3-Day Guide to Zürich, Switzerland

Absolutely! If Zürich is on your route at all, this guide just makes sense. And each day (and even each half-day), can stand alone.

For one day or less, Day 1 offers a complete tour of Old Town.

With an overnight stay, you could add on the Lindt Home of Chocolate museum (a tourist favorite!), a medieval town, or the biggest waterfalls in Europe.

And with multiple days, you can expand your travels to one of the most charming Swiss villages or eat a local Swiss meal on a farm.

Yes! In fact, we've stayed in various areas in and near Zürich. Thanks to efficient public transportation, it's easy to follow this Guide while staying nearly anywhere on Lake Zürich or in a nearby town.

But don't forget that it also works if you're just stopping in Zürich on your way to the airport, passing through on a train journey, or even driving through on a road trip.

(Need more help with navigation? Check out Part 2 of our Ultimate Guide to Swiss Transportation!)

This guide works well year-round, but it's the absolute best from early-April to mid-October when the boats are all in operation. (There are 4 boat cruises in this itinerary!)

Coming outside of that time frame? No worries, we provide alternate options and instructions within the Guide.

Yep, that's one of the biggest benefits! We tell you what's skippable, what's overrated, and what's actually worth your time. And we intentionally leave out attractions that look good online but disappoint in real life.

You're not the only one wondering! More than half of the questions in our inbox are about this specific topic.

This Guide recommends the best train tickets and passes for each daily itinerary, specific routes, charts, and map pins. Essentially, we're foolproofing your navigation!

The more the merrier! Zürich, because of its international airport and massive train station, is a practical destination to pair with anywhere else in Switzerland. In general, we recommend spending some time in the Jungfrau Region, Lucerne, Montreux, and Zermatt.

(Need more help planning your trip? Start here! Want to browse our other Guides? Find 'em here!)

Yes! Each itinerary can be adapted to your family's pace and preferences. Children will likely enjoy the boat rides, hands-on museums, easy walks, and of course the playgrounds. (Oh, and even the underground ruins, skinny tunnels, and ancient toilets!)

Bonus: Kids under 6 are always free on Swiss transportation, and many of these destinations offer discounted rates for kids under the age of 16!

Not a problem. While this Guide includes walking routes, we list distances and alternate options, such as riding a tram or taking a ferry instead.

Tip: Look for the handicap symbol within the Guide to find barrier-free alternate routes.

As you know, our blogs and videos are loaded with practical tips and advice, but they're more like a free sample.

This Guide expands even further with minute-by-minute itineraries, walking directions, digital maps, off-season adaptations, evening activities, and even more detailed recommendations that you won't find anywhere else. It's like having Jana and Brett in your pocket as your digital tour guides!

All of our Swiss Travel Guides are only available for digital purchase, but you can easily print out the PDF itinerary!