Photo: Bob Tan, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Zurich, Switzerland
Switzerland's financial hub, and a fast, reliable connecting point in the heart of Europe.
Zurich pairs a tidy, lake-and-river old town with an outsized banking and finance sector, and its airport and rail links are about as punctual as reputation suggests. It's a comfortable, if pricey, meeting point centrally located between northern and southern Europe.
Best time to visit
May–September has the warmest weather for the lake and surrounding mountains; the Christmas market season (December) is also popular.
Top attractions
- •The Old Town (Altstadt) and Grossmünster church along the Limmat River
- •Lake Zurich, by boat or along the promenade
- •Bahnhofstrasse, one of the world's most expensive shopping streets
- •The Kunsthaus Zürich art museum
- •A short train ride to Uetliberg for a hilltop view over the city and lake
Practical tips
- •A train runs directly from Zurich Airport (ZRH) to Zurich Hauptbahnhof in about 10 minutes.
- •Switzerland uses the Swiss franc, not the euro, though many places also accept euros at a less favorable rate.
- •Shops largely close on Sundays — plan errands and grocery shopping around weekdays or Saturday.
Frequently asked questions
What airport serves Zurich?
Zurich's main airport is Zurich Airport (ZRH).
When is the best time to visit Zurich?
May–September has the warmest weather for the lake and surrounding mountains; the Christmas market season (December) is also popular.
Is Zurich a good place to meet someone flying from a different city?
Switzerland's financial hub, and a fast, reliable connecting point in the heart of Europe.
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