Accommodation in the Alps can be arranged through several reliable agencies which I myself have been using in the past.
When I go climbing in the summertime, I sometimes rent flats in the mountains, and the usual reaction of people is like ‘it must be expensive there’.
Staying in Switzerland may indeed be expensive, but there are ways to find a good and inexpensive place to stay even in such a country. Here, I am going to say a bit on how to find a reasonably good place for you, and not to spend much.
[Bach: Chromatic phantasy BWV903]
I would like to stress first that there are many ski resorts throughout the Alps, and in summertime you may always find a good place to stay in various kinds of dormitories and apartment blocks in such areas. And more importantly, the prices in summer may be considerably lower than in winter. The same holds for flats in private houses.
There are a few reliable agencies whose services you may use to find what you want. I have been using a few of them, so I am able to provide some first-hand information for you.
Interhome
This agency I used many times in the past, and not only in the mountains. I used it to find accommodation throughout Europe. But here I shall focus on what they offer in the mountains. The information they provide on their site is reliable, flats are well described and with pictures. What you see is indeed what you get.
This is January 2015 and I am going to check for a few places in Switzerland for next summer, to show you what you may expect. Usually, it is not necessary to make reservations so well in advance, although you may have some discounts in this case.
Similarly, they have discounts for ‘last minute reservations’ and in such case, you may get it for 30 percent cheaper. But you understand that this may be risky and you certainly have much less choice to choose.
- So just as an example, I searched for August 15, 2015 for an object in Siviez and here is the result, for two persons and for one week: 181 E. This is a ski resort, and it is a bit separated from populated places like Nendaz, but there are some shops in the building itself. Though supermarkets are in Nendaz, so if you have a car this is no problem at all. I was staying in the same building twice.It may be interesting to check prices for camping somewhere in the valleys below, and you will realize that you would not pay much less. However, when you are in Siviez, you are at high altitude (around 1800 m) and hiking and mountaineering trails starting literally immediately from the entrance to the building.
With this, you may already have an idea about prices. All places are equipped with everything you would normally need at home for cooking and for sleeping. There may be some differences from place to place, which determine the price of course.
You may easily search yourself for various other places, just click on the Interhome picture above and chose the area.
Casamundo
This is yet another agency I used in the past. It offers a great variety of objects, the layout of their site is clear and you will easily navigate through it. Many objects offered by Interhome you will find also at Casamundo, but you might find some others as well. It is worth checking both of them.
You may search for the objects I mentioned above. For example, you may try to locate Switzerland, Valais, Siviez and this will lead you to the same objects mentioned before, with the same price.
If I search for accommodation in Austria, Tirol, Otzal, Solden, and choose next summer and August 15th as the starting date, it leads me to an object where I see the price 212 E per week for 4 people (this is in the moment when I am typing this). So this will allow you to get some idea about inexpensive accommodation in this part of the Alps.
Similar objects I can find in Vent, which is a village close to Solden, in the heart of Austrian Alps, and from this perspective similar to Livigno in the Italian part of the Alps. Though it is much smaller, and mountains directly surrounding Vent are considerably higher as compared to those around Livigno.
Booking.com
This company is known worldwide and it offers not only accommodation but also travel support. I have used it many times and not only for vacation travels but also for business purposes.
So with this, you can get some idea on how to find accommodation in the Alps. I hope this text has been useful to you. Please leave a comment below if you have any question, I shall be happy to help you.
David says
I always thought that booking accommodations in the Alps would be more difficult that just going through a rental site like you describe. It also doesn’t sound all that expensive if you can find the good deal. I will most certainly be using those sites when I book my next trip to the Alps! Thanks for the good advice
Jovo says
Hi David, as you see I give some specific examples because I have been there many times in the past. There are many good places where you can rent a flat for really small money. This is particularly so in some ski resorts. Just have a look and you will find it, there are many places of that kind in Valais kanton.
Maurice says
Love the website you have picked. Great information about traveling and great pictures. The pictures look like Switzerland, where I was born. So that hooks me instantly. Are you from a country like that yourself? The information of the tent is great and complete. Thanks for sharing on this topic and keep it up
Jovo says
Hi Maurice great to read your comment. Yes many of photos are from Switzerland, I have been climbing there a lot. I am not from there unfortunately.
s a h says
Hey great site I found there was a lot of information and the content was fantastic also I love the picture at the top of the home page. I have family who are regular visiters to the alps so I am pretty sure that if I pass this website on to them they will be very interested great work.
Evie says
Switzerland is absolutely beautiful with or without the snow. You showed some great options for me to look into.
You mentioned that Siviez was a bit separate from the population. Is there other means of getting to Nendaz besides having your own car?
Is there shuttle bus that can bring people to other parts of Switzerland and offers other areas to shop and dine? Thanks for the great information.
Jovo says
Hi Evie, many thanks for such a nice comment. As for the question regarding public transport to Siviez, I am surprised that I did not pay attention to this. I was there 3 times but always with my own car. So cannot say really, but this is popular place both in winter and ins summer and ski lifts start just in front of the building where I was staying so there must be some transport. As for other places, Switzerland’s so called post buses go everywhere. One great example you may see in my page on Pigne de la Le or Sasseneire where the regular bus line from Griemntz goes to 2500 meters above the sea.
Jay says
Hey Jovo, thanks for the really good article. Initially I would have never really considered the Alps for a holiday destination but having read your post it seems like a feasible and worthwhile trip with all your recommendations. I’d love to plan a ski trip and the Apartment Rosablanche that you recommend sounds like the perfect resort for me because its quiet and is off the beaten track. Thanks for the helpful post
Jovo says
Hi Jay, great to read your comment. Indeed the object you saw in the text is very convenient for skiers, the lift is literally in front of the building and access road is good.
Chris says
A mate of mine works on a mountain bike trial through the alps and on occasion he has mentioned using Casamundo to my brother on occasion.
We keep on arranging to get over there and visit but always finding a last minute reason to delay ( family stuff! )
Great review
Jovo says
Hopefully you might manage it in the end. Thank you for stopping by.
Jeff says
You offer some very straight forward ways to find accommodations in the Alps. It sounds like it would be difficult and expensive to arrange a trip like this – but your website shows that it is within reach. What is you recommendation for the best time of year to visit the Alps? And for a first time visitor – what would you have to see?
Jovo says
Hi Jeff, if you go for mountaineering than surely when there is no snow. And then it depends where you would go. I have some tips in my another page. Have a look, you might get some idea. Thanks.
Dmitriy says
Hi Jovo,
Great post, thanks for sharing this!
The Idea of having a holiday in the mountains have been in my head for a very long time, and I feel I will finally make those thoughts a reality next year. Now I know where to look for a few tips 🙂
Thanks again!
Jovo says
Hi Dmitriy, thank you for the comment. Great if my text helped. Best luck.
Colton says
Interhome really seems like a great agency to work with here, I have some friends in Switzerland and I plan on visiting soon. I’ll definitely be using Interhome to book a place, that’s for sure!
Thank you for sharing this post with everyone, it was very helpful! I’m sure many others would say and think the same! 🙂
Jovo says
Hi Colton, glad to hear that you find the text useful. Many thanks for the comment.
kirk says
I have skied in the Alps, I have hiked in the Alps. I honeymooned at the base of the Matterhorn but I have never gone into the back country in the Alps. I almost got a chance to climb the Weishorn. As I am too old to do that now, next time I go over there, hopefully soon I will take your advice and look into some of the out of the way places you recommend. Have you ever stayed in one of the climbing huts?
Thank you for this post.
Kirk
Jovo says
Hi Kirk, great to read your comment. You obviously have many memories about Switzerland. Weishorn is a great challenge. As for huts, yes I have stayed there, it is good to get into some of them when you come from cold. But sleeping in hits is not the best memory I have, in collective mattress rooms somebody always snores…See may another page about huts.
Cedric says
even though i am not so much of a holiday fan especially at the mountains, but post like this makes you feel like going for a holiday. gives insight on inexpensive ways to find a holiday flat. holidays are about having fun, relaxing and feeling comfortable. i will recommend this post to a friend who loves climbing mountains, it will surely help him out with accommodation.
Jovo says
Hi Cedric, thank you for the comment. I am sure your friend will know if he is a mountaineer but certainly let him know. Thanks.
Nicola@cancersavvy.com says
I have only ever been to the Alps on expensive winter ski breaks where each part of the group still pays a small fortune to share a chalet with paper-thin walls for a week! It is good to know that there are many different options and you certainly seem to have done your homework. Tell me, if you had £500 to spend on a week’s accommodation for 2 people in the summer in the Alps, where would you choose?
Jovo says
Hi Nicola, thank you for the comment. With this budget you can find accommodation in many parts of Austrian and Swiss Alps. Italy is more expensive if you go to Livigno area but in Bormio and Santa Catarina Valfurva you will manage it without problem. In Swiss Alps for example Siviez, Nendaz, Grimentz, Dix dam valley and even Saas Valley. In Austria definitely Orzal Alps, you will find good accommodation, you can manage 2 weeks with that amount.
Peggy Menke says
Hello, Jovo. Great review on the accommodations that are available. I too thought it would be too expensive to visit Europe, but you gave me some good places to check out. Thanks for sharing this information!
Jovo says
Thanks Peggy, there are indeed many great possibilities as you realized from the text. Jovo
Claire says
Hi Jovo!
I absolutely love the Alps. I’m not into climbing so much, but I do ski, so I’ve got this page book-marked for future reference as I think some of the options you have given above would make for perfect accommodation on a winter holiday.
Thanks so much!
Claire
Jovo says
Hi Claire, it is great you find the page useful. Many thanks for the comment. Jovo