Zurich on a Budget 2025: One-Day Costs & Expense Breakdown in CHF, GBP & USD
One thing that had been putting me off visiting Zurich for a while was the idea of how expensive it was going to be. And yes, the rumours are true, Zurich is expensive. But here’s the thing: I’ve visited some of the priciest destinations in the world and still managed to do them on a budget. Lapland and Iceland are two great examples. Expensive doesn’t always mean unaffordable, if you’re smart about it.
So in this post, I want to share my personal experience of Zurich in 2025. What I actually spent during my first day to give you a realistic picture of how much it costs.
When I say “budget,” I don’t mean sleeping in hostels or surviving on supermarket sandwiches. As a traveller in my 30s, I like a certain level of comfort. For me, it’s all about finding the right balance between enjoying the trip and not throwing money away unnecessarily.
Accommodation: Montana Zurich
I stayed at Montana Zurich, which cost me £140 a night (≈ CHF 150 / $175 USD). Now, that’s definitely not “budget” in the traditional sense. In Southeast Asia that kind of money could get you a five-star resort with an infinity pool. But in Zurich, this is actually on the lower end of the price scale.
The main reason I chose this hotel was its location. It’s close to the main train station, which makes life much easier when arriving from the airport (the train is far cheaper than a taxi). It’s also a convenient base if you plan on using Zurich as a jumping-off point for exploring other parts of Switzerland, as the country’s rail network is famously efficient and well-connected.
Even if you’re just there for a city break, being five minutes from the station means you can get into the heart of Zurich quickly and easily.
As for the hotel itself, I’d rate it as solid. The rooms were perfectly fine, nothing flashy, but comfortable. The breakfast was included in the price, and while it wasn’t anything spectacular, it did the job. Overall, Montana Zurich isn’t going to blow you away, but for the price and the location, I’d say it’s a definite winner.
Getting from the Airport to Zürich Hauptbahnhof
When I landed in Zurich, I took the train from the airport to Zürich HB — it cost about CHF 7 (≈ £6.40 / $8.70) and took only 10–15 minutes. To me, this is the best option: it’s quick, comfortable, and much cheaper than a taxi.
You could also take Tram 10 from the airport to the city centre. This takes about 30–35 minutes and costs about the same — CHF 6.80 (≈ £6.30 / $8.50). It’s slower, but more scenic.
There are also buses from the airport, but they aren’t really faster or cheaper than the train or tram when heading straight to the main station.
Free Activities in Zurich
One of the best things about Zurich is that many of the activities don’t cost a thing. On my first day, there wasn’t a single landmark or viewpoint I wanted to see that came with an entry fee, everything I did was completely free.
Simply walking around the city is an experience in itself. From historic buildings to lakeside views, there are plenty of beautiful spots to enjoy without spending a penny.
The Expensive Side: Drinks/Food
Of course, Zurich has its costly moments too. After a long walk around the city, my travel partner and I sat down in a square to enjoy a few beers in the sunshine. It was lovely, good atmosphere, good company, and good Swiss beer.
The price, however, was less lovely. Four beers (two each) came to just under £40 (≈ CHF 45 / $50 USD). Definitely not the cheapest round I’ve ever bought, but in Zurich, it’s the going rate if you’re drinking in the city centre.
After our beers, we walked back to the hotel for a quick rest before heading out again for dinner. The one dish I really wanted to try in Zurich was raclette. I’d never had it before, and since it’s one of Switzerland’s most iconic meals, it felt like the perfect opportunity.
The meal came to about £33 per person (≈ CHF 36 / $42 USD), including a drink and the raclette with sides. For Zurich, this felt reasonable. It wasn’t “cheap” by any means, but it also wasn’t outrageous considering the quality of the food and the experience itself.
Overall, it was a really enjoyable meal — a little indulgent, but worth every franc.
Saving on the Small Things
One little hack that saved me a bit of money on this trip was bringing a reusable water bottle. When I left the UK, I went through security with it empty, filled it up in the airport lounge, and then once in Zurich, I used the public water fountains throughout the city.
Zurich’s tap water is some of the cleanest in the world, and the fountains are everywhere, so there’s no need to spend money on bottled water. It might only be a few francs saved each time, but over the course of a trip it really adds up — plus, it’s better for the environment.
Day 1 Budget Breakdown
Here’s what my first day in Zurich cost:
- Hotel (Montana Zurich): £140 ≈ CHF 150 / $175
- Airport Train to Zürich HB: £6.40 ≈ CHF 6.85 / $8.60
- Breakfast (UK airport lounge): Free
- Snack at train station: £12.24 ≈ CHF 13 / $16.50
- Drinks (4 beers, split 2 ways): £40 ≈ CHF 42.80 / $53.80
- Dinner (Raclette & drink): £33 ≈ CHF 35.40 / $44.50
Total (Day 1):
- £231.64
- ≈ CHF 247.95
- ≈ $298.90 USD
Zurich absolutely has a reputation for being expensive and it is. But as my first day showed, it doesn’t have to completely break the bank. Accommodation will take up the largest chunk of your budget, food and drink can sting a little, but you can balance it out with free activities and small hacks like carrying a water bottle.
At the end of the day, Zurich is a beautiful city to explore, and if you spend wisely, you can enjoy it without feeling like you’re burning through cash unnecessarily.
