Zurich - Accommodation, Airport Parking, Airport Transfers, Customs Allowances

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Accommodation in Zurich

Our guide to hotels, guest houses and hostels in Zurich can be found in lodging. For most properties featured, it's possible to make a reservation online in one of 12 languages, while the section also includes a 'hot deals' page (discounted rates), plus maps and transport details for each property.

Airline Information for Zurich/Swiss Flights

airline info For detailed information on scheduled/charter airline services to Zurich, including fare pricing, budget airlines and air ticket consolidators, check out getting there.

Airline Meals

Generally, one meal is served on scheduled European services and two on direct long haul flights from North America. Vegetarians, or travellers requiring special meals e.g. kosher, halal etc. should check the availability of such food when booking their flight. For further information on specific airline meals visit: www.airlinemeals.net.

Airport Transfers to Zurich Hotels

transfers Zurich's international airport (known previously as Kloten/Unique Airport, but now referred to as Zurich Airport) is situated approximately 8 miles (13km) north of the city centre. Among the most modern in Europe, a new Dock E terminal has recently been opened as part of an overall improvement programme totalling 2.2 billion CHF.

The new, ultra minimalist expansion (which includes a computer controlled underground train link) has raised capacity at the airport to 30-40 million passengers per year, even though, following the downturn in air travel post September 11th, it is currently only being used by 18 million.

Easily accessible by S-Bahn (rail), taxi and bus, the first option is arguably the most convenient as passengers arriving in Zurich can reach the city's Hauptbahnhof (main station) in 10 minutes. The route, which falls under the control of the Zurich Transport Federation's integrated network (Zürcher Verkehrsverbund - ZVV) operates every 10-15 minutes (from 5.07am-12.10pm, with some later connections at weekends), with a single ticket costing 5.80 CHF for adults and 2.90 CHF for children aged up to 16 years (all tickets are valid for 2 hours). For timetables visit: http://fahrplan.sbb.ch/.

In addition, scheduled services to other Swiss destinations are available with InterCity trains, while Verkehrsbetriebe Zurich (VBZ) operate buses and night bus services between the airport and downtown Zurich (journey time approx 20-25 minutes).

And, if you're thinking of booking accommodation in town (or have already done so), it's worth noting that many hotels near the airport (and in the city) offer a courtesy bus service. So check with your hotel before travelling or when booking.

For taxis, head straight out of arrivals from where you'll find a plentiful supply. Fares, which are metred, cost around 50 CHF to the city centre, although it should be noted that, as traffic can be slow in rush-hour, it's likely to be the least cost-effective route into town (journey time is 15-30 minutes). Taxis can also be ordered in advance by dialling: +41 (0)1 800 77 77.

If you're hiring a car, then well-known companies such as Avis, Hertz, and Sixt all have a presence at the airport. In addition, rentals can be made in advance via our website (see below).

Babysitting

The majority of three, four and five star hotels in Zurich are able to offer babysitting services without difficulty. Just give the hotel's front desk at least a day's notice of your intention to hire a sitter (or, if you're making a reservation via our secure server, add a note in the "Special Requirements" section of the booking form). Reputable hotels hire only local, qualified sitters.

Baggage Allowances

baggage Baggage allowance on most schedules flights to Zurich is 20kgs (44lbs) though some airlines offer increased allowances of up to 30kgs (usually for business class travellers). Generally, hand luggage is limited to one piece per person weighing between 5kgs (11lbs) under 10kgs (22lbs).

Permission to take larger items on board, such as pushchairs and bicycles etc. should be obtained from your airline before travelling. Generally, most airlines allow one set of skis, a bike, snowboard etc. to be include as part of your baggage allowance. That said, exceeding the allowance stated on your ticket (for example several sets of skis) will incur an extra charge which must be paid when checking-in.

Following the events of September 11th in New York, airlines now have greater restrictions on the type of items that can be taken aboard as hand-luggage. In particular, scissors, knives and razors most go in the cargo hold (if found during hand-luggage checks they'll be confiscated). For further details about restrictions that may apply, please check with your airline or travel agent at the time of booking.

Banking

Changing money in hotels, at Zurich Airport or some downtown bureau de change offices is likely to result in a lower exchange rate being offered than well-known Swiss banks. And, although it's advisable to change some foreign currency into Swiss francs before you arrive, it's arguably more convenient to pay for goods and services with Travellers Cheques and/or credit/debit cards.

The most widely accepted Travellers Cheques are American Express. Although you can end up paying commission each time one is cashed, Amex has an agreement with over 30 banks in Zurich for handling "fee-free" transactions. Location/contact details for each participating bank are available from: http://travel.americanexpress.com.

Naturally, for such an important worldwide banking centre, Visa, MasterCard and American Express cards are almost universally accepted. And, as the city has a vast number of Automated Telling Machines (ATMs) you're unlikely to have difficulty withdrawing money using a debit or credit card. However, to avoid problems ensure that your Personal Identification Number (PIN) has been set-up properly before travelling. Most Swiss ATM machines are also equipped to accept Cirrus and Maestro cards.

Alternatively, you can opt to use a pre-paid (disposable) travel card such as Visa TravelMoney that gives 24hr access to your funds in any local currency. The main advantage to this system is that the overall value of the card is stored on Visa TravelMoney's system, not on the card itself. So, if you lose your card, you don't lose your money.

Note: as Switzerland is not part of the European Union retailers are not obliged accept Euros. That said, many prices are indicated in euros so that foreign visitors can make comparisons with local prices. Moreover, shops that accept Euros are likely to offer a lower exchange rate on purchases than Swiss Banks (while change given back will most likely be in Swiss francs).

The Swiss franc comes in the following denominations:

Coins: 5, 10, 20, 50 Cents and 1, 2, 5 Francs
Bank notes: 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 1000 Francs

Banking hours: bank business hours in Switzerland are generally Monday-Friday 9am-4.30pm, except on Thursday, when many stay open until 6pm. Banks at the airport are usually open daily 6am-10pm. Outside Zurich, different opening hours may apply in the various Federal Provinces. Popular banks in Zurich include: UBS, Credit Suisse, Zürcher Kantonalbank, Bank Coop, Raiffeisen and Bank Leu. See also money, Swiss Banking and the Swiss National Bank.

Bargain Hunting

bargains If you're keen to save money on a trip to Zurich, comparing the online prices of various flight booking and travel agency services is a must. Indeed, our own online flight and hotel booking pages are a great place to start! However, unlike nearly all other reservation services, we also provide you with a list of the best (non-affiliated) third-party sites. Meaning that you're sure of a great deal even if you don't book via our website! So check out our general links section and getting there.

Before Leaving Home

leaving Although at Zurich Airport, cases of stolen baggage are low, frequent flyers don't travel with expensive looking luggage. If you do, it's rather like attracting bees to a honey pot (particularly in baggage reclaim). It's equally important though not to use old threadbare luggage which isn't up to a mild bruising from baggage handlers.

When leaving home, ask neighbours to keep an eye on the house and ensure that all exterior doors and windows are locked properly. Security experts advise not to lock interior doors as this usually results in further damage should an intruder break in. If you turn off gas or electricity supplies, remember that appliances such as fridge-freezers will need to be defrosted beforehand. And, if the timing of your return flight means that you'll be arriving home at night, make sure you have a torch to hand to switch supplies back on.

When packing, it's important to know the value and contents of each bag, just in case they're lost. Label them with your name, contact number and destination address in Zurich (this is preferable to advertising your home address to all and sundry). When checking in, make sure every piece of luggage is correctly tagged with the destination airport's unique three letter identifier (ZRH).

Cameras, Computers & Camcorders

camera X-ray machines at Zurich Airport are film safe, although you can insist on a hand inspection for cameras if necessary. It's not even necessary to buy film before you go, as recognised brands such as Kodak, Agfa and Fuji are widely available. If you're taking a camcorder with you, think about buying a spare battery and don't forget to pack your battery charger. For those with digital cameras, be assured that Flash memory cards are not susceptible to problems from magnetic fields i.e. airport metal detectors. Moreover, as they're quite happy being put through X-ray machines, you can quite safely check your camera (and memory cards) through an airport without damage.

If you plan to take a PC notebook onto a flight, international safety regulations mean you won't be able to use it during takeoff and landing. More generally, you may have to prove to customs that cameras, computers, camcorders and pocket TVs are for holiday or business use and have not been imported into Switzerland for the purpose of resale (see also customs allowances below). In practice, however, you're unlikely to be asked.

Also remember that for any 35 mm film lost or damaged during developing, laboratories are only obliged to replace it with another of the same value. You won't be compensated for the commercial or sentimental value of photographs. Our advice is to ask about separate insurance for important films such as those from weddings, birthdays etc.

Car Rental in Zurich

car rental It's easier to arrange a rental in Zurich through your travel agent (or online) rather than on arrival. Not only will you save money - anything from 15-20% - but you'll also be able to find out about deposits, drop off charges, cancellation penalties and insurance costs without having to make yourself understood in Swiss German. Be warned though, car rental costs in Switzerland are among the highest in Europe!

Make sure though you find out what equipment comes as standard (air conditioning is not always available) and check that the price quoted includes VAT (known as TVA in Switzerland and charged at 7.6%) and any supplementary daily charges for young drivers (a road tax fee of around 1.88 CHF per day may also be applied). Optional extras such as roof racks and child seats should also be arranged before you go. US and Canadian citizens should note that the majority of rental cars in Zurich have manual (stick shift), rather than automatic transmission.

To hire a Compact class vehicle in Switzerland (also described as Mini or Economy) you must usually be at least 21 years of age. For larger vehicles (usually described as Compact Wagon, Intermediate, Intermediate Wagon, Intermediate Automatic, Standard, Standard Wagon and Standard Van) or top-of-the range Premium, Luxury, Standard 4 Wheel Drive, Luxury 4 Wheel Drive, Premium Van and Premium Wagon vehicles, the minimum age requirement is usually 25 years.

Mileage rates are of the fixed amount free, unlimited or per kilometre variety, with extra charges for any additional drivers wanting to use the vehicle.

Although reputable companies operate new fleets and service them to a high standard, make your own checks before accepting a rental car. These should include:

i) checking for minor bodywork damage, making sure that small defects are noted on the rental agreement before you take the vehicle;

ii) checking for tyre wear (insist on a different vehicle if the tread appears low, uneven or if there are cuts or bulges in any tyre sidewalls);

iii) checking in advance to see if rear seat belts are fitted (and arrange for a car seat if you have small children).

Allow yourself plenty of time to get used to the vehicle, unfamiliar road signs and Zurich's drivers (though they're generally skilled behind the wheel). When returning the car, fuel should be topped up to the same level as when you first picked it up - otherwise you'll be charged at the rental company's own tariff per litre which is invariably higher than that of local forecourts. Insurance requirements and general rules on driving in Switzerland (including local road signs) are covered in getting there. Online car rental is available on our own site, while a list of reputable car rental firms can be found in our Zurich links section.

Check In

check-in For scheduled European flights and services from North America and Australasia, check in at least two hours before departure. Note that, following the attacks in New York on September 11th, security checks have been stepped up at international airports around the world. Consequently, anyone found travelling with hand luggage that contains sharp objects such as scissors, razors, nail files etc. will have such items confiscated before boarding their flight. They can, of course, still be transported in the hold as part of your normal baggage allowance.

Children's Travel

children The trick here is to plan well in advance and involve youngsters in your holiday plans. Although major airlines provide goody bags for kids on long-haul flights (see below), it's still wise to take other small puzzles, games, toys and books. Make sure though you pack them as hand luggage!

For children under two years of age on the date of their return flight home, you'll have to pay a charge for them to fly. This is relatively small on European flights, although it can add up if you're travelling from North America or have more than one child. What's more, rates vary depending on whether you fly with a scheduled or charter airline. During the flight, infants under six months must sit on an adult's lap and wear a lap-strap. Youngsters over six months and under two years must sit on an adult's lap unless there is a vacant seat. If you have a child who's prone to air sickness, make sure they know to tell you straight away if they're feeling unwell. If all else fails, make sure they know where to find the sick bag, just in case you've left your seat for any length of time.

Once you're in the air, airlines (such as British Airways) offer special activity packs for children. For example, on long-haul flights they offer Disney puzzles and games, while (dependent upon the aircraft) channels such as the Disney/Cartoon Network may also be available. And, on certain services (in World Traveller Plus, Club World and First cabins), BA have games such as 'Tic-Tac-Toe' for use on a handheld console.

The same basic rules apply if travelling by car to Zurich. Again, make sure plenty of toys are to hand (having to unpack a favourite toy from the boot of the car won't improve your mood) and stop for breaks at frequent intervals. Youngsters suffering from motion sickness usually improve if encouraged to look at the road ahead. As a precaution, purchase travel sickness tablets from your local pharmacist. For more in-depth information on driving to Zurich see getting there.

Complaints

If things do go wrong during your stay in Zurich follow the three C's rule and stay cool, calm and collected.

Problems with accommodation can usually be resolved by contacting the front desk in your hotel. Be polite but firm and make sure you talk to a person with the authority to put things right. If necessary, ask to speak to the duty or hotel manager. If you're on a fully escorted tour, problems should be taken up with the company's local representative. As a last resort use photographs or video footage as evidence and submit a claim for compensation on your return.

Unresolved complaints against a travel agent or tour operator can be referred to an independent arbitration service. Note though, that requests for arbitration won't apply in respect of physical injury or illness (which are covered separately by personal travel insurance policies).

Climate in Zurich

climate Zurich has a moderate to cool climate, meaning that winters are cold and damp with lots of rain and occasional snow. The weather stays fairly mild during September and early October but gets progressively colder after that.

Average high temperatures in summer are around 70°F/23°-25°C. Even then, however, you should pack a raincoat and warm sweater for occasional wet and windy days. In winter months, temperatures often struggle to get above 30°F (-1°C) with freezing fog also being a problem (especially at Zurich Airport). The heaviest rainfall occurs in June-August, with a few inches of precipitation all year round.

Click for average daily temperatures in Zurich. For weather forecasts in Zurich visit: www.weather.com.

Clothing

As mentioned above, although in spring and summer temperatures in Zurich can rise to fairly warm levels, rain and occasional cold days mean that jumpers should also be packed. In winter, warm clothing and waterproof jackets are essential, as are sensible shoes. Shoe/clothing sizes in Switzerland follow European norms (click for our shoe/clothing tables).

Crime in Zurich

crime As with any major city, when it comes to personal security, a little common sense goes a long way. Aside from the occasional drunk (usually on public transport), illicit drugs and rowdy disaffected youths (though most kids in Zurich are pleasant, sensible and very well-behaved), the city is considered to be among the safest in Europe. Therefore, you should have a trouble-free stay providing you take the following precautions:

i) when first arriving in Zurich, be especially vigilant with your belongings at major stations. Bags, suitcases, rucksacks etc. should be padlocked and important documents such as passports should be kept on your person. Where necessary, luggage should be stored in designated lockers;

ii) store valuables, cash, airplane or train tickets in a safe deposit box at your hotel. Larger items, such as laptop computers can still be left at your hotel, provided a receipt is obtained from the concierge;

iii) when shopping, do not take more cash out with you than is necessary. Keep bags closed and avoid keeping cash and credit/debit cards in the same place. Handbags should be worn over the neck, rather than on the shoulder;

Police officers in Zurich (Stadtpolizei), who are identified by dark blue trousers/light blue shirts/blue berets, frequently patrol the streets in busy tourist areas. To summon help dial 117 (the number applies to all of Switzerland).

Currency

See banking and money.

Customs Allowances in Switzerland

customs When entering Switzerland, personal belongings (for example clothes, sporting items, musical instruments and hiking/camping equipment) are not subject to import duty. The rules on electrical items are more specific, namely 1 personal laptop, 1 camcorder and 2 still cameras, plus film stocks for personal use. So far as food and drink is concerned, you are not eligible to bring into Switzerland more food than can normally be consumed in a single day (this rule also applies to special diets, babies and pets) together with non-alcoholic beverages.

Prohibited goods include firearms, ammunition, narcotics, pornographic or offensive material, Absinthe and certain products of animal/plant origin. Click for our table on customs allowances or visit the official site of Swiss Customs (in German, French and Italian). Note also, there is no limit to the amount of foreign currency that can be brought into Switzerland.

With the exception of works of art, collections and antiques, you can claim a refund on most goods, providing you have your original invoice, a separate Mehrwertsteuer receipt (showing the value of tax applied to the goods) and an appropriate reclaim form. For further information visit: www.globalrefund.com.

When returning home, be sure about customs allowances in your own country:

For general information on UK/EU customs allowances contact the National Advice Service on 0845 010 9000 (+44 208 929 0152 for international callers). Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs also provide a useful leaflet entitled 'A guide for travellers' (Notice 1) which is available without charge and can viewed on the Internet at: www.hmrc.gov.uk

In the US, the US Customs Service's Internet site at: www.customs.ustreas.gov summarises duty limits in the leaflet 'Know Before You Go'.

For general customs enquiries in Canada call 1 800 461-9999 (toll free). The leaflet 'I declare/Je Déclare' is available together with bi-lingual information (English and French). Information is also available on the Internet at: www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca

Cycling in Zurich

cycling Although Switzerland has a good number of interconnecting cycle routes totalling more than 3000km (excluding mountain bike runs, tours and events), cycling in Zurich is not as fun as it could be, thanks to a limited number of continuous cycle paths. In addition, you'll need to lock up your bicycle properly, as thefts are not uncommon.

For general information visit: http://myswitzerland.com and www.cycling-in-switzerland.ch, while nationwide bike rentals (which can be picked up from mainline railway stations) are available from: www.rent-a-bike.ch. Alternatively, Züri Rollt offer free cycle hire within Zurich, providing you leave a deposit of 20 CHF and return the bike that same day. The main pick-up point is platform 18 of the city's main station (Hauptbahnhof) although other downtown points include the Opernhaus and Globus Department Store.

Also, for cyclists who plan to take their bikes on trains, make sure you visit the Swiss Federal Railways website, especially as InterCity travel with a bicycle now requires a pre-arranged reservation.