There are a number of festivals, holidays and other events celebrated in Zurich each year.
The main ones are listed below.
Easter Monday commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ on the third day after the Passion. Many baptisms are celebrated on Easter Weekend and families come together to attend the vigil mass and share a feast on Sunday.
Third Monday in April: Sechseläuten (Burning of the Böögg, local event)To usher in spring, Zurich's guilds parade in medieval costumes through the city's streets. Celebrations culminate at 6 p.m. with the ringing of all the city bells and the burning of the Böögg, a huge figure of a snowman prepared with explosives, thus driving out winter.
May 1: Labour Day (national holiday) August 1: National Day (national holiday)Commemorates the founding of the Swiss Confederation on this day in 1291. An evening cruise on Lake Zurich is the best way to see bonfires and fireworks. Other highlights include official ceremonies, concerts and activities for children.
Late September–early October: Zurich Film Festival (local event)Having celebrated its 11th anniversary in 2015, this 11-day festival featuring the work of both established and emerging film-makers attracts many big names and some 80,000 spectators to its premieres, screenings, galas and red carpet events at various venues across Zurich.
Late September–early October: Art International Zurich (local event)This three-day contemporary art fair is held every year at Kongresshaus Zurich, with works for sale by young and emerging artists in the fields of painting, graphics, sculpture and photography.
December 25: Christmas (national holiday) December 31: Neujahrsmarathon Zurich (local event)This is the only international marathon starting at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve. Headlamps are therefore recommended for all runners, because although the course is marked by signposts, barrier tape and flags, it is not illuminated! Spectacular fireworks are set off as the race begins and along the course.
Month | Min. Average Temperature (°C/F°) | Max. Average Temperature (°C/F°) | Average Rains (MM) | Best Time to Travel |
---|---|---|---|---|
January | -4/25 | 2/36 | 67/2.6 | Not the best period to go |
February | -3/27 | 5/41 | 68/2.7 | Not the best period to go |
March | -1/30 | 9/48 | 68/2.7 | Not the best period to go |
April | 2/36 | 13/55 | 78/3.1 | Not the best period to go |
May | 6/43 | 18/64 | 96/3.8 | Good period to go
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June | 10/50 | 21/70 | 115/4.5 | Good period to go
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July | 12/54 | 24/75 | 106/4.2 | Good period to go
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August | 11/52 | 23/73 | 121/4.8 | Not the best period to go |
September | 8/46 | 20/68 | 83/3.3 | Not the best period to go |
October | 5/41 | 14/57 | 70/2.8 | Not the best period to go |
November | 0/32 | 7/45 | 84/3.3 | Not the best period to go |
December | -3/27 | 3/37 | 74/2.9 | Not the best period to go |
Zurich International Airport is located about 13 kilometres (8 miles) north of the city centre.
Zurich has introduced a number of policies designed to limit car traffic in the city. As a result, the simplest ways to get around the city are on foot, or by tram, bus or Metro. City planners focus great efforts on making public transport easy and convenient. Along most routes, there is a bus stop or tram station roughly every quarter mile or less. Moreover, an integrated fare system is used for all modes of transport. A single ticket valid for 30 minutes costs CHF 2.60.
Zurich's tram system, one of the most efficient ways to discover the city, comprises 17 lines and serves most districts. A single ticket costs CHF 2.60 and is valid for 30 minutes.
Zurich's S-bahn commuter rail lines, cable cars and funiculars complement its bus and tram routes and can be very useful for reaching certain destinations within the city. A single ticket costs CHF 2.60 and is valid for 30 minutes.
Zurich has a very extensive network of buses, with 32 routes criss-crossing the city. A single ticket costs CHF 2.60 and is valid for 30 minutes.
Useful tip: If you will be using public transport frequently during your stay, a number of passes are available, allowing either multiple journeys or unlimited use on all modes of transport in central Zurich.
Using taxis to get around Zurich is not the most cost-effective solution. Fares are rather high, with an initial charge of CHF 6, plus CHF 3 per kilometre.
Upon your arrival in Zurich, you can get in touch with local tourism professionals for further information and to help organize your stay.
Zurich Tourismus Tourist ServiceOffers practical information and many useful recommendations (accommodation, restaurants, public transport, festivals, cultural events, etc.).
The official website maintained by Switzerland Tourism, the Swiss national tourist board, provides a wealth of information on Zurich.
The currency used in Switzerland is the swiss franc (CHF).
1 USD = 0.96 CHF
1 CHF = 1.04 USD
The above exchange rate is given for information because is variable.
There are no vaccination requirements for visitors to Switzerland.
For more information, contact Air France's international vaccination centre:
Tap water is safe to drink in Zurich.
For information on the travel documents required to enter Switzerland depending on your nationality, visit the website of the Swiss State Secretariat for Migration (SEM): https://www.sem.admin.ch/sem/en/home.html
Here are a few basic German phrases that will make your stay in Zurich a little easier:
Hello / How do you do?: Grüezi
Good morning: Guten Morge
Good evening: Guten Abig
Good-bye: Auf Wiedersehen
Yes: Ja
No: Nein
No, thank you: Nein, Danke
Thank you very much: Vielen Dank
I don't understand: Ich verstehe nicht
Could you repeat that: Können Sie bitte wiederholen?
Please: Bitte
What time is it: Wie spät ist es?
Excuse me: Entschuldigung
Airport: Der Flughafen
Train station: Der Bahnhof
Taxi: Das Taxi
Hotel: Das Hotel
Hospital: Das Spital
Bank: Die Bank
Telephone: Das Telefon
I'm (…): Ich bin (…).
I'm looking for (…): Ich suche (…).
How much is this: Wie viel kostet es?
Do you have (…): Haben Sie (…)?
Where can I find (…): Wo kann ich (…) finden?
Where can I buy (…): Wo kann ich (…) kaufen?
I'd like (…): Ich hätte gerne (…).
And what about tipping?
In Switzerland, as is also the case in France and Italy, leaving a tip is recommended when the service is especially friendly and attentive. The appropriate amount is anywhere between 5 and 10 percent of the bill at restaurants or bars.