Currency
Swiss Franc (CHF)
Language
German, French, Italian
Time Zone
CET (UTC+1)
Best Time to Visit
Apr–Oct
Typical Duration
10-11 nights
Price Range
Price varies by cruise line and season
Port Type
Departure & Port of Call
Tender Port
No
Gateway to Switzerland's scenic Rhine River cruises, offering access to charming Alpine towns and medieval European cities along one of Europe's most picturesque waterways.
Build Your Day in Zurich
Cruise calls are short. Set your ship's arrival time, pick the stops you care about, and we'll show whether they realistically fit before departure.
Ships typically depart around 2:00 PM
Usually about 6 hours ashore
Embarkation port — worth arriving early
Embarkation port — worth arriving early
Getting around:
Rhine Falls
You can just walk around and don’t pay for any activities.
Zoo Zürich
The kids especially enjoyed it a fun and memorable experience for everyone.
Closed · Opens 9 AM
Zeughauskeller
Delicious food, great drinks, awesome service, and friendly staff.
Closed · Opens 11:30 AM
Lindenhof
You can see children playing hopscotch and older people playing chess.
Sihlcity
Nice range of clothing for any price level and taste.
Closed · Opens 9 AM
Grossmünster
It's free to get in and it is easy to walk through.
Closed · Opens 10 AM
Haus Hiltl
Nice atmosphere, delicious food , drinks are great, the staff are friendly.
Closed · Opens 7 AM
Swiss National Museum
My kid loved the Augmented reality experience and the interactive exhibits.
Closed · Opens 10 AM
Swiss Chuchi Restaurant
Great dinner, amazing food, superb ambiance, and Anna made our night!
Closed · Opens 11:30 AM
Frau Gerolds Garten
Good vibes for drink and chill, many snack and food, nice lighting.
Closed · Opens 11 AM
ShopVille - Zürich Hauptbahnhof
Great selection of different types of stores, clean and safe place
Open 24 hours
Einkaufszentrum Letzipark
Has restaurants, super markets, clothes with different price range
Closed · Opens 9 AM
GLOBUS
A good department store, with a range of high quality clothes and homewares.
Closed · Opens 10 AM
Zürich HB
Lots of things to do while waiting for a train to come.
Zum Königstuhl - Schweizer Restaurant in Zürich Niederdorf
The vibe, the service, the drinks, the food—it’s all on point.
Closed · Opens 11:30 AM
Coop Supermarkt Zürich Bahnhofbrücke
Wide range of products, reasonable prices, big discounts.
Open · Closes 10 PM
Raclette Factory
Fantastic service, delicious food, relaxed atmosphere.
Closed · Opens 11:30 AM
Europaallee
Very fancy shopping center, small and mainly expensive brands.
Open · Closes 9:30 PM
Zürichhorn
You can also plan as a group and can play there as a family & friends.
WOW Museum
Very interactive and interesting exhibits, friendly staff.
Closed · Opens 10 AM
Rooftop
Great sitting, friendly service, beautifully made small crafted menu.
Closed · Opens 11 AM
Museum Rietberg
Interesting exhibitions, beautiful park and good place for a little bite.
Closed · Opens 10 AM
Paradeplatz
He can explore the city with the trams passing through.
Jules Verne Panoramabar
Good service, nice drinks, good views.
Closed · Opens 5 PM
Platzspitz
Perfect place to go and relax!
MFO-Park
it has different stages that you can visit.
Old Crow
Amazing cocktails, fantastic atmosphere, and super friendly service!
Closed · Opens 5 PM
Victorinox Flagship Store Zürich
Excellent service, premium quality, and a seamless shopping experience.
Closed · Opens 10 AM
Widder Bar
Elegant bar, lovely atmosphere, with very talented and knowledgeable staff!
Closed · Opens 12 PM
Gainsbourg Bar & Event Location
best barkeepers on 🔥🔥🔥 top drinks, top music and a lovely atmosphere 😍
Closed · Opens 5 PM
UBS Polybahn
There you find many places to capture including university and museums.
Opens soon · 6:30 AM
Zunfthaus zur Waag
Everything we tasted was perfectly cooked and our experience was perfect!
Closed · Opens 11:30 AM
Bar am Wasser
Just amazing, innovative and special drinks and an stunning atmosphere.
Closed · Opens 4 PM
Tales Bar
Delicious cocktails, friendly and professional staff.
Closed · Opens 6 PM
Zürich Tourist Information
Very helpful staff provided best options for attractions and discounts.
Closed · Opens 8 AM
BarMünster
Quality cocktails, amazing atmosphere and great friendly refuge
Closed · Opens 5 PM
Markthalle IM VIADUKT
Great choice of food and shopping in a lovely market atmosphere!
Closed · Opens 9 AM
Restaurant Lumière
Absolutely fantastic experience from service to food to ambiance.
Closed · Opens 11:30 AM
Barfussbar
Lovely Bar, great Musik, amazing atmosphere ❤️❤️❤️
Closed · Opens 8 PM
Heugümper
Great place in city center, nice location, tasty food, friendly service.
Closed · Opens 11:30 AM
Giacometti-Halle
Free self-guided entry to Giacometti-Halle;
Closed · Opens 2 PM
Laternenweg Uetliberg
Uetliberg will always hold a special place in my heart.
Dr. Zhivago Bar
Amazing cocktails, great service and beautiful vibe.
Closed · Opens 5 PM
IM VIADUKT
Almost all the sellers and shop owners are very friendly and helpful.
Closed · Opens 11 AM
Widder Restaurant
The lobster dish was a standout, and I haven't had it better anywhere else.
Closed · Opens 7 PM
Centralhof Monument
Beautiful fountain ⛲️ at the center of this quiet square.
Lichthof
Closed · Opens 9 AM
Niederdorfstrasse
Very Peaceful and it has the best view of the city.
Zurich City Tour
A wonderful experience!
Closed · Opens 10 AM
Opening hours are indicative — always confirm before you go. Travel times are estimates from Google Maps.
Zurich
is an embarkation port. Many cruises start or end here —
it's worth arriving a day early or extending your stay to explore beyond a single port day.
About Zurich
Zurich stands as a vibrant hub on the Rhine River cruise circuit, serving both as an embarkation point and a scenic port of call for river cruises throughout Europe. With two major cruise lines—Emerald Cruises and Amadeus River Cruises—offering 175 upcoming departures, the port provides excellent variety for travelers seeking their perfect river voyage. Most cruises from Zurich span ten nights, taking passengers on memorable journeys to iconic destinations like Amsterdam, Lucerne, Koblenz, and Strasbourg. The peak seasons of spring and fall offer ideal conditions for exploring this corner of Switzerland.
When your ship docks in Zurich, you'll find yourself in one of Europe's most elegant and prosperous cities, where pristine lakefront promenades meet charming old-town streets. The city's renowned museums, world-class dining scene, and direct access to Switzerland's stunning Alpine landscapes make it an enriching destination whether you're boarding your cruise or enjoying a port day. From Zurich, river cruises typically depart during April through October, with May, June, September, and October drawing the most travelers.
When your ship docks in Zurich, you'll find yourself in one of Europe's most elegant and prosperous cities, where pristine lakefront promenades meet charming old-town streets. The city's renowned museums, world-class dining scene, and direct access to Switzerland's stunning Alpine landscapes make it an enriching destination whether you're boarding your cruise or enjoying a port day. From Zurich, river cruises typically depart during April through October, with May, June, September, and October drawing the most travelers.
Cruise Lines at Zurich
- Emerald Cruises (192 cruises)
Cruises Departing From Zurich
Cruises Visiting Zurich
Ship Schedule at Zurich
Zurich Location
Other Cruise Ports in Switzerland
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time to visit Zurich?
Zurich is great year-round; late spring and early autumn offer mild, pleasant weather.
What are must-see landmarks in Zurich?
Explore the Old Town (Altstadt), Lake Zurich promenades, Rathaus, Lindenhof, and Bahnhofstrasse.
What language is spoken in Zurich?
German (Swiss Standard German) is used; English is common in tourist areas.
How can I get around in Zurich?
The city has efficient trams, buses, and trains; a Zurich Card offers transport and museum discounts.