Experience Switzerland Without Breaking The Bank At A Little-Known Car-Free Mountain Paradise

Green Alpine meadows and snowy, sheer cliffs. Forested hills and fields of flowers. Mountain chalets and clean, cobblestoned cities. Switzerland has certainly locked in its position as one of the world's most beautiful countries, and unlike many other places, there's no wrong time of year to visit Switzerland — especially since, thanks to the Alps, the weather in Switzerland is notoriously unpredictable anyway!

As you may guess, a country as beautiful and delightful as this has also been firmly discovered. Switzerland received a whopping 20.8 million international visitors in 2023 alone, and these numbers aren't expected to slow any time soon. Even with these crowds, though, Switzerland manages to maintain most of its beauty, wilderness, and charm. But all of this comes at a cost: Switzerland tops the list of the world's most expensive countries to visit. 

Despite this, no one could blame you for still wanting to make your Swiss Alpine dreams come true. It's possible, especially if you're willing to escape the typical tourist spots on your Switzerland trip. Do this in the tiny, unique, and budget-friendly Stoos, which is easier on your wallet with affordable accommodation options and miles of accessible hiking trails. This little-known car-free village (which means no need for expensive parking or a rental car — more money saved!), with a population of 150, is an easy day trip from the lakeside city of Lucerne (or Luzern, in traditional Swiss spelling). 

Lucerne is a historic lake town that makes an ideal home base for exploring Switzerland. Although Lucerne is less known than other Swiss cities, its reputation as a mini Lake Como means it gets around nine million visitors annually. Luckily, there are quite a few undiscovered corners of Switzerland near Lucerne, including Stoos (pronounced by locals as 'Stoze' rather than 'Stooz'). On the eastern side of Lake Lucerne, Stoos is a quintessential Swiss village in a deep Alpine valley known for skiing, mountain trails like Stoos Ridge Hike, and the Stoosbahn, the world's steepest funicular railway. The railway is included in the Swiss Travel Pass, and kids ride free during the summer, making it a cost-effective option for travel.

As mentioned, Stoos is a car-free village, and in fact, you can't even reach it by car. To get there, you can park at the Stoosbahn lot and take the funicular to the mountain village. You can also take a train from Lucerne to Schwyz, then a bus to the funicular station. For a scenic boat ride, take a ferry from Lucerne to Morschach, then catch the Morschach-Stoos cable car. If you're up for a hike, you can also make the steep 3.5-mile walk from Morschach.

As you've probably gathered, Stoos isn't the easiest to reach. But the views along the way will make the trip worth it! Stoos is a must-visit destination for avid hikers, with many hikes starting right in the tiny town. You can also take the chairlift to various hikes, including the epic Fronalpstock viewpoint (where Stoos Ridge trail ends), or get your blood moving with paragliding and mountain biking. In the winter, enjoy the wide, accessible paths at one of Switzerland's most inexpensive ski resorts. Whenever you decide to visit, this little-known hamlet will guarantee fresh Alpine air, mountain adventures, and mind-blowing views.

Of course, during your adventuring, you need a place to sleep and eat! Yes, Stoos is tiny, yet it has over 2,000 guest beds found in luxury wellness spas or simple chalets. There's also a variety of restaurants focusing on Swiss favorites and a sampling of international flavors. Whether you're hiking to nearby farms to sample fresh cheese, taking a gondola up to the famous Fronalpstock Restaurant (also a moderately priced hotel with — you guessed it — breathtaking mountain panoramas), or skiing into a winter hut for a hot drink, Stoos is tasty all year long. Stoos also has more luxurious options for wining and dining, if you're wanting to "treat yo' self," but the simpler options are plenty charming, cozy, and delicious. Save that money for the big Swiss city!