Think Norway is pricey? Try Switzerland.
A traveler's sticker-shock thread on r/travel has sparked fresh debate about which European destination truly holds the crown for eye-watering costs. The verdict from recent visitors: Switzerland has pulled ahead, with prices that make Norway look like a bargain.
The Price Breakdown That's Going Viral
"I thought Norway was expensive till I went to Switzerland," the poster wrote, before laying out a cost breakdown that has 200+ comments of shocked reactions:
£60 ($75) for a return cable car up Mount Pilatus
£90 ($113) for fondue for two, steamed vegetables, and two ginger beers in Zurich's Old Town—plus a 5% tip
£55 ($69) for two margaritas (one non-alcoholic), a small bowl of pork, and tortillas at a Mexican restaurant in Zurich
£66 ($83) for spaghetti for two plus a shared salad starter
£48 ($60) for two pad thais and two iced teas in Stein Am Rhein—expensive "because it's not quite in Germany," the poster noted dryly
"Quite off putting to return with these sky high prices," they concluded. "I think the cable car is the most shocking as eating out is more a luxury."
How Switzerland Compares Globally
While the post focused on the Norway comparison, Switzerland's pricing puts it at the top of nearly every global cost index. Numbeo's 2026 Cost of Living rankings place Zurich and in the top 5 most expensive cities worldwide.
