Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – Switzerland is one of the favorite holiday destinations for foreign tourists. How could it not be, this country with the capital city of Bern has stunning natural beauty and offers a memorable holiday experience.

Online Travel Agent (OTA), Traveloka, revealed that Switzerland is one of the main choice destinations for travelers from Indonesia. In fact, searches for flights from Indonesia to Switzerland and hotels in Switzerland will increase fourfold in the first semester of 2023.

“At the end of the first semester of 2023, we (Traveloka) recorded a four-fold increase in transactions compared to the period in the previous year for family flights,” said Traveloka President, Caesar Indra in Jakarta, Tuesday (17/10/2023).

Entering the end of year holidays in 2023, it wouldn’t be wrong if you start planning holiday activities to enjoy the end of the year with friends or family, including a trip to Switzerland.

However, before deciding to go on holiday, check out the following tips for a frugal holiday in Switzerland.

1. Buy a Swiss Travel Pass

Once you have your Schengen visa in hand, you can finalize your itinerary in Switzerland. One of the keys to saving money while on holiday in Switzerland is buying a Swiss Travel Pass.

Swiss Travel Pass is a season ticket specifically for tourists. If you buy a Swiss Travel Pass, you can use all public transportation, such as trains, buses and boats without limitation.

Apart from transportation access unlimitedyou can also visit more than 500 museums throughout Switzerland for free and get a 50 percent discount on tourist transportation to the top of the mountain (mountain railways).

Tourists can get a Swiss Travel Pass for a fee of 45 Swiss Francs or around IDR 785 thousand per day (assuming an exchange rate of IDR 17,453/Franc). Currently, there are several season ticket options available, namely three, four, six, eight and 15 days.

“The price starts at 45 Francs per day. In 2024, perhaps the price will increase to 49 Francs (or around IDR 855 thousand) per day),” said Director of Southeast Asia Switzerland Tourism, Batiste Pilet, Tuesday (17/10/2023).

“Basically, one ticket (Swiss Travel Pass) covers all your transportation needs [selama di Swiss]. Very easy. “Only one ticket using a QR code so you don’t need to worry about losing your ticket,” he continued.

Especially for family trips, children under 6 years old will get a free Swiss Travel Visa, a 50 percent discount for children under 16 years of age, and a 30 percent discount for young adults under 25 years of age.

2. Avoid going on holiday High Season

Photo: View of Derborence Lake (REUTERS/Denis Balibouse) People enjoy a warm autumn day near a lake in Derborence, Switzerland, October 25, 2018. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

Pilet revealed that the visa application period was the highest for Indonesian travelers and high season or the highest number of tourists in Switzerland occurs from February to March, December, and Idul Fitri aka Eid.

Therefore, if you want to enjoy your holiday to the fullest without having to waste time because of the overflowing number of tourists, avoid going on holiday during this period.

“If you plan to visit Switzerland or the Schengen area more than once, explain that you plan to visit more than once when applying for the visa,” said Pilet.

“Sometimes, they provide longer duration visas and multiple entry permits,” he continued.

3. Plan tourist destinations carefully

Photo: Jungfraujoch, Switzerland November 16, 2018. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann

Wherever you go on vacation, make sure you have prepared your travel plans carefully so that the time spent in the destination country is not wasted.

Thus, it is a good idea for you to determine a list of tourist destinations you want to visit in Switzerland before departure time. Because Switzerland has a variety of interesting tourist attractions and activities.

Pilet said, using the panoramic train, sailing along beautiful rivers, visiting cultural centers and museums, skiing, to snowboarding are various exciting activities that can be done in Switzerland.

“You can see everything here, especially in winter. So, if you visit Switzerland in winter, make sure you visit the mountains and experience the snow,” said Pilet.

“If you want to feel the sensation of being a Swiss local, try skiing or skiing snowboarding and go around the mountain slopes,” he added.

Pilet mentioned that Switzerland has a service “First Ski Experience“. Through this service, you as a total beginner will be taught how to ski by experts with adequate equipment.

“If you try and get serious about it, in three days you’ll be a skier,” Pilet joked.

[Gambas:Video CNBC]

(hsy/hsy)