5 Best Tours in Zurich That Aren’t in Your Guidebook
Living in Zurich, I’ve realised this city is like one of those posh Swiss watches – looks stunning on the outside, but the real magic is in the details.
At first, I stuck to the typical spots: snapping selfies by the lake, pretending I could afford anything on Bahnhofstrasse, and making a beeline for the nearest chocolate shop (no shame there).
But it wasn’t until I started joining local tours that I truly got to know Zurich. I’m talking hidden corners, stories you won’t find in any guidebook, and those “wow, I never knew that!” moments.
So, after countless wanderings, chats with fellow locals, and lots of exploring, I came up with a list of the best tours in Zurich. You’ll walk away with stories that even your Swiss friends will envy.
| How much do tours cost in Zurich? Tours in Zurich cost around CHF 50 for budget-friendly group experiences to CHF 500 or more for extensive private excursions. Group tours often include walking tours or basic city highlights while customised private tours come with premium services, such as multilingual expert guides, tailor-made itineraries, and exclusive access to popular attractions. |
1. Swiss Private Tour
Address: Valuesource GmbH, Michael-Maggi-Strasse 5, 8046
Phone: +41 44 520 92 00
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 9 AM – 5:30 PM
Website: https://www.swissprivatetour.com/
Swiss Private Tour is perfect for locals looking for a high-end, personalised experience. They have a wide variety of private tours, ranging from in-depth city explorations to day trips to iconic spots like the Rhine Falls and Lucerne.
Previous customers we’ve talked to tell us that their guides have extensive knowledge of all the local spots, and are dedicated to crafting a unique experience tailored to your preferences.
Each tour is highly customisable, offered in multiple languages, and delivered with a focus on comfort and exclusivity. This service is ideal for special occasions or those who appreciate detailed, VIP-style experiences.
However, we did notice that this premium experience does come with a higher price tag.
Our time with Sal was unforgettable
“Sal was an amazing tour guide. He treated our family as if we were his family and showed us with passion, one of the most beautiful places on earth. He also went out of his way to show us places that tourists rarely know about. My wife was so grateful that Sal took so many memorable photos of us. We had Sal with us for 5 days, and I wished we had stayed longer. Our time with Sal was unforgettable, he met and exceeded our expectations. Thank you and we will definitely be back to visit Switzerland again.”
-9163628546, Google Review
Absolutely spectacular trip
“We hired Sal for a private day tour through the Swiss countryside. Absolutely spectacular trip even though it rained throughout the day. Sal adjusted the trip to accommodate the weather and provided us with a day we won’t soon forget. He was polite, respectful and very interesting to chat with. Even though he knew we were going to exceed the agreed upon time he took us to one final spot that just added another wonderful memory of the day.”
-John O’Shea, Google Review
2. Best of Switzerland Tours AG
Address: Sihlquai Bus Station, Limmatstrasse 2, 8005
Phone: +41 44 710 50 50
Business hours: Monday to Sunday: 7 AM – 9 PM
Website: https://www.switzerland-tours.ch/
Best of Switzerland Tours AG offers well-organised group tours that balance quality with affordability, making them a favourite among folks exploring the region.
They provide everything from half-day city tours to full-day excursions into the Swiss Alps, visiting spots like Jungfraujoch and Mount Pilatus. Plus, we noticed that these tours are on the more affordable side, which is great for those budget travellers.
We also love the smooth logistics here that ensure a stress-free day. The guides will handle everything, from making sure you hit the best spots, to all the quick snack breaks in between.
They’ve also got seasonal tours, like their popular Christmas market trips during the holidays. If you’re in town for them, these tours add a nice festive touch to their offerings.
Just note that their group tours can get pretty crowded and busy since they accommodate a larger number of people.
I highly recommend this tour group
“My husband and I had been to Switzerland in the first week of September 2024 with Best of Switzerland Tours. We had gone on Rhine Falls and Stein am Rhein tour,Bern city tour, jewels of alps and Highlights of Central Switzerland. Buses were comfortable,guides were knowledgeable and everything was executed well. I would like to specifically mention tour guides LARS and GONZALO who were very efficient. Both of them (in different tours) went out of the way and helped us out in sorting our problems. They were passionate about their jobs. I wish them all the best. I am attaching their photos too. I highly recommend this tour group.”
-Meera Kp, Google Review
Had an amazing experience with their tour guides
“I had a tremendous experience with the Best of Switzerland Tours, and would highly recommend them if you are in town and would like to get a experience checking out places as visitors and especially with family and kids.
I was in town for 4 days and endded up buying 3 day tour packages from them, been to Mt. Titles, Zurich Day tour and Jungfraujoch. Had an amazing experience with their tour guides Angela & Renate for the first two days. Ersilla who was our tour guide for day #3 Jungfraujoch did an ok job, but it looked like she was struggling to manage the visitors all!! And when it gets to transportation, loved their buses, they were very comfortable and the journey back & forth was stress free. I will certainly try to again when back in swiss next time around.”
-Shiva *, Google Review
3. Swiss Epic Tours GmbH
Address: Hörnlistrasse 6, 8153 Rümlang
Phone: +41 79 811 59 69
Business hours: Open 24 hours
Website: https://www.swissepictours.com/
Swiss Epic Tours GmbH is well-suited for locals and tourists who love adventure and outdoor experiences.
Their offerings include guided hikes, mountain tours, and unique excursions that venture into lesser-explored areas. We love their focus on immersive, nature-based experiences, making them ideal for thrill-seekers and nature enthusiasts.
Previous customers we’ve talked to tell us that their guides are passionate and experienced, adding depth and excitement to each outing.
Swiss Epic Tours also offers seasonal activities like snowshoeing in winter and summer lake tours, providing lots of options year-round.
Just keep in mind that since they focus on those more nature-based adventures, they don’t have a lot of options for travellers looking to explore the urban scene instead.
Made our day very special
“Ricardo, was an exceptional tour guide. He was friendly, kind, informative, and went out of his way to show us the most spectacular parts of Switzerland. His car is very comfortable which made for great naps in between all of our places, he provided water bottles too. His recommendation for lunch was exceptional. We really enjoyed being with him and the places he took us too. Overall he made our day very special.”
-Mignon West, Google Review
This vacation is one of the best we ever had
“Our party of 8 recently got back home to the US after an amazing 10 days vacation in Switzerland. After months of chatting with Catharina from Swiss Epic Tours, she was able to customize our “must-see list”, and she also recommended hidden gems in Switzerland which did not disappoint! What a beautiful country! We were fortunate to have our drivers/tour guides: Richard, Marco, Joyce, to name a few who are passionate with what they do, they were punctual and catered to our needs with our daily itinerary. Majority of us concluded that this vacation is one of the best we ever had, from the scenic views on the mountains and the turquoise waters, the Jungfraujoch ice palace, it was an extraordinary experience! We would love to return to Switzerland again and will definitely use Swiss Epic Tours. Thank you Catharina and your team for your excellent service!”
-annabelle tinampay, Google Review
4. Free Walking Tours Zurich
Phone: +41 77 405 89 66
Business hours: Monday to Sunday: 7 AM – 1 AM
Website: https://www.freewalk.ch/zurich/
Free Walk Zurich is perfect for locals who want to explore their city on a budget while enjoying high-quality experiences.
They offer pay-what-you-wish walking tours, making them an affordable way to discover Zurich’s history, architecture, and culture.
Their most popular tours include the Old Town walk, which showcases Zurich’s medieval alleys and landmarks, and specialised routes focusing on themes like art or Zurich West’s urban renewal.
The guides are passionate volunteers who bring stories to life with engaging narratives and fun facts. We just love the friendly atmosphere – it’s awesome for meeting like-minded wanderers and new friends!
However, we did notice that these tours get booked up pretty fast, so it’s best to plan ahead.
Great way to see the city and learn a little bit of history
“This was a great way to see the city and learn a little bit of history of the city. Our guide had a lot of knowledge and answered all of our extra questions. Gave us great tips about not purchasing water and using the fountains around the city. Highly recommend doing one of these for your visit and bring cash to tip the guides!”
-Nicole Robert, Google Review
Daniel was very knowledgeable about the city, customs and history
“We had an excellent time with Daniel, Our Spanish Speaking Guide. Free Walking Tours oferred English and German tours as well. Daniel was very knowledgeable about the city, customs and history and took his time to describe the highlights of each place as we walked along. His sense of humour was contagious and it made our time even more enjoyable. Highly recommended.”
-Paola Barcacel, Google Review
5. M1Tours
Address: Badenerstrasse 816, 8048
Phone: +41 78 300 05 95
Business hours: Monday to Sunday: 6 AM – 10 PM
Website: www.m1tours.ch
M1Tours is a popular tour company that offers a variety of high-quality experiences tailored to both history buffs and adventure seekers in Zurich.
They offer a wide range of tours from in-depth city walks that highlight Zurich’s rich cultural and historical heritage to scenic day trips that venture into the surrounding Swiss countryside.
Popular options include themed tours such as ‘Medieval Zurich’ and exclusive vineyard visits for wine enthusiasts.
Most of their tours have smaller group sizes, so it’s definitely a more interactive experience that’s great for meeting new people while you travel.
Their guides are super knowledgeable and engaging, so you get a neat history lesson while you’re on one of their tours.
We just noticed that their tours aren’t very customisable, so they’re ideal for people who have a more flexible itinerary.
Will definitely book again on my next visit!
“Took my friend’s advice, and it was worth every franc. Mike was very considerate of everyone in the tour, and made sure all of us had a great time. We also felt comfortable during the whole drive, and enjoyed it while singing karaoke. Will definitely book again on my next visit! Avail of his drone shots too!”
-Chantelle Reyes, Google Review
Made us confident during our whole day tour in Zurich
“If you are planning to go to Zurich, I highly recommend M1Tours! Since we’re not locals and we only have a very limited time in Zurich, it was very hard for us to create an itinerary for just a whole day tour and also, very expensive if train or uber will be our mode of transportation. M1Tours with Sir Mike being our Tour Guide, he was able to help us with all of our concerns. He suggested some of the best destinations! As for the transportation, we never had an anxiety going to our chosen destinations and coming back to the hotel. It was very convenient money and time wise.
Traveling with Sir Mike made us confident during our whole day tour in Zurich because he’s a local, speaks the language, he knows the do’s and dont’s, where to go, best spots, what food to eat, and also a very good photographer!
Sir Mike and M1Tours deserves the recognition that they are getting because of their service. We found M1Tours in a Flight Attendant page with more than 10k Cabin Crews and we highly highly recommend M1Tours!
I wish you all the best Sir Mike and M1Tours! Thank you for the experience! 🤍”
-Daniella Garcia, Google Review