Where to park when visiting Swiss cities? (page 2 of 4)

Some may also have tighter budgets and want to take advantage of great tips without having to put up with others’ condescension...

Totally agree.

I may have exaggerated the prices a bit, but the differences are really striking... As for the more or less friendly welcome... I don’t lump everyone together, but I’ve been the victim of several scams in restaurants. Example: you order the cheapest water, pronouncing it correctly (I studied German for 7 years and really liked the language) and pointing to the name on the menu... I don’t check what they put on the table... when the bill arrives, I realize they served me some overpriced water that’s nowhere near the one I wanted on the menu! I know you find the same scams in France... but don’t think all Swiss people are honest. Now I’m more cautious!

Good to know!

In that case, I’d make a scene, I think... Don’t push it!

Google Maps says 1 hour. Yeah, 1 hour is doable. It looks really cute!

We’re only staying 6 days in Zofingen, and we’re taking it easy. 11 days in Rovray, which is more remote.

After that, it’ll mostly depend on the weather—doesn’t sound great so far 🐸

So, where do we park in Lucerne without selling a kidney?

Big cities are okay, but when I see the hassle for Fribourg, which isn't even that big... Or Montreux !

I don’t get it—what hassle? You just pull into the first underground parking lot you see? There’s no shortage of spaces in Montreux. (Or in Switzerland in general, really.)

That said, yeah, if you're looking for free parking, it’s trickier. But it’s not exactly a fortune—15 CHF for the day...

Yeah, okay, that’s fair. I saw prices like 80 CHF a day in Bern, for example.

Honestly, I’d rather spend my money on something other than parking. I’m just looking for the best solutions if they exist—free isn’t the only goal!

I’d rather pay half as much and walk a bit, that’s all.

Big cities are fine, but when I see the hassle for Fribourg, which isn’t even that big... Or Montreux !

I don’t get it, what hassle? You just pull into the first underground parking you see? There’s no shortage of spaces in Montreux. (Or in Switzerland in general, really.)

That said, yeah, if you’re looking for free parking, it’s trickier. But it’s not exactly a fortune—15 CHF for the day...

Yeah, fair enough. I saw prices like 80 CHF a day in Bern, for example.

Honestly, I’d rather spend money on something other than parking. I’m just looking for the best solutions if they exist—free isn’t the only goal.

I’d rather pay half as much and walk a bit, that’s all.

80 CHF? I’d be surprised...

For Bern, I’ll admit I’ve never really explored it outside of football matches.

But a quick search turns up options like this: Parking in Bern - Park with peace of mind 25-minute walk to the center. 19 CHF for 24 hours. (Didn’t check if there’s anything cheaper.)

hi, I read this:

Parking spaces reserved for women: 9

That’s not many. You’ve gotta get up early or there won’t be any spots left! :( Can a woman park in a space reserved for men? Do the Swiss police check? And on top of that, does she have to pay a fine...? ;)

I’d seen parking for 80 CHF a day in Bern, for example.

Wow, I’ve never seen parking that expensive for a day—I go to Bern regularly, though.

Hi, I read this:

Parking spaces reserved for women: 9

That’s not many. You’ve gotta get up early or there won’t be any spots left! :( Can a woman park in a space reserved for men? Do the Swiss police check? And if she gets a fine on top of that... ;)

There are no spaces just for men. Parking is for everyone, but some underground garages have women-only spaces. These spots are near the entrance (on foot) and the cashier. Some women feel unsafe at night and are reassured when they can park close to the entrance.

Good to know!

In this case, I’d make a huge scene, I think... Don’t push it!

You can find dishonest people anywhere, and who knows if it was really dishonesty or just a misunderstanding. In the situation described, making an immediate complaint would’ve probably solved the problem, but drinking the drink and then complaining afterward isn’t the smartest move.

Anyway, I hope you only meet decent people, but the Swiss aren’t any better or worse than people from other nationalities. Don’t generalize!

80 CHF, never seen that before... I'd say 25 to 30 CHF per day...

With just 2 minutes of searching, you can find something like this, for example:

https://parcandi.com/ch-de/facility/83

Small suggestion—if you're going from Lausanne to Montreux, I **highly** recommend taking the little road through the Lavaux vineyards. Lavaux is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

From Montreux, a (narrow) road goes up to the Jaman Pass parking lot. From up there, you’ve got an amazing view of Lake Geneva. It’s gorgeous at sunset. From the parking lot, you can hike up to Dent de Jaman on foot. The parking is free.

From Rovray, you can head to Creux du Van. This natural amphitheater is really pretty, and you can often spot ibexes. The parking is free too.

I’d seen parking in Bern for example at 80 CHF per day.

Wow, I’ve never seen parking that expensive for a day—I go to Bern regularly, too.

Or maybe it was in Zurich, I can’t remember anymore.

For Bern, it might be easier to park at the previous train station and take the train.

I don’t particularly feel like driving in city centers! We’re not looking for the most central parking spot either.

Little suggestion—if you're going from Lausanne to Montreux, I highly recommend taking the small road through the Lavaux vineyards. Lavaux is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

From Montreux, a (narrow) road goes up to the Jaman Pass parking lot. From up there, you’ve got an amazing view of Lake Geneva. It’s gorgeous at sunset. From the parking lot, you can hike up to Dent de Jaman on foot. The parking is free.

From Rovray, you can head to Creux du Van. This natural amphitheater is really pretty, and you can often spot ibexes. The parking is free too.

Yes, Lavaux is on the plan if the weather cooperates!

I’ll note Creux du Van—thanks! Same for the other nearby villages mentioned, they look super cute!

That works, but it's a minimum of 3 francs for the trip from a suburban station, 12 francs round-trip for two, plus whatever it costs to park near the chosen station. Might as well just park downtown...

While I'm at it, another thing: watch out for speed cameras that aren't announced in advance—we quickly got hit with a fine of 40 or 120 francs, which will weigh more on the budget than parking when we get back. Coyote/Waze-style devices and the like must be removed and not left in the vehicle (though it's unlikely they'll search your luggage), and similar apps on your smartphone must also be taken off...

It’s good, minimum 3 CHF for the trip from a suburban station, 12 CHF round trip for two + see how much to pay for parking near the chosen station. Might as well park in the city center...

It was 5 francs a day.

If there’s a parking lot at that price right in the center, I’d love to know about it.

Plus, it’s also to avoid driving in the city center. Driving downtown is a pain.

It’s the driver’s choice—I wasn’t driving anyway

Bring 2 bikes on the back of the car. A budget-friendly and eco-friendly solution 😏

My husband had found this before they suggested the parking a bit farther away.

I jotted down the info shared here, but I haven’t checked everything yet, etc.

Another thing: I’ve been dealing with tendonitis in my ankle for months. Some days, it really hurts, so walking is more complicated.

Anyway, I was worried, but it’s better now—I managed to walk a lot during my recent trip to Copenhagen.

But it depends on the day...

So, choosing between a parking spot 20 minutes away on foot or a train that drops me in the city center will also depend on how my foot feels at the time 🤕

Another great reason to bring bikes—nothing like it for healing ankle tendonitis, as long as you don’t tackle mountain passes, of course. 😏

Oh no, I don’t bike...

Okay, I’ll jot down everything that’s been said. The main thing left is figuring out where to park in Zurich or near the train station...