Only have a one day in Zurich and not sure what to do? Don’t worry! We were just as overwhelmed on our first trip. We recently had an 8-hour layover in Zurich and made the most out of it by leaving the airport. Here’s some of our favorite activities with the city pass card, delicious food stops, and all about our 1 day in Zurich layover experience!
Our Zurich Layover Story
So what brought us to Zurich in the first place? We were actually flying on Swiss Air from Spain to northern Greece. After landing in 1 day in Thessaloniki, we had an entire week to discover the beautiful region of Halkidiki Greece.
The route there was a quick 1 hour switch on the way back to Valencia Spain, there was an 8-hour layover in the largest city of Switzerland. While most travelers may have just wanted to get to their final destination, we were so excited to have 1 day in Zurich!
Our flight landed from Greece at around 11am which would give us just over 6 hours to explore Zurich Switzerland before heading back to the airport.
While we totally recommend leaving the airport, just know it may not be worth it if you have less time than this. After all, you don’t want to miss your flight! Check out our top Switzerland travel tips to know before your first visit.
Getting Through Zurich Airport
The one thing we were worried about was how long it would actually take to get to the city center once we landed. Our flight was slightly delayed and we ended up arriving 30 minutes late.
Once we got off the flight, we navigated our way through the Zurich Airport. It isn’t that massive compared to other European airports, but you’ll definitely want to give yourself some extra time.
The nice thing about arriving from Spain was that we were still in the Schengen visa area. For this reason, we wouldn’t have to travel through customs.
The first thing we did after landing was stash our things at the luggage storage. These lockers are a safe and secure way to store your bags without having to worry while you’re out.
The lockers are located near the train stop which takes you to the city center. You can find them right before heading down the steps to the train platform.
From when we got off our flight to storing our luggage, it didn’t take more than 20 minutes total. There are different sizes of lockers at separate price points, and you will be charged on your credit card by the amount of time used.
Zurich Card City Pass
Depending on how much time you have, you may also want to look into the Zurich Card. We used this awesome city pass during our 1 day in Zurich and absolutely loved it! They offer 24 and 72 hour passes which grant you access to the city’s best attractions. However, the best feature of the Zurich Card may be the free transportation.
That’s right! You can ride the tram, bus, train, boat, and even the funicular with this unlimited Zurich Pass. Transportation can be expensive in Switzerland so this was such a perk!
Obviously, if you only have a quick Zurich layover, you might not need the pass. Yet, it still could save you money depending on what you plan to do.
The first thing we used our Zurich Card for was to get from the airport to the city center. It was a quick 12 minute ride and we were right in city center. Don’t forget to validate your card at one of the small machines inside the train station before getting on. A hefty fine would not be a fun way to start out your one day in Zurich!
→ Learn more about the Zurich Card here
Exploring Zurich Old Town
We started off our layover in Zurich by taking a stroll through the historic old town. This area is a delightful mix of Swiss architecture, designer stores, and cute cafes. Honestly, the beautiful colors of this area are worth the walk alone!
Settlements in old town can be traced back to the Roman times. However, the city would not truly prosper until the 11th century when it would become a major hub of commerce and religion.
We started off leaving the train station and made our way towards the waterfront through the back alleys. The long shopping street of Bahnhofstrasse has some of the best restaurants in the city, and you’ll surely stumble upon it on your 1 day in Zurich.
We could’ve easily spent all day in Zurich Old Town if we had more time! As you’ll see, we ended up heading back here later in the afternoon to see more.
Lunch at Sternen Grill
Our walk eventually led us to the ultimate lunch spot. Sternen Grill has been serving up bratwurst since 1963, and is known as one of the best street food spots in the city.
While Switzerland does have its own unique cuisine, you will see many similarities between them and their neighbor Germany. Since we’ve spent so much time in Deutschland, we had limited expectations for our visit to Sternen.
Yet, all conceived notions were immediately blown away! This was one of the best currywursts we’ve ever had. We actually ended up splitting one Currywurst and one Bratwurst with their famous mustard which packs a strong kick.
Sternen Grill is a great stop for your layover in Zurich because it’s quick and delicious. You won’t need to spend hours of your short visit at a restaurant and you can get back to adventuring around the city.
Lake Zurich Boat Tour
We had planned to take one of the many boat tours during our one day in Zurich. However, it just worked out perfectly that it was right next to our lunch spot!
We hopped on the Lake Zurich tour at Zürich Bürkliplatz ferry terminal and took their 1.5 hour tour around the lake. It was included with our Zurich Card, but if you can also buy tickets from the terminal when you arrive.
As you can see from our photos, the views were absolutely breathtaking. It was incredible to see the nature mixed with modern Swiss architecture while floating on the lake. Not to mention the water is crystal clear!
With the Zurich Card you can get on and off the boat at different points around the lake. There are also different lengths of tours offered, and a snack bar with beer and wine.
We didn’t have enough time on this visit, but know that the ferry stops at the famous Lindt chocolate museum.
Back to the Historic Center of Zurich
The rest of our time in the city revolved around the Old Town. We knew we had to make the trip back to the airport soon, and didn’t want to do anything that would risk us missing our flight.
We sat at a cafe and had a delicious local beer, strolled through the colorful backstreets, and popped in and out of local shops.
One of the most popular things to eat in Switzerland is fondue. If you don’t have time for a full meal on your Zurich layover (or are traveling on a budget) you can stop into Chäs-Chäller Urban Food Store for a hot fondue sandwich.
We passed this local cheese shop and couldn’t resist going in when we saw this in the window! The owner told us that she makes all the fondue herself and created this for travelers like us who maybe didn’t have time for a sit down meal.
We split a sandwich and it definitely lived up to the hype! Just be warned that you will likely be craving more of this delicious melted cheese after a quick taste.
More One Day in Zurich Activities
Of course, there is plenty more to do in Zurich if you have time! From the museums to the restaurants, and historic sites, the city has it all.
Here’s a few fun things we didn’t get to on our layover in Zurich. We can’t wait go back and see more!
Grossmunster View: Climb to the top of Zurich’s most famous monument! This special church was the beginning point of the Swiss-German Reformation in the 16th century.
Nature on the Uetliberg: Hike or take the train to Zurich’s very own mountain. You can get unreal views from the top of the alps, city, and lake.
Lindenhof Park: This area has seen so much history over the centuries in Zurich. The park was once home to a 4th century Roman fort, and later on a palace built by the grandson of Charlemagne.
Opera Concert: The Zurich Opera House is one of the most beautiful architectural monuments in the city. Get tickets in advance if you’d like to take in a performance!
National Museum: If you only go to one museum during your one day in Zurich, let it be this one! Kunsthaus is also worth visiting for art fans.
Swim in Lake Zurich: We wish we had time for a swim on our layover in Zurich. The water looked perfect for a dip, even in May.
Is a Quick Zurich Layover Worth It?
Absolutely! No matter if you have a couple days or just a few hours, Zurich is totally worth leaving the airport for. This city truly lived up to the hype with so much to see and do.
One of the things we loved most is how easy it is to get to the city center from the airport. The public transport is not only easy to navigate, but you can be in Old Town in just minutes.
On our next visit, we plan to have at least three days to experience more of Zurich. Yet, it was still fun to get a small taste of the city on our Zurich layover!
Have any questions about this article or want to share your own 1 day in Zurich Layover? Leave us a comment below!
Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake
This experience was made possible in collaboration with Zurich Tourism. As always, any opinions and recommendations remain our own.
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We’re Brigitte and Jake! American travel bloggers currently based in Spain. If you can believe it, we started Nothing Familiar way back in 2015 on an Ipad in the Ecuadorian jungle. Ever since, we haven’t stopped traveling! We’ve now been to over 60 countries around the world, with our expertise being Europe and Southeast Asia. We love outdoor adventures, tasting local specialties, and island hopping through tropical destinations. Hopefully, our guides and authentic experiences will inspire you on your own travels!
My daughter is in Zurich right now on a backpacking tour and I sent her this article. She got the Zurich card right away (thanks for the tip) and has already done the boat tour. The photos are amazing!! Many of your tour recommendations have been added to her list, and most importantly, she’s going to find the urban food store for a fondue sandwich! It’s always about the food!
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Thanks for passing it along! Hope your daughter has an amazing time in Zurich. We know we did!