Price comparison
The same 29 everyday buys in Germany and Switzerland, from a coffee to an airport taxi: what locals pay, what tourist spots charge, and where your money goes further.
The numbers that decide a trip, in one table. Money in USD, the local price underneath.
What locals pay in Germany and Switzerland, item by item. Shown in USD at one daily rate so the two sides compare, with the local price underneath. Differences under 3% count as about the same.
28 of the 29 items cost less in Germany.
Bottled, convenience store
Germany: ≈ $1.10 – $2.30 €1 – €2 Switzerland: ≈ $1.20 – $3 CHF 1.00–2.50 Cafe or street vendor
Germany: ≈ $2 – $3.20 €1.80 – €2.80 Switzerland: ≈ $4.20 – $6 CHF 3.50–5.00 Draft, at bar or restaurant
Germany: ≈ $3.90 – $5.60 €3.50 – €5.00 Switzerland: ≈ $7.20 – $9.70 CHF 6–8 Tourist area, main course
Germany: ≈ $14 – $23 €12 – €20 Switzerland: ≈ $30 – $48 CHF 25–40 Local market or stand
Germany: ≈ $5.60 – $9.60 €5.00 – €8.50 Switzerland: ≈ $10 – $17 CHF 8–14 Mixed drink, bar
Germany: ≈ $10 – $15 €9 – €13 Switzerland: ≈ $19 – $27 CHF 16–22 House wine, restaurant
Germany: ≈ $20 – $32 €18 – €28 Switzerland: ≈ $42 – $66 CHF 35–55 Cafe or street stall
Germany: ≈ $3.40 – $5.60 €3 – €5 Switzerland: ≈ $6 – $9.10 CHF 5.00–7.50 Standard route
Germany: ≈ $56 – $79 €50 – €70 Switzerland: ≈ $60 – $84 CHF 50–70 Metered or typical fare
Germany: ≈ $2.30 – $3.20 €2.00 – €2.80 Switzerland: ≈ $4.60 – $6 CHF 3.80–5.00 Single ride
Germany: ≈ $3.20 – $4.50 €2.80 – €4.00 Switzerland: ≈ $3.40 – $11 CHF 2.80–9.20 Grab / Bolt / Uber
Germany: ≈ $11 – $28 €10 – €25 Switzerland: ≈ $42 – $84 CHF 35–70 Tourist shop
Germany: ≈ $1.70 – $4.50 €1.50 – €4.00 Switzerland: ≈ $3.60 – $7.20 CHF 3–6 Tourist shop
Germany: ≈ $11 – $20 €10 – €18 Switzerland: ≈ $22 – $36 CHF 18–30 Ceramics, textiles, etc.
Germany: ≈ $17 – $56 €15 – €50 Switzerland: ≈ $24 – $72 CHF 20–60 Data package
Germany: ≈ $11 – $23 €10 – €20 Switzerland: ≈ $18 – $36 CHF 15–30 Pharmacy or shop
Germany: ≈ $4.50 – $10 €4 – €9 Switzerland: ≈ $11 – $19 CHF 9–16 Supermarket
Germany: ≈ $0.56 – $1.40 €0.50 – €1.20 Switzerland: ≈ $0.72 – $1.80 CHF 0.60–1.50 Pack of 20
Germany: ≈ $9 – $10 €8 – €9 Switzerland: ≈ $10 – $11 CHF 8.50–9.50 Pack of 20 tablets
Germany: ≈ $3.40 – $7.90 €3 – €7 Switzerland: ≈ $3 – $6 CHF 2.50–5.00 Spray or lotion
Germany: ≈ $4.50 – $10 €4 – €9 Switzerland: ≈ $10 – $18 CHF 8–15 Local barbershop
Germany: ≈ $17 – $32 €15 – €28 Switzerland: ≈ $42 – $66 CHF 35–55 Laundry service
Germany: ≈ $3.40 – $6.80 €3 – €6 Switzerland: ≈ $6 – $11 CHF 5–9 Standard full-body massage
Germany: ≈ $51 – $84 €45 – €75 Switzerland: ≈ $110 – $170 CHF 90–140 Basic cut, salon
Germany: ≈ $34 – $62 €30 – €55 Switzerland: ≈ $72 – $120 CHF 60–100 Entrance ticket
Germany: ≈ $14 – $23 €12 – €20 Switzerland: ≈ $14 – $30 CHF 12–25 Organized excursion
Germany: ≈ $23 – $45 €20 – €40 Switzerland: ≈ $72 – $135 CHF 60–110 Organized excursion 6-8h
Germany: ≈ $51 – $100 €45 – €90 Switzerland: ≈ $145 – $240 CHF 120–200 Local cuisine cooking class
Germany: ≈ $51 – $96 €45 – €85 Switzerland: ≈ $110 – $180 CHF 90–150 Tourist prices are about 2.2× the fair price in Germany, against 2.0× in Switzerland.
Germany 3rd lowest of 60
Switzerland Lowest of all 60
What is expected in each country, so you neither stiff anyone nor overpay.
Germany Tipping is modest in Germany: round up or add 5-10% for good service. When paying, tell the server the total you want to pay (e.g. '20' for an €18 bill) as they take the card or cash; do not leave coins on the table. Service is included in the menu price.
Switzerland By law, service is included in Swiss prices, so no percentage tip is expected. It is common to round up or leave a few francs for good service, for example rounding a 47 Fr bill to 50 Fr. Tipping more is welcome but never required.
No. In Germany you pay about 43% less than in Switzerland at fair prices. TruePrice Index: Germany 179, Switzerland 315 (100 is the median of the 60 countries I track). 28 of the 29 items cost less in Germany.
A week is cheaper in Germany: about $305 at fair prices, against $610 in Switzerland. That covers two meals, a coffee, water, a beer, two transit rides and a short taxi ride a day. Flights and accommodation are not included. At tourist-trap prices the same week runs about $630 in Germany and $1,270 in Switzerland.
In Germany: food and drinks cost about 44% less there on average. A restaurant meal costs $14 – $23 in Germany and $30 – $48 in Switzerland, street food $5.60 – $9.60 and $10 – $17.
In Germany: tourist prices there are about 2.2× the fair price on average, against 2.0× in Switzerland. The biggest gaps in Germany: private transfer (6.6×), water 1.5 L (3.2×), and local handcraft (2.8×).
Where these numbers come from, and how the comparison works.
How to cite
TruePrice, Germany vs Switzerland, October 2026, truepriceapp.com/en/compare/germany-vs-switzerland/
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