- Getting around
- Zurich runs on one of the world's best public transport systems, and the compact centre is very walkable. The airport is only 10 to 15 minutes from the main station by frequent trains, so skip the taxi. Trams, buses, trains, boats and even the funiculars share the ZVV network; buy a 24-hour or multi-day travel pass rather than single tickets, and validate before boarding. Everything runs precisely to timetable. A ZurichCARD adds free transport plus museum discounts and lake cruises. Distances in the core are short, so you will walk most of the old town, and the S-Bahn quickly reaches Uetliberg and day-trip towns. Contactless payment works on machines, and there is no need to hail cabs.
- Money
- Switzerland uses the Swiss franc, not the euro, though some shops accept euros at a poor rate. Cards and contactless are accepted almost everywhere, but keep a little cash for sausage stands, markets and small cafes. Zurich is expensive, so budget accordingly: a simple lunch runs high and a restaurant dinner higher still. Tipping is not obligatory as service is included, but locals round up or add a few francs for good service. Tap water is excellent and free, and the ornate street fountains are drinkable, an easy way to save money in a pricey city.
- Safety
- Zurich is one of the safest big cities in Europe, with very low violent crime. The main nuisance is petty pickpocketing around the main station, on busy trams and in nightlife areas late at night, so keep bags zipped and close. The district around Langstrasse is the liveliest nightlife strip and is generally fine but rowdier after dark. Cyclists and silent trams move fast, so look both ways when crossing tracks. In summer take normal care swimming in the lake and river currents, and in winter watch for icy pavements. Emergency numbers and pharmacies are well signposted.
- Best season
- Late spring and summer, roughly May to September, are the liveliest, when the lake and river swimming spots, terraces and boat cruises come into their own, though July and August bring the most visitors. Early autumn stays warm and mellow with fewer crowds. December is festive, with Christmas markets and lights along Bahnhofstrasse, but cold. Winter is quiet and can be grey, though museum queues vanish and Alpine day trips are easy. Book hotels well ahead during the summer, the Street Parade in August and the year-end holidays, when the city is busiest.
- Where to stay
- The Old Town and Niederdorf on the river's east bank put you in the medieval heart, walkable to sights and nightlife but livelier at night. The City Centre near the lake and Bahnhofstrasse suits those wanting polished hotels and quick tram links, at a premium. Zurich West is the hip, post-industrial choice, full of bars and galleries and handy for a younger crowd, a short tram from the centre. For a calmer, greener base, the Enge and Seefeld districts along the lake offer leafy streets, good swimming and easy access to the middle of town.
Switzerland
