Quick facts
Budget breakdown
| Category | Budget | Midrange |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | CHF 35–55 | CHF 120–220 |
| Food | CHF 15–30 | CHF 40–70 |
| Transport | CHF 5–10 | CHF 15–27 |
| Activities | CHF 0–10 | CHF 15–30 |
| Drinks | CHF 8–15 | CHF 20–35 |
| Daily Total | CHF 63–120 | CHF 210–382 |
Daily per-person estimates. Costs vary by season and travel style.
Practical info
Visa & Entry
- Switzerland is in the Schengen Zone but NOT in the EU. EU/EEA enter with ID. US, Canadian, Australian citizens get 90 days visa-free
- Zurich Airport (ZRH): S-Bahn S2/S16 to Hauptbahnhof (CHF 7, 12 min). Taxis cost CHF 50–70 to the centre
- Switzerland uses Swiss Francs (CHF), not Euros. Some shops near borders accept Euros but give change in CHF at poor rates
Getting Around
- Trams, buses, and S-Bahn. Single ticket CHF 4.40 (2 zones), short-trip CHF 2.70, day pass CHF 8.80. Buy from machines at stops
- The ZürichCARD (CHF 27/24h) covers unlimited transport plus museum discounts — worth calculating before buying
- The city centre is very walkable. Zurich is compact — most attractions are within 20 minutes of the Hauptbahnhof on foot
Connectivity
- Swisscom, Sunrise, and Salt offer prepaid SIMs from CHF 10–20 for 2–5GB at the airport or Interdiscount shops
- Free WiFi in most cafes, the train station, and public buildings. SBB (Swiss Rail) WiFi is free on trains and in stations
- Swiss data is NOT covered by EU roaming — EU SIM cards will roam at international rates. Buy a Swiss SIM or use WiFi
Money
- Swiss Francs (CHF). Cards accepted widely — Visa and MasterCard everywhere, AmEx less so. Some bakeries and small shops prefer cash
- ATMs (Bancomat) are on every block. PostFinance and UBS ATMs are fair. Twint is Switzerland's mobile payment app
- Tipping: not mandatory (service included), but rounding up 5–10% at restaurants is appreciated. Say "stimmt so" (keep the change)
Health & Safety
- Zurich is extremely safe — one of the safest cities in the world. No real crime concerns for tourists
- Tap water is excellent everywhere — the 1,200 public fountains are all drinkable unless marked otherwise
- Emergency: 112. Pharmacy (Apotheke): Bellevue Apotheke is centrally located. Healthcare is excellent but expensive — insurance essential
Packing Tips
- Layers year-round — weather changes fast. Summer: 20–26°C but evenings cool. Winter: 0–5°C with fog (Hochnebel)
- Good walking shoes for cobblestones and hiking. Swimwear for the Badis (essential June–September)
- Swiss plugs are unique (Type J, 3-pin hexagonal) — bring a universal adapter or buy one at Coop or Manor
Cultural tips
Badi Culture
Zurich's Badis (public bathing facilities) are sacred. Locals swim in the lake and rivers daily from May to September. Don't just watch — jump in. It's the most Zurich thing you can do.
Quiet Hours
Sunday is quiet in Switzerland — most shops are closed, noise is discouraged, and you shouldn't mow your lawn. Also no washing machines or vacuuming after 10pm or before 7am. Respect the Sonntagsruhe.
Swiss Punctuality
The Swiss are legendarily punctual. Trains run to the second. Arriving 5 minutes late to a meeting is considered rude. If you arrange to meet a Swiss friend at 7pm, they'll be there at 6:58.
Recycling Obsession
Switzerland takes recycling extremely seriously. Separate glass (by colour), paper, PET, aluminium, and compost. General waste requires official Züri-Sack bags (CHF 2 per 35L bag). Fines for violations are real.
Swiss German
"Grüezi" (hello), "Merci" (thanks, yes, they use the French), "En Guete" (enjoy your meal). Swiss German sounds nothing like High German — even Germans struggle with it.
Fondue Rules
Fondue is winter food (November–March). Ordering it in July will get you served but possibly judged. Stir in figure-eights. Don't drink cold water with fondue — the Swiss say it solidifies the cheese in your stomach.
