Zurich is Switzerland's largest city, set in the north-central part of the country at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich. The river Limmat runs through the middle of it, and the city is a major hub for rail, road and air travel, with both the airport and the main railway station among the busiest in the country. German is the official language, though English is widely spoken, including at work.
For a visitor, the city divides into a compact centre around the old town and the Limmat, the lakefront, and several inner districts to the west and south that are easily reached by tram and S-Bahn. Because public transport is fast and frequent, staying slightly outside the centre is a realistic option. This guide covers which areas to base yourself in, what each suits, and what to expect at different price levels.
Best areas to stay in Zurich
1. Old town (Altstadt) and Niederdorf
The old town sits on both sides of the Limmat, with the car-free Niederdorfstrasse area on the eastern bank. This is the most central base: the main station is within walking distance, and the streets around Niederdorfstrasse are full of bars, restaurants and cafes. It suits first-time visitors who want to walk to the sights and have evening options on the doorstep.
Accommodation here ranges from simple, older places to traditional four-star properties, some with inner courtyards. Note that parts of the old town are car-free, and that some budget rooms in this area share bathrooms and have limited reception hours on Sundays.
2. Around Bahnhofstrasse and the station
The Bahnhofstrasse runs through the centre from the main station towards the lake, with the business district and shopping along it. Staying here puts you within about ten minutes on foot of sightseeing, the business district and Lake Zurich. It suits travellers who value convenience and easy connections, including those arriving or leaving by train.
This is primarily a business and shopping area, so you find larger business-oriented hotels and five-floor properties with restaurants and lobbies rather than small guesthouses. It is the most practical base if your trip mixes work with sightseeing.
3. Around the Opera House and the lakefront
The area around the Opera House, on the eastern side towards the lake, is central but quieter than the old town. It is about ten minutes from the main station and roughly thirty minutes from the airport. It suits visitors who want a calmer base close to the water while remaining within walking distance of the centre.
You find boutique and four-star properties here, including renovated and decorated ones facing the Opera House. This is a good choice if you prefer a residential-feeling street over the bustle of Niederdorf.
4. Zurich West
Zurich West, around the Technoparkstrasse area, is a former industrial quarter that now holds bars and restaurants. It suits travellers who want to be near nightlife and a party-oriented scene rather than in the historic centre. The trade-off is distance: it is a tram ride of about ten minutes to the main station, which is still quick by local standards.
Accommodation here includes modern, clean and comfortable rooms at rates that are low for Zurich. If you plan late evenings out and do not mind taking the tram, this area works well.
5. Aussersihl
Aussersihl is described as a vibrant district and is home to at least one design-oriented hotel with a gourmet restaurant. It suits visitors who want a lively inner district with character, still within the city rather than out in the suburbs. Expect a district feel rather than a postcard old-town setting.
6. Wollishofen and the southern outskirts
Wollishofen lies south of the centre, reachable by S-Bahn and then a walk over a hill. A youth hostel operates here, about two kilometres and a fifteen-minute tram ride from the centre. It suits budget travellers and those who prioritise quiet over centrality, since the city is still easily reached by public transport.
7. University district and Toblerplatz
Above the university district, around Toblerplatz, is Zurich's prime residential area, served by trams in the direction of the Zoo. It is about two kilometres from the centre. This suits visitors who want a quiet, residential base with tram access rather than a central location, and who are looking at the upper end of the market.
8. Airport and Glattbrugg area
The airport area, including Opfikon-Glattbrugg, is outside the city proper but minutes from the terminal. It suits travellers with early flights, long layovers or a single overnight stop, and those attending meetings near the airport. Hotels here range from large modern airport properties to five-star options with restaurants and conference facilities; the centre is a train or taxi ride away rather than a walk.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: dormitory beds in hostels, simple one-star rooms, and older hotels with shared bathrooms and showers; some budget places sit in the old town near the station, others are a short tram or S-Bahn ride out. Couchsurfing is also active in the city, and staying in surrounding areas is worth considering because public transport is fast and good.
- Mid-range: three- and four-star hotels, including owner-run properties and business hotels, typically with private bathrooms, breakfast included in many rates, and locations in the centre, the old town, Aussersihl or near the airport.
- Splurge: four- and five-star hotels in the old town, along the Bahnhofstrasse, on the Limmat and at the lake, plus boutique and flagship properties with spas and fine restaurants; the hospitality sector focuses mostly on the 4- and 5-star sector, and rack rates can be high, so a company rate is worth asking about.
Best area for a first visit
For a first visit, base yourself in the old town and Niederdorf. It puts the main station, the river, the bars and restaurants of Niederdorfstrasse and the central sights within walking distance, which matters most when your time is short. It also gives you the widest mix of places to stay, from simple rooms to traditional four-star properties.
Frequently asked questions
Should I stay in the centre or outside it?
Public transport in Zurich is very fast and good, so staying in surrounding areas instead of the city centre is a genuine option, particularly on a budget. If you want to walk to the sights and have evenings on your doorstep, the old town and the station area are more convenient.
Which area is best if I want nightlife?
Zurich West is next to bars and restaurants and is described as a great place if you want to party, about ten minutes by tram from the main station. The Niederdorfstrasse area in the old town also has many bars and restaurants within a few minutes of the hotels.
Where should I stay if I have an early flight?
The airport area, including Opfikon-Glattbrugg, has hotels minutes from Zurich Airport, some with restaurants, meeting facilities and a gym. The centre is roughly thirty minutes from the airport by road or rail.
Is budget accommodation available in the centre?
Yes, but it is limited. Some cheap hotels sit right by the city centre and the Gemüsebrücke, and a hostel-style property operates in the old town near the station and Niederdorfstrasse. Expect shared bathrooms and, in some cases, a shower on a timer or a reception desk that closes on Sundays.
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