Zurich: Cheap Flights & Best Hotels

Zurich Travel Guide

First Impressions

Zurich is Switzerland's largest city and its financial centre, but it feels more like a well-kept lakeside town than a banking capital. The River Limmat flows out of Lake Zurich through a compact old town of guild houses and church towers, the Alps glint on the horizon on clear days, and locals swim in the river and lake all summer. It is also a culture city, with major museums, a creative scene in former industrial districts and the birthplace of the Dada art movement. Zurich is expensive, but its excellent public transport makes it an easy base for day trips across Switzerland.

Timing Your Trip

• June to August: Warm days, lake swimming, open-air cinemas and the river baths (Badis). The Zurich Street Parade, a huge techno festival, takes place in August.
• September and October: Crisp, often sunny weather and colourful vineyards on the lake shores.
• December: Christmas markets, including one around a tree decorated with crystals in the main railway station, and festive lights along Bahnhofstrasse.
• January to March: Cold and grey in the city, but the Alps are within easy reach for skiing.
• April and May: Spring blossom; the Sechseläuten festival in April burns a snowman effigy to predict the summer.

Exploring the City

The Old Town (Altstadt). Both banks of the Limmat are worth wandering. On the east side (Niederdorf), lanes are lined with bars and small shops. On the west side, climb to Lindenhof, a leafy terrace with views across the rooftops. The twin towers of the Grossmünster are the city's symbol; climb one for the view. The Fraumünster is famous for stained-glass windows by Marc Chagall, and St Peter's Church has one of Europe's largest church clock faces.

Bahnhofstrasse. One of the world's most exclusive shopping streets runs from the main station to the lake.

Lake Zurich. Stroll the promenades, take a boat cruise from Bürkliplatz, or swim at one of the lake baths. Boat trips to Rapperswil, a small town with a castle and rose gardens, make a relaxed half-day.

Museums. The Kunsthaus Zürich, one of Switzerland's leading art museums, holds works from medieval art to modern masters. The Swiss National Museum, in a castle-like building beside the station, tells the country's history. The FIFA Museum appeals to football fans, and the Museum Rietberg focuses on art from Asia, Africa, the Americas and Oceania, including a significant Indian collection.

Zurich West. The former industrial quarter has been reinvented with the Im Viadukt market hall and shops in old railway arches, the Freitag flagship tower made of shipping containers, and bars and clubs.

Uetliberg. Zurich's local mountain is reached by train from the main station; a short walk to the top rewards you with views over the city, lake and, on good days, the Alps.

Day Trips

Trains make it easy to reach the Rhine Falls, Europe's most powerful waterfall by volume, Lucerne and Mount Pilatus or Rigi, the medieval town of Stein am Rhein, and even the Jungfrau region for a long day.

Swiss Food

Comfort food is the theme. Zurich's signature dish is Zürcher Geschnetzeltes, sliced veal in a creamy mushroom sauce served with rösti. Share a cheese fondue or raclette in winter, and try Bircher muesli, invented by a Swiss doctor. Luxemburgerli, small macarons from Confiserie Sprüngli, and Swiss chocolate make good gifts. Zurich has a strong vegetarian tradition too: Hiltl, considered one of the oldest continuously operating vegetarian restaurants in the world, is here. Supermarkets such as Coop and Migros sell ready meals that keep costs down.

Getting There and Around

Zurich Airport (ZRH) is Switzerland's main hub and home of SWISS, with direct flights from across the world. Trains run frequently from the airport station to Zurich HB (main station) in a few minutes. Zurich HB is also a hub for international trains to Germany, Austria, Italy and France.

The city's trams, buses, trains and lake boats are run as one network (ZVV) with shared tickets. A day pass is often good value, and the Zürich Card adds free public transport, including the airport, with free or discounted museum entry. Visitors touring the country may prefer a Swiss Travel Pass. Walking and cycling are easy, and free bike-loan schemes have operated in summer.

Where to Stay

• Altstadt (Old Town): Charming but pricier.
• Around Zurich HB: Convenient for day trips.
• Seefeld: Upmarket lakeside area.
• Zurich West and Kreis 4: Trendy, with more affordable design hotels.
• Oerlikon or near the airport: Lower rates with fast train links.

Saving Money

• Fill your water bottle from the public fountains; the water is drinkable.
• Swim at the free or low-cost lake and river baths.
• Use the Zürich Card or a Swiss Travel Pass if you plan many journeys.
• Picnic with supermarket food and look for lunch menus.
• Flights to Switzerland vary widely; voyagiro.com compares 27+ booking sites for free, so you can check Zurich against nearby airports such as Basel.

Practical Notes

• Visa: Switzerland is in the Schengen Area; entry rules depend on nationality. Check the official Swiss State Secretariat for Migration (SEM).
• Currency: Swiss franc (CHF). Cards are accepted almost everywhere.
• Language: Swiss German; English is widely spoken.
• Plugs: Type J (Swiss); Type C plugs usually fit, but bring an adaptor.