Okay, we hear you! It’s a known cliché: “Switzerland is expensive!”
Yes, but…
Firstly, Switzerland has not suffered from as much inflation as its neighbours in recent years. So organising an event elsewhere in 2025 could turn out to be just as expensive as in Switzerland.
- Why is inflation low in Switzerland compared to other countries? (Accurity, October 2023)
- Why Switzerland is resistant to food-price inflation (Swissinfo, November 2023)
The Swiss VAT is 8,1%, much lower than in surrounding countries.
Current exchange rate on xe.com. On 12 February 2024, CHF 1.00 is EUR 1.0611 and USD 1.1424.
Update on 6 March 2024, day of the revised offer by the catering company, CHF 1.00 is EUR 1.0401 and USD 1.1346
For the WordCamp budget
The venue’s offer is excellent (see in the Documents page) and above all, includes everything such as fully ready rooms, staff and A/V. No need to build tracks or rent chairs: they have it all!
Catering: Admittedly, it’s probably much more than in Italy, Greece or Portugal! Is that a deal-breaker? We don’t think so!
The sponsor area on Hall 4.1 can be expanded if we need more sponsors.
Furthermore, the Canton of Basel-Stadt wants to welcome many conferences and offers financial support to eligible ones, see financial support for conferences. This cannot be asked until we confirm, but the Convention Bureau says it could be several tens of thousands, even CHF 40’000.-
Affordability for attendees
As Basel is a central location in Europe, attendees might find it cheaper, easier and quicker to come, compared to the need of flying to Athens or Porto. See the Get to Basel page.
Accomodation might appear to be slightly more expensive than in other cities, but there are a lot of hotels in the CHF 100-200 range. The Convention Bureau makes it possible to have up to 30% discounts with partner hotels in low-mid-high range. We also find alternative accommodation on Booking or AirBnB for renting apartments at similar conditions to those in other European cities. More information on our Accommodation page. With hotel/hostel/apartment nights, visitors get the Baselcard, which includes free public transportation and up to 50% discount on many touristic attractions and museum tickets.
Another possibility is to book a hotel in St-Louis, just across the French border, and come by public transport (less than 20 minutes to the city center), see more information in our Getting around in Basel page.
Dining out would probably be the main cost for participants, who would find the prices higher than in other countries. However, when it comes to eating out, Basel can cover all needs, from heritage-protected guild pubs and traditional gourmet restaurants to cheerful urban foodcourts and tasty street food trucks. There certainly is a wide choice of culinary variety to suit all tastes and budgets!
More info on cost for visiting Switzerland (ThePlanetD, update January 2024) before or after the WordCamp.