Zurich regularly ranks among the world's three most expensive cities. A casual lunch: 20-35 CHF. A beer: 7-9 CHF. A hotel room: 200-400 CHF. I visited with a budget mindset and came away with 18 tips that kept my bank account from staging a full revolt. If you're exploring the region, Geneva is Switzerland's French-speaking rival.
This is the single most important budget tip for Switzerland. Both supermarket chains have self-service restaurants in their larger stores, serving hot meals, salads, and sandwiches for 10-15 CHF. That's 50-60% cheaper than a sit-down restaurant. The food is decent — not gourmet, but genuinely satisfying. If you're exploring the region, Interlaken is the adventure capital of the Swiss Alps.
The Coop at Bellevue and the Migros at Limmatplatz are both centrally located.
The Zurich Card (27 CHF/24h, 53 CHF/72h) includes all public transit, free or discounted museum entry, a boat cruise, and the Old Town walking tour. If you're doing the Kunsthaus (23 CHF) + a boat cruise (from 9 CHF) + transit (8.80 CHF day pass) in one day, the card saves money. If you're exploring the region, Lucerne is a picturesque Swiss lake city just 45 minutes away.
If you're just walking and visiting one museum, skip it.
The Kunsthaus Zurich — one of Switzerland's most important art museums — is free on Wednesdays. Plan your museum day accordingly. Regular entry is 23 CHF. If you're exploring the region, Munich is Germany's gateway to the Alps.
Located right next to the main train station, this castle-like museum covers Swiss history and costs just 10 CHF. If you're under 25, it's free. Given that most Zurich activities start at 20 CHF, this is exceptional value.
Zurich has over 1,200 public drinking fountains, all dispensing clean, cold, delicious water. Carry a reusable bottle. At 4-6 CHF per bottled water in shops and 8+ CHF in restaurants, this saves real money.
Swimming in Lake Zurich and the Limmat River is a beloved local tradition. The Badis (public bathing spots) like Seebad Enge, Seebad Utoquai, and Frauenbad are free or cost 8 CHF with changing facilities and diving boards. This is Zurich's best free activity.
Many Zurich hotels provide a free Zurich Card or transit pass for the duration of your stay. Ask at check-in. This can save you 8.80 CHF per day.
Trams, buses, trains, and boats all run on the ZVV system. Buy a day pass (8.80 CHF for zones 110+120) at machines or the ZVV app. The airport S-Bahn reaches the city center in 12 minutes (6.80 CHF).
The Old Town (Altstadt) is divided into Niederdorf (east bank — lively, bars, restaurants) and Lindenhof (west bank — quieter, historic). Both are tiny and walkable. You don't need transit within the center.
Climb the steps to Lindenhof — a hilltop park in the Old Town with a free panoramic view of the river, the university, and the eastern skyline. It's Zurich's best free viewpoint and rarely crowded.
The Romanesque cathedral is free to enter. The tower climb costs 5 CHF and gives you a better view than Lindenhof — looking out over the old town rooftops, the lake, and (on clear days) the Alps. Fraumunster across the river has Chagall stained-glass windows (5 CHF).
A tram that drives through Zurich while you eat fondue inside. 75 CHF including fondue and wine. Runs October-March, book well ahead at fondue-tram.ch. It sounds gimmicky but it's actually a great Zurich experience — locals do it too.
Cheaper fondue: Le Dezaley (moitie-moitie fondue ~32 CHF) or Swiss Chuchi at Hotel Adler (~30 CHF).
The Confiserie Sprungli on Paradeplatz sells Luxemburgerli — tiny, delicate macarons that are Zurich's most famous sweet. A box of 12 costs about 18 CHF. The ground floor cafe serves them fresh. These are different from French macarons — lighter, crunchier, more delicate.
The east bank of the Old Town (Niederdorf) is where Zurich eats and drinks after dark. Narrow lanes with restaurants, bars, and clubs. Prices are still high (beers 7-9 CHF) but the atmosphere is excellent.
The Langstrasse district further west has more alternative nightlife. Not dangerous but seedier than Niederdorf.
Almost all shops, supermarkets, and many restaurants close on Sundays. The main station (Zurich HB) has shops open Sunday, and some Niederdorf restaurants stay open. Plan your grocery shopping for Saturday.
Lake swimming season runs roughly June through September. If this is a priority (and it should be), time your visit accordingly. The Alps are visible across the lake on clear days.
Zurich's Christmas markets — especially the one at the main station with its massive Swarovski tree — are excellent. The Niederdorf market and the one at Sechselautenplatz add atmosphere.
Swiss Franc exchange rates at the airport are terrible. Use ATMs (Bancomats) for the best rates, or pay by card — contactless is accepted almost everywhere. Many places also accept Euros, but the exchange rate they give you is unfavorable.
Zurich is expensive. There's no way around it. But the city is also clean, safe, efficient, beautiful, and culturally rich. The free lake swimming, the supermarket restaurant hack, and the free Wednesday museum make it survivable. And the Luxemburgerli are worth every centime.
| Expense | Cost (CHF) |
|---|---|
| Migros self-service breakfast | 8 |
| Grossmunster tower | 5 |
| Lindenhof viewpoint | Free |
| Lake swimming at Seebad Enge | Free-8 |
| Coop restaurant lunch | 14 |
| Kunsthaus (Wednesday) | Free |
| Sprungli Luxemburgerli (box) | 18 |
| Niederdorf dinner | 25-35 |
| Beer | 8 |
| Transit day pass | 8.80 |
| Total |
That's not cheap by global standards. But for Zurich, it's practically frugal.
