I flew into Zurich to get to Liechtenstein so I could visit every country in Europe. After I walked across a country (what a flex!), I spent a night or two in Zurich to get my money’s worth of flying all that way (just over an hour flight) from Amsterdam.
I’d been to Swizzy before, so I was well aware of the posh prices. For those who have never been. Imagine being in an airport- a cup of water costs $10, a non-meat sandwich $26. You’re afraid to sit somewhere in case you have to pay money for it. You can’t escape because you’re already there. Choices were made.
Buying basic food and water in Swizzy is like I never left the airport.
I’m going to harp on the money for another long minute, because I need people to realise how expensive it really is. 6.50 CHF/ 7€ for a tiny, small, dollhouse chai latte not from Starbucks.
I met up with someone who lived in Zurich and he took me to Palestine Grill for a kebab-type thing that was 13.50 CHF. They consider this street food! Not even for a meal! No fries! No drink! Just kebab. What is the world coming to?
Zurich even has elitism within the elite. One side of the gorgeous, glittering Zurich lake is called the Gold Coast -they get more direct sun. The other side is known as Runny Nose. A local told me. I couldn’t make this up if I tried.
zurich eats & elusive cheaps
I got a barely there chai as I mentioned, which blew half my budget for the day. I kid, I don’t budget, but nothing hits like high prices to put me on the I’m-not-hungry-diet.
They have an Aldi in the centre of Zurich. Supermarkets are your friend, not foe, in cities like these.
Bring your reusable water bottle because everywhere I went, there were fountains with superb drinking water. It is the only free thing this city will give you, so if you want to get hydrated to the max, Zurich is the place to go.
I ate a delish sausage at Sternen Grill. Again, close your eyes and count to 10 when you glance at the menu prices.
Sunday, similar to public holidays, I noticed a lot of things were closed. Museums were open I guess, but supermarkets and shops were closed for the most part.
The view from Polyterrasse is grand. It’s near the University of Zurich- apparently, Alby E (also known as Einstein) was a student and professor here.
Lindenhof, Niederdorf, Münsterhof (lot of ofs), Augustinergasse, Hirschen-Platz, Zürich Opera House- if paper maps still existed, then these would be on it fo sho.
stein am rhein day trip
I left Zurich train station to Stein am Rhein at 10:00 and was back by 1600 . The day ticket was 53.50 CHF for a journey that was just over 1 hour each way. I nearly shat myself. I’m not sure if I could l have used the same ticket to go to Lucerne in the same day or not. Would have been a full spicy day.
An easy walk to Stein am Rhein from the station.
Don’t pay the 1 euro for the toilet at the train station because there are at least 2 exceptionally clean, with soap and paper, free public toilets by the old town gates. I saw a bakery that was cash-only, but cards were accepted in most places since they had bank machines. I didn’t want to take out Swiss francs, so I played chicken with my purchases- unsure if the stores accepted cards or not. I got away with it!
Stein am Rhein is adorable. Just look at this old town centre!
It took me about 40 minutes to hike the route to the castle, which was mostly stairs. Some guy trail running passed me up and down 3 times by the time I made it to the top. You can guess how I felt about that.
I ate a bratwurst at a take-away spot by one of the gates, but I don’t see it on Google Maps. I swear it existed; I didn’t just fabricate eating a sausage in the bristly April weather. Did I? No. I have a picture.
I eyed the raclette and fondue, but it’s a fondont unless you’re sharing it. Your bowels will thank me. The last unreal raclette I had was in Annecy about 6 years ago and nothing can top that perfect meal.
Because I was staying at VISIONAPARTMENTS (the one in Basel was one of the best accommodations I’ve stayed at; this one was sub-par) and had nowhere to put my bags, I used the Zurich station Luggage Storage. It worked swimmingly. I sat outside to read in Platzspitz across from the station, which was a decision.
Heading back to Amsterdam, the ticket prices to the airport vary depending on what timeslot and speed of train you book. I booked at the station using the machine and caught one of the fastest trains (12 minutes) for 7.00 CHF. I already spent a million dollars here, what’s another 7 in the grand scheme of things?
A lot. It will haunt me.
