A Day Exploring Zurich: Switzerland's Largest City and Flixbus Travel Tips

Buzz

Content

Getting Around

Tips for Traveling with Flixbus

My itinerary in the city of Zurich and the first things to do when arriving in a new city

The places I visited in Zurich

Lindenhof Hill

St. Peter's Church – Sankt Peterskirche

Grossmünster Church

Bahnhofstrasse Shopping Street

Niederdorf District

Muhlesteg Bridge

Lake Zurich

Watch and Chocolate Shops

Zurich is the largest city and also the major financial and cultural hub of Switzerland. Despite having only 1.3 million people, Zurich is home to headquarters of major financial conglomerates and giant banks. Nestled along the Zurich Lake and the picturesque Limmat River with its crystal-clear water that you can drink directly, let's explore the city with the highest quality of life in the world through this article.

Zurich may be the largest city, but Bern is the capital of Switzerland.

Getting Around

My journey to Switzerland started from the city of Eindhoven in the south of the Netherlands. I bought a Flixbus ticket to travel from Eindhoven at 11:00 PM to Zurich at 9:40 AM the next day. Flixbus is undoubtedly a familiar choice for budget travelers, and I chose Flixbus for this trip because it was the cheapest option I could find at that time.

However, it's worth noting that traveling by train in the Netherlands is also quite expensive. The distance from my city to Eindhoven is quite far, and train tickets are not cheap. I have a free train pass on weekends, so traveling on weekends doesn't cost me money. But on other days, the cost of Flixbus ticket combined with train tickets to Eindhoven can be almost equivalent to train/plane tickets.

In general, when it comes to transportation, you should consider trains, planes, and buses, and choose the most suitable option after weighing factors such as travel time, departure and arrival times, and prices.

All the necessary information is already written on the ticket, such as departure time, arrival time, departure and arrival stops, documents to bring, seat number, luggage size, and address of the bus stop. Make sure to read it carefully.

Tips for Traveling with Flixbus

And after gaining quite a bit of experience with Flixbus, I'd like to share some points to consider when choosing to use Flixbus:

You'll purchase your ticket on the website or by downloading the Flixbus app on your phone, log in to save your ticket for easy tracking. Usually, about 3-4 hours before departure, the status of your trip will be updated on the app, so you can check if your journey has any delays.

Just like with other modes of transportation, the earlier you book, the cheaper it is. Opt for direct trips rather than transfers, as changing buses can be quite tiresome. For longer journeys of 9 - 10 hours, consider taking overnight trips to save time and catch some sleep on the bus.

Be mindful that the bus will stop at several stations in each city. Use Google Maps to check the distance to the nearest station to your hostel and purchase a ticket to that station. As you approach your destination, keep a map handy because the stops are brief, and you'll need to be ready to disembark quickly when the driver announces the station. Without preparation, you might rush and forget your belongings, causing delays for the next stop.

Upon completing the payment, you'll receive the ticket via email. Make sure to save the ticket on your phone (it's advisable to print a paper ticket and keep it in your bag in case of phone issues) along with your passport. Before boarding, the attendant will scan the QR code on the ticket and check your passport.

The bottom right corner of the ticket clearly shows the departure station address and a map. Usually, the bus station is located near the main train stations of the cities. When purchasing tickets, you should carefully search the map beforehand, and it's better to arrive early so you have time to ask around if you can't find it. For late-night buses departing at 11 PM or midnight, it can be challenging if you can't locate the bus station. Once, when I traveled from Prague to Budapest, I searched in advance and knew that the bus station was right behind the main train station in Prague. I usually arrive very early and wait inside the train station to keep warm, so I spent about 2 minutes walking from where I was sitting to the bus station, feeling confident and reassured. As the bus departure time approached, I went to find it but couldn't locate it. I asked many people, but they didn't know where it was. Finally, I found out it was behind the train station but required taking an elevator to the upper floor.

Typically, Flixbus stops are quite makeshift, some have shelters and Flixbus signs to reassure you that you're at the right place, but there are stops where there's nothing at all, not even a shelter.

Reflecting after using Flixbus about 4 - 5 times, luckily every time went smoothly. But as I mentioned, it's best to arrive early to find the stop with peace of mind. Once you've found the stop, you can go to a nearby café or inside the station to wait until departure time. Flixbus is usually not punctual, and most stops don't have shelters, so whether it's raining or snowing, you still have to stand and wait. However, the prices are usually cheaper compared to other modes of transport, and the buses here operate quite safely, without lane changing, overtaking, or speeding.

My itinerary in the city of Zurich and the first things to do when arriving in a new city

At 9:40 a.m., I arrived in Zurich, right next to Zurich Hauptbahnhof (Zurich HB) bus station, which is extremely convenient as it's also the central train station.

Usually, train stations have all the services you need. I went into the train station to use the restroom and find a place to store my luggage. In most European countries, using the restroom costs 0.5 to 2 euros. Luggage storage is charged by the hour. You always need to have some coins in your wallet for restroom visits and luggage storage. Nowadays, some restrooms and luggage storage places have card readers, but the older ones still require coins.

There are various types of luggage storage lockers here, some require coins, while others are more modern and accept card payments. You can refer to the image of the luggage storage I used at Zurich train station below. If you're unsure how to use them, don't hesitate to ask people nearby or station staff.

Summer is the peak season, and it's possible that all the luggage lockers are full, leaving you with no storage space. Or perhaps your luggage is too big to fit into the remaining small lockers. Once in Belgium, I planned to visit Ghent for a few hours before catching a train back to the Netherlands. However, I ended up sitting in the station waiting for the train because the station was too small, the lockers were full, and there were no other options available. I was too tired to explore with all my luggage in tow.

Most train stations have luggage storage lockers. Find an open locker, take out the necessary items, then put your luggage in and close it. The locker will print a ticket for you. When you want to retrieve your belongings, scan the ticket, the machine will display the amount (charged per hour), swipe your card to pay, and the locker will automatically open for you to retrieve your items.

I already had a SIM card and a local bank card, so it was very convenient and didn't take any extra time. If you don't have one, every train station/airport has places to buy SIM cards and exchange currency. The two most important things are to have money and internet access for navigation.

The attractions in Zurich are quite close to each other, and I decided to walk instead of taking any buses/trams. I'll explore Zurich from morning till evening, not staying overnight here but taking a train to Lucerne after exploring, where I'll spend the night.

The places I visited in Zurich

Lindenhof Hill

From the train station, I immediately searched for the path up the hill because there's a scene from the Crash Landing on You drama filmed here. From here, you can overlook the other side of the city, separated by the vivid green Limmat River, which is incredibly clear. In Switzerland, all lakes and rivers are remarkably clean.

The view you'll get after climbing the hill is breathtaking. Overlooking the river on the other side is a picturesque scene.

St. Peter's Church – Sankt Peterskirche

Descending from Lindenhof, I wandered into narrow alleys and stumbled upon Zurich's oldest church, St. Peter – Sankt Peterskirche. In 1538, the church's bell tower was integrated into a clock with a diameter of 8.7 meters, making it the largest clock face in Europe. Despite enduring many years of weathering, this clock still functions normally to this day.

While exploring the winding alleys, you inadvertently arrive at the next sightseeing spot.

When I have plenty of time, I often wander without consulting a map, sometimes encountering charmingly simple things.

St. Peter – Sankt Peterskirche is situated behind a hotel, and the church tower protrudes in such a way that it appears to be part of the hotel's clock. Quite an amusing sight, isn't it?

St. Peter – Sankt Peterskirche from various angles.

Grossmünster Church

This church stands out with its twin towers towering proudly as one of the city's three main churches.

It is a significant landmark of the city.

This is a significant church of the city.

Fraumunster Church

Fraumunster Church was built on the site of a former monastery for noblewomen, hence it is also known as the 'Church of Our Lady'. The church is also famous for its stained glass windows designed by Marc Chagall.

Standing anywhere in the city center, you can almost recognize the church's spire. The entrance fee for visiting is 5 CHF.

A bridge spanning the river, behind it is the Fraumunster church, perhaps the most photographed spot in the city of Zurich.

Bahnhofstrasse Shopping Street

It's no coincidence that Bahnhofstrasse has become one of the most expensive retail rental streets in the world. Walking along the street, you'll find stores of most luxury brands, and even the renowned Swiss banks at Paradeplatz square.

The shopping street wears out your feet.

Most major brands are present on this street.

Niederdorf District

Niederdorf is a pedestrian area similar to Limmatquai. During the day, the pedestrian area and many shops almost hidden in the alleys will lure you into shopping. In the evening, Niederdorf turns into a diverse nightlife entertainment district with bars and street performers.

National flags fly high.

Walking along the old town to admire the buildings designed in typical European style, the alleyways colored by time, all create a beauty that is both ancient and serene.

This old town area is filled with many cafes, restaurants, where you can stop to enjoy a cup of coffee, admire the beauty of architecture, and observe the daily life of the locals here.

A mountain-climbing train called Polybähnli glides across.

Following the winding cobblestone path amidst rows of houses, you'll feel like you're stepping into the past.

Muhlesteg Bridge

This is a must-visit spot, especially for young people, it's the Muhlesteg Footbridge adorned with colorful love locks. Standing in the middle of the bridge offers a different perspective of the city.

Muhlesteg Footbridge

Lake Zurich

Lake Zurich is the largest natural lake in Switzerland and is recognized as one of the most beautiful natural lakes in the world. Surrounded by a series of colorful buildings, magnificent architectural structures, the lake's tranquil, emerald waters paint an incredibly dazzling and exquisite picture.

All lakes are clean and clear, revealing the bottom.

There are plenty of activities on the lake. In summer, people swim, dine by the lakeside, and row boats. In winter, you can ice skate and play ice hockey on the frozen surface.

Watch and Chocolate Shops

Watches and chocolates are the pride of the Swiss people. Stepping into any corner of Switzerland, you'll notice these two items being sold everywhere.

For those who love watches, buying one in the country of watches will be an unforgettable memory.

I entered a chocolate shop but found the prices too high so I didn't make a purchase. Later, I found out it's the most famous brand in Switzerland. As you can see in the picture, one piece of this chocolate even costs as much as a Lindt chocolate bar.

Teuscher Chocolate has been around for over 70 years in a small town nestled in the Swiss Alps.

As you may know, Switzerland is an expensive country. During my 6-day journey in Switzerland, I didn't step into any restaurants. I mainly went to supermarkets to buy food. I usually bought orange juice, coffee, and croissants to keep in my backpack for snacks while traveling. But don't buy too much because it gets heavy, and you can find a supermarket every so often. The streets here are clean, the weather is fantastic, so just buy your food and enjoy it by the lake or riverbank; you'll feel content without needing to sit in a restaurant.

Some tips:

When getting off the train, I suddenly forgot to buy a bottle of water, which cost around 2-3 CHF. Almost everywhere in Europe, you can drink tap water, so it's a good idea to bring a bottle with you and fill it up as needed. In Switzerland, you can drink tap water freely, so don't waste money buying bottled water.

No need to spend money on bottled water.

Trains in Switzerland are punctual to the minute, so remember to allow time to use the restroom and retrieve your belongings when returning to the station after sightseeing. The train waits for no one.

I had a fantastic day exploring Zurich city, luckily the attractions were quite close to each other, so I managed to visit almost all the famous spots on foot. If you have more than a day in Zurich, you can explore some famous museums such as the Swiss National Museum, Kunsthaus Zurich, Lindt Home of Chocolate museum, the architecture of these museums is also quite special.

Author: Nguyen Lam Phuong

*Participating in the Mytour Goglobal program

Mytour Goglobal is a blog writing program introducing beautiful destinations worldwide, under the framework of the Mytour Go & Share program. This is a great opportunity to promote new travel destinations around the world to everyone. For each qualified article, you will receive 1,200,000 VND and the opportunity to become a contributor to Mytour. For detailed information about the program, visit: https://trv.lk/goglobal

Transportation Tips

Flixbus Travel Experience

My Zurich Itinerary and First Things to Do in a New City

Places I Visited in Zurich City

Lindenhof Hill

St. Peter – Sankt Peterskirche Church

Grossmunster Church

Bahnhofstrasse Shopping Street

Niederdorf District

Muhlesteg Bridge

Lake Zurich

Watch and Chocolate Shops

The content is developed by the Mytour team with the aim of customer care and solely to inspire travel experiences. We do not take responsibility for or provide advice for other purposes.

If you find this article inappropriate or containing errors, please contact us via email at [email protected]