How To Spend A Day In Zurich On A Budget

Welcome to Zurich, our beautiful home town, which is known for its mixture of historical charm and modern flair. Many people think Zurich is expensive – but it doesn’t have to be! Join us on a tour of discovery through the city and experience how diverse and rich Zurich can be without spending a fortune.

Zurich has an excellent public transport network. The city is compact and is ideal for exploring on foot. For longer distances, you can take the tram or train. A ticket costs around CHF 5-15, depending on the distance.If you are staying longer in Zurich and want to visit museums, the Swiss Travel Pass is worthwhile, allowing you to use buses, trains and boats throughout Switzerland.

TIP: The Swiss love e-scooters. It’s quick, easy and cheap to get around the congested city centres. Download either the Lime or Bird app and get started.

The Polybahn is an impressive funicular railway that provides a special link between Zurich’s city centre and the university area. Since its opening in 1889, it has offered a historic experience in Zurich. In less than two minutes, it covers the distance of 176 metres in length and 41 metres in height difference from the bottom station at Central to the top station at ETH Zurich. The view during the ride is particularly impressive, with a wonderful view of the Uetliberg and the old town. The ride is a particular highlight in spring and autumn, when the trees are in full splendour.

OPERATING HOURS: 

Monday – Friday: 6:30am – 9pm
Saturday: 7:30am – 9pm
Sunday a & Holidays: 9am – 9pm

TICKET PRICES: 

OneWay: CHF 1.20 (1.10 USD)
Multi-trip card: CHF 7.20 (6.60 USD) | For 6 rides

Zurich’s old town serves as a stage for some of the city’s most talented street musicians. As you stroll through the charming alleyways, the sounds of various instruments accompany you and create an incomparable flair that is hard to resist. There is a particularly good chance of coming across a small concert at the Grossmünster. The historic surroundings amplify the sound of the instruments and create a magical atmosphere.

Another popular meeting place is Hirschenplatz. Many locals and tourists gather here to listen to the street musicians. You can relax and listen to the sounds over a cup of coffee in one of the cosy restaurants. The street musicians not only provide entertainment, but also bring a certain lightness to the Old Town that brings people together and connects them.

Just a stone’s throw from the Kunsthaus Zürich is the beautiful Rechberggarten – a real insider tip that even many locals don’t know about. This 18th century garden offers you complete peace and relaxation as soon as you enter and transports you to another time. An absolute highlight is the view of the city and the surrounding mountains – the perfect place to enjoy nature.

In summer, the garden shines in a sea of colourful flowers. Here you can enjoy a picnic while listening to the gentle rippling of the fountain and relaxing. Even in winter, the garden is impressive and the magnificent architecture looks even more impressive.

The Rechberggarten is a favourite spot for photography enthusiasts. The harmonious combination of art and nature, with numerous plants and historical elements, offers countless motifs for the perfect photo.

The Botanical Garden of the University of Zurich is a free natural paradise in the centre of the city. With over 15,000 plant species from all over the world, it offers a wonderful oasis of peace and relaxation. Here you can picnic, relax and enjoy nature. The greenhouses with tropical, subtropical and savannah-like plants are particularly impressive. The Alpinum with plants from the Swiss Alps is also worth seeing. The water lily pond with its colourful flowers is another place of beauty and tranquillity. Guided tours and events are organised regularly, offering deeper insights into the plant world and ecological relationships. A must for nature lovers and anyone who simply wants to relax.

In the Archaeological Window, you have the opportunity to discover the remains of Roman fortifications and medieval structures for free. The foundations, walls and other archaeological finds document the history and development of the Lindenhof. Information boards help you to better understand the significance of the finds. The tour takes about three hours. Register at the S counter in Zurich City Hall to obtain the necessary keys and documents.

The heart of Zurich beats in the Old Town – an absolute must for all visitors. The hidden alleyways and historic buildings exude an unrivalled charm. During the day, you can stroll through antique shops, boutiques and art galleries. A particular highlight is the Grossmünster with its impressive twin towers. It’s worth the climb for a breathtaking view over the city and Lake Zurich. Nearby you will find the 17th century town hall, which towers imposingly over the Limmat. In the evening, Niederdorf turns into a lively nightlife district with numerous restaurants, bars and clubs.

Walk along Lake ZurichStart your walk at Bellevue and follow the promenade along the lake southwards. Along the way you will find numerous benches to rest and enjoy the view of the lake and the Alps. After a short walk, you will reach Bürkliplatz, where a market is held regularly. The square is also a popular starting point for boat trips. Continue your walk through the Arboretum, a botanical garden with trees and plants from all over the world. At the end of your tour, the China Meadow awaits you, a gift from the Chinese twin city of Kunming with traditional pavilions and exotic plants.

A pedalo ride on Lake Zurich is a wonderful experience that offers fun and relaxation. You can hire pedalos at several places, such as the Mythenquai lido, Enge lakeside resort or the Zurich rowing club. Prices are around CHF 20-30 per hour.

Bahnhofstrasse is one of the most famous shopping streets in the world. Here you will find luxury shops, boutiques, banks and restaurants. In addition to international brands such as Louis Vuitton and Gucci, there are also many shops selling high-quality Swiss products. Bahnhofstrasse is characterised by its impressive architecture from the 19th and early 20th centuries. Along the street are historical and cultural highlights such as the Fraumünster Church with its famous Chagall windows. A walk along Bahnhofstrasse is a must – even if only for window shopping.

At 871 metres, the Uetliberg is the perfect starting point for a hike with fantastic views over Zurich, Lake Zurich and the Alps. You can easily reach the summit with the S-Bahn S10. The Planet Trail, a 6-kilometre-long themed trail that depicts the dimensions of our solar system on a scale of 1:1 billion, starts at the summit. The trail leads to Felsenegg and is both educational and scenic. In Felsenegg you can enjoy the view and take the cable car to Adliswil, from where you can take the S-Bahn back to Zurich.

Travel Tip // If you want more exciting insights into the hike, visit our tiktok.

Langstrasse is a melting pot of cultures and the centre of nightlife in Zurich. It stretches from Helvetiaplatz to Limmatplatz and connects the districts of Aussersihl and Gewerbeschule. At night, Langstrasse comes to life with bars, clubs and music venues. During the day, you can relax in the numerous cafés and restaurants and enjoy the variety.

You’ll find an incredible variety of restaurants in Zurich. Here are some of our favourites for brunch and dinner:

Brunch:
Fork & Bottle
Bohemia
Zum Guten Glück

Lunch & Dinner:
La Baracca
Le Cedre
La Côte
Yume Restaurant
Luigia
Ach’i
Napulé
Margheri
Churrasco Steakhouse
BiMi Sushi

Enjoy your day in Zurich, experience the city in all its facets and discover that even one of the most expensive cities in the world offers many affordable yet unforgettable experiences!