Offering panoramic views of the steel grey mountains with their tips covered in snow at a distance, Lake Zurich is crowned as one of the biggest and most beautiful lakes in Switzerland. A gem included in your Switzerland tour package, this stunning lake sprawls to the southeast of Zurich city, a creation of the Linth River flowing from Glarus Alps glaciers.
Carved like a banana, the lake streams passing through the city are termed Limmat, the downstream at Seedamm is called Rapperswil whereas the upstream is called Obersee. Flanked by forested chain of hills on both the sides, Lake Zurich has Albis and Zimmerberg hills on its south and Pfannenstiel hills on its north.
The gentle slopes of the banks of the lake are covered with fragrant vineyards and orchards to enhance its beauty several times. Edging the the largest city Zurich on its west, lake Zurich is a popular place for excursion in the present time.
People from all around the world and the locals come here to unwind themselves and spend a day with peace. The gently rocking waves, accompanied by laziness and fine food, become a synonym for vacation in Zurich. As part of a serene stop on your Zurich trip, the best thing you could do is to take a boat and explore the untarnished distant banks of the pristine lake.
Lake Zurich is situated 40.1 km from the Zurich Airport and there are three ways which you could take to cover this distance:
By Train:
Line 7 directly takes you from Zurich Airport to Lake Zurich. It would cost you around 1,200 to 3,200 INR and around 55 minutes to cover the distance. You first need to take a train from Zurich Airport to Zurich HB and then from there to Stafa.
By Bus:
Line 768 bus and line 7 night bus will take you to Lake Zurich from the Zurich Airport in 1 hour and 55 minutes. First take a line 768 bus until Glattbrugg Post which will take 7 minutes. From there, you can walk the 600 m of distance till Opfikon where you would get your next bus till Stafa which would take around 48 minutes. This entire journey will cost you around INR 500 to INR 745.
By Car:
You could hire a taxi which would take no more than 33 minutes to cover the distance. However, it would cost you between INR 12,000 to INR 15,000. Whereas if you could drive your own car then it wouldn’t take more than INR 360 to INR 550.
Zurich is a popular tourist destination that can be flocked to throughout the year, often featuring as a highlight on many trips to Europe.
Winter Season (November to February) -
Winter season gets really cold and snowy in Switzerland which makes it ideal for skiing activities in the Swiss Alps.
Summer Season (May to August) -
However, summers are very pleasant if you wish to explore the corners of the city and enjoy the lake at its fullest. However, during both seasons, the area is very crowded and highly expensive. This makes spring and fall months ideal times to visit Zurich.
Spring Season (March and April) and Autumn Season (September and October) -
The temperature is cool and nice enough to visit all tourist destinations without putting too much pressure on the purse. The city becomes less crowded and the prices of hotels and accommodation become very reasonable.
Location—Zurich, Switzerland
Entry Fee—There is no entry fee for visiting Lake Zurich. However, there are some beaches which charge admission but they promise a lot of fun and facilities in return.
Public Facilities—There are several public facilities present on Lake Zurich for the comfort of the visitors and tourists. There are eleven official outdoor swimming baths on the lake and the river. Facilities such as fitting rooms, cloakrooms, toilets, kiosks, water chutes, diving boards, ping pong tables, playgrounds, and kiddie pools are available at the lake.
Distance from Zurich Airport—Lake Zurich is at a distance of approximately 27 kilometers from Zurich Airport. You can use five modes of transportation to reach Lake Zurich: bus, tram, train, boat, or taxi.
Founded in the year 1836 and further incorporated in the year 1896, Lake Zurich has been attracting people to reside on its banks since the Neolithic Age. The evidence found around the lake has proved that humans were settled around the lake even in the Stone Age and Bronze Age.
First settled by European descendants in the 1830s, the banks of the lake Zurich slowly started accommodating New Zealand farmers as well as German immigrants by the 1840s. In that era, the Zurich lake was known by the name Cedar Lake which was incorporated in the year 1896 on September 29th.
Initially it primarily housed farmers as the waters of the lake could feed the vast fields of crops. After the establishment of the highway Rand Road in 1922 and Half Day Road in 1927, Lake Zurich got popular as a great summer resort and the lake turned into a travel destination.
After that time, the place has been an evergreen tourist destination ever since. People from around the world and locals alike flock to the banks of the river and enjoy their day by having a picnic in peace.
These travel tips might come in handy when you are visiting Zurich for the first time.
Absolutely! Lake Zurich, known for its tranquil promenades, boat cruises, and vibrant lakefront culture, is featured in most Switzerland tour packages. Here’s how it appears in itineraries from various Indian cities:
1. Europe tour packages from Mumbai—includes Lake Zurich cruises, city explorations, and seamless connections to other Swiss cities.
2. Switzerland tour packages from Bangalore—Offer curated Zurich stays near the lake, day trips to Uetliberg, and comfortable travel from Bangalore.
3. Europe tour packages from Pune — frequently include scenic rail journeys to Zurich and peaceful lakeside dining, ideal for both families and honeymooners.
4. Europe tour package from Chennai—Combines Lake Zurich, Lucerne, and scenic train rides with direct flights and prearranged transfers.
5. The Switzerland tour package from Kerala — is popular for offering a calm escape with Lake Zurich walks, nearby mountain visits, and beautiful photo stops.
4. Switzerland package from Delhi— Ideal for families and couples alike, this itinerary features relaxed stays around Lake Zurich, with easy access to museums, old town, and alpine excursions.
1. A popular choice is the Switzerland 7 days package, which often starts in Zurich and includes visits to Lake Zurich, Lucerne, and Interlaken.
2. You can also go for a Switzerland 10 days tour package covering Lake Zurich, Jungfraujoch, Zermatt, and Geneva for a more immersive journey.
3. For those with more time, a 15 days tour package to Switzerland lets you explore Zurich in-depth along with the serene beauty of Lake Zurich and nearby Alps.
1. Absolutely! Many couples opt for a Switzerland honeymoon package that includes romantic boat rides and lakeside dining experiences at Lake Zurich.
2. With a Europe honeymoon package, you can enjoy Zurich’s charm as part of a larger romantic journey through the Alps and beyond.