Capycation
Watercolour illustration of Zurich
Zurich

Zurich holidays

A compact, orderly lakeside city that pairs a walkable old town with quick access to water and mountains.

Prices on this page are shown from the UK. Change market

17°C OctoberBest Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep2–3 nightsRecent nonstop return fare from London Gatwick

Check flights on Aviasales

At a glance

  • short city breaks
  • lake and mountain access
  • orderly, easy travel

Trip cost

4 nights in Zurich≈ €805–€1160 pp
Return flight
≈€81
Stay
≈€868
Food & local
≈€213

Includes the return fare from London Gatwick. An estimate, not a quote — each booking happens separately with its supplier. How we work this out.

Prices shown on this page are indicative estimates in euros, not quotes. Every booking happens separately with its own supplier, at that supplier's own live price. How we work this out.

Stays

Stays in Zurich

From €101/night · Typical €208 · 225 stays · 4-night stay assumed

Booking.com
View all 225 stays
Map

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Plus 221 more places to stay.

Self-catering

Prefer a place of your own? Browse holiday homes and apartments in Zurich on Holidu.

Browse holiday homes on Holidu

Getting to Zurich

  • AirportZurich Airport (ZRH)
  • Transfer optionsTrain, taxi

Zurich Airport is 10 km from the city centre. Trains reach Zürich HB in about 10 minutes, running every 5–10 minutes for most of the day; taxis also serve the airport.

Flexible-date fares from London Gatwick

October from €116 return

Typical €169 · Direct · 2 nights

Mon 5 Oct

easyJet

See October flights
See all 12 departure dates in October
  • Mon 5 Oct2 nights€116, direct

November from €83 return

Direct · 2 nights

Fri 13 Nov

easyJet

See November flights
See all 2 departure dates in November

Indicative, per traveller. You book with Aviasales.

Areas of Zurich

A few places people base themselves, and who each tends to suit.

  • Altstadt (Old Town)Best for first-time visitors who want to be among the guild houses and narrow lanes on both banks of the Limmat, close to the main sights.
  • NiederdorfSuited to travellers wanting restaurants and evening life within the old town, livelier and noisier than the west bank.
  • Zürich-WestGood for visitors prioritising a former industrial district turned creative scene, with galleries, clubs and converted factory spaces.
  • SeefeldA quieter, more residential choice along the lake, suited to travellers who want easy access to the promenade and swimming spots over nightlife.

Zurich weather by month

Zurich is warmest in August, when daily highs average 26°C, and coolest in January at 5°C. November is the wettest month at about 134 mm, February the driest at 57 mm. Taking warmth and rainfall together, June, July, August, September score best for a trip.

Best overall
June · July · August · September
Hottest
August · 26°C
Wettest
November · 134mm
How these figures are worked out

Monthly averages — ERA5 reanalysis, 2022–2024, a three-year average, not a standard 30-year climate normal or a forecast. Gold months are the best weather fit: each month scores on how close its average daily high sits to about 27 °C, with heavy rainfall counting against it, and months far outside that range are not ranked at all.

How we work this out

What each season is like

Spring
Mild and fresh, with the lake promenade and parks coming back to life before summer crowds.
Summer
Warm with long daylight hours, lake swimming and open-air events, the liveliest season in the city.
Autumn
Crisp and often clear, with good visibility toward the Alps on good days, cooling into damp, grey stretches later on.
Winter
Cold with occasional snow; Christmas markets add atmosphere, though short daylight hours limit outdoor time.

What’s on in Zurich

See all events in Zurich on Wanderistan

Our sister site Wanderistan has a things-to-do guide for Zurich: Zurich travel guide on Wanderistan

Nearby and alternative destinations

Nearby — reachable overland

Good to know about Zurich

Why go

  • Lake Zurich and the old town sit side by side, so water, café terraces and historic streets are all within the same short walk.
  • Switzerland's rail network makes Zurich an easy, uncomplicated base for Alpine day trips.
  • A compact centre and reliable public transport make the city simple to cover in a short stay.

Worth knowing

  • Switzerland's cost of living makes Zurich an expensive short break, from meals to public transport.
  • The city centre is quiet in the evenings compared to bigger European capitals, with nightlife limited to a few districts.
  • Alpine views from the city depend on clear weather and are not guaranteed even in summer.