Zürich is Switzerland's largest city and the capital of the canton of Zürich, set on the northern tip of Lake Zürich where the Limmat river leaves the lake, with the Alps visible on clear days. It combines a medieval old town, world-class museums, lakeside swimming, and the luxury shopping of Bahnhofstrasse with famously punctual public transport and very high prices.
Zürich is a very safe city with low violent crime and efficient emergency services. The main concerns for visitors are petty theft in crowded places such as the Hauptbahnhof and Bahnhofstrasse, bicycle theft, and outdoor hazards such as the Limmat river current and changing mountain weather. Standard precautions make for a trouble-free visit.
Current safety advisory
Low
Essential safety tips
Practical advice that applies everywhere.
Zürich is one of the safest large cities in Europe; the main risk is petty theft and pickpocketing around Zürich Hauptbahnhof, Bahnhofstrasse, the Niederdorf and crowded trams, especially during large events such as the Street Parade
Dial 112 for any emergency from any phone (works without a SIM); use 117 for police, 118 for fire and 144 for an ambulance
Buy a valid ticket before boarding trams, buses and S-Bahn trains: the ZVV network uses spot checks rather than turnstiles, and travelling without a valid ticket costs a fine of CHF 100 or more
Swiss recycling and quiet rules are enforced: avoid loud noise in residential areas after 10PM and on Sundays, and do not leave rubbish outside official bags where bags are required
Lake Zürich and the Limmat river are clean but can be dangerous: the Limmat current is strong, so swim only at marked bathing areas, never after drinking alcohol, and heed warning flags and thunderstorm sirens
Hiking on the Uetliberg and Albis ridges is easy, but weather can change quickly; carry water and wear proper shoes, and stay on marked paths
Winter brings ice and snow on pavements and tram tracks; wear shoes with grip and watch for cyclists in bike lanes
Tick bites occur in woods and meadows in the canton from spring to autumn; wear long trousers on forest walks and check skin afterwards. Tick-borne encephalitis vaccination is recommended for frequent hikers
Common scams to avoid
Recognise and sidestep tourist-targeted scams.
Distraction pickpocketing
Pairs work crowded trams, the Hauptbahnhof concourse and Bahnhofstrasse, with one person asking for directions or spilling something while another takes a wallet or phone
How to avoid: Wear bags across the body in front, keep valuables in inside pockets, and stay alert when boarding and leaving crowded trams
Petition and donation clipboards
People near Bahnhofstrasse and the station ask for signatures on petitions and then demand a cash donation
How to avoid: Decline politely and keep walking; do not sign or hand over money to unlicensed collectors
Fake ticket-machine helpers
People at ticket machines at the Hauptbahnhof offer to help buy tickets and then ask for payment or use the opportunity to look at cards
How to avoid: Use the SBB or ZVV app or official ticket counters, and shield the PIN entry
Taxi overcharging
Unlicensed drivers or unmetered rides can charge very high fares from the airport or the station
How to avoid: Use taxis from official ranks or order through a known app; confirm that the meter is running. The S-Bahn to the airport takes about 12 minutes and costs a fraction of a taxi
Fake rental and holiday-apartment listings
Fraudulent online listings ask for deposits by bank transfer for apartments that do not exist
How to avoid: Book through established platforms and never pay a deposit outside the platform's secure system
Health considerations
Staying healthy on your trip.
- Vaccinations
- No specific vaccinations are required for entering Switzerland; routine vaccines should be up to date. Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) vaccination is recommended for people who plan to hike or camp in forests and meadows
- Water
- Tap water is excellent and safe to drink, and more than 1,200 public fountains provide drinkable water throughout the city
- Food
- Very high food safety standards; restaurants, markets and supermarkets are safe to eat from
- Facilities
- Zürich has excellent hospitals; the main emergency departments are at Universitätsspital Zürich, Stadtspital Triemli and Stadtspital Waid. Pharmacies (Apotheke) are marked with a green cross, and the Bahnhof Apotheke at Zürich Hauptbahnhof (Shopville) opens daily with long hours. Healthcare is expensive, so travel insurance with medical cover is essential
Safety for specific travellers
Tailored advice for different groups.
Emergency contacts
Numbers to know before you go.
- Police
- 117 (Police) or 112
- Medical
- 144 (ambulance) or 112
- Fire
- 118 (Fire brigade)
- Coast Guard
- 117 (Lake Police, Seepolizei) for emergencies on the Zürichsee
- General Emergency
- 112 (works from all phones, even without a SIM)
- Main Hospital
- Universitätsspital Zürich, Rämistrasse 100, 8091 Zürich, +41 44 255 11 11
- Embassy Us
- US Embassy Bern: +41 31 357 70 11 (Sulgeneckstrasse 19, 3007 Bern)
- Embassy Uk
- British Embassy Bern: +41 31 359 77 00 (Thunstrasse 50, 3005 Bern)