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Thinking of taking the family to saint jean de sixt or chamonix region flying to geneva end of august is it expensive to eat/drink in the alps ?want to hire a bike ,maybe do a spot of fishing
In a word, yes.
yes
Switzerland is expensive, france can be done quite cheaply if you avoid eating out in the main tourist honeypots.
I go to the alps 2 or 3 times a year, rent an apartment, and do most of my own cooking just eating out once or twice in the week. Actually works out quite a cheap holiday.
MSP is also right though - you can do it cheap - especially if you stock up on food from a valley town supermarket on the way there. The shops in resorts tend to be a lot more expensive.
switzerland was expensive until a couple of years ago, now it is f****** expensive!
I'm going climbing in Switzerland in Aug/Sept, already done some comparisons against our last trip there 5 years ago, it's got loads more expensive due to the exchange rates. Chamonix was just expensive iirc, apart from the supermarket, which was normal prices. I'd be inclined to go somewhere slightly less honeypot. Aosta I highly recommend, lovely town, Italians are really nice, Pila is one of the best Alps mtb locations and Aosta is cheaper than the other end of the Mont Blanc tunnel. Tho you probably need a car to get around, things to do and see are a bit more spread out.
Apartments are cheap in summer, food is not. MSP/Grumm are right about cooking eating and valley supermarkets.
Last year we did a week in Cornwall and a week in Les Gets. The perfectly pleasant apartment in Les Gets and travel to it (ferry, fuel, hotels en route and motorway tolls) were cheaper than cottage in Cornwall.
The exchange rate makes a difference too.
do-able if you eat supermarket Croque-monsieur's for a week and have your beer's with your le bigmac.
France = London prices. Switzerland is more expensive!
If you are sensible it isn't too bad at all. Visit (budget?) supermarkets in bigger (lowland/ valley) towns. Don't eat out every night. Buy lots of supermarket beer rather than visiting the local Bar. Make your own cheese and saucisson baguette each day rather than buy food out on the trail.
All in all it makes a big difference. But when all is said and done remember that you are on holiday and the locals know it- so be prepared to pay a bit extra
You go to the alps, you're going to get bent over. Its as simple as that.
3 pints? That'll be £18 please. Bargain!!!
3 pints? That'll be £18 please. Bargain!!!
You don't drink beer in France, you switch to wine, and problem solved 🙂
You can do it cheaply or expensive. Lots of accommodation and eating options. We usually get a last minute chalet, self cater, take a packed lunch, eat out occasionally, have a beer out occasionally. Works out pretty cheap.
I don't think it is too bad I work in Switzerland regularly and holiday in the French alps. If you supermarket it you can save money...but the food is that good I would rather eat a nice lunch out...it is your holiday after all and would rather save money back home and enjoy myself....but thats just me! 🙂
cheaper than Norway though. i lived in Zurich for 5 years and look back with fondness at how cheap life was there compared to Norway. Binners: 3 pints sir that'll be a minimum of 21-25 quid in a crappy bar
Expensive compared to what?
If you think taking the kids to McDonalds for a Happy Meal is an extravagance, then yes. If you visit three different supermarkets each week to do the weekly shop because one store sells beans cheap and one sells milk cheap, then yes.
If you're 'normal' then bear in mind that the Alp villages are remote(ish) and the real estate value is high. Most that open during Summer only do so to 'tick over' and do so at reduced rates.
It's a holiday so enjoy yourself. Do what you normally do - when it comes to eating out, drinking etc... The supermarkets in the low lands are cheaper. Beers in a bar are going to start from 5Euros for a pint.
I highly recommend you don't go in the Winter.
Most that open during Summer only do so to 'tick over' and do so at reduced rates.
And them some. Our chalet in Morzine a couple of years ago was £600 for the week. In peak ski season (xmas/new year) its £6500/week!
It's still a lot cheaper than it is in the winter, and a lot of traditional holiday destinations seem to be catching up with drinks and food prices...
What I like about France/Switzerland is that if you buy their 'cheap' food from a supermarket, it's still great food. Although my experience is limited, the places I've been don't seem to do the kind of cheap 'non-food' food we get here. So if you buy bread, cheese & meat for lunch, it's cheap but great quality.