Cost of Living in Switzerland for Indian Students 2025
Talk to Expert
With an unmatchable quality of education, Switzerland is a great option for students willing to study abroad. The education system in Switzerland was ranked #28 in the world by the World Population Review, 2025 which is also a big reason why students across different borders prefer to study here, sorting with the higher cost of living in Switzerland.
Owing to the high exchange rate of its currency, Swiss Franc (CHF), i.e. 1 CHF = 102.61 INR (as per the exchange rate on May 01, 2025), many Indian students often worry about the cost of living in Switzerland even before starting their application procedures. For this reason, we have come up with this article to cater to all the doubts that the students may have about the living expenses in Switzerland.
Also Read:
- Cost of Housing in Switzerland
- Transportation Cost in Switzerland
- Cost of Food and Groceries
- Miscellaneous Expenditures
- Cost of Living in Switzerland for Indian Students
- Top 10 Universities in Switzerland 2026
- Tips for Saving Money in Switzerland
- Cost of Living in Switzerland FAQs
Cost of Housing in Switzerland
Accommodation is usually the biggest part of the living costs in Switzerland. However, international students and most other foreigners who rent a property in Switzerland can rest assured once they get a property to rent, because the lenders and property owners cannot increase the rent of their property every year. So, even though the accommodation is costly, you may still be in benefit than staying in most other countries like the US or UK, where the rent incraeses year on year. Here is a detailed breakdown of various types of accommodations available in Switzerland for international students.
| Accommodation Costs in Switzerland (Rent) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Type of Accommodation |
Average Monthly Rent in CHF |
Average Monthly Rent in INR (at an exchange rate of 1 CHF = 102.61 INR) |
| On-campus Accommodations/University Dormitory |
800-1200 |
82k to 1.23L |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment (in the city centre) |
|
1.85 L |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment (outside the city centre) |
1300 -1450 |
1.5 L |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment (in the city centre) |
3176 |
3.3 L |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment (outside the city centre) |
2500 |
2.6 L |
Please note that these costs may vary from property to vendor and location. You can bargain on the rents provided by local landlords if opting to rent private apartment.
Related Read: Top 10 Most Expensive Cities in the World
Transportation Cost in Switzerland
The cost of transportation is pretty high in Switzerland. A more affordable way to get around is by biking. The breakdown of the cost of transportation is given below.
| Mode of Transportation |
Average Cost in CHF |
Average Cost in INR (at an exchange rate of 1 CHF = 102.61 INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Local Transport (1 Way Ticket) |
3.50 |
359 |
| Local Transport Monthly Pass |
|
8209 |
| Taxi |
4 - 69 |
411 - 7080 |
| Self-owned car (leasing, finance or by paying the whole amount)* |
2000 yearly or 170 per month (around services and taxes) + 100-200 towards fuel |
|
*For electric vehicles, although they are cost-effective options, you still need a place to store and park them; otherwise, they'll be very costly.
Cost of Food and Groceries
The breakdown of the cost of food and groceries in Switzerland is given below.
| Food/Grocery Options |
Average Cost in CHF |
Average Cost in INR (at an exchange rate of 1 CHF = 102.61 INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Groceries - depends on which store you're buying from (the most expensive ones are Coop and Migros, which increase the cost by 30-40 per person) |
200-500 (normally) 100-250, if you cook simple food at home with limited options |
20.5k - 51.3k |
| Eating-out |
40-50 (Per Person) |
2,052 - 4,105 |
| Total |
600-700 per month (including the eating out cost if you go out every weekend) |
|
Miscellaneous Expenditures
Other than food, travel and accommodation, there are other expenditures as well that the students must take a look at if they are preparing a tight budget.
| Particulars |
Average Monthly Cost in CHF |
Average Cost in INR (at an exchange rate of 1 CHF = 102.61 INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Health Insurance |
200 - 400 |
20.5k - 41k |
| Phone and Internet Bills |
30-60 |
3,078 - 6,157 |
| Entertainment Activities |
100 - 200 |
10.2k - 20.5k |
Predict your IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE in just 4 steps!
Cost of Living in Switzerland for Indian Students
To manage expenses in Switzerland, understanding the approximate cost of living in Switzerland, as outlined below, will help Indian students prepare their finances accordingly.
| Expense Category |
Average Range (CHF), Monthly |
Average Range (INR, at an exchange rate of 1 CHF = 102.61 INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fees, if applicable |
400 - 3,800 |
41k - 3.9 L |
| Study Materials |
50 - 100 |
5,131 - 10.2k |
| Utilities (Electricity, heating, water, internet) |
150 - 300 |
15.4k - 30.8k |
| Health Insurance Premium, paid monthly (depending on the city where you're living) |
200 - 400 |
20.5k - 41k |
| Transportation |
70 - 120 |
7.2k - 12.3k |
| Food |
300 - 500 |
30.8k - 51.3k |
| Accommodation |
800 - 1500 |
82k - 1.54L |
| Entertainment/Miscellaneous |
100-200 |
10.2k - 20.5k |
Top 10 Universities in Switzerland 2026
Along with its breathtaking scenery, Switzerland is home to 10 universities ranked in QS World University Rankings - 2026. These universities are a big attraction for international students because of their quality of education. Top 10 universities in Switzerland, their average 1st year tuition fees and rankings are given in the table below.
| Top 10 Universities in Switzerland 2026 and Their Cost of Studies | ||
|---|---|---|
| Top Swiss Universities |
QS World University Rankings 2026 |
Average 1st Year Tuition Fees |
| Zurich, Switzerland |
7 |
PG: ₹1.58 L - ₹4.9 L |
| Lausanne, Switzerland |
=22 |
PG: ₹1.58 L |
| Zurich, Switzerland |
100 |
PG: ₹1.56 L |
| Geneva, Switzerland |
=155 |
PG: ₹1.08 L |
| Basel, Switzerland |
158 |
UG & PG: ₹1.69 L |
| Bern, Switzerland |
=184 |
PG: ₹2.05 L |
| Lausanne, Switzerland |
=212 |
UG & PG: ₹1.25 L |
| USI - Università della Svizzera italiana Lugano, Switzerland |
=473 |
- |
| Fribourg, Switzerland |
642 |
UG & PG: ₹2.13 L |
| Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) Winterthur, Switzerland |
801-850 |
PG: ₹1.56 L |
Tips for Saving Money in Switzerland
The cost of living in Switzerland can be exhausting. For this reason, below we have provided some tips on saving money during your stay in Switzerland.
- Cook at home as much as possible.
- Take benefit of student discounts.
- Use public transportation or a bike.
- Find part-time jobs in Switzerland for added income.
- Live in a smaller town or city other than Zurich and Geneva.
This was all about the cost of living in swiss. If you wish to study abroad, then you can get assistance from Shiksha Counselling Services for free. You can also drop your queries in the comments section below.
Cost of Living in Switzerland FAQs
For Indian students specifically, the cheapest public universities in Switzerland are:
- University of Geneva- CHF 435-500 per semester - same fees for international students as Swiss students. This is your best option.
- University of Lausanne- CHF 500-580 per semester - also charges the same for everyone, making it very affordable.
- University of Neuchâtel- CHF 700 per semester for international students - slightly higher than Geneva/Lausanne but still reasonable.
Yes, there are many English-taught programs at Swiss public universities, especially at the master's level. In all, ETH Zurich and EPFL have the most extensive English-taught offerings in technical fields.
Statement of Purpose
Letter of Recommendation
Student Visa Application
Admission Essay Writing
Student Curriculum Vitae
Yes, the living cost in Switzerland is way too much for Indian students. Students must keep aside an average budget of 1 - 2 L per month or 12-14 Lacs a year merely just to survive in Switzerland. However, as much as it is expensive to live, the ROI upon completing your higher education in Switzerland is equally high.