Travel budget and cost of living in Zurich (Switzerland) how much does a trip cost?

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.

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

Cost of living in Zurich compared to United States in 2025

On average, the cost of living in Zurich in 2025 is 65% 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):

Local prices in Zurich by expense type

Restaurant budget in Zurich

Lunch

$ 32/person
($ 21 to $ 51)

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58% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 20

3 course dinner

$ 76/person
($ 51 to $ 126)

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96% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 39

McDonald's meal

$ 20/person
($ 20 to $ 26)

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58% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 12

Local beer

$ 10 for 500ml
($ 7.6 to $ 12)

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68% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 6

Imported beer

$ 3.3 for 330ml
($ 1.9 to $ 5)

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9% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6

Cappuccino

$ 7/cup
($ 5 to $ 8.7)

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32% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.3

Fizzy drink

$ 6.1/can
($ 5 to $ 7.6)

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134% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.6

Water bottle

$ 5.4/bottle
($ 3.7 to $ 6.3)

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153% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.1

Hotel and accommodation budget in Zurich

1-star hotel

$ 133/night
($ 101 to $ 160)

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20% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 168

2-star hotel

$ 186/night
($ 103 to $ 425)

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12% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 166

3-star hotel

$ 219/night
($ 100 to $ 512)

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9% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 243

4-star hotel

$ 329/night
($ 112 to $ 1666)

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5% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 346

5-star hotel

$ 876/night
($ 310 to $ 2185)

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52% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 581

Hostel/Youth Hostel

$ 157/month
($ 100 to $ 271)

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10% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 175

Room with kitchen

$ 327/month
($ 100 to $ 1372)

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24% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 265

Hotel with swimming pool

$ 372/month
($ 130 to $ 1289)

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68% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 222

Cottage or guest house

$ 266/month
($ 180 to $ 353)

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5% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 254

Family room

$ 432/month
($ 130 to $ 1595)

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100% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 216

Supermarket food budget in Zurich

Milk

$ 2.2/litre
($ 1.6 to $ 2.6)

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111% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.1

Bread

$ 6.8/500g
($ 3 to $ 12)

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86% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6

Rice

$ 3.6/kg
($ 2.4 to $ 5.6)

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21% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.6

Eggs

$ 7.7/12 eggs
($ 4.5 to $ 10)

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75% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.4

Chicken

$ 31/kg
($ 16 to $ 42)

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144% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 13

Apples

$ 4.1/kg
($ 2 to $ 6.3)

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22% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.2

Tomatoes

$ 5.2/kg
($ 2.4 to $ 8.7)

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9% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.9

Potatoes

$ 2.3/kg
($ 1.3 to $ 5)

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20% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.9

Water bottle

$ 1.6
($ 0.8 to $ 2.6)

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25% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.2

Public and private transport budget in Zurich

Bus ticket

$ 5.1/ticket
($ 3.7 to $ 7.2)

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105% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.5

Taxi (per km)

$ 3.3/km
($ 3.3 to $ 7.6)

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87% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.7

Petrol

$ 2.2/litre
($ 2.1 to $ 2.6)

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156% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 0.9

Taxi (initial pick-up charge)

$ 7.6
($ 5 to $ 10)

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116% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.5

Car hire

$ 77/24hrs
($ 59 to $ 266)

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8% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 84

Leisure activity budget in Zurich

Cinema

$ 26/ticket
($ 25 to $ 30)

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68% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 15

Tennis

$ 51/hr
($ 32 to $ 63)

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119% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 23

Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes in Zurich

Cigarettes

$ 12/pack
($ 10.4 to $ 13)

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9% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 10.4

Levi's jeans

$ 140
($ 89 to $ 189)

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167% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 53

Summer dress

$ 61
($ 39 to $ 101)

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41% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 44

Plane ticket budget

London → Zurich

$ 165
(fair price: $ 139)

Montreal → Zurich

$ 1043
(fair price: $ 915)

Manchester → Zurich

$ 244
(fair price: $ 193)

New York City → Zurich

$ 916
(fair price: $ 709)

Dublin → Zurich

$ 226
(fair price: $ 176)

Sydney → Zurich

$ 1427
(fair price: $ 1191)

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