Long layovers are seldom exciting, but if transiting through Zurich, you would be lucky to have one. This was indeed my 5 hour vacation while on a recent work trip to Madrid.

Since you may not have enough time to enquire about what you could do once you get there, it will really help to have a plan before you land. And here are a few tips:

VISA REQUIREMENTS: If you have a valid Schengen Visa, there is no reason why you should stay at the airport for 5 hours. I wouldn’t recommend buying a transit visa especially for this though.  If you have a single entry Schengen Visa and are going to be only in the Schengen area thereafter, you will be clearing Customs anyways and you will be fine leaving the airport. But I would still recommend explaining your onward travel plan at the passport control to make sure you aren’t using up your Single entry for a 3 hour visit to the city.

LUGGAGE: Needless to say, if you can, please check-in your luggage if you can. If that is not feasible, there are lockers available at the Airport or the the Zurich main station. Most of these lockers often use exact change, so keep some CHF ready.

CURRENCY: If you do not plan to use the lockers, you should be fine using credit cards for everything else including buying the train ticket or having a cup of hot chocolate along the river.

(Don’t forget that Zurich is expensive, so you may want to just pick up a quick bite from a grocery store instead of splurging over an expensive sandwich in the pretty cafes.)

TIME REQUIRED: If everything does go smoothly, you will be at the main station within 30-45 minutes of your landing. If your next flight is within the Schengen area, get to the airport atleast an hour before the flight. If you are flying elsewhere, give yourself at least 2 hours before the flight.

I was able to see all that I had planned very comfortably in 2.5 hours. I was in the city from 7am to 9.30 am, so most of the shops hadn’t opened by then (forthunately for Akshay!). So if you are going to be around during the open hours, just keep a watch on your watch- it’s very easy to forget about your next flight while shopping!

PLAN:

The main station (called Zurich HB for Hauptbahnhof) is just 15 minutes from the airport. You can buy a return ticket (13 CHF) from the SBB Travel Centre just below the Check-in Zone 3. I believe all trains from Platforms 3 and 4 go to Zurich HB. Also, don’t forget to pick up a map from the Ticket booth.

Once you get off at the main station just follow signs to Bahnhofstrasse and you will be at the main entrance.

This is the route I had planned to follow and would recommend it because I believe it does cover the prettiest spots in town and that too all on foot in less than 3.5 kilometers total.

Just cross the street from the main station and enjoy walking a few blocks on Bahnhofstrasse, one of the most expensive shopping streets in the world.

After a few blocks turn left diagonally into Rennweg. A very small alley called Fortunagasse on the left will lead you up to Lindenhof, from where you will get one of the most gorgeous views of river Limmat and part of old town called Niederdorf. The houses here date back to the 12th century.

I was here on an Autumn morning and the blanket of golden leaves looked stunning.

As you keep walking south, you will see the largest clock face of Europe at St. Peter church.

You will then Fraumünster church and the colourful houses around it. The courtyard of the church and the famous windows created by artist Marc Chagall are definitely worth a 10-15 minute stop.

Now, just walk along the river Limmat until you reach Lake Zurich. The swans and the boats add to its beauty. If you are lucky to have a clear day, you will also see the mountain ranges completing the picture for you.

For the way back, I would recommend crossing over the Quaibrücke to walk back north.

This will bring you to the Old town, the first part called Oberdorf, the latter Niederdorf. Every corner is a postcard picture with super cute alleys lined by shops and cafes.

You will pass by a beautiful medieval church Wasserkirche. As you keeping walking north you will reach  will one of the most recognized landmarks in Zurich, the twin towers of the Grossmünster Church. The entry is free; you can climb up one of the church towers by paying 5 CHF. Although, this was closed when I was there, I was told that depending on how busy it is, the wait to climb to the top could take up to 30 minutes. The climb through the tight passage is steep but the view of the city from here is one of the best.

You are now just 15 minutes from the main station. So depending on the time, you may want to spend time in the charming boutiques in Niederdorf or get some Swiss chocolate.

Once you get to the station, look out for departure screen to find the next train to Flughafen (Airport), sit back and feel ecstatic about your time in gorgeous Zurich.

If you have more time, here are a few more recommendations:

1. Relax in one of the parks around the lake
2. Go window shopping on Bahnhoffstrasse
3. Visit the Watch Museum, which is located in the basement of the Beyer watch shop halfway along Bahnhofstrasse. It has a collection of time instruments from the Egyptians to the present day. Admission costs 8 CHF.
4. Visit one of the observation decks at the airport 
   Deck B next to check in 2 (5 CHF)
   Deck E (free)