Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and at the same time, one of the most wonderful ones. Each year it attracts millions of tourists, and it is the starting point for many foreigners looking to explore the country.
Whether you are going to visit the city, or it is the starting point of your trip, here are a few practical bits of advice on what to expect once you land there:
The Zurich airport
If you are a foreigner, then most likely the airport will be the first thing you see in Switzerland. Zurich airport is the largest and the busiest ones in the country. At that point, your only challenge is finding suitable Zurich airport transfers.
Fortunately, like most things in Switzerland, airport transport is excellently organized. You can get to the city center by taxi, tram, or train. A taxi ride will cost you around 50€, and it will take approximately 10 minutes. The tram runs every 15 minutes, from nine in the morning till nine in the evening, and it will cost you 5.60 €. The ride takes approximately 35 minutes.Then there is the train that starts at 5.00 AM, and it runs until 00.45 AM. Tickets cost the same as the tram, 5.60€. Trains are running every 5 minutes, and the travel time is just 10 minutes.
Once you get to the city center…
Zurich is known for its refined public transport. You can purchase a one-day pass for 11€ and visit every corner of the city. There are trams and trains every few minutes, so you don’t have to wait too long on some bus or train stop.
If you need to stay for a day or more in Zurich, keep in mind that there are no cheap options unless you got a friend where you can crash for a night or few. Hotels are quite expensive, and you will be lucky if you find one at just 100€ per night.
Best time to visit Zurich
June to August is by far the best time to visit Zurich and explore all that the city has to offer. However, that’s tourist peak season, so prices are at its peak as well. March to May are also worth considering as you might find pretty good deals on hotels and flights. During those spring months, temperatures are usually 12-13°C.
Language
Most people in Zurich speak Zürich German (Züritüütsch). However, you can easily clear other dialects of German as well as French, Italian, and English. Most of the locals that work in the tourism industry speak English, so communication is rarely an issue. Plus, almost 10% of all Zurich population speak English or a second language, other than German.
In conclusion
All in all, Zurich has a lot to offer, and it has its peculiar charm. People are nice and cultural; the hygiene in the city is incredible, just like its architecture. The crime rates are one of the lowest in Europe, which is another plus for the city. The only downside is that only very few things in Zurich are cheap. Therefore, you better have a pretty decent travel budget when visiting Zurich.
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