Zurich Travel Guide
Summary
TLDRThe video script offers an in-depth look at Zurich, a city often overlooked by travelers but rich in culture and efficiency. It highlights the city's renowned airport, convenient public transport system, and the importance of validating tickets to avoid fines. Zurich is described as a very walkable city with a robust public transport network that includes trams, buses, and trains. The script also introduces viewers to local cuisine, emphasizing the diversity and uniqueness of Swiss food beyond the common stereotypes. It touches on the city's cost of living, with electronics being an exception to the general expense, and provides insights into the local economy and wages. The video concludes by emphasizing Zurich's blend of traditional Swiss qualities with a modern, edgy, and creative vibe, making it a cool and worthwhile destination.
Takeaways
- 🌍 Zurich is a city that travelers often add to their 'Someday' list, offering a blend of efficiency and beauty that is worth experiencing.
- ✈️ Zurich International Airport is renowned for its efficiency and is a favorite among travelers for its convenience and connection options.
- 🚄 The airport is well-connected to the city center via a quick train ride, with the train station located conveniently underneath the terminal.
- 🎟 A single ticket for public transport within a single zone in Zurich can be used for up to 60 minutes of travel and can be purchased from vending machines.
- 🚌 Public transport in Zurich includes trams, buses, trains, cable cars, and boats, all operating on a zone ticketing system.
- 💳 The Zurich Card offers unlimited travel on all public transport within the city and adjoining zones, as well as discounts on attractions and river cruises.
- 🍔 Swiss cuisine is more diverse than just chocolate and cheese, with unique dishes and flavors influenced by the region and city.
- 🍖 Traditional Swiss sausages like bratwurst and cervelat are popular, and regional preferences for condiments can vary, such as the use of mustard in Zurich.
- 🍞 Bread in Zurich, including the traditional Zopf, is of high quality and is a delight to try, often available at local bakeries.
- 💸 Zurich is an expensive city, but the high cost of living is offset by generous salaries, comprehensive social services, and a sensible tax system for residents.
- 🍺 While food and accommodations can be pricey, electronics are an exception and are cheaper in Zurich compared to much of Europe.
- 🏷️ Tipping in Zurich is appreciated but not expected; however, the trend is moving towards it being more of an expectation.
Q & A
What is the appeal of cities like Paris, Tokyo, London, Shanghai, and LA for travelers?
-These cities are attractive to travelers due to their climate, culture, cuisine, and other compelling characteristics which draw millions of visitors.
Why do some cities, like Zurich, often end up on a traveler's 'Someday' list?
-Cities like Zurich are known to be noble, beautiful, and important, yet travelers may not visit them immediately, instead adding them to a 'Someday' list of future possible destinations.
How efficient is the Zurich International Airport?
-The Zurich International Airport is renowned for its Swiss efficiency and is considered one of the best airports in the world for connections, with experienced travelers often allowing only 40 minutes between flights.
What is the best way to get into Central Zurich from the airport?
-The best way to get into Central Zurich from the airport is by train, which runs every few minutes from the airport train station located underground beneath the terminal.
What is the cost of a train ticket from Zurich International Airport to Central Zurich?
-The cost of a train ticket from the airport to Central Zurich is around seven Francs.
What is the significance of the Zurich Hauptbahnhof?
-Zurich Hauptbahnhof is one of the busiest railway stations in the world by movement, serving as a hub for Swiss Railway, Germany's ICE, France's TGV, and various local and regional services.
How walkable is the city of Zurich?
-Zurich is a very walkable city, with the city's tourism board recommending walking as the best form of transport to explore the city's beauty.
What is the frequency of bus or tram stops in Zurich?
-In Zurich, there is a bus or tram stop approximately every 300 meters, ensuring that travelers are never far from a transport option.
What does the Zurich Card offer to travelers?
-The Zurich Card, available in 24-hour and 72-hour increments, offers unlimited travel on all forms of public transport within Zurich city and several adjoining zones, as well as discounts on museums, tourist attractions, and some river cruises.
How does the cost of living in Zurich compare to the average Swiss wage?
-While Zurich is an expensive city, Swiss residents enjoy some of the highest average wages in the world, which, along with comprehensive social services and a sensible tax system, helps offset the high cost of living.
What is the local food culture like in Zurich?
-Swiss food, particularly in Zurich, is more diverse and satisfying than commonly believed, with unique dishes and flavors rooted in each canton and city, often with local touches to traditional offerings.
What are some popular local dishes in Zurich?
-Popular local dishes in Zurich include bratwurst, Cervelat sausages, Züri Gschnätzlets (veal strips with a white wine, cream, and demi-glace sauce served with rosti and Crème fraîche), and macaroons, which are a Swiss specialty.
Outlines
🌍 Exploring Zurich's Accessibility and Public Transport
The first paragraph introduces Zurich as a city often added to travelers' 'Someday' lists. It highlights the city's renowned airport and its efficiency, making it a favorite for connections. The script details various ways to get into Central Zurich from the airport, including trains, trams, and buses. Zurich Hauptbahnhof is mentioned as a busy railway station with numerous connections. The paragraph emphasizes the city's walkability and the convenience of its public transport system, which includes trams, buses, trains, cable cars, and boats. It also discusses ticketing options, the importance of validating tickets, and the benefits of the Zurich Card for unlimited travel and discounts.
🍽️ Discovering Zurich's Culinary Delights and Cost of Living
The second paragraph delves into the culinary scene of Zurich, dispelling the notion that Swiss food is limited to chocolate and cheese. It discusses the variety of dishes and flavors across different regions of Switzerland. The script features a conversation with Rico Wyder, a local, about traditional Swiss sausages and the cultural significance of food in Zurich. It also touches on the city's nightlife and the types of food popular among locals and visitors. The paragraph ends with a brief mention of the cost of living in Zurich, noting that while it's expensive, the high wages and social services help offset the costs.
🏙️ Zurich's City Life, Cost, and Currency
The third paragraph paints a picture of Zurich as a cosmopolitan city with a diverse food scene influenced by its geographical position and the demographics of its inhabitants. It recommends trying local pastries like macaroons and discusses specific dishes like Zürigschnätzlets and Zopf bread. The paragraph also addresses the high cost of living in Zurich, with specific prices for coffee, beer, and a Big Mac. It provides information on the Swiss Franc as the local currency and the acceptance of Euros in some establishments. Additionally, it covers tipping practices in Zurich and the general appreciation for good service.
🎨 Zurich's Diverse and Vibrant Cityscape
The final paragraph captures the essence of Zurich as a city that is not just defined by Swiss clichés of precision and tidiness but also by its edginess, artsy vibe, and communal spirit. It describes Zurich as a place where corporate and creative sectors meet and where different political ideologies coexist. The paragraph references a Swiss friend's view that Zurich, while not as well-known as places like Shoreditch or Brooklyn, is cool and worth visiting. It concludes by reiterating the city's unique and special status within Switzerland.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Zurich
💡Zurich International Airport
💡Public Transport
💡Zurich Card
💡Swiss Food
💡Züri Gschnätzlets
💡Cost of Living
💡
💡Electronics
💡Swiss Franc
💡Tipping
💡Cultural Diversity
Highlights
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Zurich is a city often overlooked by travelers but offers a unique blend of culture and efficiency.
Zurich International Airport is renowned for its efficiency and connectivity, with a layout that allows for quick transfers.
The airport is conveniently located near the city center and offers multiple transportation options, including trains and trams.
Zurich Hauptbahnhof is one of the busiest railway stations in the world, serving as a hub for Swiss and international rail services.
Zurich is a very walkable city with the tourism board advocating for walking as the best form of transport.
Public transport in Zurich is extensive, including trams, buses, trains, cable cars, and boats, all operating on a zone ticketing system.
Zurich Card offers unlimited travel on public transport and discounts on attractions for 24 or 72-hour periods.
As of October 2018, Uber is available in Zurich and is more affordable than traditional taxis.
Swiss food is more diverse and interesting than commonly perceived, with unique dishes and flavors across different regions.
Zurich has a variety of local sausages, such as bratwurst and Cervelat, often served with a spicy mustard.
The city offers a range of culinary influences due to its cosmopolitan nature and large expatriate population.
Züri Gschnätzlets, a local Zurich dish, consists of veal strips in a white wine and cream sauce, served with rosti and crème fraîche.
Bread in Zurich is of high quality, with special mention to Zopf, a Swiss bread traditionally eaten on Sundays.
Zurich has numerous ornate fountains providing safe drinking water throughout the city.
While Zurich is an expensive city, Swiss residents enjoy high wages, social services, and a sensible tax system that offsets the cost of living.
Electronics are an exception to the high prices in Zurich and can be cheaper than in other European countries.
Switzerland is not part of the European Union and uses the Swiss Franc (CHF) as its currency.
Tipping in Zurich is appreciated but not expected, though it is becoming more of a norm to round up or leave 10-15% for good service.
Zurich is described as a city that blends corporate and creative, lefty and conservative elements, offering a unique and cool experience for visitors.
Transcripts
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There are cities in the world that we as travelers are inexorably drawn to.
For climate, culture, cuisine or a host of other compelling characteristics.
Paris, Tokyo, London, Shanghai, LA. Their appeal is obvious and immediate.
And we flock to them in our millions.
Then there are cities that get our sideways glances as we pass through, over or around them.
Noble, beautiful, important cities that we know of and hear of.
Cities that we add to a list to future possible destinations called Someday.
Zurich is one of those cities and man, have we been missing out.
Zurich is served by the renowned Zurich International Airport.
A model of Swiss efficiency, this airport isn't just a favorite with visitors to this fair city
but also because of the way it's laid out,
it is one of the best airports in the world for connections.
I've heard tale of experienced travellers
allowing just 40 minutes between flights with absolute confidence.
I'm not suggesting that you do that, but you can at least be confident if you're
arriving or passing through this airport, you're going to have a great experience
But if you are planning on sticking around, the airport is deliciously
convenient, not just for transiting or arriving, but for getting into town.
It's located just a few miles north of the city and there are
a multitude of options for getting into Central Zurich.
Your best bet though, is a train. They run every few minutes from
the airport train station which is located underground, just underneath the terminal itself.
And the 12-minute journey, just 12 minutes into town, will cost you around seven Francs.
You can buy your tickets from the vending machines on the platform above
but make sure you have a ticket before you board otherwise you'll get a fine.
If you get on the right train, a nice lady will bring you a hot cup of coffee.
But here's the cool thing, that ticket of yours isn't just valid on trains.
It's valid on any form of public transport that
leaves from the airport so if you feel like a more leisurely journey into town,
the number 10 tram will get you into Central Zurich in about 35 minutes.
Or if a bus is more your style, the airport bus terminal is just outside
the terminal and has services not just to Zurich, but to all over Switzerland.
Now this being Europe, you might well arrive in Zurich by train.
And if you do that you'll arrive here, Zurich Hauptbahnhof.
Now this is one of the busiest railway stations in the world by movement
with over 3,000 comings and goings a day.
And it's not just a hub to Swiss Railway but also
to Germany's ICE and France's TGV as well as a host of local and regional services.
It's conveniently located right in the middle of Zurich at the end of
the aptly named Bahnhofstrasse, from where you can jump on a
bunch of different public transport options to get you around the city.
So whether you arrive by plane or train to airport or Bahnhof,
you are now in a city that is a joy to get around.
But before we get into the mechanics of getting from A to B in Zurich,
I think it's important to point out that this is a very walkable city.
The city's tourism board proclaims that foot is by far the best form of transport,
so heed their advice, fire up Google Maps to plan
your perambulations and get to exploring this beautiful city.
But if you don't feel like walking, good news.
There is a bus or tram stop, the primary forms of transport here in Zurich,
every 300 meters so you're never far away from
a slightly speedier transport option like the tram hurtling towards my face.
Public transport in Zurich is made out of several operators unified by a single administrator.
The network is made out of trams, buses, regular trains, suburban trains, cable cars and boats.
All of which use a zone ticketing system. Now the good news is,
most of the popular destinations are within a single zone but if you
are going to cross zones, make sure you have a ticket that allows you to do so.
You can buy a single ticket good for 30 to 60 minutes of travel on
any form of public transport within a single zone.
Multi-zone tickets can also be purchased for a slightly higher fare.
You can buy your single ticket as well as 24-hour passes from
the ticket vending machines and kiosks at train stations and tram stops.
But remember, you must validate your ticket before boarding your chosen form of transport.
Not doing so can result in a eye-watering 100 Franc fine.
Alternatively and I recommend this, you can grab one of these, a Zurich card.
Available in 24 hour and 72-hour increments, they give you unlimited travel on all forms of
public transport within Zurich city as well as several other adjoining zones.
You can buy them from the airport or from the
Zurich Bahnhof as well as several other outlets through the city.
They'll also give you trips to and from the airport within the
valid period of your ticket, of course.
As well as discounts on several museums, tourist attractions and even some of the river cruises.
Oh, wait, wait, wait, wait.
Do not forget to validate your Zurich card the first time you use it in one of the ticket machines.
If you get on board with a ticket that's not validated,
you're still going to get fined, so validate that ticket.
As of October 2018, Uber is widely available in Zurich and is significantly cheaper than taxis.
There are several levels of service including and I rather like this,
a green level of service which is only hybrid and electric vehicles.
Rather fitting for this very environmentally conscious country.
Finally, while they may be plentiful, taxis are staggeringly expensive in Zurich.
A 12-minute journey from our hotel to the airport cost a whopping 65 Francs.
The same journey in an Uber however, is less than half the price.
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I feel like we outsiders have a rather tepid, uninspired view of Swiss food.
Great chocolate and great cheese in one form or another, be it solid or melted.
That's about as far as our imaginations stretch.
But as visitors quickly discover, Swiss food is far more interesting
and satisfying than the banal basics we lazily associate with it.
Look a little further and you'll find unique dishes and flavors rooted in each canton,
each city and in many instances with one city adding its own touch to another city's offering.
Rico Wyder, a Zurich native and friend reminded us that great local food is
about that balance of tradition, comfort, local ingredients, price and of course, deliciousness.
So I'm from Zurich, right? So we have a
bratwurst weiss real sausage from St. Gallen, from the eastern part of Switzerland.
It's I think at least 50% veal, the rest could be anything. Beef or, or pork.
It's a very common Swiss sausage. The other one is a Cervelat, it's pork.
It's the two typical Swiss sausages.
Now the thing why I mentioned St. Gallen is in that part of Switzerland,
they're angry at you if you use mustard with it and I don't know why they do it here but...
We have it with mustard, yeah. In Zurich, you do it. Right, right, okay.
Yeah right, exactly.
I was studying in that region and every time I would buy one uh locally,
You would get the mustard. I would ask for the mustard
and they would scold me, they say this sausage you don't eat with mustard.
It's like New Yorkers and ketchup on a hot dog, right? You don't do it.
Exactly, exactly. That's so funny.
And I just say it so to make them mad right? With my accent, they can hear that I'm from here.
It's a super spicy mustard it's, yeah, it's something we have when we come to Zurich.
This is the place right?
That's the place yeah. Everybody knows this place in Zurich.
This feels like good sort of beer food. Pre-beer, during beer, after beer.
Yeah or after, after going out a lot of people come here after midnight with sort of the after
after party craving. You can see why.
It's a perfect, perfect food.
And so you get this beautiful chunk of bread, I mean how does one eat it?
You open it up, it's quite messy. That's good, the best food is the messiest food.
Go with the bread into the mustard first, you see it's, it's a
How pokey it is.
That mustard though [Exhales] You said it like four times.
It's really spicy, it's really spicy,
I'm like it's fine. Yeah it's fine.
But it's addictive isn't it? It's very similar to a German bratwurst
But it's got that nice feel, flavor to it so it's almost barbecuey. Yeah, yeah that's lovely.
Yeah I would eat here all the time if I lived here.
We've purposely avoided things like Raclette and
fondue because that's that's mountain food and we've had
the veal with the rosti and the delicious cream whose name I shan't try and pronounce.
Züri Gschnätzlets. There we are, write that down.
Is there a big difference between what one would find in Zurich versus Geneva or Bern or anywhere else like that?
I don't think so, I believe we've copied our neighbors, um.
So if you're closer to the German border, you would find more German food,
if you're more to the Italian border, you would find more Italian food, in general.
Same with the language right? For Geneva for example, it's much more closer to the French
um French areas.
It's a small city but there's a lot of influences, I mean you can have pretty much
every food here from Iranian food to like... That's the joy of a Cosmopolitan city right?
25% of the people are are not Swiss.
There's a lot of I think local pastries. What should we look out for from Zurich?
I would recommend you to have maybe the macaroons like there's a Swiss
version of a macaroon it's a smaller one a little creamier and sweeter.
I usually bring those as gifts because they're, they're really unique.
Proscht. Proscht.
At Gambrinus, an otherwise unassuming restaurant in the west of the city,
you'll find an exemplary version of a Zurich classic.
Zürigschnätzlets. Simply translated, it means sliced meat Zurich style.
But that definitely does not do this classic dish justice.
Veal strips served in a sauce of white wine,
cream and demi glace are served alongside a potato rosti and topped with Crème fraîche.
You can find this comforting classic all over Zurich but
I think the Gambrinus version is hard to beat.
Bread in Zurich is generally wonderful and almost universally wonderful too,
even the stuff that you get in supermarkets is of a really high quality.
But for the absolute top drawer stuff, duck into one of the bakeries
that you'll find every 50 feet here in this city and grab one of these.
A wonderful Swiss treat called Zopf.
It's traditionally eaten on a Sunday, which is why its full name is Sonntagszopf.
And it's, it's bread made with the traditional ingredients of flour,
water, salt and yeast but also with milk and eggs so you get this wonderfully creamy uh,
doughy flavor that is just, it's absolutely wonderful.
And this gigantic loaf which I will now attempt to eat by myself only cost about one Franc fifty,
or about a pound so really good value as well and absolutely delicious.
This is a rather lovely feature of life in Zurich,
all over the city there are these ornate and beautiful fountains which provide drinking water.
You can drink it, it's perfectly safe to drink.
There are over a thousand all over the city so help yourself,
top up your water bottle, stay hydrated.
Let's not beat around the bush, this is an expensive city in an expensive country.
One of the most expensive on Earth, in fact.
A weird exception to that though, is electronics,
which are markedly cheaper than pretty much anywhere else in Europe.
So if you're after the latest Apple device, this might actually be the place to come.
But unless you're after an iPhone or iPad or iPod, then prepare for wincing
and sharp inhalations of breath whenever you see the price on just about anything
from food and drink to transport and accommodation, it is not cheap here.
I feel like it's worth mentioning that while Zurich is an expensive city in an
expensive country, the Swiss enjoys some of the highest average wages in the world.
Both for hourly and salaried employees, so while it may feel expensive to us visitors,
it's very rare to hear a Swiss complain about high prices.
Generous salaries, comprehensive social services and a very sensible tax system
go a long way to offsetting what at least in simple terms is a very high cost of living.
And on that note, let's do the rundown.
A cup of coffee will cost around five Francs.
A glass is a beautiful Swiss beer will cost you around six Francs.
And for the most reliable indicator of a nation's cost, the good old Big Mac,
you're going to pay around six Francs fifty or around five pounds.
While Switzerland is geographically part of Europe, it is most certainly not part of the European Union.
Nor does it use the Euro, the currency here is the Swiss Franc, denoted as CHF next to a price.
Now, all of that said, many big restaurants and supermarkets and hotels
will list prices in Francs and Euros, which in many cases means they will accept both currencies.
But make sure you confirm this before you buy, lest you embarrass yourself.
And be sure to have a pocket full of Franks as you explore this beautiful
city so that you can patronize the many, many shops here that only take Franks.
And finally, a very quick word on tipping.
Like many European countries, it is appreciated but not expected.
Although, that trend is increasing towards being expected so if you've had a great experience,
it's fine to round up to the nearest 10 Franc or leave 10 to 15 percent
to show your appreciation for a great meal or great service.
Zurich is a unique and special place in Switzerland.
Yes, it has all the clichés we associate with the Swiss.
Discrete, precise, tidy and quiet.
And in no way are those bad characteristics for a city, quite the opposite.
But make no mistake, Zurich is not only those things.
It's also edgy, artsy, convivial and communal.
A place where the corporate meets the creative.
Where the lefty meets the conservative.
As my dear Swiss friend Paul Papadimitriou once told me,
it's by no means Shoreditch or Brooklyn, but it is cool and well worth your time.
And I think, as so often is the case, he's absolutely right.
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