Zürich

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Zürich
"Little Big City!"
Country: Switzerland
Region: Europe
[[image:|220px|View over Zurich from one of its mountains]]
More Information:
CS Group Wikipedia Wikitravel


Contents

General Information on Zurich

Welcome to Zurich, Switzerland's financial capital. The fabulous green and multicultural city!

Useful tips

  • Zurich is very green with many parks and forests. Take your time to have a look at them. Missing these wonderful areas means you haven't really seen Zurich.
  • Swiss are very punctual. Expect them to be on time. The trains and even trams will definitely be on time. (If it looks like they are late, something may be wrong with your watch!) In off-peak times, especially when catching your last tram home, you might want to be a few minutes early.
  • Water: there are fountains everywhere and you may drink this water as well as tap water from everywhere, except in trains or where otherwise written. Tap water from Zurich is in some regards even healthier than bottled mineral water.
  • Money: Switzerland uses Swiss Franks (CHF) not Euros! And - against some widespread belief: Switzerland is not part of the European Union. While you can pay with Euros at some places, and many do accept some credit cards, it's a rather cash-oriented country, so you are better off just finding an exchange office (there is one at the main train station and the airport) or a bank and getting some local currency. You surely already guessed, that it is not so hard to find a bank or an ATM in Zurich.
  • Luggage lockers: at the main station in the middle floor. Just follow the suitcase icon. The smaller ones cost 5 francs and the bigger ones 7. (I guess, will check next time i get to main station) You MUST provide exact change, 1 and 2 franc pieces, the machines do NOT accept the 5franc piece.
  • ZürichCARD [1]: you can buy a this card for 24h or 72h at tourist offices, which allows you to use public transport (train, bus, tram, boat and funicular railway) in and around Zurich and gives you free admission to several museums and diverse other reductions at the same time.
  • Advice: Always carry your passport/identity-card on you. It saves you trouble in case you get stopped by the police (own experience...)

Maps

  • The official CS Zurich city-map :-) [2]: Tips and places; printable version of the city center (updated 6 May 2010) [3] and legend [4]
  • SEARCH.CH [5]: This site is great, it gives you a city-map for Zurich or where-ever in Switzerland you are, contains additional information like public transport stops, entertainment places or even Wikipedia-articles. It also works as a phone book and yellow pages [6], gives you the local weather forecasts [7] and contains a routing-planer [8]. Simply give in the place and maybe address and then click search.
  • GoogleMaps [9]: Map, photos, videos, webcam, Wikipedia articles

Food

  • Migros Restaurants [10] are a good deal if you are on limited budget but still want some restaurant feeling, hot and traditional Swiss food. Also has a rich salad, hot food and dessert buffet. Prices start from CHF 9.- for hot meals
  • Sternen Grill, famous for the typical Swiss fast food: BBQed saussages called Cervelat or Bratwurst (even Tina Turner is spotted there occasionaly), prices around CHF 6 per meal
  • Especially in Niederdorf [11] and along Langstrasse [12] you will find many TakeAways from Turkish (most of them) to Asian open till late. Food costs about CHF 8 to 10.

What to see in Zurich - tips from our insiders

Walk & see

  • Walk through the narrow streets in the old town. From Bahnhofstrasse you can enter Rennweg and from there walk along the narrow winding streets. Choose the smaller ones rather than the big ones as they are less full of tourists and generally just cuter and more authentic.
  • Take a walk through Niederdorf [13] and enjoy the old houses (earliest from the 14th century), the many cafes and small shops. Don't miss the small streets on the left and right. You can start at Central and finish at Bellevue or the other way round. A walk along the riverside of the Limmat from Central to Bellevue is worth a thought, too.
  • Hang out at the Letten outdoor cafe and swimming area in summer. From main station walk through Platzspitz (along the Landesmuseum, that's the building that looks like a castle) and follow the river. You will get to Letten after about 10 minutes. There are 2 open-air bars in summer right opposite to each other, plus another one a bit further down the river. Have a look at the graffiti on the wall. Take a swim or just sit down and relax with a bottle of "Gazosa". You can also find some food, mostly sandwiches, BBQ, and ice-cream, but things can be a bit expensive.
  • Walk from Platzspitz or Escher Wyss Platz along the Limmat to the Werdinsel, or take Tram Nr. 17 till "Tüffenwies".
  • Walk along the lake. Spend some time down by the lake, in the Zürihorn Park (near Stadelhofen station). There is always so much activity, plenty of people, music, swimming places, and food stands. Check out the crazy Jean Tinguely sculpture by the Casino. Be aware: at night you may run into some rowdy, beer-drinking youngsters, who occasionally throw their bottles on the ground. Zurich is a rather safe place, but to be sure, don't go alone and wear good shoes.
  • Climb the Grossmunster, the big cathedral in town. It only costs 2 francs for students and 4 francs if you're not a student. You'll get a great view of the city. Close by, across the river, enter the Fraumunster cathedral and see the phenomenal Marc Chagall stain-glass windows.
  • Catch a train up the Uetliberg, the mountain directly above the city. It has great views, although it can be a bit touristy. Another other option is to get to Bucheggplatz by tram 11 or 15, then catch bus 69 to the stop Waidbadstrasse. You will recognize immediately that you are on the right spot, as you can already see the view from inside the bus. Get out and walk up the hill to the lookout. There are benches and a fountain for water. A nice spot for a spontaneous pre-evening gathering or even at night a breathtaking view!
  • Take a cruise on the lake (Zürichsee). Get to Bürkliplatz and take a small or big round boat trip (kleine Rundfahrt or grosse Rundfahrt). On a sunny day they will be packed but its definitely worth doing once. Maybe pick a day thats not that sunny, to avoid the crowds. The small roundtrip is enough for Zurich beginners, and here is a god tip. Get a 24h ticket from the machines at the tram stop and get a discount on the ship. Get off at Wollishofen and enjoy lying on the grass at Landiwiese. You can also swim there but watch out for the stony bottom. To get back to town you can catch a train or tram or just walk along the lake shore.
  • In the summer (and good weather) take the train to Ennenda [14]. Take the "crazy" furnicular [15] up to the SAC hostel [16] "Aeugsten Hütte" 1500 meters o.s.l. You can stay overnight and see fantastic sunsets and sunrise. The overnight stay costs you including some dinner less then 20 SFr. per person. For some insights, check Flickr [17] [18] [19] [20]. Last advise don't go at weekends...
  • Rigiblick - take tram 9 or 10 to "Seilbahn Rigiblick", then take the cable car right next to the Migros and ride to the top. If you walk 100 meters to your right once you get out you have a beautiful view. If you walk left and continue going downhill on Germania- and later Hadlaubstrasse you'll get to a roundabout. Go uphill there to the 3-4 trees. Fantastic view from there also towards the airport. If you walk downhill on the path you'll eventually get to the University campus Irchel (tram 7, 9, 10, 14 / bus 69, 72 stop there).

Beautiful Open-Air Areas

  • Lindenhof park map, near Mainstation (Hauptbahnhof)
  • Blatterwiese / Chinawiese map: public grills, bring your Bratwurst along! Tram 2, 4, Bus 33 to "Höschgasse"
  • Arboreum, also known as "Rentenwiese" map Its the green space around it (obviously has no address). Tram 5, Bus 161, 165 to "Rentenanstalt", or walk from Bürkliplatz or Bellevue
  • Landiwiese starts here: map you will recognize the crowd of people. Bus 161, 165 "Landiwiese" or Tram 7 "Billoweg"
  • Letten map open air bar and free swimming area, chill out with easy people till way past midnight if good weather. Walk from "Limmatplatz" (Tram 4, 13, Bus 32) across the Limmat, or from "Central" downwards
  • Werdinsel map: free swimming, picnic, kiosk, fireplaces. FKK-area at the end of the island. Tram 4, Bus 80, 89 to "Tüffenwies" or walk down the Limmat from Escher-Wyss-Platz
  • Irchelpark map: fireplaces, sport facilities, swimming NOT recommended. Tram 7, 9, 10, 14, Bus 69, 72 to "Milchbuck"
  • The wood all around Zürich: there are plenty of fireplaces. Not as hot as downtown. In the evening usually very quiet. Don't get lost!

A tip from your insiders for a cheap night out: Buy your drinks and food at the supermarket first, then head to one of the open air areas. Its a lot cheaper than buying drinks out, and there is always plenty of people there. You can sit and talk to people, bring a game, its light until 9 to 10 pm. Picnic in the park costs nothing!

It's legal to drink alcohol in public (except on playgrounds), no need to hide it. However, marijuana is still illegal in Zurich. Although the general attitude is very relaxed, and you will smell it in many places, police are currently very strictly persecuting it.

City tours

  • City tours and excursions by the Tourist Office: [21]
  • Ghostwalk (English): Funny and scary [22]
  • Thematic city tours (German only): Stattreisen
  • Literature city tours (German): Literaturspur

Theater, Cinemas & Museums

In Zurich all the theaters have a special fare for students. It usually costs only 25 SFr. or less and the tickets can be obtained until the same day of the play. Zurich features many small and large stages and many are worth a try. The opera is world-famous (whether it is world-class too is a different question).

Opera

Stages (ordered in size)

  • Schauspielhaus+Schiffbau, [24], multiple 400 Places
  • Theater der Künste, [25], multiple 300 Places
  • TheateramNeumarkt, [26], 150 Places
  • Theaterhaus Gessnerallee [27]: Independent Theater and Dance
  • Theater Rigiblick, [28], 90 Places
  • Theater Stock, [29], 90 Places
  • Theater an der Winkelwiese, [30], 80 Places
  • Keller 62, [31], Plays and Workshops
  • Tanzhaus Zuerich, [32], >50 Places, mostly dance performance
  • Zentrum Karl der Grosse, [33], Readings
  • Miller's Studio, [34], 80 Places, often comedy
  • Maximtheater, [35], < 50 Places, Socio-Dynamics
  • Maiers Raum von A bis Z, [36], < 50 Places, plays, comedy & regularly free concerts at the bar and a free Irish folk session once a month
  • Papiersaal, [37], 30 Places
  • The funny Laundry [38]: English StandUp-Comedy in Zurich, about once to twice a month

Cinemas

Most cinemas, especially the smaller ones, show the movies in their original language with German and sometimes French subtitles. For the listings of movies played check e.g. Kulturinfo [39] or the links mentioned in the nightlife section (last paragraph). During summertime there are also open-air-cinemas at different places (especially beautiful but also most commercial the one at the lakeside near Zürihorn).

Museums

  • Overview on museums [40]: All museums in Zurich and their current exhibitions sorted by subject; with information on and links to the museums
  • Landesmuseum (National Museum) [41]: All about Swiss history to present plus changing exhibitions
  • Kunsthaus (House of Arts) [42]: THE place for art-lovers. Permanent collection and changing exhibitions. The permanent collection is free on Wednesdays
  • Museum für Gestaltung (Design Museum) [43]: Interesting exhibitions on graphics and design
  • DADA-House (Cabaret Voltaire) [44]: The place the DADA-Movement/Dadaism was given birth in 1916 (Yes, it's in Zurich!)
  • Johann Jacobs-Museum [45]: Dedicated to the culture of coffee
  • Overview on galleries [46]: Almost all galleries in Zurich and their current exhibitions; with links and city-map

NIGHTLIFE

  • Early in the evening, head to Niederdorfstrasse. Along the Limmat river, this is one of the oldest parts of town, with cute little streets and plenty of nightlife
  • After midnight, many people move to the "Escher-Wyss-Platz" area, the Zurich party-district. Many clubs and bars stay open until late in the morning. Bus 33, 72; Tram 4, 13; Train to "Hardbrücke"
  • Langstrasse district: Many bars, party 24/7, redlight-district. Bus 31 or a 10-15 min walk from main Train Station. [47]

During the day or all though the night, there is also the Langstrasse area, the cultural melting pot of Zurich. During the day its great for shopping in small international food stores (asian, indian, turkish, italian, oriental.....) and small art or clothes stores unlike the big shopping malls. In those you are meant to find cool, unreal, crazy, funny things and trouvailles! At night it's a great place to find all different types of bars and clubs. Lanstrasse area is also the red-light district of Zurich, so do not be surprised by the strip-bars, sex-shops, and your friendly neighborhood drug-dealers and hookers. This corner is still Zurich, well lit, clean, with two police stations around the corner - and they are usually quite busy on week-ends. Altough Zurich is generally perfectly safe, do not forget you are in the red light district.

Live Music

Restaurants & Bars

  • Find a bar or restaurant after your taste on Zurich Tourism's search engine [48]
  • Pumpstation at the lakeside near Bellevue Impressions: Open Air only, a very nice place to be when the weather is fine
  • Reithalle [49] not only a restaurant but also a bar/disco/club on the weekends with a nice patio
  • El Lokal [50] attic-like bar right across the street from Reithalle, proud of it's bizarre Elvis/Che/Football decoration you can also get pub style food
  • Xenix [51] not only an alternative cinema, but also a bar, very cool in summer
  • Rimini [52] one of the best summer bars in town, a swimming place during the day, cool bar with fake palm trees and big pillows on the ground at night
  • Daniel H [53] a unique place in the Zurich Langstrasse area, watch out for the retro-hip decor and Space Invaders video game in men's bathroom
  • Liquid [54] also close to Langstrasse, relaxed small retro lounge
  • Bar Rossi [55], a trendy, friendly Italian-themed bar by Langstrasse
  • Wuste Bar [56], under the Hotel Otter, this tiny bar has a cool atmosphere, live DJ on the weekends and a kayak hanging from the ceiling
  • Rote Fabrik [57] (the red factory-building in Wollishofen right at the lake): (not only) student-friendly art center, good concerts and some art exhibits, but also a decent and cheap restaurant/bar
  • Jules Verne Panoramabar [58], a nice place to get a drink after shopping on Banhofstrasse, great views of the city.
  • DuDa Café [59]: Nice and quiet café at Cabaret Voltaire - The place Dadaism was born in 1916. In the middle of Niederdorf
  • La Catrina [60], Mexican Bar, sometimes live music
  • Cafe Zähringer for an easy evening, amongst the philosophers, play card or have a chat, vegetarian/vegan and non-vegetarian dishes available. Map [61]
  • Canale Grande at Limmatquai 118: Small and quiet bar, outside tables with view on the Limmat, free w-lan
  • Bohemia [62] Map [63]: Cuban Cigars, good food and American Breakfast - free Latin night every Saturday
  • Acapulco [64] in the heart of Langstrasse district, loungy bar with nice comfy couches and a salad bar, plus comes with a little table-soccer stadium downstairs
  • Mata Hari [65], on Langstrasse, brothel-turned-bar, smokey with typically student-like population, rock music, and hard-core looking bar staff. Check the retro/caricature drawings of old prostitutes on the walls.
  • Les Halles [66], big bistro with relaxing atmosphere and race bikes standing around. Serves as some kind of special shop selling Italian products during the day.
  • Bling [67] close to Langstrasse, lounge bar providing a nice view of the train tracks, dancing on weekends, no cover (!)
  • Rotes Kamel [68] at Niederdorf, nice little bar/restaurant with a good variety and quality of wines, although more in the upper range of prices. It's ok though to order a normal(ly priced) beer.
  • Safari Bar at Zähringerstrasse: [69], down-to-earth bar with a nice atmosphere.
  • Baradox Bar: [70], easy going bar at a nice location
  • Bar "Zur alten Metzgerei" or simply "d Metzg": Hard Rock and Metal Bar, everything than black is special
  • Restaurant/Bar/Café Schlauch map: smoke-free, vegetarian food, many pool, snooker and carambolage tables, closed on Mondays and Sundays
  • BQM [71], relaxed bar inside the ETH Zuerich university campus, check for live music, always young people, with a nice view on the city, but closes early (22h00).
  • Barfussbar: [72] during the day a women only bath (Frauenbadi), at night an openair bar with beautiful view and chilled music; public entrance only Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday; free entrance except at concerts/parties
  • 5nach6 Event at Carlton: [73], weekly event on Tuesdays. Entry is free until 7pm and until 7pm it's happy hour.
  • Studentbar on Wednesdays: at Netzwerk. Ask a student to take you there
  • Bombay Bar: The hidden entrance on the opposite side of Mars Bar in the Langstrasse area leads you to a small location with very special events. Check out their website before going there. [74]
  • Edi`s Weinstube: As it belongs to a porn cinema in Niederdorf, you can meet interesting people there. The prizes are cheap and there are monthly changing exhibitions about porn art to appraise. [75]
  • Aelpli Bar: You can't find a more traditional restaurant and bar. Every day with Swiss folk music. Closed on Sundays. [76]
  • Wohnzimmer Bar: small and cosy in Langstrasse area, closed on Sundays, read more here: [77]
  • Bar63: small and cozy Bar in Langstrasse area (Rolandstrasse 19) with an outstanding selection of rum. Closed on Sundays, read more here: [78]

Irish/British pubs:

  • Nelson Bar, Beatengasse 11
  • Oliver Twist Pub, Rindermarkt 6
  • Paddy Reilley's [79], Talstrasse 82.
  • The Lion [80], Oetenbachgasse 24. British pub often packed to the brim with blokes watching rugby.

Gay friendly:

  • Rathaus Cafe [81], cute small cafe with a big patio full of comfy couches (no surfing those though!) outside in the summer; one of the nicest places to sit by the river; gay friendly.
  • Cranberry Bar [82], your typical mainstream gay bar, friendly staff, fantastic drinks selection
  • Odeon Bar [83], a Zurich legend, old school, elegant European cafe/bistro, old bohemian hangout, Lenin used to drink there before heading back to Russia to start the revolution
  • LOBBY BAR & BISTRO [84], Cocktailbar - Spitalgasse 3 - 8001 Zürich, beim Hirschenplatz / Niederdorf

Clubs & Concerts

(Listings see below)

  • Overview [85] - go to the website, click "Events" then "Locations": A good overview on clubs and locations with information such as styles played, adress, opening hours and - minimum age to enter...
  • Abart [86], one of the best alternative music places in Zurich
  • Adagio [87]: Club
  • Alte Börse [88]: Club & Concerts
  • Club Hey has some good live music on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays (Freieckgasse, Bellvue, entrance near Sternen Grill)
  • Club Q [89]: A club as the name says ... Housemusic and house and house again
  • Hafenkneipe [90], relaxed bar with live music sometimes, good stop on your way from the city center to Langstrasse
  • Härterei [91]: Club & Concerts
  • Helsinkiklub [92], live music, mostly alternative stuff, often better to reserve ticket online before going
  • Hive [93]: Club & Concerts away from mainstream
  • Indochine [94]: Club for (Pseudo?-)VIPs
  • Kanzlei [95]: Parties
  • Kaufleuten [96]: Club
  • Laborbar [97]: Club & Lounge
  • Mascotte [98] at Bellevue: Club & Concerts
  • Moods [99] near Escher Wyss-Platz has very good Jazz, Funk, Soul, Blues, Electro and World Music Concerts
  • Palais X-tra [100] at Limmatplatz : Parties & Concerts, free entry on Mondays
  • Rote Fabrik [101]: Concerts & Parties
  • Supermarket [102]: Club
  • Zukunft at Dienerstrasse: [103]
  • Geologists student-party at Irchel on Thursdays (outdoors in summer)

What's going on right now

  • Zurich Tourism [104]: For anything and everything in Zurich
  • Outandabout [105]: The English portal to Zurich with listings, locations and useful links
  • "20 minuten" [106]: Free daily newspaper with excellent "what's up"-section - get it at the tram- and trainstops or visit the website (Tips for all bigger cities in Switzerland)
  • "Züritipp" [107] (offline at the Tourist Information) offers listings and tips for nightlife, cinemas, culture a.s.o.
  • Kulturinfo [108] for cinema, theatre, concerts (classical) and museums
  • Usgang [109]: Clubbing and nightlife info
  • Tilllate [110]: Also clubbing and nightlife
  • Restkultur [111]: Check the "Kalender" (Calendar) for listings and the Links section for places. It's no overview on everything but a selection of different and interesting happenings and locations.
  • Most of this sites/newspapers are in German but the listings may be understood as well if you speak another language. Otherwise the Tourist Information or it's website (Zurich Tourism, see above) and the website Outandabout (see above) are a good alternative

Trips around Zurich

  • Rent a bike for FREE and tour around the city[112]

Free bike rent from May to October at several points around the city, most notably by the main train station (close to the Landesmuseum, the big castle looking thing), on Bellevue by the Zurich Opera building and at Oerlikon train station. You may have to leave a deposit (~20CHF) and an ID. If you keep the bike over night you have to pay 10 francs. They can be a bit busy, all bikes be gone by lunchtime, so getting there early may be a good idea. Riding around Zurich is easy and fun, people are mostly very respectful of the cyclists, but unless you are going in the lake and river area, it can be a bit hilly. Here are some tips on nice bike day-trips:

- Katzensee: drive around the 2 twin lakes next to Regensdorf (get to Radiostudio and turn left, direction of Zürich Affoltern all straight, red signs pointing for bikers). Bring food and grill it there, swim in the lake and relax. Feasible in half a day as well. - Greifensee: From Zurich Oerlikon (find Tramstrasse close to Hallenstation and follow eastbound along the street, sings are there you cant miss it) via Dübendorf. It takes quite some time to get there so leave the entire day open and start early if you can. There's a broad biking/walking/skating street along the entire lake and swimming and bbq places spread out around the lake. Try to get a map of the area once you are there and that will help you find the location of the bbq places and toilets. - for more info ask for a bike-map at the tourist info (they will charge you for it) or look for more tips online

  • Get on the train and drive to any of the towns around it: Chur, wonderful old Luzern, St. Gallen, Basel, the capital Bern. There are many cool places that you can get to in one hour.
  • Hiking trips: get info at the tourist office, most start in the forests around town
  • Walk up Uetliberg! Instead of taking the train, walk from Triemli tram/bus stop. Sings will show you the way.
  • Go to Winterthur, the museum city, and check out the Photography Museum, Techorama with hundreds of cool interactive science
  • If you like Inline Skating: There's in summer every 2nd monday the Monday Night Skate [113]. After meeting at a meeting point, a few hundred people ride through the streets of Zurich. Fantastic athmospere!

Public Transport

All you need to know

Zurich city and region public transport is great, very well organized and very very very much on time :-)! It is entirely run by ZVV [114] (Zürcher Verkehrs Verbund) So basically, when you buy a ZVV ticket, it is valid on any vehicle with the ZVV sign: Buses, tramways, trains and even on some of the ships on the lake!

The running hours are from 5am to 0:30am. On Friday and Saturday nights there are night trains and buses: nighttime-network map.

The Zurich region is divided into different zones: zone map. The city of Zurich is zone 10: Zurich City Network map. Notice: The Airport is outside the city and zone 10, you will have to get a separate/additional ticket.

The following tickets are avaiable:

  • Short distance (mostly 4 to 5 stops), valid 1 hour
  • Single, valid 1 hour for all public transport in the specific zone or zones
  • Return, valid 24 hours for all public transport in the specific zone or zones
  • Night Buses and trains: You buy a normal ticket and an additional one for CHF 5.--: nighttime-network map.
  • When you have a valid return ticket for a zone you can buy an additional ticket for a neighbouring zone/zones at a reduced price. Helpful e.g. for a ride on the lake or to Uetliberg, where you have a very nice view on Zurich.

Actual prices & detailed information see here: Tickets&prices. Notice that the cities of Zurich and Winterthur count as two zones each.

The tickets have to be bought BEFORE getting on the vehicle. There are vending machines at every stop (how to use) and VBZ-Ticketerias at e.g. Mainstation, Limmatplatz and Bellevue.

At the vending machines or Ticketerias you get tickets for the city and all public transportation in the Zurich region. For travels to other regions go to the SBB counter at mainstation or Stadelhofen station near Bellevue.

The fee for a ride without a valid ticket is CHF 80.-- when you pay it on the spot and your name and address will be noted. The second time is much more expensive... information on traveling without a valid ticket :-). Ticket checks happen randomly and the personal is very strict, no excuses how skillfully done ever will be accepted...

ZurichCard

The city of Zurich has a ZurichCard which includes public transportation and many discounts for museums, city tours etc. All information can be found in this E-Paper [115]. It may be a good alternative to normal tickets when you plan to stay a couple of days and to visit museums etc.

Additional Information

Internet

  • Wi-Fi Hotspots: The following Website gives a good overview: Hotspots in Zurich. An insider-tip is the café/bar "Canale Grande" Address & Map: It's a very nice and quiet small café & bar with a good view on the Limmat-River.
  • Public library is called "ZB" (Zentralbibliothek). Internet is free but its very hard to get a computer, as there are no time restrictions on how long you may use it. So try to get there in the morning when they open and be the first one. Otherwise in the other libraries you have to pay (yes, its true!). There are some internet cafes but its still quite rare to find it. Next to Mainstation there is one (Sihlquai tram stop) and also inside the mainstation building you can find these posts with internet. Those are probably quite expensive.

Public Toilets

Free toilets can be found in the big shopping malls: Migros City, Globus, Manor, a.s.o., at museums (sneak in), cinemas, libraries, and of course Starbucks and other restaurants. But in restaurants it's sometimes required to get a special coin or code which means you have to be a guest. Public toilets do often but not always cost. The price is around CHF 1.-- to 1.50 or Euro 1.--. You need coins. The toilets at main station do cost.

Supermarkets

For most travelers is Zurich a rather expensive city. If you want to save money, buy your stuff at the supermarkets! The cheapest supermarket is probably Aldi but they don't have a store in the city center. Only worth going if your host is near (Oerlikon and Altstetten). Most common supermarkets are Coop and Migros. Migros is a bit cheaper than Coop but they usually don't sell alcohol and apart from some exceptions they don't sell brand products. There are two Migros in the Shopville (under the main station) and one Coop just near the main station and also in Bahnhof Stadelhofen. Main station and Stadelhofen Coops and Migros open on Sundays too. Same price than usually

Books

  • The biggest book store in Zurich is Orell Füssli. It is located near Bahnhofstrasse and at Bellevue Orell Füssli Adresses. There is also an Orell Füssli with only English books Details and one with French Books in Niederdorf Details.
  • Lots of used books, just roughly sorted, can be found at Bücher Brocki just behind Bahnhof Enge map. One paperback is 1,50 CHF and different languages are available as well.
  • An overview on all bookstores in Zurich can be found on this website Bookstores in Zurich
  • Check out the smaller bookshops as well!

Smoking

It is not allowed to smoke in public transports, restaurants, bars and clubs. Some places have so-called fumoirs - special rooms for smokers. As long there is fresh air and the smoke can escape easily it's not a problem. Cigarettes can be bought from the age of 16 onwards.

Alcohol

You can buy beer and wine at the age of 16, stronger alcohol at the age of 18. It is allowed to drink in public without problems.

EMERGENCY LIST

POLICE STATIONS If you need immediate help, call: 117, otherwise 044 411 71 17


AMBULANCE Call 144


HOSPITALS If you need immediate help, call the ambulance: 144 (this number does NOT work throughout the whole country, in Zurich it does)

Emergency-Hospital: Universitätsspital main site emergency Map [116]


WALK-IN MEDICAL CARE At the main station, next to the pharmacy. Its open until 10pm. You need to get a number and wait. That could mean some hours. But then it will cost the same than an ordinary visit at the doctors, unlike the visit at the hospital...


PHARMACY 24h/365days at Bellevue (Map [117]) , 7am-12pm/365days at mainstation (Map [118]).


EMERGENCY COUCH Look at: Last minute couch in Zurich


FIRE Phone 118

Work, Studying and Residency

  • Jobs in Zurich - Job search site offering easy access to English speaking jobs in Zurich.
  • University of Zurich: Information on studying at the University of Zurich for international students
  • ETH Zurich: Information on studying at the Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH) for international students
  • Swissemigration: A PDF with a great deal of official information about working and living/residency in Switzerland. Recommended for all who think of living and working in Switzerland. Available also in German, French and Italian.

Pictures

  • Couchsurfers Zurich: [119]
  • Photos by categories on Wikimedia: [120] (go to "Subcategories" & click on the links)
  • Zurich on Flickr: [121]
  • zurichpics.ch: A large variety of photographs and some E-Cards [122]
  • Zurich on Google Maps [123]: City-map, photos, videos, webcams and Wikipedia-articles
  • Historical Photographs of Zurich on Wikimedia: [124]

Links

More information:

  • Wikitravel Zurich [125]
  • Wikipedia on Zurich [126]
  • Official Zurich-City-Website [127]: Facts and figures on Zurich


Maintenance

Things to add to the wiki:

  • Map [128]: Add more content
  • Some pictures to illustrate the text would be nice
  • maybe add more places to the food section and place it under restaurants (?)
Retrieved from "http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Z%C3%BCrich"
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