Price comparison
The same 29 everyday buys in Switzerland and France, 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 Switzerland and France, 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.
27 of the 29 items cost less in France.
Bottled, convenience store
Switzerland: ≈ $1.20 – $3 CHF 1.00–2.50 France: ≈ $0.90 – $1.70 €0.80 – €1.50 Cafe or street vendor
Switzerland: ≈ $4.20 – $6 CHF 3.50–5.00 France: ≈ $1.70 – $3.40 €1.50 – €3.00 Draft, at bar or restaurant
Switzerland: ≈ $7.20 – $9.70 CHF 6–8 France: ≈ $4.50 – $9 €4 – €8 Tourist area, main course
Switzerland: ≈ $30 – $48 CHF 25–40 France: ≈ $17 – $32 €15 – €28 Local market or stand
Switzerland: ≈ $10 – $17 CHF 8–14 France: ≈ $6 – $10 €5 – €9 Mixed drink, bar
Switzerland: ≈ $19 – $27 CHF 16–22 France: ≈ $10 – $16 €9 – €14 House wine, restaurant
Switzerland: ≈ $42 – $66 CHF 35–55 France: ≈ $17 – $28 €15 – €25 Cafe or street stall
Switzerland: ≈ $6 – $9.10 CHF 5.00–7.50 France: ≈ $3.90 – $6.80 €3.50 – €6.00 Standard route
Switzerland: ≈ $60 – $84 CHF 50–70 France: ≈ $63 – $73 €56 – €65 Metered or typical fare
Switzerland: ≈ $4.60 – $6 CHF 3.80–5.00 France: ≈ $1.50 – $2.30 €1.30 – €2.00 Single ride
Switzerland: ≈ $3.40 – $11 CHF 2.80–9.20 France: ≈ $2.30 – $2.90 €2.05 – €2.55 Grab / Bolt / Uber
Switzerland: ≈ $42 – $84 CHF 35–70 France: ≈ $11 – $28 €10 – €25 Tourist shop
Switzerland: ≈ $3.60 – $7.20 CHF 3–6 France: ≈ $1.70 – $3.40 €1.50 – €3.00 Tourist shop
Switzerland: ≈ $22 – $36 CHF 18–30 France: ≈ $9 – $17 €8 – €15 Ceramics, textiles, etc.
Switzerland: ≈ $24 – $72 CHF 20–60 France: ≈ $17 – $56 €15 – €50 Data package
Switzerland: ≈ $18 – $36 CHF 15–30 France: ≈ $11 – $23 €10 – €20 Pharmacy or shop
Switzerland: ≈ $11 – $19 CHF 9–16 France: ≈ $9 – $16 €8 – €14 Supermarket
Switzerland: ≈ $0.72 – $1.80 CHF 0.60–1.50 France: ≈ $0.56 – $1.40 €0.50 – €1.20 Pack of 20
Switzerland: ≈ $10 – $11 CHF 8.50–9.50 France: ≈ $14 – $15 €12.00 – €13.50 Pack of 20 tablets
Switzerland: ≈ $3 – $6 CHF 2.50–5.00 France: ≈ $2.30 – $5.10 €2.00 – €4.50 Spray or lotion
Switzerland: ≈ $10 – $18 CHF 8–15 France: ≈ $6 – $11 €5 – €10 Local barbershop
Switzerland: ≈ $42 – $66 CHF 35–55 France: ≈ $20 – $34 €18 – €30 Laundry service
Switzerland: ≈ $6 – $11 CHF 5–9 France: ≈ $4.50 – $9 €4 – €8 Standard full-body massage
Switzerland: ≈ $110 – $170 CHF 90–140 France: ≈ $56 – $90 €50 – €80 Basic cut, salon
Switzerland: ≈ $72 – $120 CHF 60–100 France: ≈ $34 – $62 €30 – €55 Entrance ticket
Switzerland: ≈ $14 – $30 CHF 12–25 France: ≈ $16 – $36 €14 – €32 Organized excursion
Switzerland: ≈ $72 – $135 CHF 60–110 France: ≈ $39 – $68 €35 – €60 Organized excursion 6-8h
Switzerland: ≈ $145 – $240 CHF 120–200 France: ≈ $79 – $135 €70 – €120 Local cuisine cooking class
Switzerland: ≈ $110 – $180 CHF 90–150 France: ≈ $100 – $170 €90 – €150 Tourist prices are about 2.4× the fair price in France, against 2.0× in Switzerland.
Switzerland Lowest of all 60
France 14th lowest of 60
What is expected in each country, so you neither stiff anyone nor overpay.
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.
France In France service is included in restaurant and café prices by law (service compris), so tipping is never obligatory. Locals simply leave small change or round up, for example a euro or two for a good meal. There is no expectation of a percentage tip as in some countries.
Yes. In France you pay about 39% less than in Switzerland at fair prices. TruePrice Index: Switzerland 315, France 193 (100 is the median of the 60 countries I track). 27 of the 29 items cost less in France.
A week is cheaper in France: about $345 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 $1,270 in Switzerland and $875 in France.
In France: food and drinks cost about 41% less there on average. A restaurant meal costs $30 – $48 in Switzerland and $17 – $32 in France, street food $10 – $17 and $6 – $10.
In France: tourist prices there are about 2.4× the fair price on average, against 2.0× in Switzerland. The biggest gaps in France: water 1.5 L (4.1×), water 0.5 L (3.5×), and private transfer (3.4×).
Where these numbers come from, and how the comparison works.
How to cite
TruePrice, Switzerland vs France, October 2026, truepriceapp.com/en/compare/switzerland-vs-france/
Spotted a price that looks off? Email me at contact@truepriceapp.com and I will check it.
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