Private car transfer
from Munich to Zurich

If you happen to be traveling in July, check the schedule for Fischertag, or Fisherman’s Day, in Memmingen, Germany. During this holiday, the “Fisherman’s King” is declared (the one who catches the heaviest trout) and the town brook is emptied and cleaned. About 40,000 people attend this fun event annually. Any other time of the year, Memmingen is a classic German town with a colorful town square.

Lindau is the last stop you’ll make within Germany. It is a historical resort town on Lake Constance at the German-Austrian-Swiss border. The town is split into two parts: the mainland and the island on the southern end of the lake. The island has a calm harbor and quaint old town with the backdrop of the Alps. It has some of the oldest buildings on Lake Constance and is the second-largest island.

Once you’re over the border to Switzerland, visit St. Gallen with its Baroque abbey and Rococo library. St. Gallen has roots in the 8th century, with the charming aesthetic of a fairytale town. It is a great introduction to Switzerland.

Once you’ve arrived in Zurich, your private driver will get you right to your accommodation and help with your luggage. Now you’re all set to continue your vacation in Zurich!

Swiss Society

Switzerland is a conservative country with strong traditions of independence and neutrality. Its strong internal policy and social consciousness have led to a high quality of life, efficient public services, and a stable economy. However, taxes are quite high and rules are strict. For example, you can only dispose of trash with special trash bags that have taxes built into the price.

The Swiss also value peace and quiet in public spaces. Don’t expect a noisy nightlife scene or loud conversations in public. There are even rules on when to throw away trash and recycling so as to not have loud noise disturb those living nearby.

EU? Schengen? What’s Happening?

Switzerland has a long-held history of neutrality that is often the butt of jokes and stereotypes. While entirely surrounded by EU countries, Switzerland is not in the EU. It is, however, in the Schengen zone. The EU and Schengen are two different entities that often, but not always, overlap. Countries in the Schengen zone allow free movement of people between the borders.

For your trip to Zurich, this means you will be allowed into Switzerland without showing a passport at the border with Germany. But it also means Switzerland does not use the euro. The Swiss Franc (CHF) is their currency, with an almost 1:1 ratio between EUR and USD. Cash is still the most popular form of payment, so have some cash on you for smaller restaurants and stores as you explore Zurich.

Check the criteria for visiting Dachau

The Dachau concentration camp memorial is right outside of Munich and is one of the stops offered by Daytrip. It is not possible to make reservations for guided tours ahead of time, so plan with your driver to arrive with enough time before the tour to get a spot. You are welcome to walk around the grounds before the tour, or without a guided tour at all, but it does add more depth to the visit.

If you’re traveling with children under 13 years of age, they will not be able to take part in the guided tour due to its mature content. Consider the age and sensitivity of your children before taking them, and have a discussion beforehand about the accepted behavior at memorial sites.

Wear layers

In Zurich, the weather can change quickly thanks to its high elevation and closeness to large bodies of water. It may be very warm during the day in direct sunlight, but the temperature might drop quickly in the evening. To ensure you are always comfortable, wear your clothes in layers and be prepared for wind, rain, and snow for much of the year. Dry, waterproof shoes and socks can go a long way to making you feel warm and comfortable on even the coldest days!

Be early for reservations

If being in Germany didn’t make you punctual, Switzerland certainly will. Some cultures allow for a bit of tardiness, but the Swiss highly value being on time. For any restaurant reservations or appointments you make during your stay, aim to be about 10 minutes early so you can avoid being late.

This culture of punctuality also means you can reliably trust the public transportation timetables to be accurate and for trains to arrive on time.

Don’t use taxis in Zurich

You already know Switzerland is not a budget destination, however, the price for taxis is much higher than most other cities in the world. Fees average 9 EUR per mile, so it is best to use public transportation to get everywhere within Zurich. Switzerland invests a lot in its public transportation system, and it is among the best in the world. You can get to even the most remote national parks with public transit. The trains, trams, and buses are mostly wheelchair and disabled-accessible as well.

Bus from Munich to Zurich

Buses are a budget-friendly option for traveling from Munich to Zurich. Several bus companies operate regular services between the two cities, with journey durations typically ranging from 4 to 6 hours. FlixBus and Regiojet are among the prominent operators on this route, offering multiple daily departures from bus stations around Munich. Ticket prices for a one-way journey from Munich to Zurich by bus typically start at around 20 EUR, but prices rise during peak travel holidays. Definitely book your tickets in advance.

Train from Munich to Zurich

High-speed trains can get you and your luggage quickly from Munich to Zurich. With large windows and spacious seating, you can get great views of the Swiss countryside without needing to go hiking first. The fastest trains take 3.5 hours and prices start at 97 EUR, but you can shop around for cheaper options on slower trains, or with transfers required. For example, if you have the whole day available, you can take 3 trains for 33 EUR and it will take about 8 hours.

Check Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) and Deutsche Bahn (DB) for the most options. Discounted fares are often available for seniors, students, children, and those using rail passes like the Deutschland Ticket. Trains will have luggage racks, tables, and restrooms. Most trains have electrical sockets and food service cars as well for your convenience. Germany and Switzerland both have a culture of punctuality, so you can expect trains to be relatively on time.

Flight from Munich to Zurich

Traveling from Munich to Zurich by plane sounds like the fastest option since the flight duration is around 1 hour. Several airlines operate direct flights between Munich Airport (MUC) and Zurich Airport (ZRH) on a regular basis, including Swiss International Air Lines, Lufthansa, and Eurowings. Economy class fares typically start at around 190 EUR, but the average price is even higher.

However, after factoring in 2 hours for check-in and airport security, and traveling to and from airports, ground transportation is more cost-effective with the same(or even faster!) travel time.

Luxury shopping on Zurich’s Bahnhofstrasse

Bahnhofstrasse is one of the world's most exclusive shopping streets. Browse luxury boutiques, department stores, and designer shops offering a wide array of fashion, jewelry, and Swiss watches.

Experience Zurich's rich flavors

Zurich has many international restaurants thanks to its large foreign worker market, however Swiss cuisine itself is incredibly rich. You need a hearty meal to make the long, cold winters bearable. So after a long day of skiing and hiking, have a meal of raclette (melted cheese over potatoes), Malakoff (fried cheese balls), or fondue. Finish off your meal with a rich chocolate dessert and a locally produced wine.

The Altstadt (Old Town)

Zurich's compact Old Town charms visitors with its narrow cobblestone streets and well-preserved medieval buildings. Admire the Grossmünster and Fraumünster churches, and explore quaint alleyways lined with shops, cafes, and galleries.

Gain insight into Swiss culture, history, and heritage at the Swiss National Museum (Landesmuseum Zürich). Housed in a grand historic building, the museum features a vast collection of artifacts, artworks, and exhibits spanning from prehistoric times to the present day.

Kunsthaus Zurich is one of Switzerland's most important art museums, also located in the old town. It is home to a vast collection of European paintings, sculptures, and artworks by renowned artists such as Picasso, Monet, and Van Gogh.

Zurich West

Once you’ve learned the history and seen the older parts of town, discover Zurich's trendy and vibrant district of Zurich West. It is known for its contemporary art galleries, hip cafes, and converted industrial spaces. Visit the Schiffbau Cultural Center, explore the Viadukt market hall, or attend events and exhibitions in this young neighborhood.

Winters can be quite harsh in the mountains of Switzerland, however, skiing is a popular pastime. If you are visiting in the winter for a ski trip, warm up at the Christkindlimarkt (Christmas Market). With mulled wine and roasted chestnuts, stroll the market of charming wooden chalets selling handmade crafts for you to bring back home. Enjoy live music performances, festive decorations, and a magical atmosphere for all ages.

Summers in Zurich average 65F (19C), with highs of around 75F (25C), so even at the height of summer you should have pleasant weather. With this in mind, the best time to make your trip from Munich to Zurich is whenever you feel like it!

If you visit in spring, try to align your visit with the Sechseläuten Festival. This centuries-old tradition marks the beginning of spring and is usually on the 3rd Monday of April. Watch a colorful parade of horse-drawn carriages, and people in medieval costume. The highlight of the festival is the burning of the Boogg, a snowman effigy symbolizing winter to herald the arrival of warmer weather and longer days.

Every August, Zurich hosts the Zurich Street Parade, one of Europe's largest and most renowned electronic music festivals. This loud, vibrant event attracts thousands of music enthusiasts from around the world who gather to dance to the beats of top DJs and electronic music acts. The Street Parade is a must-visit event for fans of electronic music and nightlife.