Zurich is considered to be one of the world’s global cities, and many independent reviewers have claimed that the quality of life in this city is the best among all the cities in the world.
For travelers from all over the world, that only means that Zurich is a very expensive city to stay in for your vacation.

It is true that a holiday in Zurich can be a little costly, but there are ways to enjoy what Zurich has to offer even if you are on a tight budget.

To make the most out of your budget holiday in Zurich, these are some tips that can help you.

Buy a ZurichCard

The ZurichCard is a card available to tourists that will allow you to enjoy a lot of freebies and discounts during your stay in the city. Among the many benefits of the ZurichCard are free use of the public transport in the city and free admission to over 40 museums located therein.

If you are planning to extend your trip outside the city of Zurich but just within the canton, you are probably better off buying the ZurichCard PLUS. Aside from the benefits offered with the regular ZurichCard, you can also enjoy unrestricted use of the public transport system operated by the Zurich Transport Services ZW within the canton of Zurich. Also, you are entitled to a 20% discount on entry fees in museums around Lake Zurich. You can even take free cruises across the lake.

Ride a Bike

Zurich is a bike-friendly city. In addition to the obvious health benefits of riding a bike, there are many sites within the city that are best enjoyed while cycling.

In Zurich, if you love to bike and if you are an early riser, you can hire a bike for free. There are around 300 bikes available in the different bike stations within Zurich, and you can use these bikes for free from 7:30 AM to 9:30 PM. All you need to do is to make a CHF20 deposit and to present a valid ID.

But you have to wake up early and to show up early at the bike station. The bike stations lend their bikes on a first come, first serve basis and they do not accept reservations.

Stay in a Backpacker Hotel

Zurich is an expensive city, that is true, but there are many choices for cheap accommodations here, and these include hostels and backpacker hotels. It takes a little bit of research to find these hostels to make reservations, but they are a world of convenience that will give you a lot of savings during your stay in Zurich. Some hostels even have a kitchen in some rooms, and it is always more cost-effective to cook your own meals rather than eat out.

The great thing about Zurich is that even though it is an expensive city to stay in, you can see and experience most of its best attractions free of charge.