There are a number of festivals, holidays and other events celebrated in Zurich each year.
The main ones are listed below.
Easter Monday commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ on the third day after the Passion. Many baptisms are celebrated on Easter Weekend and families come together to attend the vigil mass and share a feast on Sunday.
Third Monday in April: Sechseläuten (Burning of the Böögg, local)To usher in spring, Zurich's guilds parade in medieval costumes through the city's streets. Celebrations culminate at 6 p.m. with the ringing of all the city bells and the burning of the Böögg, a huge figure of a snowman prepared with explosives, thus driving out winter.
May 1: Labour Day (national) August 1: National Day (national)Commemorates the founding of the Swiss Confederation on this day in 1291. An evening cruise on Lake Zurich is the best way to see bonfires and fireworks. Other highlights include official ceremonies, concerts and activities for children.
First week in September: Zurich Film Festival (local)This 11-day festival features the work of both established and emerging filmmakers attracts many big names and some 80,000 spectators to its premieres, screenings, galas and red-carpet events at various venues across Zurich.
Second week in October: Art International Zurich (local)This three-day contemporary art fair is held every year at Kongresshaus Zurich, with works for sale by young and emerging artists in the fields of painting, graphics, sculpture and photography.
Second Friday in November: Swiss story night (national event)Set up each year since 1995, this event sheds a light on Swiss oral traditions. All-nighters take place in various libraries, schools and unusual places for public readings of traditional stories.
December 1-24: Christmas market (Christkindlmarkten - national)As the Christmas season draws near, this major event for local crafts takes place on Zurich's main squares. Numerous cabins also offer gastronomical delicacies and Christmas decorations.
December 25: Christmas (national) December 31: Neujahrsmarathon Zurich (local)This is the only international marathon starting at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve. Headlamps are therefore recommended for all runners, because although the course is marked by signposts, barrier tape and flags, it is not illuminated! Spectacular fireworks are set off as the race begins and along the course.
| Month | Min. Average Temperature (°C/F°) | Max. Average Temperature (°C/F°) | Average Rains (MM) | Best Time to Travel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | -4/25 | 2/36 | 67/2.6 | Not the best period to go |
| February | -3/27 | 5/41 | 68/2.7 | Not the best period to go |
| March | -1/30 | 9/48 | 68/2.7 | Not the best period to go |
| April | 2/36 | 13/55 | 78/3.1 | Not the best period to go |
| May | 6/43 | 18/64 | 96/3.8 | Good period to go
|
| June | 10/50 | 21/70 | 115/4.5 | Good period to go
|
| July | 12/54 | 24/75 | 106/4.2 | Good period to go
|
| August | 11/52 | 23/73 | 121/4.8 | Not the best period to go |
| September | 8/46 | 20/68 | 83/3.3 | Not the best period to go |
| October | 5/41 | 14/57 | 70/2.8 | Not the best period to go |
| November | 0/32 | 7/45 | 84/3.3 | Not the best period to go |
| December | -3/27 | 3/37 | 74/2.9 | Not the best period to go |
The Zurich International Airport is located in Kloten, about 13 kilometres (8 miles) north of Zurich's city centre.
Zurich has introduced a number of policies designed to limit car traffic in the city. As a result, the simplest ways to get around the city are on foot, or by tram and bus. City planners focus great efforts on making public transport easy and convenient. Along most routes, there is a bus stop or tram station roughly every quarter mile or less. Moreover, an integrated fare system is used for all modes of transport. A single ticket valid for 30 minutes costs CHF 2.70.
Zurich's tram system, one of the most efficient ways to discover the city, comprises 17 lines and serves most districts. A single ticket costs CHF 2.70 and is valid for 30 minutes.
Zurich has a very extensive network of buses, with 32 routes criss-crossing the city. A single ticket costs CHF 2.60 and is valid for 30 minutes.
Using taxis to get around Zurich is not the most cost-effective solution. Fares are rather high, with an initial charge of CHF 6, plus CHF 3 per kilometre.
The city of Zurich provides a free bike rental system, including city bikes, electric bikes and kid bikes. They are available in various stations across town, upon presentation of a valid ID and a CHF 20 deposit. For more information, visit https://www.stadt-zuerich.ch/zuerirollt
Upon your arrival in Zurich, you can get in touch with local tourism professionals for further information and to help organize your stay.
Zurich Tourismus Tourist ServiceOffers practical information and useful recommendations (accommodation, restaurants, public transport, festivals, cultural events, etc.).
The official website maintained by Switzerland Tourism provides a wealth of information on Zurich.
In order to travel in the best conditions and for your health and safety, we invite you to check all information regarding preventive measures and best practices to be respected, available on the official website of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs: https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/
Your comfort, well-being and health are at the heart of Air France's concerns, and we want to help you prepare for your trip in the best way possible. Find out more about the measures taken to ensure safe travelling on our website: https://www.airfrance.fr/FR/en/common/page_flottante/information/coronavirus.htm#notre-engagement-sanitaire
See your doctor before you travel. It is recommended that you obtain insurance covering health care expenses as well as medical evacuation or repatriation before you leave home. Zurich counts several hospitals and medical institutions, as well as quality medical practitioners and health specialists.
For information on the travel documents required to enter Switzerland depending on your nationality, visit the website of the Swiss State Secretariat for Migration (SEM): https://www.sem.admin.ch/sem/en/home.html
To enjoy peace of mind during your stay in Zurich, visit the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your country.
Here are a few basic German phrases that will make your stay in Zurich a little easier:
Hello / Good morning / Good afternoon: Guten Morgen (morning) / Guten Tag (during the day)
Good evening: Guten Abend
Goodbye: Auf Wiedersehen
Yes: Ja
No: Nein
No, thank you: Nein, Danke
Thank you very much: Vielen Dank
Please: Bitte
I don't understand: Ich verstehe nicht
Could you repeat ?: Können Sie bitte wiederholen?
What time is it ?: Wie spät ist es?
Sorry: Entschuldigung
Airport: der Flughafen
Train station: der Bahnhof
Taxi: das Taxi
Hotel: das Hotel
Hospital: das Krankenhaus
Bank: die Bank
Telephone: das Telefon
I'm (…): Ich bin (…)
I'm looking for (…): Ich suche (…)
How much is (…)?: Wie viel kostet es?
Do you have (…)?: Haben Sie (…)?
Where can I find (…)?: Wo kann ich (…) finden?
Where can I buy (…)?: Wo kann ich (…) kaufen?
I'd like (…): Ich hätte gern (…)
Tipping
In Switzerland, as is also the case in France and Italy, leaving a tip is recommended when the service is especially friendly and attentive. The appropriate amount is anywhere between 5 and 10% of the bill at restaurants or bars.
