU countries have prices above the EU average.
Luxembourg is the wealthiest country in the European Union, per capita, and its citizens enjoy a high standard of living. It is a major center for large private banking, and its finance sector is the biggest contributor to its economy. The country's main trading partners are Germany, France and Belgium.
