Unveiled: Swiss Ski Resorts with Maximum and Minimum Taxes Paid by Tourists
Vacationing in Switzerland? Get ready to shell out those taxes, even on holidays!
While paying a tourist tax may not be everyone's cup of tea, rest assured it's going towards financing infrastructure and amenities in the very community you're visiting. It's a line item on your hotel bill that you'll settle at the end of your stay, and it applies to all tourists, regardless of nationality.
Wondering how resorts in the Swiss Alps measure up for tourist tax charges? According to Comparis price comparison platform, Saas-Fe imposes a hefty tax of 7 francs per day per guest, equating to a one-week family vacation costing 196 francs in taxes alone. Trailing closely behind are Davos and Klosters in Graubuenden (5.90 francs and 5.50 francs daily), followed by Grindelwald and Adelboden in the Bernese Oberland (5.20 francs daily).
While Zermatt, known for the iconic Matterhorn, charges a modest 'only' 4 francs a day, some Swiss resorts such as Engelberg, Andermatt, Celerina/Schlarigna, Sils, and others do not impose a tourist tax at all.
However, you'll be surprise to discover that popular resorts like Pontresina (Graubuenden) and Val de Bagnes (Valais) have comparatively low taxes of 3.10 francs. Crans-Montana in Valais charges 3 francs a day, while Valais itself has the same rate.
Some Swiss resorts, such as Engelberg, don't levy any tourist tax and thus don't offer any additional benefits either. However, Engelberg does offer a unique advantage: free mountain railways and buses with your stay - an exceptional bonus among the 0-tax rate resorts.
Now, you may wonder if you should pick these 'tax-free' destinations. Well, as they say, the cheapest isn't always the best. Many communities offer a guest card when you pay the tourist tax, providing discounts or vouchers on public transport, cable cars, and more. For instance, in Saas-Fee, the highest-taxed resort, the tax entitles tourists to free buses and discounts on mountain railways and winter sports. With these benefits, it's worth considering whether a slightly higher tax rate could be worth the perks you receive.
- Despite the high tourist tax in popular Swiss resorts like Saas-Fe, Davos, Klosters, Grindelwald, and Adelboden, some resorts, such as Engelberg, do not impose any tourist tax.
- Interestingly, popular resorts like Pontresina and Val de Bagnes have comparatively low tourist taxes, while some resorts, like Engelberg, do not levy any tourist tax but offer other benefits like free mountain railways and buses with your stay.
- The tourist tax you pay in some Swiss resorts goes towards financing infrastructure and amenities in the community, and it's a common practice that applies to all tourists, regardless of nationality.
- Engelberg, despite not imposing a tourist tax, offers a unique lifestyle advantage with its complimentary mountain railways and buses, which is an exceptional bonus among the 0-tax rate resorts.
- When considering resort fees for your home-and-garden travel, it's essential to weigh the costs against the benefits, like discounts or vouchers on public transport, cable cars, and winter sports, which some resorts offer with their tourist tax.
