Zürich Tourist Traps

Adler's Swiss Chuchli is a large restaurant in the Niederdorf area (part of the old town, where many many many tourists stroll aimlessly at all hours of the day). They serve Swiss specialities, most particularly fondue. The food is not that good and the prices do not reflect the quality of the food or the service. Your life will not be ruined if you eat here, but you can have a much more authentic, tasty experience at other restaurants a bit more off the beaten track. Zurich is a small city, so searching "farther afield" is really a question of another five minutes on foot or in a tram.

Unique Suggestions: If you are going to go to a "tourist" restaurant, at least go to the Zeughauskeller, which while packed with tourists is also frequented by locals. They do local Zurich specialities (especially the "chunks of veal in brown cream sauce") very well. Their Rosti (another can't-miss-while-in-Zurich dish) is generally acceptable to very good, depending. It's a down-home place that will make you want to order a mid-day beer to wash down the hearty fare. Make an effort to speak in German even if your menu is printed in another language, and you will get smiles.

Fun Alternatives: I have already recommended another fondue restaurant, but to reiterate, Le Dezalay has awesome Swiss specialities, especially fondue. The Pinte Vaudoise is also good, and much smaller (but with a more limited menu).

The exhibition Monets’ Garden is on until 13 March 2005-02-28

The exhibit is narrated in many different languages with a phone guide.
We found the narration far too long for each picture. The room was packed & it made it difficult to view the paintings from a distance which needs to be done with impressionists paintings. There were lots of paintings in a small space making the room feel claustrophobic.

The museum is in a state of refurbishment so don’t pay the extra to see the remaining gallery as you won’t see much

On Storchengasse, upon a roof, stands a stork over its nest. The thing is, it's not real. I squealed in excitement, thinking it was-how foolish!

Unique Suggestions: Now you know, so don't be fooled.

Fun Alternatives: Goad an unsuspecting mate into thinking it's real.

I'm always laughing about that typical movie line: ...numbered account in Switzerland....

Hell, why should anyone open a numbered account in Switzerland? First of all it is very expensive to have one and secondly, it doesn't give you more security than a regular name account. All the movie stuff is just funny....

Fun Alternatives: If you really wanna have an account in Switzerland open a regular savings account on your name. Those accounts are ususally free of charge and as a foreigner you are allowed to open an account when you have proper ID (Passport!) and (sometimes) proof of the origin of the money (MONEY LAUNDRY!).

In a lot of Shops you have the possibility to pay in EUR, USD or GBP. Sure it is convenient, but also you'll get a really bad exchange rate.

Fun Alternatives: Either exchange your money at the next bank (don't go to UBS or Credit Suisse, they charge for a change if you are not a customer) or otherwise try to pay as much with Credit- or Debitcard.

Everyday travel around Zurich can be expensive. Once you step on this city get a half price card (CHF99) valid for a month.In any case if you wish to travel all over Switzerland or even go to Italy or Germany or France you can buy half price for all the transport. Be it bus, train, trams or even boat to enjoy some sightseeing.

Unique Suggestions: Keep all the tickets that you have bought and buy the half price card. Hopefully they will change it at the counter. It is not a must but depends on the helpfulness of the counterperson. I cannot guarantee this, but you can try.

Don't go to the club ZOO. They were incredibly rude when we didn't want to check out coats. I've never encountered that anywhere else and I felt they picked on us since there were many others there with coats. Besides, the music was not so great that night.

I felt good in Zürich and didn't have the feeling, that I got ripped off in any way!

Well, the prices ARE high, but I guess they are this way all over Switzerland!

Fun Alternatives: compare prizes beforehand!