Switzerland
City guide · Switzerland
Zurich
About Zurich
Zurich is Switzerland's largest city and its main financial centre, set at the northern end of Lake Zurich where the River Limmat flows out. Its compact old town, clean lake and efficient transport make it an easy introduction to the country.
Key sights include the twin towers of the Grossmünster, the Fraumünster with its stained-glass windows by Marc Chagall, the Lindenhof viewpoint and the Swiss National Museum beside the main station. Bahnhofstrasse is one of Europe's best-known shopping streets, and the lakeside promenade and the Uetliberg viewpoint offer wide views.
One to two nights suit most itineraries, as Zurich is a convenient base for day trips. The Rhine Falls are under an hour away, Lucerne is about 45 minutes by train and Bern about an hour. Mount Titlis can be reached via Lucerne and Engelberg.
Groups often begin or end a Swiss tour here because of the airport, and the shopping on Bahnhofstrasse, chocolate and Swiss watches, is a reliable favourite.
Practical Information
Useful to know before your group arrives in Zurich.
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Zurich has a temperate climate with four clear seasons and rain spread through the year.
- Summer (June–August): warm, with highs around 23–25°C and occasional thunderstorms.
- Autumn (September–November): cooling from about 19°C to 8°C, often foggy.
- Winter (December–February): cold, with highs around 2–5°C and nights below freezing.
- Spring (March–May): highs rising from about 10°C to 19°C.
May to September is the best time to visit. Pack layers and a rain jacket, and a warm coat in winter.
- Arriving: Zurich Airport is about 10 km from the centre. Frequent trains reach Zurich main station (Zürich HB) in about 10–15 minutes.
- Getting around: trams are the easiest way to move around the city, backed by buses, S-Bahn trains and boats on the lake. Day passes are available, and the Swiss Travel Pass covers local transport.
- On foot: the old town on both banks of the Limmat is compact and pleasant to walk.
- Groups: the old town is largely pedestrianised, so coaches set down at its edge or near the main station.
Switzerland is not in the EU, so an EU data plan may not cover it. Indian travellers usually save by buying an eSIM or data plan before departure that clearly includes Switzerland, rather than using Indian international roaming packs. Local prepaid SIMs are sold in shops; a passport is needed to buy one.
Free Wi-Fi is common in hotels and cafés. The power supply is 230 V with Type C/J sockets; Indian Type D plugs do not fit, so bring a universal adapter.
Zurich has a good choice of Indian restaurants, and the city has a long tradition of vegetarian dining, so vegetarian travellers are well served. Halal food is available, mainly in Turkish and Middle Eastern restaurants. Jain meals should be requested in advance through the DMC or the restaurant.
Swiss dishes that suit vegetarians include rösti (ask whether it is cooked with bacon or lard), cheese fondue (traditionally made with white wine), raclette and Bircher muesli, which was created in Zurich. For snacks, fruit, milk and bread, Migros, Coop, Denner, Aldi and Lidl are all widespread.
