Top Day Trips from Zurich, Switzerland
Stacked with museums, galleries, and Switzerland’s best gourmet scene, Zurich is a pleasure to visit.
Excellent public transport makes the city a fantastic base for exploring the region, with day trip options including visits to charming old towns, thermal baths, and scenic cruises on Lake Zurich. Here are our favorite excursions.
1. Explore the Old Town of Lucerne
Travel time: 1 hour
Is Lucerne Switzerland’s prettiest city? You be the judge after swooning at its cobalt lake and well-preserved medieval Altstadt (old town) with candy-colored houses and waterfront promenades. Don’t miss the creaky 14th-century Kapellbrücke, a covered bridge that zigzags across the Reuss River. Contemplate the Lion Monument, a 10m-long sculpture of a dying lion that Mark Twain called the “saddest and most moving piece of rock in the world.” Get a bird’s-eye view of it all by wandering along the top of the old city walls.
How to get to Lucerne from Zurich: Frequent trains depart from Zurich’s main station.
2. Wander Around Winterthur’s Atmospheric Old Town
Travel time: 25 minutes
Winterthur is home to truly stupendous art collections and one of Europe’s foremost photography museums. The medieval turreted castle Schloss Kyburg tops a crag just south of Winterthur, while the pedestrian-only old town is lined with pastel-painted, terracotta-tiled boutiques, cafes, and bars.
How to get to Winterthur from Zurich: Frequent trains depart from Zurich’s main station.
3. Catch Sunset atop Uetliberg, Zurich’s Local Peak
Travel time: 30 minutes
Uetliberg is the mountain on Zurich’s doorstep, ablaze with wildflowers in spring and daubed with russets and golds in fall. Head up this 869m (2850ft) peak to hike, jog, or mountain bike on the trails that crisscross the woods. At the summit is Uetliberg Aussichtsturm, a steel lattice observation tower with fine views over the city, Lake Zurich, and the Alps. Sunset is prime-time viewing, making it perfect for enjoying a drink or meal nearby.
How to get to Uetliberg from Zurich: Train S10 runs to Uetliberg. From the terminus, it’s a 10-minute uphill walk to the viewpoint.
4. Feel the Power of the Rheinfall, Europe’s Largest Waterfall
Travel time: 55 minutes
The Rheinfall is a real crash-bang spectacle. The river cascades 23m (75ft) across a width of 150m (492ft), creating billowing plumes of spray and raging white water in the basin below. In summer, ferries head to the tall rock in the middle of the falls, which you can climb and watch the water rush around you. A visit to the falls can easily be combined with exploring the quaint medieval town of Schaffhausen, which is located only a short distance away.
How to get to Rheinfall from Zurich: Take the S9 train to Neuhausen Rheinfall station.
5. Cycle Around the Tiny Principality of Liechtenstein
Travel time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Liechtenstein, a charming mountain principality, is crowned by turreted castles such as that in Vaduz, its capital. Hire an e-bike to explore the scenic Drei Länder Tour (Three Countries Tour), which leads to the medieval town of Feldkirch in Austria and back along the Rhine to Switzerland.
How to get to Liechtenstein from Zurich: Take the train to the border town of Sargans. From there, frequent buses head to Vaduz.
6. Sail to an Island from Lakeside Rapperswil
Travel time: 40 minutes
Known as the “city of roses,” Rapperswil is a cultured little town on Lake Zurich’s eastern shore. Dominating the skyline is the late-12th-century castle Schloss Rapperswil. Stroll along the lakeside promenade and take a short ferry ride to the island of Ufenau, a nature reserve with medieval churches and a local restaurant serving fresh specialties.
How to get to Rapperswil from Zurich: The S5, S7, or S15 trains are the fastest way here.
7. Relax in One of Baden’s Mineral Rich Spas
Travel time: 15 minutes
The Romans first harnessed the wellness powers of the sulphur springs in Baden, where over 800,000 liters of mineral-rich thermal water flow daily. Many springs have been channeled into luxurious spa hotels and complexes, while the picturesque old town features charming architecture and a variety of attractions.
How to get to Baden from Zurich: Take trains IR16 or IR36 from Zurich’s main station.
