Backpacking Zürich Suggested Budgets For a mid-range budget of 195 CHF per day, you can stay in a private Airbnb, eat out for most of your meals, enjoy a few drinks, take the occasional taxi to get around, and do more paid activities like food tours, skiing, and museum visits.

Zurich is consistently ranked as one of the most expensive cities in the world, and in 2026, a mid-range traveler should budget approximately 200 to 250 CHF ($230 to $285 USD) per day, excluding accommodation. A significant portion of this budget goes toward dining; a basic lunch at a casual café will cost around 25–35 CHF, while a three-course dinner for one at a standard restaurant with a glass of wine can easily exceed 80–100 CHF. For transport, a 24-hour Zurich Card (covering trams, buses, and trains) costs about 27 CHF and is highly recommended. To save money, many locals and savvy tourists utilize the "Lunch Specials" at Migros or Coop supermarkets or drink from the city's 1,200+ fountains, which provide free, world-class mineral water. If you are a luxury traveler visiting high-end spots on the Bahnhofstrasse or dining at the Dolder Grand, your daily spend can easily climb to 600+ CHF. Conversely, a "shoestring" traveler can survive on 80 CHF by skipping sit-down restaurants and focusing on free museums. In 2026, Zurich remains a "cashless" hub where nearly every transaction—from a bratwurst at a street stall to a luxury watch—can be handled via contactless credit card.