What are the best day trips from Zurich?

From Zurich several scenic destinations make for excellent day trips. Mount Titlis stands 3 hours away offering year-round snow and panoramic views. The thundering Rhine Falls in Schaffhausen takes just an hour to reach while medieval Lucerne is a quick 45-minute journey. The Alpine wonderland of Grindelwald-Interlaken lies 2 hours from the city center featuring mountain paths and lakeside walks. A TourRadar traveler shared: "The day trip to Grindelwald and Interlaken was breathtaking - we saw the triple peaks Eiger Mönch and Jungfrau and enjoyed both mountain and lake views."

What are the best seasons to visit Zurich?

Summer draws the most visitors from June through August with comfortable temperatures ideal for swimming in Lake Zurich and walking tours of the Old Town. Winter transforms the city from December to February with Christmas markets and easy access to ski resorts. The Hotel Montana Zurich provides a central base year-round. According to TourRadar travelers winter visits to Grindelwald offer "stunning views of the surrounding glaciers" while summer brings perfect hiking conditions.

What are the must-visit attractions in Zurich?

The medieval Old Town (Altstadt) anchors Zurich's attractions with narrow cobblestone streets leading to luxury shopping on Bahnhofstrasse and the twin-towered Grossmünster cathedral. Lake Zurich offers boat rides and waterfront paths. The Swiss National Museum walks visitors through the country's history. A TourRadar traveler noted: "The views from Felsenegg viewpoint were breathtaking and the city tour covering the opera house and St. Peter's Church with Europe's largest clock face was incredibly informative." The Hotel Bristol Zurich puts guests within walking distance of key sites.

What are the best areas to stay in Zurich for first-time visitors?

First-time visitors should focus on the areas near Zurich Main Station and Old Town which put major attractions within easy reach. The Holiday Inn Express Zurich Airport offers convenient access to both the city and flights. Properties like Hotel Bristol along Lake Zurich combine water views with proximity to Bahnhofstrasse and Grossmünster. According to a TourRadar traveler "The hotels were reasonable close to transport links and main attractions making exploration very convenient."

What kind of budget should I plan for daily expenses in Zurich?

Budget 150-200 USD daily for mid-range travel in this notably expensive Swiss city. Count on 40-50 USD per person for meals 15 USD for local transport and 20-30 USD for most attraction entries. Mid-range hotels like Hotel Bristol start at 200 USD nightly. As one TourRadar traveler notes: "Be prepared that everything in Switzerland is very expensive from restaurants to shopping but the quality matches the price."

What are some must-try local dishes and where can I find them in Zurich?

Traditional Swiss cuisine takes center stage in Zurich's Old Town restaurants where fondue and raclette warm winter visitors. Try Zürich Geschnetzeltes (sliced veal in cream sauce) at the historic Zeughauskeller or sample Swiss chocolate at the Lindt Home of Chocolate. The Niederdorf district concentrates many authentic Swiss eateries. A TourRadar traveler reports: "The food experiences in Zurich were amazing especially the traditional Swiss restaurants in the old town area with their authentic local dishes."

Zurich Tours & Trips

The best Zurich tour packages

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Explorer Family Christmas & New Year +1
Independent Switzerland Tour of Moutain Tops
4.5 (2 traveler reviews)
"The planning was great and easy to follow. We had great time."
Chung, traveled in December
Destinations
Zurich, Lucerne, Mount Titlis, Interlaken, Jungfrau,Zermatt+1 more
Age Range
1 to 99 year olds
Mountain
Alps
Operated in
English
Operator
Agate Travel
Duration
6 days
From
US$3,589
$200 now + easy payments of $242
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No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 27 Dec 2025
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14 easy payments$242
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14 easy payments$242
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Explorer Family Christmas & New Year +1
6 Days Trip to Switzerland
4.8 (6 traveler reviews)
"Provided details tour planning and helpful stuff."
Lau, traveled in September
Destinations
Zurich, Interlaken, Lucerne
Age Range
up to 99 year olds
Mountain
Alps
Operated in
English
Operator
WiseYatra
5% Off
Duration
6 days
From $1,646
US$1,564
$441 now + easy payments of $78
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No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 27 Dec 2025
Pay today$441
17 easy payments$78
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17 easy payments$78
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Explorer Family Christmas & New Year +1
5 Days Trip to Switzerland (Stay in Lucerne and Zurich)
4.7 (3 traveler reviews)
"Their replies to all our questions before and during the trip were very thorough and prompt. Grindelwald was a great recommendation by WiseYara."
Venkatesh, traveled in February
Destinations
Zurich, Lucerne, Interlaken
Age Range
up to 99 year olds
Mountain
Alps
Operated in
English
Operator
WiseYatra
5% Off
Duration
5 days
From $1,412
US$1,342
$382 now + easy payments of $67
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 27 Dec 2025
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17 easy payments$67
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17 easy payments$67
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Explorer Family Sightseeing
Classic Switzerland
Destinations
Zurich, Lucerne, Mount Titlis, Interlaken, Jungfrau
Age Range
8 to 99 year olds
Mountain
Alps
Operated in
English
Operator
Omega Tours
5% Off
Duration
7 days
From
US$3,841
$400 now + easy payments of $313
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No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 31 Oct 2025
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11 easy payments$313
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11 easy payments$313
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Explorer Active Self Drive In-depth Cultural +1
Swiss Alps Mountain Driving Tour including Furka Pass: Pre-set sat-nav guided
Destinations
Zurich, Entlebuch, Oberhofen, Interlaken, Innertkirchen,Obergoms,Andermatt,Altdorf,Linthal+4 more
Age Range
23 to 99 year olds
Mountain
Swiss Alps Alps
Operated in
English
Operator
EPIKdrives
5% Off
Duration
4 days
From
US$2,699
$540 now + easy payments of $270
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No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 31 Oct 2025
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8 easy payments$270
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8 easy payments$270
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Family Christmas & New Year
Switzerland 5 days Adventure - Zurich, Interlaken, Lucerne
Destinations
Zurich, Lucerne, Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen
Age Range
8 to 90 year olds
Mountain
Alps
Operated in
English
Operator
Bucket List Group Travel LLC
5% Off
Duration
5 days
From
US$2,590
$777 now + easy payments of $130
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No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 27 Dec 2025
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14 easy payments$130
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14 easy payments$130
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Explorer Self Drive Sightseeing
Glacier Express & Porsche 911 Rail & Drive Experience
Destinations
Switzerland Austria Italy
Age Range
25 to 99 year olds
Mountain
Swiss Alps Alps
Operated in
English
Operator
EPIKdrives
5% Off
Duration
6 days
From
US$8,996
$1,799 now + easy payments of $1,199
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No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 04 Oct 2025
Pay today$1,799
6 easy payments$1,199
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6 easy payments$1,199
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In-depth Cultural Family Sightseeing Historical Christmas & New Year +3
Barcelona to Zurich (9 destinations)
4.3 (7 traveler reviews)
Destinations
Spain France Switzerland
Age Range
up to 85 year olds
Operated in
English
Operator
Europamundo
5% Off
Duration
6 days
From
US$945
$125 now + easy payments of $55
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15 easy payments$55
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Explorer Family Sightseeing Historical Christmas & New Year +2
Swiss and Italian Spotlight (7 destinations)
3.6 (15 traveler reviews)
Destinations
Zurich, Lucerne, Como, Milan, Pisa, Rome
Age Range
up to 85 year olds
Lakes
Italian Lakes District
Operated in
English
Operator
Europamundo
5% Off
Duration
7 days
From
US$1,155
$125 now + easy payments of $75
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No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 24 Dec 2025
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15 easy payments$75
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Explorer Sightseeing Historical
Highlights of Switzerland - 6 days
Destinations
Zurich, Lucerne, Interlaken, Grindelwald, Rigi Kaltbad,Chur,Pontresina,Morteratsch,St Moritz,Maienfeld,Appenzell,St Gallen+7 more
Age Range
18 to 99 year olds
Mountain
Alps
Operated in
English
Operator
On The Go Tours
15% Off
Duration
6 days
From $2,915
US$2,478
$400 now + easy payments of $189
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 10 Nov 2025
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11 easy payments$189
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 10 Nov 2025
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11 easy payments$189
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