Where to Stay in Zurich – What You Need to Know
Zurich, spelled Zürich in German, is Switzerland’s largest city and economic capital.
It is located in the central plain of the country, very close to the Alps.
Zurich is considered one of the most important banking centres in the world and it’s also a world-class business destination.
Zurich has a temperate continental climate, with abundant rainfall throughout the year. This Swiss city enjoys mild and rainy summers and cold winters with frequent snowfalls.
In addition to being a prime business destination, Zurich is home to the Flughafen Zürich-Kloten, the busiest airport in Switzerland and one of the most important in Europe. Zürich Flughafen is the main hub for Swiss Airlines, it’s located in the town of Kloten, 12 minutes by train from the centre of Zurich.
Public transport in Zurich consists mainly of tram, buses and S-Bahn (light trains). In the city centre, you can find a ZVV tram or bus stops every 300 meters or so. At the different stops, you can find schedule and connections information, maps and ticket machines. You can buy 1-hour tickets or day cards for different areas.
The best area to stay in Zurich is its central-most district, called Altstadt, or Zurich Old Town (See accommodation in Altstadt).
Accommodation Options in Zurich
Hotels in Zurich
The best hotels to stay in Zurich
Hostels in Zurich
Hostels and cheap stays in Zurich
Apartments in Zurich
Would you like independence? Book an apartment in Zurich
Bed & Breakfast in Zurich
Inns, B&Bs and guest houses in several areas around Zurich
The Best Areas to Stay in Zurich
1. Recommended area: Altstadt
Altstadt (German for “Old City”) encompasses the entire Zurich historic town.
The Altstadt district roughly covers the area enclosed by the old city walls. Nowadays it is called Kreis 1 (District 1).
This district is divided in four quarters, Rathaus, Hochschulen, Lindenhof and City, distributed on both sides of the river.
Altstadt is full of small medieval lanes with shops and cafés in hidden alleys full of charm. At night, its pedestrianised streets become a great boulevard and nightlife area.
The attractions in Altstadt include Predigerkirche, Fraumünster, Grossmünster and Sankt Peter churches, Bürkliplatz, Bellevue and Central squares, Pavillon Le Corbusier, and the Rietberg, Strauhof and Kunsthaus Zürich museums.
Zurich’s Central Railway Station (Hauptbahnhof) is located at the northern end of Altstadt. It’s a railway hub where all tram, S-Bahn, InterCity and long distance services converge.
Altstadt is the best area to stay in Zurich due to its excellent transport connections, its charming medieval streets and its central location.
What makes this the best area to stay in Zurich
- Heart of the city
- Tourist attractions
- Limmat River
- Great nightlife
- Best area for tourists
- Connected by tram
- Zurich Hauptbahnhof
Hand-picked hotels in this area
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Our Top Choice
Hotel Hirschen is located in the central Niederdorf area of Zurich’s Old Town, a 5-minute walk from the Zurich Main Station and a 2-minute walk from the Rudolf Brun Brücke Tram Station.
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Luxury Option
Boutique Hotel Wellenberg is located in the central Niederdorf area of Zurich’s Old Town, a 5-minute walk from the Zurich Main Station and a 2-minute walk from the Rudolf Brun Brücke Tram Station.
2. Aussersihl & Langstrasse
Aussersihl is a district located northwest of the Zurich Altstadt.
Officially known as District 4, this area is unofficially known among locals as Chreis Cheib.
Aussersihl comprises the Werd, Langstrasse and Hard neighbourhoods.
The area around Langstrasse is the most central in the district, right next to the Hauptbahnhof. It is known as the “neighbourhood that never sleeps”, for being the main Zurich nightlife hotspot. It hosts international restaurants, bars and night shops, as well as a lot of fast-food places for the after-party. Langstrasse is also the red-light district in Zurich, with strip clubs and sex-shops around every corner. It has, however, quickly become one of the most diverse and popular areas of the city.
The rest of the district has a more residential and industrial character.
Tram line 8 crosses the whole Aussersihl district. Additionally, lines 2, 3 and 19 border it on its southern side. Zürich Hardbrücke and Hauptbahnhof stations are also located in the district.
What makes this the best area to stay in Zurich
- Very central
- Connected by tram and train
- Zurich Hauptbahnhof
- Best area for young travellers
- Best area to stay for nightlife
Hand-picked hotels in this area
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Our Top Choice
easyHotel Zürich offers free Wi-Fi and is located in Zurich’s multicultural district 4, close to numerous bars and restaurants and just a 2-minute walk from the Helvetiaplatz tram stop and the Kanonengasse bus stop.
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Budget Option
Swiss Star Center offers accommodation with an automatic check-in a 15-minute walk from Zurich’s main train station and a 5-minute walk from Helvetia Square. It offers free Wi-Fi throughout the building and rooms and apartments with satellite TV.
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Luxury Option
25hours Hotel Langstrasse is located in the Aussersihl district of Zurich, in the immediate vicinity of the main train station, it offers a sauna and a fitness center. There is a restaurant.
3. Wiedikon & Sihlfeld
Wiedikon and Sihlfeld are located west of the centre of Zurich and south of Aussersihl.
Wiedikon is a quiet area to stay in Zurich. The Sihlfeld area, to the north of the district, is an active commercial neighbourhood, with shopping streets, nightlife and several hotels.
Wiedikon and Sihlfeld are very well connected by public transport.
The Wiedikon train station, located in the north of the district, has several S-Bahn lines. Further south are Giesshübel, Binz and Friesenberg stations.
Trams 9 and 14 also cross the district offering a fast connection with the city centre.
Wiedikon & Sihlfeld are convenient areas to stay in Zurich.
What makes this the best area to stay in Zurich
- Very well-connected area
- Commercial activity
- Connected by tram
Hand-picked hotels in this area
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Our Top Choice
Hotel Neufeld is located on the Goldbrunnenplatz square in Zürich-Wiedikon, only 10 minutes by tram from the center of Zurich. It offers free Wi-Fi, a restaurant with a terrace and a rich breakfast buffet.
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Budget Option
The Guests’ House is located in a peaceful natural environment at the foot of Mount Uetliberg. It is easily accessible from the main station in Zurich, by a 10-minute ride on the S10 train line.
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Luxury Option
Four Points by Sheraton Sihlcity Zürich is located in the Urban Entertainment Center Sihlcity, which includes a shopping center, offices and a cinema. There is a bus, a tram and a train stop right next to the building offering connections to the center of Zurich and Lake Zurich.
4. Gewerbeschule & Escher Wyss
Gewerbeschule and Escher Wyss are located west of Zürich, not far from the city’s Hauptbahnhof.
Escher Wyss is an old industrial district. It takes its name from the company Escher Wyss & Cie. that was formerly based in the area.
The company’s former Schiffbau, or shipbuilding hall, is now a theatre venue operated by the Schauspielhaus Zürich.
The Escher Wyss area shows an industrial architecture, now spiced up with a hipster and modern style.
Both Escher Wyss and Gewerbeschule are very well connected by S-Bahn (Hauptbahnhof and Hardbrücke stations) and tram (lines 4, 8, 9 and 17).
Gewerbeschule and Escher Wyss are the best area to stay in Zurich for lovers of contemporary urbanism and alternative areas.
What makes this the best area to stay in Zurich
- Connected by tram and train
- Young and alternative atmosphere
- Schauspielhaus Zürich
Hand-picked hotels in this area
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Our Top Choice
ibis Zürich City West, located in a fashionable area of the city, it is close to the highway, just 100 meters from the Technopark business center and 10 minutes by car from the main train station.
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Budget Option
Casa Heinrich Guesthouse is located in the center of Zurich, in a quiet part of a side street. It offers modern rooms with a kitchenette, a flat-screen TV and free Wi-Fi.
5. Around Zürich Airport
Zurich International Airport is located in a residential area 11 km from the city center.
Flughafen Zürich consists of a single, if huge, terminal.
Zürich Airport is one of the most important in Europe, the main hub for Swiss Airlines and an important connecting point for flights between Central Europe and cities in Asia and North America.
Staying near the airport is recommended if you visit Zürich during a long stopover.
What makes this the best area to stay in Zurich
- Well-connected
- Zürich Flughafen
- Best area to stay during a stopover
Hand-picked hotels in this area
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Our Top Choice
ibis budget Zurich Airport, located in Glattbrugg, right next to the Zurich Airport and 1 km from the terminals, it offers air-conditioned rooms and free Wi-Fi throughout the property.
Accommodation in Zurich on a Budget
As Zurich is a city with such high accommodation costs, we have included a selection of the best cheap hotels around Zurich.
These selected accommodations are located in less central areas than those described above and in some cases private (or rental) transportation will be necessary to get you to the city centre.
Cheap hotels in and around Zurich
Cheap hotels in and around Zurich
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Wettingen (24 km from Zurich)
Hotel & Apartments Wettingen is a 5-minute drive from the historic centre of Baden and Stein Castle. It houses a well-decorated Chinese restaurant and a large conservatory dining room.
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Winterthur (23 km from Zurich)
ibis budget Winterthur is located in the financial district of Winterthur, 18 km from Zurich Airport. It offers en suite rooms with air conditioning, free Wi-Fi and a flat-screen TV with cable channels.
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Albbruck (60 km from Zurich)
Gasthaus Zum Bahnhöfle is located in Albbruck and has a garden. Free Wi-Fi access is available.
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