Rent an apartment, home or chalet in Switzerland

Apartments, holiday homes and chalets

Self catering can be a cheaper alternative to a hotel. You'll be more flexible without fixed times for breakfast and dinner. Also there's more space than in a hotel room. Renting an apartment, home or chalet is very common in Switzerland.

The number of available properties varies by location. Some places primarily offer hotels, while others have a huge amount of rental apartments as well. Booking early is recommended, especially for towns with a limited number of rentals.

Practical must knows

• The standard renting period is Saturday to Saturday, although many properties allow exceptions. Sometimes it's possible to rent by the day, but often a minimum of 3 or more nights applies. Keep that in mind while searching for properties. Searching for short stays may yield less results.
• Catering is not included, although there are exceptions to this rule. This is where you save most, as you can cook your own meals instead of going out for dinner.
• You are expected to do your own laundry. In apartment buildings, there's often a shared washing machine in the basement. You usually need to register for the date and time you want to use it. Instructions are in the apartment.
• You're expected to separate waste, more so than in a hotel. This helps to save energy and protect the Alps.
• There's usually a charge for a final cleaning, regardless of how long you've stayed in the property. So short stays are relatively more expensive.