Train to Zurich - connections, tickets and itinerary

• Destination station: Zürich Hauptbahnhof (HB), Bahnhofplatz 15, 8001 Zürich.

• Local transport: extensive network of trams, buses and S-Bahn - a single ticket costs a dozen zloty, a daily ticket a few dozen.

• Nature of destination: financial centre of Europe with a rich cultural offer - you'll find nearly 1,200 drinking fountains, Kunsthaus Zürich, Museum Rietberg, Grossmünster and Fraumünster.

• Best time to go: April-May and September - the daytime temperature is 17-20°C, there is less tourist traffic than in summer and accommodation prices are lower.

• How much to go for: a weekend (2-3 days) is enough for the main attractions in the centre; a week allows you to add Lake Zurich and Rhin Falls.

• Practical tip: plan your budget in advance - Zurich is one of Europe's most expensive cities, especially in terms of accommodation and restaurants.

The best choice is April-May or September, when daytime temperatures are 17-20°C and tourist traffic is lower than in summer.

Spring (March–May)

• March temperatures are 8-10°C and May 17-19°C – a good time for long walks along Lake Zurich.

• The parks and gardens along the lake are in bloom and you can visit the centre without long queues at the attractions.

• Accommodation prices are lower than at the peak summer months, especially when booked in advance.

Summer (June–August)

• Daytime highs reach 21-26°C, so take advantage of the lakeside bathing facilities.

• August sees the Street Parade – one of the biggest electronic music events in Europe.

• Tourist traffic is high and accommodation prices reach their peak for the year.

• Afternoon thunderstorms occur regularly, so it is worth carrying a light rain jacket or umbrella.

Autumn (September–November)

• September brings 18-20°C during the day and noticeably less tourist traffic than during the summer holidays.

• Lake Zurich and the city's parks look particularly spectacular at this time of year.

• From October onwards, accommodation prices drop, making it a good time for a city break.

Winter (December–February)

• In December, one of the largest Christmas markets in Switzerland takes place at Zürich Hauptbahnhof station.

• Daytime temperatures are 2-5°C and snow appears regularly.

• Outside December, tourist traffic is low, so you can visit museums and galleries at a more leisurely pace.

You will get to Zurich with one or two changes, usually in Germany or Vienna. You change trains at the same station.

Wrocław – Zurich

• The journey from Wrocław takes 9-10 hours.

• You change trains in Frankfurt or Munich.

• First you take a PKP Intercity train and then an international train to Zurich.

Katowice – Zurich

• From Katowice to Zurich you travel 9-10 hours.

• You change trains in Vienna or Munich.

• With a morning departure, you arrive in Zurich the same day.

Kraków – Zurich

• On the route from Kraków the journey takes 10-11 hours.

• You change trains in Vienna or Munich.

• Travelling through Austria, you will see a stretch of the Alps along the way.

Warsaw – Zurich

• From Warsaw to Zurich you travel 11-12 hours.

• You change trains in Frankfurt or Munich.

• Overnight connections are also available, so you arrive in the morning and can start sightseeing straight away.

Seat reservations are compulsory for the international section. You can buy your ticket on Europodróże without registering – you receive it by email and SMS. 30 minutes before departure, an SMS reminder arrives with a direct link to your ticket. The earlier you buy, the better the price and the greater the choice of seats. For PKP Intercity tickets, refunds are possible up to 20 minutes before departure and exchanges up to 30 minutes before departure – see the refund and exchange policy page for details.

Once you leave Zürich Hauptbahnhof station, you are in the centre - Bahnhofstrasse starts at the station, and you can walk to Grossmünster and Lake Zurich in a few minutes. For a city break in Zurich, you mainly get around on foot.

You can reach the outlying districts by tram or S-Bahn, the city railway. The transport network is extensive and punctual. A single ticket costs several zlotys, and a daily ticket costs several dozen. For several journeys a day it is better to buy a day ticket.

Taxi and shuttle services operate near the railway station and throughout the city. A short ride around the city centre costs a few tens of zlotys, so this is more of a solution for a late evening or a ride with luggage.

Zurich has a city bike rental system. There are cycle paths along Lake Zurich, so a bicycle works well in summer and late spring.

As far as accommodation is concerned, popular locations are the centre, i.e. the area around the train station and Altstadt, and the Zürich West district. The centre is an easy walk to the main attractions, while galleries, restaurants and an industrial atmosphere await in Zürich West. Book your accommodation in advance - hotels fill up fastest during the Street Parade in August.

Where to stay:

• The centre (around the train station and Altstadt) - easy access to the main attractions, ideal for a short stay

• Zürich West - galleries, restaurants and industrial vibe, less touristy atmosphere

Grossmünster

Romanesque cathedral from the 12th century, a symbol of Zurich visible from many points in the city. Tours of the interior are free, there is a fee to climb the tower. The tour takes 30-45 minutes and from the top you will see the Old Town and Lake Zurich.

Fraumünster

The church across the Limmat River, famous for its five stained glass windows designed by Marc Chagall. There is an entrance fee. The tour takes 20-30 minutes.

St Peter's Church

On its tower is the largest church clock in Europe, with a dial 8.7 metres in diameter. Entrance to the church is free. The tour takes several minutes.

Bahnhofstrasse

One of the most expensive shopping streets in the world, it leads from the train station to Lake Zurich. Walking the entire street takes 15-20 minutes. Even without shopping, it is worth walking this route for the architecture and the view of the lake at the end of the street.

Kunsthaus Zürich

One of the largest art museums in Switzerland. The collection includes works from the Middle Ages to the present day, including works by Monet, Picasso and Giacometti. There is an entrance fee. The tour takes 2-3 hours.

Museum Rietberg

Museum of non-European art with collections from Asia, Africa and the Americas, located in the Rieter Park overlooking the Alps. There is an entrance fee. The tour takes 1.5-2 hours.

Lake Zurich

In the summer, the city's bathing facilities operate here, and a boat cruise allows you to see the city from a different perspective. You can finish your walk along the shore at any time - there are benches and drinking water fountains along the way.

Plan for day 1

Start the morning at Grossmünster and Fraumünster, which stand on two sides of the Limmat River. On the way, you will pass St Peter's Church. At midday, walk along Bahnhofstrasse from the train station to Lake Zurich - the walk alone takes 15-20 minutes. Spend the afternoon at Kunsthaus Zürich or Museum Rietberg, depending on whether you want to see European or non-European art. In the evening, return to the Altstadt for dinner at one of the riverside restaurants.

Plan for the weekend (2-3 days)

Day 1: Arrange the same as the 1-day plan.

Day 2: Drive to the Zürich West district, a former industrial zone turned into a trendy part of the city with galleries, restaurants and the Markthalle im Viadukt.

Day 3: If you have a third day, take the train to Rhin Falls - a 45-minute one-way journey.

What to eat

Zürcher Geschnetzeltes - sliced veal in a cream sauce, served with rösti. You'll find this dish in most traditional restaurants in the Altstadt.

Cheese fondue and raclette - a Swiss classic worth trying especially in autumn and winter.

Where to eat:

• Restaurants in the Altstadt - serve both traditional and modern cuisine; dinner in an average restaurant is an expense of tens to over a hundred zloty

• Zürich West - more establishments with international cuisine and a less touristy atmosphere

• Markthalle im Viadukt - a market hall with local products: cheeses, cold cuts, wine and baked goods; a good place to buy food souvenirs

Souvenirs

• Swiss chocolate - a classic Zurich souvenir; shops can be found on Bahnhofstrasse and in the centre, and you can also buy a basic selection at Zürich Hauptbahnhof station

• Products from the Markthalle im Viadukt - cheeses, cold cuts, wine and baked goods from local producers

• Fashion shopping - Bahnhofstrasse brings together luxury brands; for less expensive purchases, you can shop in the shopping centre next to the station and in the shops in Zürich West

The water in Zurich's fountains is drinkable, so you don't need to buy bottled water.

Zurich is one of the most expensive cities in Europe, so it is worth planning your budget before you travel.

Amounts do not include the train ticket from Poland.

The budget option assumes accommodation in a hostel, food in cheaper establishments and shops, and free attractions such as churches, a walk along Bahnhofstrasse, Lake Zurich and the drinking fountains. The mid-range option includes a two- or three-star hotel, restaurants and 1-2 museums per day. The comfort option means a four- or five-star hotel, restaurants serving fondue and raclette, taxis and a fuller museum itinerary.

Quite a few activities are free: entrance to the interiors of the churches, a walk along the lake, summer bathing facilities and drinking water from the fountains. By booking accommodation in advance, you will often pay less.