Zurich travel budget

Zurich: calculate your travel budget

Sample budgets for a trip to Zurich

These example budgets assume a 2-week holiday in Zurich for 2 people.

Low budget
(backpacker)

Daily budget:

  • $ 117 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 31 per person
  • $ 20 per person
  • Free activities

Total budget:

$ 3037* (2786 CHF)

Average budget
(traveller)

Daily budget:

  • $ 178 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 71 per person
  • $ 40 per person
  • $ 23 per person

Total budget:

$ 6198* (5670 CHF)

High budget
(tourist)

Daily budget:

  • $ 240 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 121 per person
  • $ 77 per person
  • $ 46 per person

Total budget:

$ 10147* (9268 CHF)

* estimated local budget for 2 people for 2 weeks (excluding plane tickets).



Cost of living in Zurich compared to United States in 2025

Compare with the average cost of living in:

On average, the cost of living in Zurich in 2025 is 62% higher than the average cost of living in the United States (USA).

See the graphic below for the price variation percentage by type of expense in Zurich in 2025 compared to average prices in the United States (USA):

Created with Highcharts 8.2.2%+64%+64%+24%+24%+26%+26%+99%+99%+91%+91%+66%+66%Price variation between Zurich and United States (countrywide average) in 2025RestaurantHotelFoodTransportLeisure activitiesShopping0255075100125



Local prices in Zurich by expense type

Restaurant budget in Zurich

On average, budget for eating in a restaurant in Zurich is 64% more expensive than in the United States (USA).
Created with Highcharts 8.2.2Price (USD)Restaurant: sample prices in Zurich (compared to United States)2020373711115.85.82828646419198.98.9United StatesZurichLunch3 course dinnerMcDonald's mealLocal beer0510152025303540455055606570
Lunch
Lunch
$ 28/person
($ 20 to $ 40)

44% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 20
3 course dinner
3 course dinner
$ 64/person
($ 45 to $ 97)

77% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 37
McDonald's meal
McDonald's meal
$ 19/person
($ 18 to $ 23)

68% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 11
Local beer
Local beer
$ 8.9 for 500ml
($ 5.6 to $ 10)

54% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.8
Imported beer
Imported beer
$ 2.9 for 330ml
($ 1.5 to $ 4.4)

16% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.4
Cappuccino
Cappuccino
$ 6.1/cup
($ 4.4 to $ 7.7)

22% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5
Fizzy drink
Fizzy drink
$ 5.3/can
($ 4.4 to $ 6.1)

116% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.4
Water bottle
Water bottle
$ 4.8/bottle
($ 4.4 to $ 6.1)

145% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2

Hotel and accommodation budget in Zurich

On average, hotel and accommodation budget in Zurich is 24% more expensive than in the United States (USA).
Created with Highcharts 8.2.2Price (USD)Hotel: sample prices in Zurich (compared to United States)148148218218301301158158220220159159197197283283148148237237United StatesZurich2-star hotel3-star hotel4-star hotelHostel/Youth HostelCottage or guest house020406080100120140160180200220240260280300320
1-star hotel
1-star hotel
$ 151/night
($ 92 to $ 358)

5% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 159
2-star hotel
2-star hotel
$ 159/night
($ 90 to $ 366)

8% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 148
3-star hotel
3-star hotel
$ 197/night
($ 91 to $ 590)

9% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 218
4-star hotel
4-star hotel
$ 283/night
($ 100 to $ 1296)

6% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 301
5-star hotel
5-star hotel
$ 761/night
($ 275 to $ 1940)

64% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 466
Hostel/Youth Hostel
Hostel/Youth Hostel
$ 148/month
($ 87 to $ 309)

6% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 158
Room with kitchen
Room with kitchen
$ 287/month
($ 93 to $ 1172)

24% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 232
Hotel with swimming pool
Hotel with swimming pool
$ 324/month
($ 112 to $ 1132)

64% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 198
Cottage or guest house
Cottage or guest house
$ 237/month
($ 150 to $ 469)

8% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 220
Family room
Family room
$ 380/month
($ 116 to $ 1449)

96% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 194

Supermarket food budget in Zurich

On average, the price of supermarket food in Zurich is 26% more expensive than in the United States (USA).
Created with Highcharts 8.2.2Price (USD)Food: sample prices in Zurich (compared to United States)3.63.612124.74.72.82.86.76.728285.25.22.52.5United StatesZurichEggsChickenTomatoesPotatoes024681012141618202224262830
Milk
Milk
$ 2/litre
($ 1.3 to $ 2.3)

92% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1
Bread
Bread
$ 3.7/500g
($ 1.8 to $ 5.6)

8% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.5
Rice
Rice
$ 4/kg
($ 1.6 to $ 5.5)

9% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.4
Eggs
Eggs
$ 6.7/12 eggs
($ 4.2 to $ 11)

88% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6
Chicken
Chicken
$ 28/kg
($ 14 to $ 40)

140% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 12
Apples
Apples
$ 3.4/kg
($ 1.8 to $ 5.6)

33% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.1
Tomatoes
Tomatoes
$ 5.2/kg
($ 2.3 to $ 8.8)

10% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.7
Potatoes
Potatoes
$ 2.5/kg
($ 1.3 to $ 3.9)

13% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.8
Water bottle
Water bottle
$ 1.1
($ 0.6 to $ 2.3)

46% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.1

Public and private transport budget in Zurich

On average, the price of transport in Zurich is 99% more expensive than in the United States (USA).
Created with Highcharts 8.2.2Price (USD)Transport: sample prices in Zurich (compared to United States)2.42.41.71.70.90.972724.84.84.24.22.12.16666United StatesZurichBus ticketTaxi (per km)PetrolCar hire05101520253035404550556065707580
Bus ticket
Bus ticket
$ 4.8/ticket
($ 3.5 to $ 6.6)

103% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.4
Taxi (per km)
Taxi (per km)
$ 4.2/km
($ 2.9 to $ 5.6)

154% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.7
Petrol
Petrol
$ 2.1/litre
($ 2 to $ 2.3)

125% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 0.9
Taxi (initial pick-up charge)
Taxi (initial pick-up charge)
$ 7.7
($ 4.4 to $ 11)

119% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.5
Car hire
Car hire
$ 66/24hrs
($ 44 to $ 235)

7% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 72

Leisure activity budget in Zurich

On average, budget for leisure activities in Zurich is 91% more expensive than in the United States (USA).
Cinema
Cinema
$ 23/ticket
($ 21 to $ 26)

65% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 14
Tennis
Tennis
$ 45/hr
($ 28 to $ 56)

117% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 21

Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes in Zurich

On average, shopping budget in Zurich is 66% more expensive than in the United States (USA).
Cigarettes
Cigarettes
$ 10/pack
($ 9 to $ 12)

4% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 10
Levi's jeans
Levi's jeans
$ 120
($ 73 to $ 156)

136% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 51
Summer dress
Summer dress
$ 65
($ 40 to $ 100)

58% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 42

Plane ticket budget

New York City → Zurich
New York City → Zurich
New York City → Zurich
$ 925
(fair price: $ 700)
Sydney → Zurich
Sydney → Zurich
Sydney → Zurich
$ 1392
(fair price: $ 1158)
Melbourne → Zurich
Melbourne → Zurich
Melbourne → Zurich
$ 1436
(fair price: $ 1167)
Toronto → Zurich
Toronto → Zurich
Toronto → Zurich
$ 994
(fair price: $ 850)
Edinburgh → Zurich
Edinburgh → Zurich
Edinburgh → Zurich
$ 266
(fair price: $ 204)
London → Zurich
London → Zurich
London → Zurich
$ 137
(fair price: $ 110)

Book a flight Flight prices to Zurich




About this information on the cost of living in Zurich

The information about the cost of living in Zurich shown on this page comes from multiple sources, including: Numbeo, Skyscanner and Hotels.com.

The information about the cost of living in Zurich was updated on 12-11-2024.

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