I recently spent four days and three nights in Zurich, traveling as part of Disloyalty Club, which I’ve been a member of for some years. As always with my trip reports, the goal isn’t to hand out “hidden gems” or star ratings – it’s to share how to maximize a trip while saving money, staying comfortable, and getting the most out of the experience.

Getting Around: Zurich Card

I bought the Zurich Card for 72 hours. This card covers public transportation and gives discounted or free entry to many attractions. Over the three days, I estimate I saved at least 35% on everything I did – so yes, it’s worth it. If you’re planning a stay of more than a day or two, this is one of the smartest, convenient investments you can make.

Money Matters: Avoiding Unnecessary Fees

Here’s the part people forget: Switzerland is not in the EU. That means two things:

1. It’s expensive. Budget accordingly.
2. Check in advance if you need extra travel papers to enter.

When it comes to spending money, I used my Wise card. It lets you create a CHF account and pay directly in Swiss francs, which saved me on conversion fees. Had I used my Amex, I would have paid an extra 2.5% fee on every single transaction – so not worth it.

My travel partner used Revolut, which works similarly. If you want to give them a try, here are my referral links:

• Revolut referral
• Wise referral

Planning Your Trip

Zurich has a bit of everything: food, nightlife, history, museums, and easy access to nature. It’s worth knowing what you want out of your trip before you go – otherwise you risk bouncing around without a focus.

For me, the goal was to learn more about Switzerland itself: its history, its quirks, and its culture. Zurich is the perfect base for this, while also being a great jumping-off point for nearby destinations like the Alps, St. Gallen, or Lake Constance.

My Zurich Wish List

• Café & Conditorei 1842 – the oldest café in town, full of charm.
• Landesmuseum – Switzerland’s national museum, a deep dive into the country’s history.
• Old Town – the historic heart of Zurich.
• Archaeological Windows – a unique way to peek into the layers of history beneath the city (learn more here).

I built my days around these stops, weaving in breaks back at the hotel and saving time and money with the Zurich Card and local trains.

I spent four days and three nights in Zurich this summer as part of the Disloyalty Club, where I’ve been a member for a couple of years. As with all my trip reports, this isn’t about star ratings or “hidden gems” — it’s about maximizing your time, saving money, and still having a fantastic trip.

Accommodation: Mama Shelter Zurich

Thanks to my Disloyalty Club membership, I scored 50% off Mama Shelter Zurich, a saving of over CHF 300. Mama Shelter is in Oerlikon, not Zurich’s historic core, but that didn’t matter. The hotel is literally next to the train station, with direct trains into the city every few minutes. Even with daily round trips (and afternoon breaks back at the hotel), the commute was effortless (and included in the Zurich Card).

Zurich Highlights

I built my itinerary around my wish list, but I supplemented it with Zurich Card perks, filtering by free entries. Here’s the breakdown:

Archäologische Fenster – Free

A simple but fascinating glimpse under the city, showing layers of Zurich’s history. It was not only informative, but really fun. It wasn’t too busy, but as this is something that people are reporting about on Social Media, expect crowds on weekends.

Stauhof – Free (normally CHF 6)

I love writers’ museums, and this one had a surprise upstairs: the James Joyce Foundation (joycefoundation.ch). We met Martin, who told us stories about Joyce’s life in Zurich. Coming from Paris, I already knew about the Ulysses chapter tied to Sylvia Beach, the founder of Shakespeare & Co., but this added a new perspective. We even saw Joyce’s death mask, one of only three in the world.

Polybahn – Free (normally CHF 1.25 each way)

I’ll never pass up a funicular. This one reminded me of the cable car in Capri, and while it was under 5 minutes, I was here for every second of it!

Kunsthaus Zurich – Free (normally CHF 31)

A fantastic collection. I learned that Marcel Duchamp had a sister and saw her art for the first time. (kunsthaus.ch)

Zunftstadt Zurich – Free (normally CHF 10)

This was the most surprising highlight of the trip. The museum explains how Zurich was divided into guilds, how every citizen belonged to one, and how this system shaped the city’s politics and identity. Excellent exhibits, videos, and reading material. (Details here)

Museum Rietberg – Free (normally CHF 28)

Located in a leafy park. We had an unexpectedly great meal at the museum café before visiting the Hallyu! The Korean Wave exhibition curated by the V&A. Truly impressive. If I lived in Zurich, I’d buy an annual pass.

National Museum Zurich – Free (normally CHF 13)

The Swiss history museum. This museum was incredible, it’s massive, covers so many different subjects and I had to force myself to leave after 2 hours as I could have spent all day there. Another annual pass contender.

Cabaret Voltaire – Free (normally CHF 7)

A must-visit for any Dada enthusiast.

Museum für Gestaltung – Free (normally CHF 15)

Not really my area — the exhibition on Susanne Bartsch: Transformation! wasn’t what I connected with, but I know people who’d have loved it. (museum-gestaltung.ch)

Fraumünster – Free (normally CHF 10)

Mandatory stop for the Chagall windows.

Grossmünster – Free (normally CHF 10)

Another mandatory stop.

Short Lake Cruise – Free (normally CHF 10)

On a very hot day, this 90-minute lake cruise was perfect: breezy, relaxing, and offering views of the grand lakeside houses.

Lindenhof – Always Free

A classic viewpoint over the old town. Also where I discovered one of my absolute favorite things about Zurich: the public fountains. Every fountain has drinkable, delicious water — a detail that made exploring so refreshing.

Bonus Encounter: Buchbinderei Hitz

One of my most memorable moments wasn’t on any itinerary. I stumbled across Buchbinderei Hitz, a traditional bookbinder’s workshop. The owner invited me in, showed me his craft, and we talked about books, evolving media, and the dying art of bookbinding.

Growing up, one of my teachers installed a presence of the old world in my life, so it felt deeply personal to see this kind of work still alive. In a moment of generosity, he gifted me a handmade book which I’ll treasure. The irony of me writing about this encounter on a blog isn’t lost on me.

Final Thoughts

Zurich is expensive, but with the right planning, it doesn’t have to wreck your budget. Between the Disloyalty Club discount, the Zurich Card, and smart spending with Wise/Revolut, I saved hundreds of francs while still experiencing the best of the city.

The key takeaway? Go in with a plan. Know what you want out of your trip, whether it’s art, history, nightlife, or food, and build around that. Use the tools available (transport passes, memberships, and smart payment methods) to stretch your budget and make the most of your time.

Zurich isn’t just beautiful — it’s rewarding, if you travel smart.