references/info/helpful stuff

FOOD

we haven’t actually eaten out in sierre as it’s so expensive. like ‘sat down, wined and dined’ eaten out. we have been to the McDonalds, which is 7.20.- for a happy meal, and  anywhere between 11.- and 15.- for a normal medium meal depending what you get. a burger by itself can range between 5.- to 10.- too

Holy Cow is a good one. burger chips and a non-alcoholic drink for 14.90 (if you’re a student, when i bought i didn’t need to show my student card?? but its better to have on you just incase)

SHOPPING

Denner -  for poor people (us) . the Aldi/Lidl of Switzerland (there is also Aldi/Lidl in switzerland but this is much more common to come across) its where we get all of our groceries. bread, milk, all the necessities can generally be found for 1-2.-. some vegetables and fruit can be a little more. the cheapest eggs i find are 3.30- for a 15 pack i think. always have deals on, cheap cakes biscuits etc. alcohol too, i always buy a certain wine from there for 4.95.-. cheap shitty sandwiches are 2.95-

Migros - going up in the scale. think Morrisons/Asda/Tesco. only really go here if we can’t find it in Denner. they also have more wide variety of products like beauty products, electronics, depending on which store you go to. stationary too, and for example pins (for putting posters up) seem to be 1.90.- everywhere. sandwiches getting a little pricier here circling 5.-

Co-op - for rich people. more between british co-op and waitrose. we’ve been told this is where the freshest fruit and veg can be found, and in more variety. but at higher cost. i’m not a supermarket expert but i know a horrifyingly high price when i see one. rarely set foot in here, only if desperate. sandwiches can be up to 7.- or more. occasionally you could find a deal on that’s better than the other shops but that requires some good looking around.

Manor - i call it the swiss Debenhams (maybe a hint of M&S). make -up counters, variety of clothing ranges, their homeware selections is amazing (but pricey) and there is Manor food. they do a really tasty mozzarella, tomato and pesto bap thing for 4.30.-

SECOND HAND STORES

Sierre - Job Transit. this place is actually in Chippis which is just a 5-10 minute walk over the bridge from the Inn in Sierre. Mainly books, clothes, furniture, ornaments. never seen bikes/scooters

Sion - HIOB, Emmaüs

TRAINS / TRAVELLING

Half fare card. get this. you need it. 185.- but if you want to travel a lot, its worth the sacrifice

Free travel after 7pm card . i am just about to purchase. 129.- , buy it as soon as you arrive here, like i should’ve done. if you’re going for a lot of days out, just don’t go home til after 7. or make friends elsewhere/couch surf and go out after 7 then return after 7 the next day, all free. (i think this is only available if you hold a half fare card too)

Supersaver tickets this service is also handy, we didn’t discover it til quite far in. only downside is that you have to get the specific train that you’ve booked.