In Switzerland, Hosteling Through Heidi’s Country

For breathtaking scenery and great opportunities to enjoy outdoor activities, from hiking to mountain biking or skiing, Switzerland is an ideal stop during a European tour. The problem is, it can be a real challenge on a student-style budget. But when you do some pre-trip research into the services that cater to young, independent budget travelers, it’s not an impossible destination.

Two good places to start are Swiss Youth Hostels, which lists information on its 63 locations and special packages for individuals on its Internet site at https://www.youthhostel.ch, and the annually researched guidebooks “Let’s Go: Europe” and “Let’s Go: Austria and Switzerland.”

“Let’s Go: Europe” suggests, “If you have one week, do not pass Go; head directly for Interlaken, a backpacker town brimming with opportunities to participate in adventure sports.”

Fortunately, Interlaken’s charming glacier village of Grindelwald (popular for climbing, mountain biking, hiking and para-gliding) is home to an SYH hostel that international travelers often recommend as a favorite. The setting is right out of “Heidi” in a lovely glacial valley accented by the sound of cowbells. The chalet-style 125-bed Grindelwald Youth Hostel is just above the center of the village at Weid 12, Terrassenweg; telephone 011-41-33-853-1009. Beds have cozy duvets, and the hostel has an open fireplace and mountain bikes for rent. A breakfast buffet is included with the overnight fee. During the summer, Hostelling International members can expect to pay $17 for a bed in a shared room; nonmembers are charged a slightly higher guest rate.

The alternatives to Hostelling International locations continue to expand, according to the “Let’s Go” series, which gives a thumbs-up rating to facilities that it considers especially good.

In Interlaken, the Swiss Adventure Hostel, tel. 011-41-33-773-7373, has won this recognition. It’s in the hamlet of Boltigen, 30 minutes from Spiez by train. Two free shuttles run from Interlaken each day. “Let’s Go” recommends it as an alternative to the partying location of Interlaken, with the same adventure sports opportunities. Beds are $11 to $14.50 per night, and an all-you-can-eat breakfast costs $3.

When you use the SYH hostels, you’ll find most provide kitchens where you can prepare some of your own meals, keeping your costs down. Although there are no age restrictions at SYH hostels, preference is sometimes shown to travelers under 25 when facilities are almost full.

If you haven’t already arranged your transportation, you may want to consider one of the SYH City Hopper (rail and accommodation) packages, whose details are listed on their Internet site.

Three City Hopper packages are available for $110. Each includes rail transportation between three Swiss cities and three nights’ accommodation in multibed rooms.

The “Different Routes” package takes you from Zurich to Solothurn, Bonigen and Interlaken.

Tours include rail transportation and three overnight stays in multibed rooms with breakfast and bed linens. Visitor tax is extra. This is available only to Hostelling International members who live outside Switzerland. For more information or reservations, contact Swiss Youth Hostels, City Hoppers, Schaffhauserstrasse 14, 8042 Zurich; tel. 011-41-1-360-1441, fax 011-41-1-360-1438.

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Lucy Izon is a Toronto-based freelance writer. Internet https://www.izon.com.