Traveling or studying abroad and wondering how to spend the perfect winter wonderland weekend in Switzerland experience? This post is all about how to spend the perfect weekend in Switzerland, centralized around Zürich, Switzerland. You’ll experience all the things, the alps, snow, chocolate, Christmas markets, and so much more. Read on to find out how you can plan your weekend in Switzerland!
Weekend in Switzerland
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Places to Stay Zurich – AirBnB
My AirBnb: my AirBnB
Finding an AirBnB while solo traveling is probably your highest priority in planning. After all, it’s just you. Don’t be stupid. READ the reviews, then read them again, and again. Read reviews of at least 5, then look at them relative to how close they are to get from one place to the next. The last thing you want is one that is hard to find at night when you’re alone. I’m all about solo travel, but I’m also all about being safe – don’t be stupid. There are PLENTY of budget friendly options (which is surprising for such an expensive city) that you can choose from for your weekend in Switzerland. However, paying a tiny bit more (like $20 or so a night) is worth it to feel a bit safer especially if traveling alone. If at ALL possible, I recommend staying at a place where you can self check in, and don’t share with other people. If you can stay with a local who speaks your language and is the same gender or is a family, I also very much recommend that as well for safety so you have someone to reach if needed!
I stayed at a very cozy little place close to the train stop I got off at from Zurich airport to my AirBnB. It was also very close to the city center area where I was exploring, and the trains to get to Christmas markets! Easy to find, and in a very safe neighborhood. I had no safety concerns the entire weekend in Switzerland. Complete with a little bottle of champagne and a cute little pair of earrings, this place was PERFECT for what I needed! Easy to check in on my own and easy to use. Not to mention the wifi situation was ELITE. I was able to stream the Cincinnati Bearcats game (they were KILLING it too) from my room in SWITZERLAND. Y’all… SO COOL. The Swiss certainly have Italy beat on wifi! CLICK HERE to find the exact AirBnB I stayed at in Zurich on my solo adventure!
Take the Swiss Trains
So I’m going to be totally honest, I never truly did “figure out” the local trains during my weekend in Switzerland. I lacked confidence and was trying to cram a lot into a weekend in Zurich while learning so many new things at once. HOWEVER, the big trains like in this picture below? Those were FANTASTIC. Super easy to figure out and understand. PRO TRAVELER TIP: USE GOOGLE MAPS FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT. ALWAYS. I can’t stress this enough. Sorry but Apple sucks for this. I got lost like… a lot on my first solo trips because I was given some confusing directions, lack of key details that matter when getting from one place to another.
I honestly can’t really fully explain why Apple isn’t the best but I had better luck with Google for public transportation in Europe! These trains will take you to the city center from the AirBnB to get to all the fun Christmas markets! To get the local legendary “Swiss train” experience, you’ll want to take part in the day trip to the Alps experience mentioned later in this post. There, you’ll get the complete experience of taking a Swiss train through the Alps without it costing a fortune.
Churches and Limmat Riverview
If you want the iconic view of Zurich and its churches, you’ll want to walk around and explore while going to and from Christmas markets and other weekend activities! These are great spots for photos and views of the Swiss Alps!
Check out Zürich’s Top 5 Switzerland Christmas Markets
So no winter weekend in Switzerland is complete without taking the time to visit Christmas markets. With the German influence in them, there’s no way you’re going to miss out on visiting these. Truly the experience of a lifetime. When I was researching for my own trip, I found a few YouTube videos from locals that were SO helpful in listing out some of the best Christmas markets, including where to go and WHY. My personal favorite was the one with the singing Christmas tree, because they sang Christmas carols in English, German, and Swiss German. These kids know like… 7+ different languages at home. Insane! Click HERE to view the video on the best Christmas markets to get you hyped up. Below are the top 5 of the best markets and a link to directions on how to get there from the train station.
1. Zurich Hauptbahnhof: See the Swarovski Tree
Directions: HERE
At the Christmas market located in Zurich’s main train station, you’ll find something amazing. Like… dreams come true amazing. If you are a NUT for Christmas and went on this trip purely for the winter wonderland experience this is something you literally cannot miss. If anything, miss other stuff and not this! In the center of the train station in Zurich is the Swarovski Christmas tree, complete with 7,000+ crystal ornaments. (Yes, 7,000.) Truly the best way to make your weekend in Switzerland complete.
This tree is breathtaking… and none of my photos do justice to explain the experience when you walk in and see it. Around the tree is the market itself. There are tons of cute little shops complete with places to get Gluwein and other yums. This market is truly here for the tree, no lie. You literally won’t miss it because you’ll be at the train station to get to the rest of the markets!
2. Werdmühleplatz: See the Singing Christmas Tree
Directions: HERE
Y’all. To say this tree is insane is an UNDERSTATEMENT. This tree is SO COOL. Located at the Werdmühleplatz, this Christmas market is complete with a singing Christmas tree with a children’s choir singing carols in English, German, and so many other languages. This is an experience you will NOT forget, and won’t want to miss. This Christmas market is just a 3 minute walk from Zurich Hauptbanhof, the main train station where the Swarovski Christmas tree is located! Click HERE for walking directions to the market from the train station!
3. Grossmünster
Directions: HERE
Closer on the side of your AirBnb there is a Christmas market around the Grossmünster, one of the most famous churches in Zurich. “In the first half of the 16th century, the Grossmünster church was the starting point of the Swiss-German Reformation led by Huldrych Zwingli and Heinrich Bullinger. The theological college then annexed to the monastery spawned what is now the University of Zürich,” (zuerich.com). This is close to the river and your AirBnb, about a 5 minute walk. Click HERE for walking directions! There are steps to get up to it to enter the market itself.
4. Sechseläutenplatz: GOOD food, and very cool market spots!
Directions from AirBnb: HERE
Cost: FREE
Located just in front of the Opera house, this is a market you won’t want to miss. This is also really close to your AirBnb, and would likely be the best to visit on your way to the city center in Zurich! While walking to this market and into the city center you’ll also get a really great view of the river and have some great photo ops, and see the Alps from a distance! This market was definitely my most memorable and favorite one. There is a Starbucks across from it if you need a point of reference. For walking directions, click HERE.
5. Zürich Münster
Directions: GOOGLE MAPS
If you’re looking for a smaller close knit Christmas market feel, this is the market for you. This Christmas market is also very close to the river and churches along the river and has some really cute decor!
Walk Down Bahnhofstrasse: Light Display
Directions from AirBnb: GOOGLE MAPS
Outside from the train station is the street where you’ll find STUNNING lights hanging as if they were falling from the sky! This is a truly magical feeling to walk down and see these lights! This is near a lot of the best Christmas markets, and is close by the market with the singing Christmas tree! One of my favorite experiences during my weekend in Switzerland! Wondering how to get there to see them? Click HERE for walking directions! From your AirBnb, this is about a 13 minute walk.
Illuminarium Light Show Experience
Cost: 9 Francs, $9.21 USD
Tickets: HERE
Directions from AirBnB: GOOGLE MAPS
Another great Christmas activity that you MUST check out is Illuminarium’s light show. This is a light show with a market inside, and the show itself is really fun to watch! It tells a story while displaying lights on the buildings. Located very close to the Swiss national museum, this experience will surely complete your Christmas-y weekend in Switzerland. Totally a fun experience even if traveling solo! To buy tickets, click HERE. You can buy tickets at the event, however I highly recommend buying beforehand to make things easier! Costing about 9 Francs, this is an inexpensive yet really fun weekend in Switzerland activity. You will have to exchange your ticket for a wristband at the event at a kiosk located near the line, but it isn’t too crowded and super easy to figure out. The light show on the site is called the “Yuki show” and has a select few start times. Any time is great, and you’ll definitely want extra time to check out the market outside of the show. This is about a 20 minute walk if you are coming from near your AirBnb!
Lindt Chocolate Factory Zurich
Cost: Up to $50 depending on option, as low as $20
Tickets: HERE
Directions: GOOGLE MAPS
The most unique opportunity you’ll have on your weekend in Switzerland in Zurich is going to the Lindt chocolate factory to join in on the chocolate making experience with an expert chocolatier! There are a few experiences to choose from and they are all really fun. This is still a great activity while traveling solo, because you’ll likely end up in a group event anyways so you won’t be alone! This is so much fun and very customizable! You’ll have to take a local train from your AirBnB to get here, but it isn’t too far!
Zurich to Alps
Cost: ~ $100
Tickets: HERE
Traveling to the alps… solo?? Yes. It can be done and is SO worth it. I knew from the minute I left to study abroad I wanted to see the alps, no matter what anyone else wanted to do. Absolute MUST see on your weekend in Switzerland. My family thought this was silly being that I am from Denver and have these views at my disposal, however THIS was NOT the Rockies… they are unexplainably different in their own special way. Absolutely breathtaking to see them up close and personal.
To do this solo, I went with a group tour that didn’t cost more than $100. This was worth soooo much more than that. If you are looking to have a guide get you from point A to point B but want time to explore and take in the beauty on your own, this is the trip for you. I LOVED this experience. You meet near the Zurich main train station and take a bus up to Interlaken and Grindelwald. On the way, you’ll stop through Lucerne and so many other regions and see incredible sights.
If you want to pay additional money towards your experience, add on the option to take a trip up to the Jungfrau region which takes you to the VERY TOP of the alps. Truly the experience of a lifetime if you can afford it. Either option is great. I personally as a study abroad student with for the less costly option, and it was still insane. You’ll also get to take a Swiss train ride back to the bus meeting location to head back to Zurich. The views on the way to the Alps are literally worth the trip in itself, let ALONE standing right in front of the Alps. For tickets and more info on this particular booking click HERE.
Flying Over Switzerland
UHM yah… so this view is worth getting the seat you want. I promise. Even if it’s just one way, be sure to get a window seat. Seriously…. it’s not that much more to get and you’ll regret it if you don’t. The VIEW is so worth it. If you’re able to and are really lucky, you’ll see the Matterhorn from the plane. I believe I was on the right side of the plane when flying in from Florence, Italy into Zurich to see it. Keep your eyes peeled and you won’t be disappointed. Also, it’s worth flying Swiss Airlines. You’ll get the little chocolates that are SO good. Not at all upset by them.
Visit the BEST Swiss Chocolate Shops
Of course, you MUST go find all the best chocolate while spending a weekend in Switzerland. It is a no brainer, their chocolate is the BEST. Get some for your friends and family if you are really that nice. While you’re there, some have some really delicious hot chocolate options, so be sure to take advantage of that while visiting. I visited a place called VANINI in Interlaken on my day trip to the Alps and the hot chocolate was the BEST to warm up. It was cold out and snowy and the mood was just right! They’ve been making chocolates since 1871.
Another great shop to visit is called Läderach Suisse, located both in Interlaken and in Zürich. They also have some US locations, but their chocolates are AMAZING. Try to visit and get some chocolate with hazelnut at least once!
This post was all about how to spend a solo weekend in Switzerland! This is possible for anyone to accomplish, just have faith and confidence in yourself and take the ambition of seeing a new place with you and you’ll be successful! I took this solo trip as a study abroad student on a bit of a budget, so it is possible while studying abroad around Europe as well. Hope you get to your solo trip soon!
