Welcome to
Zürich!

Moving to a new city is an exciting adventure, but it can feel overwhelming when you do not know where to start. Follow the guide below for everything from stepping off the plane to feeling at home.

Last updated July 2026 · Suggest a correction

Before You Arrive

Documents, housing, travel planning and useful apps to prepare before the move.

Entry documents & visa

Administrative requirements vary significantly by nationality. EU/EFTA citizens enjoy simplified entry, while other students may need a visa or prior assurance of a residence permit.

Don't assume tourist entry is enough. Follow the instructions sent by your university and consult the relevant Swiss embassy or consulate when required.

Required documents checklist

  • Passport or national ID card
  • Visa or entry authorisation, where applicable
  • Confirmation of matriculation
  • Mobility or exchange confirmation
  • Rental agreement or accommodation confirmation
  • Proof of sufficient financial means, if requested
  • Health insurance documents, EHIC/GHIC where applicable
  • Passport photographs, prescriptions and medical letters if needed

Apply for housing now

Zürich has a severe housing shortage. The ETH/UZH Housing Office is the primary resource for international-reserved rooms.

Housing portal

Phone & digital prep

SBB Mobile logoSBB Mobile logoToo Good To Go logoZVV logoTWINT logo

Research transport passes

Don't buy a local ZVV pass until you know your address. Instead, compare the national Travelcards that can offer significant savings.

SwissPass compatibleTravelcards are linked to your personal SwissPass.
Pass typeCost (annual)Best for
Half Fare TravelcardCHF 120–190Occasional travel; roughly 50% off most tickets.
GA Travelcard (Youth)From CHF 2,650Frequent long-distance travel across Switzerland.
Night GACHF 99Unlimited evening and overnight travel for under-25s.

The “expensive” first month

  • Rental deposit: typically two to three months of rent.
  • Health insurance: the first payment is often retroactive.
  • Admin fees: residence permit and registration costs.

Electrical adapter

Switzerland uses Type J sockets. Standard two-pin Type C plugs often fit, but larger EU and Schuko plugs do not.

Type C and Type J plugs and socketsType C and Type J plugs and sockets

Arrival at Zürich Airport

Getting from Zürich Airport to the city, with the right public transport ticket.

From the airport to the city

Zürich Airport has a railway station below the Airport Shopping area. Trains to Zürich Hauptbahnhof (HB) generally run every 10 minutes and take approximately 15 minutes.

Airport railway station

Ticketing

Ticketing: Use the SBB Mobile or ZVV app and enter your actual destination — it calculates the correct zones. The airport is zone 121 and the city is zone 110 (which counts as two zones for fares), so an airport-to-city trip is a 3-zone ticket: CHF 7.20 adult single, or CHF 3.60 with a Half Fare Travelcard.
Buy or activate your ticket before boarding. Zürich uses a proof-of-payment system — the absence of barriers does not mean transport is free.

Zürich Hauptbahnhof (HB)

From Zürich Hauptbahnhof (HB)

HB is Zürich's main hub — trams, S-Bahns, and buses connect directly to all university buildings, student dorms, and city attractions. Most destinations are within 15–30 minutes, and the city centre is walkable from HB in under 10 minutes.

City centreWalkable from HB in under 10 minutes.
University connectionsTrams, S-Bahns and buses connect directly to university buildings.
Dorms and city attractionsMost destinations are within 15–30 minutes.

Residence Permit & Registration

Where, when and how to register for your Swiss residence permit.

Who must register, and where

New residents must register with their municipality within 14 days of moving in. Students staying longer than 90 days also need a residence permit. You register where you live, not where you study.

1. City of Zürich Registration

International arrivals into the City of Zürich must register in person, only possible after the effective move-in date, and an appointment is required.

2. Keep your Meldebestätigung

Your registration confirmation is useful for insurance, banking and other admin while you wait for the permit card.

Checklist

  • Valid passport or ID card, visa/entry authorisation where applicable
  • University admission confirmation & confirmation of matriculation
  • University mobility confirmation
  • Rental contract or accommodation confirmation
  • Proof of financial means, passport photograph, health insurance documents, if requested

Housing

Student housing sources, rental preparation and practical warnings.

Student Housing: WG Zimmer (shared flat rooms)

A shared flat is called a WG (Wohngemeinschaft) and a private room a WG-Zimmer. A room near the university commonly costs around CHF 500–1,000 per UZH's international housing guidance, though central private-market rooms can be significantly more expensive.

ETH/UZH Housing PortalLiving Science

Private Rentals

Furnished studios and serviced apartments, easier to arrange from abroad.

Modern & fastLarge marketTraditional adsFurnished flexible stays

Contract awareness

  • Always request a written rental agreement and check the landlord's identity.
  • Check exact rent, included charges, and deposit conditions.
  • Photograph the room and any existing damage on arrival. Maintain an inventory.

Watch out for scams

If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Walk away if you encounter:

  • Rent far below market value.
  • A landlord who is permanently “abroad” or cannot show the flat in person/live-video.
  • Pressure to pay immediately or crypto/gift-card payment requests.
Never transfer money based only on a photo of an ID or a convincing-looking contract.

Mobile Plans & Internet

Mobile providers, prepaid plans, eSIMs and internet access in Zürich.

Swiss mobile subscriptions are called Abos. Prices change constantly, so use comparis.ch to compare current deals. Check monthly cost after any promotion, activation fee, minimum contract period, cancellation notice, EU/UK roaming, and whether a Swiss bank account and residence permit is required.

Main network operators

premium provider, best rural/mountain coverage, higher regular prices

broad national coverage, physical stores, frequent promotional subscriptions

broad coverage, physical stores, many lower-cost promotional offers

Budget & flexible options

GoMo logoDigital Republic logoDigital Republic logoTalkTalk logoMUCHO Mobile logoWingo logoWingo logoYallo logoLebara logospusu logo

Home internet

First check whether internet is already included in the rent. Otherwise, a SIM-based mobile router can be more suitable for a short exchange than a 12–24 month fixed contract.

Campus WiFi (eduroam)

All Zürich universities provide eduroam, connect with your university credentials and follow the security-certificate instructions from your institution. Never accept an unexpected or unverified eduroam certificate merely to get online.

Banking, Cards & TWINT

Swiss bank accounts, cards, cash and getting started with TWINT.

Comparison Criteria

Don't just look at the headline price. Compare these factors:

  • Account & debit fees
  • FX markups (for travel)
  • Cash withdrawal charges
  • Closing procedures

Popular Providers

Public Transport in Zürich

Tickets, zones and the travelcards that can make getting around cheaper.

ZVV: the local network

The Zurich Transport Network is divided into fare zones. A network ticket enables you to travel on all means of transport within the relevant zones for the valid period.

  • The price of your ticket is determined by the number of zones you travel through.
  • Zones 110 (City of Zurich) and 120 (City of Winterthur) count double where prices are calculated. Check the route between your accommodation and campus before buying any pass.

Half Fare Travelcard

CHF 190/yr

The essential card for every student. Get 50% off almost all trains, buses, and boats in Switzerland.

Best for: Everyone

GA Travelcard

CHF 2,650/yr

Unlimited travel on all SBB trains and most other railways, boats, and buses across Switzerland.

Best for: Frequent travelers

Night GA

CHF 99/yr

Unlimited travel from 7 PM until 5 AM for anyone under 25. Perfect for night owls.

Best for: Students under 25

Saver Day Pass

From CHF 29

Book in advance for unlimited travel for a day. Prices increase as the travel date approaches.

Best for: Planned day trips

Friends Day Pass

CHF 80

Travel all day with up to 4 friends (under 25). Incredible value for group adventures.

Best for: Group excursions

ZVV NetworkPass

Varies

Monthly or yearly pass for the Zürich local network. Zone 110 covers the entire city center.

Best for: Daily commuting

Transit exploration

Find the simplest connections to go to university.

Höngg Campus

HB → ETH Hönggerberg

The main connection for students heading to ETH's Science City campus.

Train + Bus 80
ETH Link Campus

Zentrum ↔ Hönggerberg

ETH students and staff can use a free university shuttle between Zentrum and Hönggerberg.

eLink
Zentrum Campus

HB → ETH Zentrum

A useful connection for students studying at the Zentrum campus.

Trams 6, 9 & 10
Irchel Campus

HB → UZH Irchel

A useful connection for students studying at the Irchel campus.

Trams 7, 9, 10 & 14
UZH Link Campus

UZH Zentrum ↔ Oerlikon

UZH students and staff can use a free university shuttle between the UZH Zentrum and Campus Oerlikon.

UZH Shuttle
ZhDK Campus

HB → ZhDK

Toni-Areal is home to ZHdK and parts of ZHAW.

Tram 51
PH Campus

HB → PH Zürich

PH Zürich is next to Zürich HB and can be reached on foot through the Europaallee side of the station.

Walking distance · 5-10 min
OST Campus

HB → OST Zürich

OST Zürich is a short train ride away from Zürich HB.

S5, S7, S15 Train

Cycling in Zürich

Zürich is bicycle-friendly, but it is hilly and tram tracks demand extra attention from every cyclist.

Safety tips

  • Watch out for tram tracks: cross them at a wide angle.
  • Helmets are not mandatory but highly recommended.
  • Use clear hand signals before turning.
  • Cycling on sidewalks is illegal unless explicitly marked.

Health Insurance

Health insurance requirements, exemptions and what to arrange after arrival.

Mandatory Status

You have exactly 3 months from your arrival date in Switzerland to finalize your health insurance registration. Failure to do so may result in automatic assignment to a premium provider.

EU/EFTA Students

If you hold a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), you must submit an exemption request to the local health authority (SVA Zürich).

Note: exemption is only guaranteed if you don't have an income in Switzerland.

Non-EU/EFTA Packages

You must purchase a Swiss health insurance policy or an approved student package. Student packages are significantly cheaper.

Compare

Comparison Criteria

PremiumMonthly cost
DeductibleAnnual 'Franchise'
Contribution10% co-pay
AccidentIncluded cover

Liability & Household

Private liability insurance (Privathaftpflicht) is strongly recommended. Most landlords require it to cover potential damage to the rental property.

Pharmacy (Apotheke)

Look for the green cross. For many student insurances, you must pay for medication upfront and then claim the money back from your provider.

Cost of Living

A realistic overview of rent, food, transport and monthly student expenses.

Zürich is expensive. Look at a realistic monthly budget breakdown:

Housing

Shared room / WG-Zimmer

CHF 700-1,300+

Food & Goods

Groceries and household items

CHF 300-500

Transport

Local travel and occasional trips

CHF 0-180

Insurance

Highly variable based on origin

CHF 60-350+

Other variables

  • Mobile planCHF 10-40
  • Study materialsCHF 30-100
  • Social activities & travelCHF 100-500+
  • Emergency reserveCHF 100+

Language

The languages you will hear and useful ways to learn German in Zürich.

Standard German (Hochdeutsch) is used for most written communication. Everyday spoken language is Swiss German (Schweizerdeutsch), which sounds quite different.

English is widely used at ETH and UZH, but administration, rental communication and healthcare may be easier with basic German. Swiss people may reply in Swiss German even when you speak Standard German, it's fine to politely ask for Hochdeutsch.

Useful phrases

Free language courses

UZH/ETH Sprachenzentrum

Explore semester-long language courses across levels and register during the enrolment period.

View course catalog
Tandem language exchange

Find a language-learning partner and practise German in exchange for your native language.

Join tandem program

Shopping & Everyday Life

Groceries, recycling, opening hours and other everyday essentials.

Supermarkets

Budget options

Usually the cheapest options for a full weekly shop.

AldiLidlDenner
Sunday closing: most ordinary shops close on Sundays and public holidays. Exceptions include Zürich HB (ShopVille is open daily), Zürich Airport, Stadelhofen station, and some petrol stations. Plan your main grocery shop for Saturday at the latest.

Second-hand culture

Zürich has a strong second-hand culture. A second-hand shop is commonly called a Brockenhaus, Brocki or Brockenstube. Tutti, Ricardo, Facebook Marketplace and university groups are also useful, and regular flea markets run at spots like Bürkliplatz and Kanzlei near Helvetiaplatz.

Tutti.chTutti.chRicardoMarkoMarko

Waste & recycling

Ordinary household rubbish must go in official chargeable Zürich waste bags (Züri-Sack); PET, aluminum, cardboard, glass, metal, batteries, and electronics are collected separately. Ask your landlord or flatmates which bags to buy and where containers are, the City of Zürich's waste app lists collection dates. Municipalities outside the city may use different bags and systems.

Download ERZ app

Laundry & quiet hours

Many buildings share a laundry room with a timetable, check your assigned slot, payment method, and drying-room rules, and never remove another resident's laundry. Building rules commonly expect reduced noise at night, early morning, Sundays and public holidays, read the Hausordnung attached to your rental agreement.

Reduce noise at night, early morning, Sundays and public holidays.

Mail and parcels

Don't ignore registered letters from migration authorities, your municipality, SVA Zürich, insurers, banks, your landlord or university — collect any missed-delivery notice before its deadline.

Social Zürich

Where to meet people, go out and discover Zürich beyond the university.

Zürich is expensive, but student bars, university societies, public swimming areas and second-hand shops make it possible to enjoy the city on a budget. Opening hours change during holidays and exam periods — always check a venue's current page before travelling, especially for student-run bars.

Student Bars & Hangouts

bQm Kulturcafé & Bar

Just below the Polyterrasse, this student-run bar is a great place to meet fellow students and enjoy a drink. They also offer a varied entertainment program.

ETH Zentrum, below Polyterrasse
Loch Ness

The bar of the student association AIV in Höngg. It features a dance floor, table football, and darts. A great spot for a relaxed evening after studying.

HXE, ETH Hönggerberg
PapperlaPub

PapperlaPub is the student-run bar of VSETH. Usually every Wednesday from 6pm at CAB to sweeten your evening with cool beer, tasty drinks, and cool specials.

CAB D 21, ETH Zentrum

Cafés, bars & restaurants

A few starting points rather than a definitive list:

  • Kafi's Freud: Great for breakfast/brunch.
  • Hiltl: Historic vegetarian restaurant, student discount available with ID.
  • Tibetasia: Affordable Tibetan restaurant in the heart of Zürich.
  • Cabaret Voltaire: Birthplace of Dadaism, exhibitions and bar.
  • Blindekuh: Dine in complete darkness, reserve ahead.
  • Amboss Rampe: A club, bar, cultural house, and restaurant all in one.
  • Frau Gerolds: Terrace bar with view over the railroad tracks.

Sports & Outdoors

ASVZ, swimming, hiking and affordable ways to stay active.

ASVZ

The Academic Sports Association Zürich offers fitness, swimming, climbing, yoga, dance, martial arts, team sports, rowing and outdoor courses. Download the app and complete university-account verification soon after enrolment — popular classes can fill within minutes.

Check schedule Membership info

Hiking

Switzerland's hiking network is excellent, but mountain hiking shouldn't be treated like a city walk. Check the weather and trail conditions, choose a route suitable for the least experienced person, wear shoes with good grip, and carry enough water, food and sun/rain protection.

Yellow signsOrdinary hiking routes White-red-whiteMountain trails

Swimming

Swimming in the river and lake is a major part of summer life: Flussbad Oberer Letten and Unterer Letten and Werdinsel are popular Limmat spots, Blatterwiese is the perfect lake spot.

River safety: swim only at designated swimming areas and leave the water before barriers.

Winter sports

Costs add up fast with equipment, travel and lift passes, reduce costs by renting gear, booking on weekdays, and checking ASVZ or ESN trips. Flumserberg and Hoch-Ybrig are popular options reachable from Zürich by public transport. Beginners should book a lesson rather than relying on friends.

Emergency Information

Important phone numbers, medical care and what to do when you need help.

Emergency numbers: Police 117 · Fire brigade 118 · Ambulance 144 · European emergency 112

ESN safe person

Our safe person is a trained ESN volunteer available confidentially if you feel unsafe, uncomfortable, or need any kind of non-emergency support at events or during your exchange.

Contact the safe person

Mental health resources

  • ETH/UZH joint psychological counselling service — confidential counselling and crisis support for eligible students
  • Primary Crisis Hotline — 143 (mainly German), 18:00-23:00
  • Nightline Zürich — 044 633 77 77, help-line from students for students, 20:00-00:00
  • Mental Health Helpline - 147, support for young people facing mental health challenges, bullying, and suicide risk.
  • Heart2Heart English Hotline - 0800 143 000 (English), 18:00-23:00
  • Suicide Prevention Helpline - 027 321 21 21 (French), 08:00-20:00
  • Gender-Based Violence and Trauma Support - 0800 33 55 33
  • LGBTIQ-Helpline - 0800 133 133 (German)

Before Leaving Switzerland

Deregistration, contracts, deposits and the final tasks before you leave Switzerland.

Start preparations 4-6 weeks before departure:

  1. −6 weeksNotice periods
  2. −4 weeksDeregistration
  3. −2 weeksFinal inspection
  4. DepartureSwiss bank account

Accommodation

  • Give notice on your accommodation, arrange the final inspection and photograph the room.
  • Return all keys and request the deposit return.
  • Sell, donate or correctly dispose of furniture and unwanted items.

Deregistration & documents

  • Deregister from your municipality and keep the confirmation.
  • Redirect important mail and download university documents/transcripts.

Contracts, banking & refunds

  • Cancel or transfer health, liability, and household insurance.
  • Cancel mobile and internet contracts, and prevent Half Fare/Night GA auto-renewal if unwanted.
  • Empty TWINT Prepaid before closing it.

Don't close your Swiss bank account before all rent-deposit, insurance, and utility refunds have arrived.

Need even more detail?

Read the ESN Switzerland guide.

ESN Switzerland puts together a country-wide guide for exchange students — visas, health insurance, banking, and everything else that applies beyond Zürich.

Open the Swiss Guide ESN Zürich FAQ