The romance of Shahrukh Khan and Kajol in Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (DDLJ) on the snowy Swiss Alps added Switzerland to my Europe bucket list since the ’90s. Visiting Switzerland was one of my most cherished travel dreams, and when I got my ticket to Paris, I knew I had to visit nearby Zurich, even for just 2 days. No amount of money or time constraint could stop me.
So while I was in Paris, I planned a weekend trip and spent two days in Zurich. Two days in Zurich is definitely not enough — but it’s enough to fall in love with the entire country.
Doing a Europe city-hopping trip? Check out my other short 2 to 3 days guides to Prague, Vienna, Munich, and Nuremberg.
Things to know before planning your 2 days in Zurich excursion
Currency – CHF (Swiss Francs). Euros are accepted in some places, but at an exchange rate that works against you.
Language – German, French, Italian & Romansh. Swiss German is the widely spoken dialect..
Public Transport – An excellent, punctual network of trams, buses, and trains connects the whole city.
Expense – Zurich is pretty expensive, especially if you’re going from India – budget accordingly
Travel Pass – The Zurich Card gives unlimited public transport plus free or discounted entry to many museums (more on this below).
Water – Tap water is safe for drinking.
Safety – One of the safest countries in the World.
Punctuality – Highly punctual. Buses, trams, and trains run right on time.
Getting to Zurich & Getting Around
If you’re flying in, Zurich Airport (ZRH) is directly connected to the city centre by train — the ride to Zürich Hauptbahnhof (HB), the main station, takes about 10 minutes, with trains running every few minutes. Skip the taxi; it’s slower and considerably more expensive.
If you’re arriving by train from elsewhere in Switzerland, or from a neighbouring country like Germany, France, or Italy, Zürich HB is your stop, and it puts you within walking distance of the Old Town.
For getting around once you’re here, Zurich’s tram and bus network (VBZ) is excellent and covers the whole city. Depending on how long you’re staying, you can pick up single tickets for one-off rides, a 24-hour pass if you’re moving around a lot in a day, or the Zurich Card (available for 1 or 2 days) — which covers unlimited public transport within the city zone, plus free or discounted entry to many museums and the Limmat River cruise. If you’re planning to hit several of the sights below, this usually works out cheaper than paying separately. (Check current prices on the official Zürich Tourism or ZVV site before you travel, as these are revised periodically.)
Savouring 2 days in Zurich amid all the snow
Pondering the places to visit in Zurich in 2 days, I decided that I want to see at least one of the famous Alpine ranges. So, my 2-day Zurich itinerary also includes a day trip to Mount Titlis. Why Mount Titlis? I loved DDLJ when I was a teenager, so it instantly became my bucket list item. So, here’s how I spent my two days in Zurich.
2 days in Zurich – Day 1
Walk in the Old Town
To be honest, I walked a lot around the Old Town. One mistake I made was booking a hotel outside the main town, but I tried to turn that to my advantage — I started my day early and didn’t return to my room unless I had to. Even the snow couldn’t stop me. The pretty homes, cobbled streets, and high-end retail kept me occupied. It was the best part of my two days in Zurich.
Fraumünster Church
The 9th-century church is one of the landmark icons of the city and tops most lists of places to visit in Zurich in 2 days. The Fraumünster Church isn’t as grand as the ones I saw in Vienna or Prague, but the five huge stained-glass windows designed by Marc Chagall are the main attraction — each window follows its own colour theme. There’s a small entry fee to view the windows up close, though the exterior is free to admire. It’s centrally located in the Old Town, so it’s an easy add-on to your walk.
Grossmünster Cathedral
The two-towered church is another iconic Zurich symbol. According to legend, the cathedral is built on the site of the graves of the city’s patrons, making it one of the top places to visit in Zurich in 2 days.
One of the odd things here is that the entry charge for the Grossmünster, even as low as 5 Swiss Francs, feels out of place for a religious site. That said, if you like city views, it’s worth it — you can climb the 187 stairs of the tower for a panoramic view of Zurich.
Zurich Lake
Zurich Lake is one of the most popular places to visit in Zurich. You’ll understand why the moment you see it — the views of the Alps and the chance to sit at the lake shore alongside locals make it worth the time.
Like swimming? You can swim in Zurich Lake, mostly during summer. The lake is usually the centre point of various activities in the city. Seasonal boat cruises also run on the lake if you’d like to see the city from the water. Apart from the usual, I’d recommend finding a restaurant with a lake view for a meal.
Zurich Opera House
When you’re near the lake, take a quick detour to see the 19th-century Zurich Opera House. If your time allows, you could even catch a show — if not, the building itself is worth appreciating from outside.
Limmat River
The outflow of Zurich Lake feeds into the Limmat River, where cruises and boating are popular. If you’ve purchased the Zurich Card, the cruise on the Limmat River is included.
Ride the Tram
Zurich’s public transport is excellent, and the trams are a delight to ride. My 2 days in Zurich included a lot of back-and-forth tram rides. Since I stayed a bit outside the city, I had to take the bus from the last tram stop. Even the buses run on time, are comfortable, and are a genuinely pleasant way to get around Zurich.
What to Eat in Zurich (Chocolate, Fondue & More)
Switzerland’s chocolate reputation isn’t hype, and Zurich is one of the best places to indulge it:
- Sprüngli — the Zurich institution, famous for its Luxemburgerli (mini macarons) and hot chocolate, with a flagship café right on Paradeplatz.
- Lindt Home of Chocolate — technically in nearby Kilchberg, a short train ride from HB, but worth the detour if your two days have any flexibility — it’s one of the most-searched Zurich experiences.
- Läderach — another well-loved local chocolatier if you want to compare notes.
For a proper meal, this is your chance to try Switzerland’s national dishes: fondue (melted cheese, bread, and a lot of dipping) and raclette (cheese melted and scraped tableside over potatoes and pickles). Both are widely available at restaurants around the Old Town and near the lake — look for “Käsefondue” on the menu, especially useful if you’re visiting in winter, as I was.
Budget tip: Zurich is expensive across the board, so if you’re watching costs, department store food halls (like the one at Jelmoli) or a bakery lunch are a good way to eat well without sit-down restaurant prices.
Shopping… err Window Shopping
There’s no doubt Switzerland is an expensive country. I roamed the city centre gawking at the showrooms. Every time I stepped into one, I came out empty-handed — except once, when I managed to buy a watch for my brother that luckily fit my budget 😀 It all comes down to what you’re willing to spend. If you have the budget (and the heart) to spend on items from a fancy showroom, Zurich has an amazing collection.
2 days in Zurich – Day 2
Mount Titlis
Switzerland is home to some of the highest mountain ranges in Europe, including Jungfraujoch, known as the Top of Europe. The travel time from Zurich to Jungfraujoch is almost 10 hours, so I chose Mount Titlis instead. If you’d rather visit Jungfraujoch, I’d recommend basing yourself closer to that mountain range.
It takes almost 2 hours to reach Mount Titlis from Zurich by train, via Zürich HB, with an interchange, and the final stop at Engelberg. The train ride itself is memorable, with panoramic views of snow-covered mountains and the Swiss countryside. From Engelberg, a short bus ride takes you to the Gondola base station, and from there, a 360° rotating gondola carries you up to the top of Mount Titlis. The views from the gondola are mesmerizing — grab a spot by the glass window to enjoy them.
I would say budget roughly a full day for the round trip once you factor in the train, the gondola, and time at the summit — and check current combined ticket prices on the official Mount Titlis site, since train + cable car + Cliff Walk pricing changes periodically.
At the top, it is freezing — literally. I forgot my gloves, forgive me it was my first ever international solo trip. All I could do to warm up was by holding a hot coffee (on repeat). There’s also the highest suspension bridge in Europe here, called the Titlis Cliff Walk. Despite the freezing temperatures, I went ahead and did the walk, and it’s something I’ll never forget. It’s snow everywhere — the scene stays with you. If you remember your gloves (unlike me), you can also play in the snow for a while or ski back down. Take your pick!
Don’t rush back — spend some time here and grab a meal at the restaurant on Mount Titlis. Vegetarian choices are limited, so I went with fries and coffee, but it’s worth it just for the scenery.
Your second day of 2 days in Zurich will mostly revolve around getting to and from Mount Titlis. If time permits, take a walk around the city centre near the main station on your way back — it’s a nice way to see local life before you leave.
Where to Stay in Zurich
I stayed at Hotel Ibis Zurich Adliswil — not exactly in the city, but a bit outside, and well suited for business travellers and budget-conscious solo travellers like me. It was snowing in Zurich even in March, and I woke up to this view most mornings:
If you’re flying in and out of Zurich via flights, Hilton Zurich Airport will also be a great option for you. Their smooth check in process, spacious and comfortable rooms are admired by travellers.
Though if your choice is to stay in the city here for your 2 days in Zurich, here are some options on where to stay in Zurich –
Hotel Glockenhof Zürich – A hotel with beautiful exteriors in the old town of Zurich should be on your list. Apart from the location, I give another point to the room choices available here.
Hotel Schweizerhof Zürich – Excellent rooms right in the city centre, with gorgeous architecture, and barely a 15-minute walk from Lake Zurich.
Fleming’s Hotel Zürich – A decently priced hotel in Zurich’s Old Town, good if you’d like a residential feel. A great choice if you’re travelling with a partner.
Hotel St. Josef – A 3-star hotel just 10 minutes from Zurich main station, with welcoming staff, a great breakfast, and numerous restaurants nearby.
Sorell Hotel Seidenhof – A 3-minute walk from Zurich main station, near the shopping street Bahnhofstrasse. Great if you want a coffee machine in your room, and perfect for location.
HAVE YOU TRAVELED TO ZURICH? DID YOU SPEND 2 DAYS IN ZURICH OR MORE? WHAT DID YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT IT? TELL ME IN THE COMMENTS BELOW!
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