Zurich, Switzerland

1. How far away is city center from the airport, and what's the easiest way to get there?

The airport is around 10 minutes away, and every 10 minutes, you have a train going from the airport to the city or from the city to the airport. You have more than five trains an hour.

2. What are some good places to visit nearby, and how can you get there from the city?

The biggest waterfalls in Europe, Rhine Falls, are in Switzerland. You also have medieval cities like Stein am Rhein and Lucerne, the most visited city in Switzerland. Around Lucerne, you have a lot of nice mountains to visit and Lake Lucerne. You can also visit Lucerne’s Lion Monument, the most-visited monument in Switzerland.

In Switzerland, there are trains wherever you’re going, even the cable cars are part of the public transportation system. They have a schedule. The ships on the lake have a scheduling combination with the street cars, so all the places in Switzerland are connected to the public transportation system.

3. What's the most affordable way for tourists to get around the city? Are there any travel passes or cards available for tourists to help save on transportation costs?

When you come out of the airport, just follow the train sign to the machines. Then, just press “Zurich,” and you will get a 24-hour ticket that allows you to use all the public transportation systems in the city. It is around 8 CHF (9 USD). So, you can also take the street cars, the trolleybuses in the whole city, and you can even take the boat on the river and make a short trip on the lake with the same ticket.

4. Can visitors rent a car easily, and do they need an international driving permit for Zurich?

At the airport, there are eight rental car companies, such as Europcar, Sixt, and Hertz. You can rent the car with your national driver’s license from your country, and you must have a passport.

5. What are some of the safest and cheapest ride sharing apps travelers can install on their phone?

You can use Uber. But you must be aware that Uber cannot pick you up from the arrivals area. They will pick you up from the departures, so you must walk to that area.

1. What are some of the best local food to try in Zurich?

We have something that we named Zürcher Geschnetzeltes, a sliced veal with mushroom sauce. There’s rösti, a rapid potato cake typical from Switzerland. Then, we have our famous sausages.

2. What are some of the popular restaurants in Zurich?

You can try the FIFA restaurant. The football restaurant FIFA is famous for a nice view. You also have The Bite, which has a nice view over the city, and pizza places like Santa Lucia. If you want to eat fondue, which only tourists usually eat in the summer, go to the hotel Adler, which is also very good.

3. Are there any convenience stores in the city to buy snacks and essentials?

Yes, wherever you’re going, you will find small snack bars or small supermarkets.

4. Which food delivery apps are popular in Zurich?

Uber Eats and Just Eat are the two main ones. We also have Bolt.

5. Are vegan, vegetarian, or gluten-free food easily available?

All the restaurants in Zurich offer you vegan food or vegetarian food. Wherever you go, you will find the healthy options.

6. Are there any pet-friendly or kid-friendly restaurants in Zurich that you'd recommend?

All the restaurants are kid-friendly and pet-friendly. You will even find water sources around the city for dogs. We have 1,200 water sources where you can refill your pet bottles.

7. Can you drink tap water in Zurich?

Switzerland is the water castle of Europe, and it is the source of the four main rivers of Europe. The water quality is the same as the water bottles from the supermarket, so refill your bottles always. Don’t spend money on water.

8. Do you also have a favorite restaurant in general apart from the ones you recommended for local food?

Bodega Espanola is the oldest restaurant existing in Zurich. It has Spanish food, paella and other things. You will also find tapas, good beer, and good wine.

9. Should tourists make reservations in advance for popular restaurants in Zurich? If so, how can you typically book a table?

You must reserve for the most famous restaurants. We have restaurants here that you have to book two weeks in advance. Kronenhalle, as an example, is the most visited restaurant. You might have to wait one week or until two weeks.

To book a table, put the restaurant name on Google, and you will see the reservation details.

1. What healthcare facilities are available for tourists/foreigners in Zurich?

In Zurich, you have four main hospitals: University Hospital of Zürich, Universitätsklinik Balgrist, Triemli Hospital and Stadtspital Waid. You will also find clinics.

And here in Switzerland, in the city, if you have a heart attack, as an example, usually after three to five minutes, somebody will be beside you helping you. In Zurich, you have defibrillators in the whole city.

In Switzerland, we have reduced the number of people who die from heart attacks by 50–60%. It’s one of the safest cities in the world. Everybody here is trained, even the kids in the school. They learn how to help somebody, maybe with a heart attack or epilepsy or something.

2. Are simple painkillers and flu medicines available without a prescription?

For the normal ones, you don’t need prescriptions. For special medicines, you do.

1. Should travelers consider getting a local SIM card? If so, would it be cheaper to grab one at the airport upon arrival or wait and buy one at a local shop in the city?

If you have roaming, don’t forget that Switzerland is not part of Europe and has special conditions for roaming. It’s a good idea to make the agreement in your own country or buy a SIM card here. If you buy a SIM card here, each kiosk where they sell cigarettes and sweets has SIM cards for Swisscom and many others.

2. Do most public areas, restaurants, and accommodations offer Wi-Fi access in Zurich?

You have Wi-Fi in the whole city. All the restaurants have Wi-Fi. Our public transportation system has Wi-Fi. You will be connected in the whole city, but it depends where you’re coming from.

1. Where can you usually find the best exchange rate in Zurich?

They accept credit cards around the country, but we say in Switzerland: “cash is king.” I recommend cash because, with credit cards, you lose a lot of money from international fees.

2. What works better for local transactions - cash or credit cards?

The best exchange rate is at the train station, on the Schweizerische Bundesbahnen (SBB). The SBB is the office of our train system and tram system, and they also have exchange offices with the best prices.

1. Are there any medications or items travelers should avoid bringing into the country?

If you need your medication, you won’t have any restrictions. For a more comprehensive list of prohibited items, check this list from Zurich Airport: https://www.flughafen-zuerich.ch/en/passengers/fly/all-about-the-flight/what-is-allowed-in-your-baggage

2. What are some common scams tourists should be aware of in Zurich?

In the train station, there are some pickpockets. On Friday nights when the streets are full, of course, we also have bad people here, but nothing compared with other countries.

Always be aware of your things. Try not to wear a lot of gold chains and the latest Rolex at two o'clock in the morning. Just keep a low profile, and nothing will happen. This city has one of the lowest criminal rates in the world.

3. Is Zurich safe for solo and female travelers?

You can walk at two o'clock in the morning, and nothing will happen to you. We have one of the best police systems in the world, so it’s considered one of the safest cities in the world.

4. Do some attractions or transportation options recommend buying passes in advance?

No, the only attraction that I always recommend booking in advance is Lindt Home of Chocolate. At the moment, you can book tickets five days in advance. It’s the most-visited and the most complete museum. It’s also the newest chocolate museum in the world.

5. Are there any other important things to note about the area?

Take note of the days that establishments are closed. In Switzerland, all the shops are closed on Sunday. Sunday is sacred. Only the train station or the airport has shops open. You can also buy milk or things like this at gas stations.

The train station is also the largest mall we have in the city with 150 stores and restaurants. It’s open from morning until 9pm. Usually, the shops here are open from 9am to 6:30pm, while the big department stores are open until 8pm. The restaurants open at 11am, and they close at 2pm.

In the evening, usually from 6pm to 11pm, you will find a warm kitchen. After, you can only order from a small special menu. Around midnight, the restaurants are closed.

Meanwhile, the museums are open every day from 9am until 7pm. On Monday, all the museums are closed.

1. Are there any dress codes to follow when visiting religious sites or monuments in Zurich

No, there are no dress codes to adhere to.

2. What are some places that both tourists and locals love to visit?

You will find so many things to do in Zurich. Bahnhofstrasse is the shopping paradise. You can also visit the lake and around 15 interesting museums.

Then, you have also Niederdorf, the old town where you have the historical attractions. There is also the tourist track around the city and the river where you can go on a cruise.

3. What hidden gems in Zurich do you recommend outside of the usual tourist spots?

There are a lot of new places because Zurich is growing. It has fanned outside the city, and now there are more areas with theaters, museums, bars, and restaurants.

Other than that, the old town is beautiful, and you can visit the Lindenhof, a historical castle. You can also walk a mile around the river or on the lake, which has many parks, water parks, and places where you can swim. All the waters in Switzerland are considered swimming quality.

4. What activities or attractions would be perfect for families with young kids in Zurich?

We have very interesting museums, such as the Swiss Science Center Technorama, Natural History Museum of the University of Zurich, and the archaeological museum (Museum klassischen Archäologien). There is also a roller coaster for kids, so they will not be bored here.

5. Are there any activities or attractions suitable for senior citizens?

Yes, the country is built to make the lives of older people very comfortable because over 60% of the population in this country are over 60. The public transportation system is made to make their life easier.

6. What are some of the adventurous things to do in and near Zurich for thrill-seekers?

In Zurich, you can go to Uetliberg, the lake, and the cable car in Felsenegg.

Fom Zurich, you can also take the train to the next mountains, such as Titlis, Rigi, and Mount Pilatus, which has the steepest cogwheel train in the world and the longest roller coaster in the world. Then, you have Stanserhorn—the perfect mountain of Winston Churchill and Charlie Chaplin. It has an open-roof cabin that goes up. In Titlis, you have the suspension bridge with the ice flyer and the glacier cave.

Don’t forget about Jungfrau, the top of Europe. It’s the most-visited mountain with a nice cable car and cogwheel train. You have so many attractions on top, it’s like Walt Disney World.

1. Where are the best places to find souvenirs in Zurich?

Throughout the whole city, you will find the souvenir shops with magnets, chocolate and Swiss knives.

We also have different farmer’s markets on Wednesdays and Fridays inside the city. On Saturdays, we have flea markets. We also have small handicraft markets inside the city.

2. What are some unique or must-have souvenirs to buy in Zurich?

Switzerland offers you all the quality brands that you can find around the world. You have typical Swiss brands for clothes and shoes, like Bally.

Of course, Switzerland is the largest watch producer in the world. 90% of the watches with a price over 1,000 USD are made here, so a Swiss watch is always a good souvenir. You don’t need to buy a Rolex, we have many options.

Of course, the Swiss knife is one of those devices that everybody wants to take home because it’s a very useful tool. I never walk out without my knife. Also, Switzerland is famous for beauty products for women. La Prairie is the most famous one.

3. Is bargaining common in the local markets? Any tips for tourists who want to try it?

No. Here, you will not see people bargaining. The price is the price. We know it is expensive, but trust me, what you buy in Switzerland has the quality you pay for.

4. What are the best shopping malls or outlet malls in Zurich for brand lovers?

The largest mall is the train station, which is open the whole day until 9pm, 365 days a year.

Other than that, Bahnhofstrasse is the mainstream shopping area. It’s 1 kilometer (0.62 miles) along the street from the train station to the lake. You have all the main brands. We name this street the “miracle way” because it’s a miracle to walk over there with your wife without taking the credit card out.

1. What's the best time to travel to Zurich weather-wise? Are there any seasons to avoid?

From May to the end of September is the most beautiful time. From September to November begins the rain, then snow. During the snow season, you can go skiing and go up to the mountains.

However, the rest of the attractions are open the whole year.

2. How long is the ideal duration for travelers to spend in Zurich?

Two to three days is good because you can also visit the surroundings of Zurich.

3. What are some essential items travelers should pack?

Always take a good jacket with you because the weather can change a lot. Bring good shoes because you can see the whole city on foot. There’s a special track that shows you the whole city.

1. Which neighborhoods in Zurich have the best nightlife scene and events?

In Niederdorf, you have many events.

There’s also a neighborhood known as the red areas. It’s the most colorful area because people from over 70 nations are living up there. You’ll have restaurants from all over the world, and it’s a safe place.

2. Can you recommend a beautiful place to stay with a view?

We have a six-star hotel here, it’s named The Dolder Grand - City and Spa Resort Zurich

3. Which neighborhoods offer the best food spots in Zurich?

Niederdorf is the main street. It’s known as the Hunger Mile.

4. What area would be the best place to stay for families, solo travelers, or couples?

They can stay in the center because everything is around, like Park Hyatt Zurich – City Center Luxury, Small Luxury Hotel Ambassador Zurich, and Hotel Europe, which is in front of the lake. Then you have other luxury hotels like Baur au Lac, considered the best hotel in Europe. It is in front of the lake and the port.

Everything is so near, about 10 to 15 minutes on foot.

5. Which neighbourhoods offer some of the cheapest places to stay?

There are some nice apartments and Airbnbs in the old town, but the whole city is connected and feels like a neighborhood. In a street car, it takes 11 minutes to get around.

6. What's your favorite place to stay in Zurich, and why do you recommend it?

I always recommend Storchen Zürich - Lifestyle boutique Hotel. It’s in the center of the city and a cute hotel. It has a good cook and perfect attention and service.

You can also stay in Park Hyatt Zurich – City Center Luxury, Zurich Marriott Hotel, Renaissance Zurich Tower Hotel, and Sheraton Zürich Hotel. There are so many hotels in Zurich, but it’s a bit expensive.

1. Are there any annual festivals or special events in Zurich or nearby cities that tourists shouldn't miss?

We have the largest party in the world after Oktoberfest in Germany. The Street Parade has over one million visitors every year. We also have IRONMAN. All the big parties happen between June and August.

Additionally, we always have concerts during the summer and movies on the lake with a big screen in front of the water.

1. Is tipping a common norm? If so, what's the usual tipping amount?

Yes. In Switzerland, if you get good service, it’s always nice to give a good tip. Around 10% is the normal amount.