Zurich Tours Ranked by Price
Most of Zurich’s organised sightseeing is not a bus tour but a boat, a funicular or a guided stroll. This page ranks them from the cheapest ride to the longest outing, so you can see what each ticket buys. Everything is priced in Swiss francs (CHF).
Under CHF 5: the funicular and the Limmat boat
Polybahn. The little funicular has run since 1889 and climbs 41 metres in about 100 seconds from the Central tram hub to the ETH terrace. The terrace looks over the Old Town spires, the river and the lake. It runs on a short city fare (check the exact amount before you go), and it is free with the Zürich Card. Timetables are shortest on Saturdays and unconfirmed on Sundays, so check the operator’s page first.
Limmat boat. Electric glass-roof boats leave from the landing beside the Landesmuseum, pass the Rathaus, Helmhaus, Grossmünster and Fraumünster, and continue onto the lake to Zürichhorn. Each way takes about 25 minutes, around 50 minutes for the round trip. The fare is about CHF 4.60 for adults and CHF 3.20 reduced. It is sold by the lake boat company ZSG, so a plain city ticket does not cover it. It runs April to October only, and sailings can be suspended when the river is low, so look at zsg.ch before you walk to the pier.
CHF 9 to 30: lake cruises from Bürkliplatz
The shorter lake loop lasts roughly 90 minutes and is listed at about CHF 9.20 for an adult in second class. The long cruise to Rapperswil and back takes around four and a half hours and about CHF 27. Both leave from Bürkliplatz (trams 2, 5, 8, 9 and 11). The Zürich Card covers the short and mini cruises but not the long Rapperswil trip. In winter the short loop shrinks to a Bürkliplatz to Kilchberg service, so the timetable matters more than the price.
A hillside ride: the Dolderbahn
The green rack railway runs from Römerhof up through villa streets and beech woods to the Dolder hotel area. It is run by the city transport operator, the Zürich Card includes it, and fares and timetable are worth checking first. It suits an afternoon with a short forest walk at the top.
A guide on foot
Zurich Tourism runs a two-hour guided Old Town walk from the desk in the main station concourse. A listed price is about CHF 25 for adults and CHF 12.50 for children aged 6 to 16, but the schedule and fare should be confirmed on zuerich.com. If you prefer to go alone, our walking tours page lays out routes.
One closure to plan around
The Uetliberg train (S10) does not run from Zürich HB until 13 December 2026 because of works between the station and Selnau. Take the signposted 12-minute walk, or tram 3 or 14 to Stauffacher. Once the line reopens the trip takes about 25 minutes.
Read more: Zurich sightseeing and the Zurich 3 day itinerary .
Check timetables and fares at zsg.ch and zvv.ch . If you would rather join a packaged outing, the Zurich boat tour results on GetYourGuide list what is currently sold.