Photo: Ilya Hirschberg (Kreecher) · CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Zurich
Old-town lanes, a swimmable lake and Switzerland's best nightlife.
Switzerland's biggest city: a medieval old town on both banks of the Limmat, a clear lake to swim in and a lively nightlife, at the heart of the rail network. Pricey, so eat like a local from the supermarkets.
Places to see
- GrossmünsterChurch · A Romanesque church with twin towers that define Zurich's skyline.Free
FraumünsterChurch · A church with a slender green spire, best known for the five tall stained-glass windows…≈ A$9
LindenhofViewpoint · A quiet terrace of lime trees on a hill above the Limmat, with chess players, a fountain…Free
Uetliberg
When to go
- Jan3° / -2°Some rainQuiet
- Feb5° / -2°Some rainQuiet
- Mar10° / 1°Some rainQuiet
- Apr14° / 4°Some rainBusy
- May19° / 8°Often wetBusy
- Jun22° / 12°Often wetBusy
- Jul25° / 14°Often wetVery busy
- Aug24° / 13°Often wetVery busy
- Sep
Staying and getting around
Good areas to stay
Niederdorf. The right-bank old town: narrow lanes of bars and cheap eats; hostels nearby.
Kreis 4 and Langstrasse. West of the station: nightlife, international food and the cheapest beds; a little rough at night.
City and Bahnhofstrasse. Banks, shops and the National Museum by the main station.
Flying in
Zurich (ZRH): Train to Zürich HB, about 12 min, ≈ A$13.
Flewaway's estimate for the usual budget way into Zurich; check times and fares before you fly.
Getting around
Mostly on foot. A single ticket is ≈ A$9. Trams run everywhere, but the old town and the lake are best on foot. Tickets cover trams, buses, trains and the lake ferries within each zone (check).
24-hour city ticket (≈ A$17, 24 hours): If you'll ride the trams three or more times, or go up the Uetliberg.
Swiss Half Fare Card (≈ A$279, 1 month): Halves train, boat and most mountain-lift fares; worth it if you'll spend more than about CHF 300 on them.
Tourist tax
Zurich's city tax: usually about CHF 2.50 a person a night, paid with your bed (check).
