The epicentre of over-the-top ski holidays may be super-expensive, but there are ways to enjoy St. Moritz without spending a fortune…

There’s no denying that St. Moritz is the top ski destination in the world for the ultra-rich and super-famous. Every year, the Swiss resort town hits the top of many lists in terms of hotel room price, the cost of a ski pass and how much a glass of champagne and bowl of caviar will set you back.

But if you’re not rolling cash, you’ll be pleased to hear that it is possible to get the most out of St. Moritz without dropping the cost of a family car on your week of fun in the snow.

Here are our top tips for enjoy a trip to St. Moritz on a budget. Oh, and if you’re loaded, or don’t want to scrimp, then just do the opposite of everything on this list!

Don’t stay in St. Moritz

Lake Silvaplana — Robert Buchel / Shutterstock

Ok, so this one may be cheating, but there are plenty of places where you can be a short drive or train journey from the resort that cost a fraction of the price to stay in.

The nearby towns and villages of Pontresina, Samedan, Celerina/Schlarigna and Silvaplana all offer gorgeous hotels, guesthouses and apartments at a slightly lower price point than the centre of St. Moritz. Local buses and the Rhaetian Railway make it very easy to get to St. Moritz.

If You Do Stay in St. Moritz, Book a Budget Hotel or Hostel

Scour the booking sites (Booking.com, Expedia) for a bargain or choose a 3-star hotel or guest house over a 4- or 5-star mega hotel to save on your overnight costs. There are plenty of places to stay in St. Moritz that won’t break the bank, especially if you time your trip correctly or visit at the tail end of the ski season.

If you don’t mind basic stuff, then either the Hostel by Randolins or the St. Moritz Youth Hostel offer a bed for the night and a shared bathroom for not too much. This is ideal if all you plan to do is ski and party.

Another good cheap option is to look for apartment rentals. Smaller apartments that are a little off the beaten track tend to cost much less, so keep an eye on Vrbo and Booking.com for the best St. Moritz apartment deals.

Or, Just Go for the Day

The sign at St. Moritz train station — Paolo Gallo / Shutterstock

Another way to experience St. Moritz without requiring a bank loan is to just go for the day. The town’s train station is well connected with the rest of Switzerland’s excellent public transport system, including an onward connection to the Bernina Express via the Rhaetian Railway.

Alternatively, you can hire a car or, the cheapest option, a bike and cycle there. Switzerland’s mountainous roads are perfect for road biking in warmer months, and using your legs costs nothing!

Remember to buy your Swiss Travel Pass if you plan on travelling extensively throughout the Switzerland. This means you can travel almost anywhere on any form of transport without any prior bookings needed and avoiding expensive on-the-day tickets.

Avoid the Major Events

Guess what? When St. Moritz hosts the world-renowned events the town is famous for, the price of a hotel room tends to sky rocket. Whether that’s the annual Ski World Cup, the various trial days and races held on the Cresta Run or the White Turf winter horse racing / polo games, the St. Moritz calendar is jam-packed year round.

An easy way to save cash is to visit when these events aren’t taking place. Yes, you’ll miss out on the action, but these tips are all about saving money, rather than splurging on fun events!

Go in Spring or Autumn

Autumnal trees on the hills of St. Moritz — Thorsten Schier / Shutterstock

Winter is hands down the busiest season in St. Moritz with the fresh snow bringing the visitors to town – and hotel prices up. Summer, although not quite as busy, sees hikers and tourists enjoying the incredible mountain tails and landscapes in the sunshine.

By visiting during the shoulder seasons of April - May and September - October just before the snow really sets in, you’ll find that things are generally quieter and therefore slightly less expensive. But on the whole, St. Moritz prices for things like food and drinks or shopping don’t wander too far throughout the year.

Eat cheap

Although St. Moritz is packed with outstanding gastronomic experiences, ranging from the two-Michelin-starred Ecco St. Moritz to the glorious Alpine Hutte up on the slopes, it isn’t too difficult to find cheaper eats without the grandeur or heartbeat-skip-inducing bill.

For morning coffees and great pastries without the pricetag, check out Coop Bistro St. Moritz Bellevue. This Swiss chain is known for affordable breakfasts and hot drinks.

For simple, hearty dishes to fight off the cold, try Banfi's, serving up all things Swiss.

Alternatively, head to the Lidl in St.Moritz-Bad and grab some bargain lunches and dinners to tuck into on the slopes or in your chalet.

Do Free Stuff

A woman rides a bike in Switzerland — Umomos / Shutterstock

Whether it’s hiking Heidi flower trail in the summer or climbing St. Moritz’s very own leaning tower for beautiful wintry views, there are plenty of things to do that don’t involve tapping your credit card.

If you’ve invested in your ski pass, or like we recommend, asked your hotel to organise it for you, then you can spend most of the day on the slopes, rather than getting into the pricey aprés antics and extended lunch stops.

If you’re visiting in summer and the weather is good, then a great free thing to do near St. Moritz is to swim in Lej Marsch. About 10 minutes from the town, this small lake is a great spot for a dip with amazing views of the Alpine surroundings.

Avoid Via Serlas

High end stores on St Moritz's Serlas shopping street — andersphoto / Shutterstock

If you love high-end shopping, then St. Moritz is heaven. With most visitors wishing to make a statement, or find some comedically oversized shopping bags to try and pack into their supercar, you’ll find practically every name in fashion at any of the boutiques or standalone stores throughout the town.

But if you want to avoid temptation, either avoid Via Serlas or stick strictly to window shopping. Don’t expect to find too many sales or bargain price tags here, as it’s more about the honour of ownership than getting the best deal in St. Moritz!

Book Everything Well in Advance

A view of St Moritz and lake during snowy winter — Patrick Pimienta / Shutterstock

This is of course a great piece of general advice for any trip, but it’s especially true in St. Moritz. During the ski season, you can fully expect almost every price to be at its peak, so if you’re trying to book a couple of weeks out, you’ll pay a major premium – and your options will be limited.

Get the best deals by booking as far out as possible and secure your stay, ski passes etc. a year in advance if you can.

Now you’ve got some top tips for saving on your trip to St. Moritz, it’s time to book! Our last tip is to check out ski holiday comparison site WeSki, which has some great deals for European and worldwide skiing. We aren’t affiliated with them, we just think they have great offers and an easy to use site!