Travel Parmeshwar Dass July 19, 2024 0 Comments

5 Best Things to Do In Zurich on Low Budget

Zurich, the financial capital city of Switzerland is expensive due to its high-end lifestyle. But hanging out with your friends here will cost you nothing. Surprised! No, we aren’t lying and you’d believe us too after checking out our list of free things to do in Zurich. There’s a bonus tip for those who want to get access to famous places for free. You’ll surely thank us later.

Things to Do In Zurich on Zero-Budget

1. Plan A Weekend At Lake Zurich

Surrounded by promenades and parks, Lake Zurich is an ideal spot for Zurichsee and travellers. The 40-kilometers long lake is famous for its depth and picturesque background. That’s why joggers, swimmers, sunbathers, and water sports enthusiasts come here every day.

Well, that’s free of cost but if you have a Zurich card then you can go on a boat ride with friends for free. And if you are willing to spend money, these are the best things to do in Lake Zurich.

Walk straight from the park to Lindenhof Hill and visit the 12th-century-old Rapperswil castle. Also, stroll down to the vineyards of the City of Roses.
Kunsthaus should be next on your list. This is a Fine Art museum with a large collection of artworks dating back to 1787.
Watch snow leopards, flying foxes, and other animals at the Zurich Zoo.
Enjoy the freshwater fish from the Lake at restaurants nearby.
Lake is also popular for the range of sports activities it offers. You can go wakeboarding, kayaking, boat riding, water skiing, and more. That’s not at all free by the way.

How Can I Get To The Lake?

Visitors can directly head to the lake from Zurich Airport via train within an hour. However, it would be a costly affair to get through a bus that runs on Line 768 every day from Glattbrugg Post. If you have a car, then travelling is faster and less expensive.

Also Read: Honeymoon In Quebec City

2. Explore Art Gallery For Free

If you are visiting Switzerland for a cultural trip and want to see all the best artworks around the world, the city is the perfect destination. However, not all the famous museums in the city offer free entrance. But art lovers get a little advantage at the Migros Museum.

Best Time to Visit: Keep yourself free between 5 pm to 8 pm on Thursday as it’s when the Museum will allow you to enter for free.
Opening Hours: 11 am to 6 pm except for Thursday
Price: CHF 12
Directions: The shortest route is Lowenbrau and Escher-Wyss-Platz bus stations from where the Museum is at a walkable distance. Buses from lines 33, 40, 46, 72, 83, and E run daily to these stations.

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3. Visit The Minister Of Our Lady Church

One of the popular places to visit in Zurich is this 9th-century church built by Emperor Ludwig. You can walk through the church and admire its beautiful interiors that have stained-glass windows for free. The church’s interior tells the stories of Christ’s life.

Opens Hours: 10 am to 6 pm
Entry Fees: Though visitors are welcomed for free, those interested in seeing the crypt museum inside the church should pay $ 5.
Location: Take bus services from either line N1, N6, N13, or N14 to the Paradeplatz station. The church is on the west side of the station.

Also Read: 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Gujarat

4. Watch The Stunning Sunset From Uetliberg Mountain

A great place for hikers and mountaineers offers stunning viewpoints for tourists who are visiting Zurich on budget trips. The mountain stands above 2858 feet of sea level. It is famous for its 2-hour-long trail called the Path of the Planets.

Things to Do At Uetliberg

Go on mountain biking at Antenna and Triemli Bike Trail.
Talk to the air on the breathtaking paragliding sessions (that’s not at all free).
Camping at the crazy height of Uetliberg is one of the best and most free things to do in Zurich.
Winter is the best season to visit this mountain when tourists enjoy their trip sledging on the snow-covered paths.
See the entire city from the lookout tower at a minimum cost of $2.

Getting There: If you wish to get there quickly, get a tram from line no. 10. Direct one runs from Zurich airport whereas you will need to change buses from line 768.

Also Read: 5 Best Free Museums in Washington DC You Must Visit

5. Admire Exotic Birds At Zurich Aviary

Bird enthusiasts will find this place one of the best and surprisingly it is free. Yes, you don’t have to pay to enter the bird sanctuary and can watch different types of birds. There’s a guesthouse for birds within the aviary that treats and gives shelter to injured birds.

Opening Days and Time: Open all days except Mondays from 10 am to 12 pm and 2 pm to 4 pm
Location: Voltaire Zurich, Mythenquai 1, 8002, Zurich
Directions: You will reach within 15 minutes the aviary from Zurich main station via train.

Things to Do In Zurich on a Low Budget

These were the free things you can do in this wonderful city of Switzerland. But if you want to know more about it then you have to extend your budget. Most of the famous places to visit in Zurich are not free but they are worth spending money at.

Here’s another list of famous things to do in the largest city and 5th most expensive city in the world.

Take a historical ride at the Swiss National Museum.
Pet the zoo animals of the Zoo Zurich at Kreis 7 (CHF 28 for adults, CHF 23 for youngsters, and CHF 14 for kids).
Football lovers should not miss the FIFA World Football Museum (CHF 24 for adults, CHF 19 for seniors, and CHF 14 for kids).
You cannot miss the Swiss delights on your trip, so begin a culinary journey from the Sprüngli House of Bahnhofstrasse (Must-Try their signature macaroons).
Enjoy the outstanding performances at the world’s famous Zurich Opera House (Entry fees are CHF 1 but vary as per events).
Shopping from the fashion district of Zurich, Bahnhofstrasse.

Staying In Most Expensive City Is Easy On a Budget

No matter how much you save on your trip doing all these free things, you have to lose your pocket when it comes to finding the ideal hotel. But, don’t worry we have picked only the best budget hotels in Zurich where you will find the utmost comfort.

Hotel Marta: Tourists will get a double clean and comfy room under $200 in this Old Town hotel with facilities life Wi-Fi and private bathrooms. What else does one need?
Ibis Zurich Adliswil: If you are on a short trip and looking for a hotel close to the station then this one is good. You can also take your, four-legged friends, to Ibis as they allow pets and dogs.
Hotel St. Josef: It is very close to Bahnhofstrasse, Old Town, and the Airport. St. Josef allows pets and also offers bicycles to tourists so that you can save some bucks on taxis and cabs.

Best Time to Visit Zurich

Summers are quite pleasant and perfect for outdoor parties and day trips. This is also the peak season for tourists visiting Zurich. But we don’t recommend you travel between June to August as hotel prices and other expenses will go high. Plan either between September to November when the weather is not so cold or hot. You can also book tickets between March and May.

Bonus Tip

Since you made it to the last, we have a bonus tip that will save a lot of your money. Get a Zurich card before you plan a journey.

Price: It will cost you only CHF 27 i.e. approx $29.
Benefits: With this card, you will get free entrance to around 40 museums around the city. It also includes a free cruise and a boat trip. However, the card is valid only for a day.