Zürich, Switzerland - a daytrip with my girls
While staying in Switzerland (house sitting - read my main blog here about house sitting) for the summer with my wonderful little girls, I decided to head back to Zürich with them by train. We were staying driving distance away but traveling by public transportation is always so easy and enjoyable (and affordable!) We had visited this gorgeous Swiss city previously on a long layover in route to Cyprus - so we had a small taste of it and knew it was worth revisiting.
I recommend having digital tickets for mass transit - there is a very important note about buying tickets. You cannot get on a train or bus that is not for your exact time. For example, if you get to the bus stop early and want to avoid waiting for 20 minutes for the bus, you cannot hop on the earlier bus if you don't have a ticket for it. You have to wait. So, one way to get around that is to buy the ticket you need when you're at the bus or train stop. Not to worry, cell phone connection is available most everywhere we visited.
For us, we simply have to walk down the street to get to the nearest bus stop. And, making things even simpler, there is an SBB app for purchasing bus and train tickets. It is convenient and makes it easier to not have to worry about a printed ticket or purchasing a ticket on the bus.
The buses here have a digital sign that lets you know what stop is next so even if you don't speak the language, you just have to know the direction of travel and the name of your stop (preferably the one before your stop as well so you're ready to get off or press the "stop" request). We moved from the bus to the train platform and enjoyed a beautiful train ride to the city of Zurich. The train platforms are well marked so it's easy figuring out where to go. Just remember to pay attention to the ticket you buy -- 1st class or 2nd class. That makes a difference. There are also "quiet" carts and family carts. The family trains are marked with "FA" on the SBB website/app so you know that it's extra convenient for families. (yay to European family- friendly awesomeness!!)
It had been a few years since I was here last, but I remembered much of the city's layout. Yay!! It's useful having a sense of direction and good recollection of the city layout. There are a few key features that makes it easy to remember areas in the city - starting with the river that flows through it. Just follow it down to the river's opening (toward the lake), crossing the bridge to be on the other side of their main train hub and you'll see a nice area to walk around on foot and enjoy some insanely overpriced Swiss food. Seriously, the prices here in this city are crazy.
I usually pack a lunch but only brought some snacks with us, so we stopped for lunch. OMG. A mistake. LOL My daughters weren't a fan of it so I ate mine and theirs cause there was no way I was going to waste a dime on uneaten food when it cost so many dimes to buy the dish. LOL
Anyway, walking around Zurich is wonderful. It's an easy city by foot, beautiful architecture, fountains abound, sit by the river and put your feet in ... it's all quite chill (and clean!) and safe.
Starting with the arrival. You'll most likely arrive by train to the main hub: Zürich Hardbrücke (known as Zurich HB for short).
In this train station, there is always some cool art displayed. This art feature was something of yarn that you could walk into, take off your shoes and have a bit of a Zen break from the train station hubbub.
To use the bathroom, have some Swiss Francs. It cost us 2 francs (that's 2.5 dollars respectively) to use the freaking bathroom. However, the toilets are clean and there is a very convenient and clean baby changing table room as well. For backpackers, there are also showers there to use for about 12+ francs (if I remember correctly).
When you leave the train terminal, remember to look out for the train trolleys while you cross the streets. When you exit, I suggest heading to the main touristy walking area: the east side of the Limmat River -- you can GPS this main protestant church as a reference point: Grossmünster (Address: Grossmünsterplatz, 8001 Zürich). In this area are lots of cafes, restaurants, bakeries, flower shops, etc.
There is a very different vibe across the river if you are looking to drop some serious francs on clothes and accessories. Search for Kirche St. Peter and you'll end up among the shopping elite. Stores like Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, etc. Even if you don't want to drop a lot of money shopping, the area is still worth walking around. It's beautiful and much quieter than the other side of the river in the uber-touristy area. Plus, there are some lovely restaurants on this side that might actually be worth the francs you spend eating. We stopped by a juice shop and got a smoothie. Ten freaking dollars for a rather small smoothie. Absurd. LOL!
What I love about cities and towns in Switzerland is that there are fountains everywhere. You refill your water bottle, splash water on your face on hot days, rinse your hands, etc. It's a wonderful feature! So, even on hot days, you don't have to worry about buying a drink if you're thirsty. Just have a bottle and fill it up with chilly water in their fountains. Plus, as parents, it's it nice that when our kids touch something or make a mess of themselves after a snack, they can splash some water on their hands and keep on going.
Missing this year was something I was really looking forward to though. Just south of the Quaibrücke bridge, you'll see on the east an area called Quaianlagen -- where people sit along the river's edge and where swans gather. Two years ago, there was also a swimming area here with a super high board where you could watch people jump. It had to have been about 30 feet high or so. It was awesome to watch and planned to watch them again ... but, alas, it wasn't there this year.
People were jumping off the bridge (not in a suicidal kind of way) and into the water. Were they allowed to? No clue. As a tourist, I'd rather not find out the hard way what is and isn't legal. LOL It is amazing how clean their main waterway is and that you can swim, jump off bridges, float down rivers, etc. It's cold - don't get me wrong - but it's clean and beautiful and safe.
If you are looking to not spend a fortune on food and just want to pick up a snack, you can stop at a Coop (grocery store) in the city just south of the train terminal and north of the elite shopping area. There may be some other grocery stores as well. Honestly, no need to spend a fortune on food there. And, for a family with kids, the money racks up pretty fast.
The city is fairly stroller friendly but you'll have to leave it outside the stores for the little stores that don't allow the maneuverability of a stroller. I babywear my youngest for a few reasons. (1) I don't like leaving a stroller in "stroller parking" because as trustworthy as the Swiss are, I'm not sure the tourists are up to the task (2) it's just easier not having to push around a stroller. My kiddo stays on my back and so she stays comfy and safe that way.
When you travel by train in Switzerland, have a Swiss converter. It's a two or three prong converter. The seats on the trains have charging outlets and at most cafes you can plug in as well. Download the SBB app on your phone as well so you can easily buy a ticket for a train or bus without waiting in line. Create an account for you and those you are traveling with (in my case, my kiddos) and it's just one extra way to simplify traveling. Kids under 6 travel for free so YAY! Something in Switzerland is free / cheap. LOL!!
Zurich is different than some of the smaller towns, of course, and they are more used to tourists but I can tell you that kids are expected to behave and keep a low volume in public. Seriously, this entire country (minus the city of Zurich) is pretty damn quiet. So just be prepared with the kiddos for best behavior possible.
And now for a few extra pictures ...
I recommend having digital tickets for mass transit - there is a very important note about buying tickets. You cannot get on a train or bus that is not for your exact time. For example, if you get to the bus stop early and want to avoid waiting for 20 minutes for the bus, you cannot hop on the earlier bus if you don't have a ticket for it. You have to wait. So, one way to get around that is to buy the ticket you need when you're at the bus or train stop. Not to worry, cell phone connection is available most everywhere we visited.
The buses here have a digital sign that lets you know what stop is next so even if you don't speak the language, you just have to know the direction of travel and the name of your stop (preferably the one before your stop as well so you're ready to get off or press the "stop" request). We moved from the bus to the train platform and enjoyed a beautiful train ride to the city of Zurich. The train platforms are well marked so it's easy figuring out where to go. Just remember to pay attention to the ticket you buy -- 1st class or 2nd class. That makes a difference. There are also "quiet" carts and family carts. The family trains are marked with "FA" on the SBB website/app so you know that it's extra convenient for families. (yay to European family- friendly awesomeness!!)
It had been a few years since I was here last, but I remembered much of the city's layout. Yay!! It's useful having a sense of direction and good recollection of the city layout. There are a few key features that makes it easy to remember areas in the city - starting with the river that flows through it. Just follow it down to the river's opening (toward the lake), crossing the bridge to be on the other side of their main train hub and you'll see a nice area to walk around on foot and enjoy some insanely overpriced Swiss food. Seriously, the prices here in this city are crazy.
Anyway, walking around Zurich is wonderful. It's an easy city by foot, beautiful architecture, fountains abound, sit by the river and put your feet in ... it's all quite chill (and clean!) and safe.
Starting with the arrival. You'll most likely arrive by train to the main hub: Zürich Hardbrücke (known as Zurich HB for short).
In this train station, there is always some cool art displayed. This art feature was something of yarn that you could walk into, take off your shoes and have a bit of a Zen break from the train station hubbub.
To use the bathroom, have some Swiss Francs. It cost us 2 francs (that's 2.5 dollars respectively) to use the freaking bathroom. However, the toilets are clean and there is a very convenient and clean baby changing table room as well. For backpackers, there are also showers there to use for about 12+ francs (if I remember correctly).
There is a very different vibe across the river if you are looking to drop some serious francs on clothes and accessories. Search for Kirche St. Peter and you'll end up among the shopping elite. Stores like Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, etc. Even if you don't want to drop a lot of money shopping, the area is still worth walking around. It's beautiful and much quieter than the other side of the river in the uber-touristy area. Plus, there are some lovely restaurants on this side that might actually be worth the francs you spend eating. We stopped by a juice shop and got a smoothie. Ten freaking dollars for a rather small smoothie. Absurd. LOL!
What I love about cities and towns in Switzerland is that there are fountains everywhere. You refill your water bottle, splash water on your face on hot days, rinse your hands, etc. It's a wonderful feature! So, even on hot days, you don't have to worry about buying a drink if you're thirsty. Just have a bottle and fill it up with chilly water in their fountains. Plus, as parents, it's it nice that when our kids touch something or make a mess of themselves after a snack, they can splash some water on their hands and keep on going.
People were jumping off the bridge (not in a suicidal kind of way) and into the water. Were they allowed to? No clue. As a tourist, I'd rather not find out the hard way what is and isn't legal. LOL It is amazing how clean their main waterway is and that you can swim, jump off bridges, float down rivers, etc. It's cold - don't get me wrong - but it's clean and beautiful and safe.
If you are looking to not spend a fortune on food and just want to pick up a snack, you can stop at a Coop (grocery store) in the city just south of the train terminal and north of the elite shopping area. There may be some other grocery stores as well. Honestly, no need to spend a fortune on food there. And, for a family with kids, the money racks up pretty fast.
When you travel by train in Switzerland, have a Swiss converter. It's a two or three prong converter. The seats on the trains have charging outlets and at most cafes you can plug in as well. Download the SBB app on your phone as well so you can easily buy a ticket for a train or bus without waiting in line. Create an account for you and those you are traveling with (in my case, my kiddos) and it's just one extra way to simplify traveling. Kids under 6 travel for free so YAY! Something in Switzerland is free / cheap. LOL!!
Zurich is different than some of the smaller towns, of course, and they are more used to tourists but I can tell you that kids are expected to behave and keep a low volume in public. Seriously, this entire country (minus the city of Zurich) is pretty damn quiet. So just be prepared with the kiddos for best behavior possible.
And now for a few extra pictures ...
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| I'm not sure how friendly swans are so we don't go near them ... but they are super beautiful and add to the beauty of the area. |
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| No filter - seriously. The water is just this blue under the bridges. So pretty!! |
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| The current art installation at the Zurich HB train station. |
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| The current art installation at the Zurich HB train station. |
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| The Limmat River is soooo pretty!!! |
I recommend signing up for house sitting - you can use some referral perks through this link for a discount.
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