Zürich is one of the most expensive cities in Europe…
…for those who consumed too much chocolate and cheese to sniff out the savings.
Yes, Zürich can be a costly vacation destination, but that doesn’t mean you’ve got to stop paying your student loans just to afford a bowl of fondue.
You can afford to experience Zürich beyond wandering aimlessly through Old Town and you can actually dine on sweet Swiss dishes that aren’t sold at Burger King—but, to be fair, the Classic burger is made with Swiss beef and Appenzeller cheese so you might want to throw the king a Swiss franc or two.
Image Credit: Getty Images, EThamPhoto. Image Location: Grossmünster observation deck, Zürich, Switzerland
Tips for visiting Zürich on a budget
Doing Zürich on a budget is much easier than travelers make it out to be. Use these tips for visiting Zürich on a budget to save money on hotels, food, and the city’s best attractions.
Where to stay in Zürich on a budget
Finding where to stay in Zürich on a budget is a tricky notion. There are dozens of great hotels in Zürich city center that have budget-friendly rooms. Royal Hotel and easyHotel Zürich City Center won’t waste your wallet and still keep you close to the main train station. But if you plan on using the S-Bahn, you can find cheap hotels in Zürich’s outskirts like the Zürich Youth Hostel (Zürich Brunau station) and easyHotel Zürich West (Zürich Wipkingen station).
Image Credit: Getty Images, aldorado10. Image Location: Bahnhofstrasse, Zurich, Switzerland
Where to eat in Zürich on a budget
When in doubt, a market or a food hall are always your best bets for getting great food at a decent price. The Market at Helvetiaplatz has regional cheese you can snack on while pursuing other fresh produce and meat tables. BRIDGE is a solid food hall with both a traditional market and food stalls. Bahnhof Wiedikon is jaw-droppingly cheap for the quality of the Swiss food and cozy atmosphere. Zeughauskeller is a tad more expensive, but the crowd will convince you it’s worth the extra Rappen.
The best things to do in Zürich on a budget
Trying to do a lot in a little bit of time? The Zürich Card City Pass gives you free unlimited travel on public transport around the city (including river cruises), discounts on city tours, and either free or reduced admission to museums. If you can spare $60, you can milk this pass for all it’s worth for 72 hours.
Other cheap things to do in Zürich include:
- Cruise Lake Zürich and get those glamor shots of the city.
- Snag free samples during a Lindt Chocolate Factory tour.
- Get acquainted with Switzerland's culture at the Swiss National Museum.
- Zoo Zürich has reduced rates during the low season (Nov-Feb).
- Warm up at the Hürlimannbad & Spa Zürich thermal bath and rooftop pool (a little more than “cheap” but pairs well with a day spent wandering Zürich’s streets for free).
Image Credit: Getty Images, Barry Winiker. Image Location: Utoquai Promenade, Zürich, Switzerland
The best free things to do in Zürich
You know who knows a thing or two about Zürich on the cheap? College kids.
The University of Zürich has 13 museums and collections, most of which are free to explore. Some like the Botanical Garden are open to the public during regular hours; others like the Anatomical Collection are free but require you to email for approval before your visit.
Other free things to do in Zürich include:
- Grossmünster church in Old Town is free (but a fee to climb to the tower top).
- Find James Joyce’s grave in Fluntern Cemetery near Zoo Zürich.
- focusTerra at ETH Zürich is a free earth and science museum.
- Admire the Giacometti frescos in the Blüemlihalle.
Zürich Street Parade: The best free experience in Zürich
No exaggeration, the annual Zürich Street Parade is one of the best ways to enjoy the city like a local without spending more than pocket change. This outdoor mobile concert has stages and musical buses along a pre-set route that runs for hours. Zürich Street Parade is a free event, too, so you can literally spend hours partying in Zürich without dropping a dime.
Trainline tip: Buy your train tickets as early as possible.
Seriously, rail travel in Switzerland can get expensive if you wait until the last minute to scoop up your tickets. The last thing you want is to arrive at Zürich Airport and give the ticket kiosk half of your budget before you’ve even gotten into the city.
Don’t believe us? Download the Trainline app and take a look at the prices for a ticket today compared to two or three months from now.
Quite a difference, eh?
Save on train tickets with Trainline and spend your hard-earned Swiss franc on one of those giant Toblerone bars in the airport. Or if you're sticking around a bit longer why not consider using your savings on a train journey to the stunning Lucerne?
Header Image Credit: Getty Images, F. J. Jimenez. Image Location: Münsterbrücke, Zürich, Switzerland