We had a wonderful weekend in Zurich, Switzerland. This was our second trip to the country—just a couple of months ago, we visited Geneva, which was equally brilliant. I wanted to share all the details about our Zurich trip here, so you’ll get a lot more insight than what’s on my social media.
First, let’s talk about flights. I found return flights from Gatwick Airport using trip.com for just £39 per person, which included hand luggage only. If you use my link, you can save £10 on every flight, so don’t forget to click it! For hand luggage, I used my trusty Primark bag with wheels that fits EasyJet’s free cabin allowance. It’s budget-friendly at around £25 and comes in 3 colours—I have the green one. I also used an IT luggage suitcase (Kids Eco 2pc Set in Lavender), with the small underseat bag designed specifically for EasyJet’s free-onboard size guidelines. Packing light with hand luggage is a great way to save money when flying, but remember to stick to the 100ml liquid rule.
Getting to Gatwick from London was quick and hassle-free, just a 24-minute train ride. Even better, the train was completely free for us because I used Virgin Points to cover the cost. I also have a Family and Friends Railcard, which helps with savings. Virgin Red is a fantastic platform for earning points and accessing discounts, so I highly recommend signing up.
The flight to Zurich was super short—just 1 hour and 15 minutes. It felt like we’d barely settled into our seats before it was time to land, which was perfect! Unfortunately, we spent more time at passport control (thanks, Brexit!), but once through, we picked up our Zürich Cards at the airport. More on those later.
Although public transport is a cheaper way to get to the city centre, we opted for a taxi as we were exhausted. It was pricier than Uber, so if you’re feeling lazy like we were, I’d recommend using Uber instead. The journey to our hotel was about 30 minutes, making it fairly easy to reach.
We stayed at the Placid Hotel Zurich, which cost £209 for two nights (excluding city tax). It’s a budget-friendly option and conveniently located near public transport links. Our room was clean, although the layout was a bit quirky. We stayed on the 11th floor, which offered lovely views of Zurich, especially at night. One great feature of this hotel was the small playroom for children. While it’s nothing extraordinary, I appreciated the effort to make families feel welcome. There’s also a playground outside, although I’m not sure if it’s connected to the hotel. Plus, there’s an Aldi nearby, where we grabbed our food and drinks.
Let me share all the fun we had during our weekend in Zurich, Switzerland. One of our highlights was visiting the Lindt Home of Chocolate, which is an absolute must-visit! We’ve previously been to the Lindt factory in Cologne, Germany, and both experiences are worth doing if you’re visiting Switzerland or Germany. At the Zurich location, we loved learning about chocolate, eating plenty of it, and even just taking in the rich chocolatey aroma—it was such a fun and immersive experience. Make sure to book your tickets in advance as it’s incredibly popular and often sells out. You can also find workshops here, including a kids’ chocolate workshop. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to book one this time, but it’s on our list for when we return!
Another must-see in Zurich is Zoo Zurich, which was absolutely brilliant and much larger than we expected. I recommend dedicating at least half a day, if not a full day, to fully enjoy it. The Masoala Rainforest was absolutely incredible—it truly felt like we had stepped out of Zurich. It gets quite warm and humid inside, so be sure to take advantage of the lockers just outside the entrance. The space is stunning, and you could easily spend a good amount of time exploring, admiring the animals, and soaking in the breathtaking scenery. It was hands down the highlight of my visit!The highlight for my daughter was seeing the giraffes, elephants, and rhinos, which were so fascinating. It’s a place that kids of all ages will love. We also grabbed some chips from one of the zoo’s food spots —they were delicious, with generous portion sizes.
We also visited the FIFA Museum, which offers free entry with the Zürich Card. Before diving into the museum details, let me tell you about the Zürich Card. It’s a fantastic option for visitors, offering unlimited travel on Zurich’s public transport system, including trams, buses, trains, boats, funiculars, and cable cars. On top of that, it provides discounts at restaurants, stores, and attractions, plus free entry to many museums. I 100% recommend getting one if you’re exploring Zurich—it’s great value for money.
Now, back to the FIFA Museum. Even as someone who isn’t a football fan, I thoroughly enjoyed it. The museum was interactive, high-energy, and packed with fun activities, including many cool football games. It’s an attraction I highly recommend for families. Keep your entry ticket handy, as it gives you access to various activities, and they also provide free lockers to store your belongings. There’s even a restaurant on-site if you want to grab a bite during your visit.
Getting around Zurich was incredibly easy, even for someone like me who tends to get lost! I relied on Apple Maps, which provided straightforward directions for buses, trams, and more. Just make sure you’re on the right side of the road when catching your transport.
If you’re looking for more family-friendly activities in Zurich, I highly recommend checking out platforms like GetYourGuide or the Fever app—they’re great for finding unique experiences. A quick TikTok search can also be helpful, especially if you’re looking for fun places to eat or hidden gems in the city.
Lastly, I had to share this because it’s absolutely brilliant! This is the “Family Services” area at Zurich Airport, and it’s a total game-changer for travelling families. It’s equipped with a kitchenette complete with a microwave, cutlery, and utensils, plus changing tables, toys and games, luggage storage, and even private rooms for sleeping and breastfeeding! This is a great place to chill before you find out your departure gate. Can you imagine if every airport was this thoughtful and accommodating for families? The airport also has 5 kids corners dotted around. You can find more info here. I’ll be sure to add this to my list of airport play spaces.
Zurich is a fantastic destination for families, offering unique attractions, stunning scenery, and a safe, easy-to-navigate environment. From interactive museums to the tasty chocolate experiences, there’s plenty to keep kids entertained. For your next family trip, Zurich is a must-visit!
