Make it a trip · Zurich, Switzerland
What Zurich costs
once you land
Real prices, from the airport ride to a room for the night, each with where we found it. Checked October 2026, around Altstadt and Kreis 4.
Prices as the source quoted them.
Dorm bed, three cheap meals, getting around, a coffee, two beers and water.
Private room, a cheap lunch, dinner out (your half), a coffee, two beers, two rides and the top sight.
Arriving
-
Train to Zürich HB Fixed
About 10 minutes. A 3 zone ZVV ticket, valid for an hour on trains, trams and buses.
Source: ZVV, tickets and prices from 14 Dec 2025 (2025-12)
CHF 7.20 Book an airport pickup -
Visa free for 90 days in Schengen Fixed
For AU, NZ, GB, US, CA, SG passports.
No fee yet. The €20 ETIAS travel authorisation has no confirmed start date and was not required at the time of writing. Hotels add a small city tax per night.
Sources: Deep Arrival, ETIAS 2026 (2026-10), Schengen Traveler, ETIAS launch date (2026)
Free -
EU citizens Fixed
For IE, NL, DE, FR passports.
Switzerland is in Schengen; an ID card is enough.
Source: Deep Arrival, ETIAS 2026 (2026-10)
Free
Getting around
-
Tram or bus ticket Fixed
Zone 110 covers the city. Trains to the airport cost more.
Sources: Radical Storage, is Zurich expensive (2026-09), Numbeo, Zurich (2026-10)
CHF 4.40 to CHF 4.60 -
ZurichCARD, 24 hours Fixed
Unlimited public transport, plus museum discounts.
Source: Radical Storage, is Zurich expensive (2026-09)
CHF 27
Eating and drinking
-
Meal at a cheap restaurant Many reports
A lunch special costs CHF 20 to 25.
Source: Numbeo, Zurich (2026-10)
CHF 28 -
CHF 15
-
Dinner for two, three courses Many reports
A mid-range restaurant, without drinks.
Source: Numbeo, Zurich (2026-10)
CHF 120 -
Cappuccino Many reports
Source: Numbeo, Zurich (2026-10)
CHF 5.80 -
Draught beer, half a litre Many reports
Source: Numbeo, Zurich (2026-10)
CHF 8
At the supermarket
-
CHF 1.10
-
Coca-Cola, small bottle Many reports
Source: Numbeo, Zurich (2026-10)
CHF 4.80 -
CHF 2.40
-
Bratwurst or falafel from a street stand, from Range
Usually 10 to 15 CHF.
Source: Radical Storage, is Zurich expensive (2026-09)
CHF 10
Doing
-
Museum entry, from Range
Usually 15 to 25 CHF. Typical adult price for the big museums.
Source: Radical Storage, is Zurich expensive (2026-09)
CHF 15 Get tickets
Sleeping, per night
-
Hostel dorm bed, from Range
Usually 40 to 60 CHF.
Source: Radical Storage, is Zurich expensive (2026-09)
CHF 40 Find a hostel -
Budget hotel, from Range
Usually 150 to 250 CHF.
Source: Radical Storage, is Zurich expensive (2026-09)
CHF 150 Find a guesthouse -
Mid-range hotel, from Range
Usually 250 to 400 CHF.
Source: Radical Storage, is Zurich expensive (2026-09)
CHF 250 Find a hotel -
Whole apartment, from Range
Usually 150 to 300 CHF.
Source: Radical Storage, is Zurich expensive (2026-09)
CHF 150 Find an apartment
Prices change. Fixed fees come from official or widely reported figures; ranges are what travellers and operators report for 2026. Some links are affiliate links: they never change what you pay. How we make money.
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