What currency is used in Zürich?

Zürich uses the Swiss franc (CHF).

What is the emergency number in Zürich?

In Zürich, call 112 (general), 117 (police), 144 (ambulance), 118 (fire).

How much does a day in Zürich cost?

Roughly $100-140 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $230-330 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.

Is Waypacker free to use in Zürich?

Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.

Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?

Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.

Can I meet locals in Zürich without staying with anyone?

Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.

Will anyone see my exact location?

No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.

Zürich travel guide

Switzerland

Switzerland's largest city sits on a clear lake with mountains on the horizon. It is expensive, but the old town, river baths and lakeside paths cost nothing to enjoy.

Essentials

Language: Swiss German, with standard German in writing; English widely spoken
Currency: Swiss franc (CHF)
Plugs: Type J, plus two-pin Type C; 230 V
Emergency number: 112 (general), 117 (police), 144 (ambulance), 118 (fire)
Tipping: Service is included in prices; rounding up or leaving a little extra for good service is welcome but not expected.

Rough daily budget

Approximate spend per person per day, in US dollars:

Backpacker: $100-140, with a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport.
Mid-range: $230-330, with a private room and restaurant meals.

Last reviewed: October 2026

Where to stay in Zürich

Altstadt and Niederdorf: the old town's lanes, guild houses and small bars on the east bank of the Limmat.
Zürich West (Kreis 5): a former industrial district of bars, shops under railway arches and converted warehouses.
Seefeld: a leafy, quieter area by the eastern lakeshore with easy access to swimming spots.

Getting around Zürich

Trams, buses, S-Bahn trains and lake boats share one ticketing zone system, and services are frequent and punctual. The centre is compact enough to walk.

Best time to visit Zürich

June to September for lake and river swimming; December brings Christmas markets and colder, shorter days.

Top things to do in Zürich

Swim in one of the river or lake baths in summer
Climb to the Lindenhof terrace for a view over the old town and the river
See the art collection at the Kunsthaus
Ride the train up the Uetliberg for views across the city, lake and Alps
Take a boat trip on Lake Zürich on a public transport ticket

What to eat in Zürich

Zürcher Geschnetzeltes: sliced veal in a cream and mushroom sauce, usually served with rösti
Rösti: a crisp cake of grated, pan-fried potato
Cheese fondue: melted cheese and wine shared from a pot with bread for dipping
Luxemburgerli: small, light macarons sold by the city's best-known confectioner

Day trips from Zürich

Lucerne: a lakeside old town with a covered wooden bridge, under an hour by train
Rhine Falls: a broad, powerful waterfall near Schaffhausen, around an hour by train
Rapperswil: a small lakeside town with a castle and rose gardens, under an hour by train or longer by boat

Local etiquette

Punctuality matters, and quiet is expected in residential areas at night and on Sundays. Shake hands when meeting, and recycle carefully, as sorting rules are strict.

Staying connected

Switzerland is outside the EU, so EU roaming deals may not apply; local SIMs and eSIMs are available with ID, and free Wi-Fi is common.

Staying safe

Zürich is very safe by big-city standards, though pickpockets work around the main station and on busy trams. Strong river currents can catch out swimmers, so stick to official bathing spots.

A local tip

Fill your bottle from the public fountains, which run with drinking water across the city.

Visas:rules depend on your nationality and change often – check your own government's official travel advice before you go.

Meet people in Zürich on Waypacker

Waypacker is a free travel community: stay with ID-verified local hosts, join meetups and city groups, and ask people who live in Zürich for advice. We are new here, so if you live in Zürich, you could be one of the first hosts.

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Questions about Zürich

What currency is used in Zürich?: Zürich uses the Swiss franc (CHF).
What is the emergency number in Zürich?: In Zürich, call 112 (general), 117 (police), 144 (ambulance), 118 (fire).
When is the best time to visit Zürich?: June to September for lake and river swimming; December brings Christmas markets and colder, shorter days.
How much does a day in Zürich cost?: Roughly $100-140 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $230-330 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.
Is Waypacker free to use in Zürich?: Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.
Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?: Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.
Can I meet locals in Zürich without staying with anyone?: Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.
Will anyone see my exact location?: No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.

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