Zurich Trip and Food Budget

Our last day in Zurich was wonderful and I will share with you the Zurich trip and food budget of our stay. And, thankful also that the weather was quite nice. Our second day here was gloomy, and it rained after our cruise, so we weren’t able to explore much. We actually wanted to ride the cable car to see an aerial view of the city, but unfortunately, that didn’t push through. But at least the weather today is good, so we were able to walk around the city before heading back to Germany. You can check out our train journey here.

After checking out of the hotel, we took a tram to Zurich Main Train Station. There, we left our bags in the lockers provided for passengers who wanted to explore the city without carrying their bags or luggage. The lockers here come in all sizes. You just put your bag in, lock it, and it prints a receipt. When you come back, you pay for your locker number to unlock it and get your bags. That’s what we did. Then we went around and explored while waiting for our train schedule to go to Germany.

Gallivanting in Zurich Began

We exited the train station, which has the Swiss National Museum right in front of it. Then we crossed over to the riverwalk and did some sightseeing for a bit, watching the boats that were leaving. After that, we crossed again and walked along the riverside promenade. It was still a bit gloomy, but at least it wasn’t raining, so the surroundings were still nice for taking pictures.

Autumn Foliage in Zurich

The foliage in Zurich just started to change colors in early autumn. I was happy because I like to take pictures of nature and landscapes. There was a slight breeze here and there but it did not bother me. This was our last day in Switzerland and we had to make the best of it. You can watch the short video here.

We Loved the Zurich Tram Rides

And, I would like to add that the trams in Zurich were amazing. If given a chance to stay there a little while, I would probably spend a lot of time just riding the trams and not getting off. The wide windows were enough for me to do sightseeing while traveling. My husband loved the clean and spacious seats in the trams.

Strolling the Limmat River Promenade

We strolled the picturesque promenade along the serene Limmat River, lined with quaint historic buildings featuring green window shutters and classic European architecture. Along the riverside promenade, were outdoor cafes with umbrellas looking cozy, energetic atmosphere where people enjoy meals and the scenic view. The mix of vintage and vibrant charm architectural grandeur, and lively riverfront life makes this shot a perfect postcard moment of Zurich.

The Iconic Grossmunster Church in Zurich

We kept stopping to take photos because it was autumn when we visited, and the scenery was beautiful. The autumn colors of the leaves really added contrast to everything. We walked all the way to the iconic Grossmunster Church, where there were a lot of tourists. The first towers that caught my attention while approaching the Old Town. There were several cathedrals, restaurants, and cafes in the area. The architecture in Zurich was also astonishing especially the huge clocks on the buildings.

Zurich’s Old Town (Altstadt)

We proceeded to the charming plaza in Zurich’s Old Town (Altstadt). The place was splendid and bursting with color, character, and cozy European vibes. The buildings around the square were colorful—blue, yellow, red, and white—with cute windows and small shops and restaurants on the ground floor.

In the center of the plaza, there was a big round fountain surrounded by cobblestone streets. It was such an eye-catching centerpiece. We would loved to join these people who were sitting at outdoor tables under umbrellas, enjoying food and drinks but we didn’t think we had enough time. The colorful, medieval buildings gave off such good vibes.

Heading Back to Zurich Station and Restroom Fees

We made our way back to the train station through the district. When we got back to the station, we still had about an hour left before our train to Germany arrived. That was good because we still had time for lunch. By the way, Zurich Main Station has a lot of shops, including restaurants, so you won’t go hungry while waiting for your trip. There are also restrooms, but you have to pay to use them. I went to the bathroom twice since we’d been walking around. I used my US bank card to pay, and it cost 1.50 Swiss Francs per swipe.

Food and Budget Matters

Zurich can definitely be expensive, but you can also find ways to save depending on how you choose to eat. If you prefer dining at upscale restaurants, your daily expenses will be higher. But if you’re okay with fast food or takeout, it’s more budget-friendly. On average, we spent around $100 to $150 per day just on food. This amount doesn’t include other expenses like tours, transportation, and souvenirs.

In the mornings, we’d go to a local cafe for breakfast. For lunch, we usually ate at a restaurant. And, in the evenings, we’d either grab dinner from Migros (a grocery store right next to our hotel) or take out food from Zurich’s main train station, which has a variety of food stalls and shops. It was a good way to eat well without overspending.

Daily Food Budget in Zurich

Expect to spend $100–150 per day per couple on food, depending on your choices.

Meal Routine Example:

• Breakfast: Cafe nearby
• Lunch: Dine-in restaurant
• Dinner: Takeout from Migros or the Zurich Main Train Station (many affordable options)

Food Tip:

Food in Zurich can be pricey, but you can cut costs by mixing dine-in meals with takeaway or supermarket options. Migros and Coop are another popular chain that offers good quality meals at reasonable prices.

Enjoyable Experience in Zurich

Overall, our Zurich trip was short but was marvelous. The experience is totally different when you actually visit—you get to soak in the surroundings, interact with the locals, use their infrastructure, and taste the local food. If we get the chance to come back in the future, we’d love to explore more places in Switzerland.

For people like me and my husband who love photography, there is no doubt that Zurich is one of the best places in the world for landscape photographers. The city invites you to take a lot of photos because of its scenic landscape and striking views.

I hope you learn something from our Zurich trip and food budget spending. Comment below if you have questions or if you have something to add.

More photos from our Zurich trip.

I hope you enjoy this short article. Have you been to Zurich? If you have something to add or questions, feel free to comment below. Thank you for reading!