Zurich
Europe · Switzerland
Best Months
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Rec. Nights
3 nights
Airports
ZRH
Avg. Cash
Varies
Best Value
Overview
Zurich is Switzerland largest city, beautifully situated at the northern tip of Lake Zurich with the Swiss Alps visible on the horizon. The best time to visit is May through September, when warm temperatures (65-80°F), long daylight hours, and clear skies make outdoor activities and lakeside strolls irresistible. Summer brings open-air swimming in the lake and river, rooftop bars, and the famous Street Parade techno festival in August.
The Old Town (Altstadt) on both sides of the Limmat River is a charming maze of medieval streets, guild houses, and boutiques anchored by the twin-towered Grossmunster church. Bahnhofstrasse is one of the world most exclusive shopping streets, while the trendy Zurich West district has transformed former industrial spaces into restaurants, galleries, and clubs. The Kunsthaus Zurich houses an impressive art collection spanning Chagall to Giacometti, and day trips to Lucerne, Rhine Falls, or the Jungfrau region are easily accessible by Switzerland famously punctual trains.
Points travelers will find a small but premium selection of 4 hotels in Zurich. Switzerland notoriously high prices make points redemptions extremely valuable here — a night at the Park Hyatt Zurich or Marriott properties that might cost $500+ in cash can deliver exceptional cents-per-point value on award bookings.
Cash vs Points
Hotels in Zurich range from $? to $? per night. Points redemptions offer 3+ cents per point value.
Points Hotel Recommendations
10 properties in Zurich bookable with points, sorted by value
| Hotel | Program | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Park Hyatt Zurich | Hyatt | 45,000 | $1,348 | 3.0¢ | |
Hyatt Place Zurich Airport The Circle | Hyatt | 12,000 | $232 | 1.9¢ | |
Basel Marriott Hotel | Marriott | 52,000 | $928 | 1.8¢ | |
Neues Schloss Privat Hotel Zurich, Autograph Collection | Marriott | 93,000 | $1,082 | 1.2¢ | |
Hyperion Hotel Basel | Wyndham | 30,000 | $292 | 1.0¢ | |
H+ Hotel & SPA Engelberg | Wyndham | 30,000 | $259 | 0.9¢ | |
Wellnesshotel Golf Panorama, an SLH Hotel | Hilton | 70,000 | $410 | 0.6¢ | |
Holiday Inn Zurich | IHG | 34,000 | $196 | 0.6¢ | |
Holiday Inn Express R Mlang | IHG | 24,000 | $139 | 0.6¢ | |
Hilton Garden Inn Zurich Limmattal | Hilton | 38,000 | $154 | 0.4¢ |
Transfer Points Strategy
Find the best transfer path for your credit card points
If you have Points:
Park Hyatt Zurich
If you have Marriott Bonvoy Points:
Basel Marriott Hotel
If you have Points:
Hyperion Hotel Basel
If you have Hilton Honors Points:
Wellnesshotel Golf Panorama, an SLH Hotel
If you have IHG One Rewards Points:
Holiday Inn Zurich
How to Earn Points for This Trip
The best hotels in Zurich use World of Hyatt, Marriott Bonvoy, Wyndham Rewards, Hilton Honors, and IHG One Rewards points. Here’s how to earn them:
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
IHG
$99
Annual Fee
140,000 IHG One Rewards points — transfers earns IHG One Rewards points directly
- 140K bonus points — enough for 3-5 free nights at many IHG properties
- Earn 26x total at IHG properties and 5x on travel, dining, and gas
- 4th night free on IHG award stays (saves 25% on 4-night bookings)
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
Hilton
$150
Annual Fee
130,000 Hilton Honors points — transfers earns Hilton Honors points directly
- Automatic Hilton Honors Gold status
- Earn 12x at Hilton properties, 6x at restaurants and supermarkets
- Free weekend night reward after $15K in calendar year spending
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
Hilton
$550
Annual Fee
175,000 Hilton Honors points — transfers earns Hilton Honors points directly
- Automatic Hilton Honors Diamond status (top tier)
- Earn 14x at Hilton properties, 7x on travel and dining
- Free weekend night reward annually + one after $60K spend
Affiliate Disclosure: We may earn a commission when you apply through our links. This does not affect our recommendations or the price you pay. We independently evaluate every card based on transfer value and earning potential.
Recommended Activities
Curated experiences in Zurich
Old Town & Lindenhof Walk
Wander through Zurich's beautifully preserved Altstadt along narrow medieval lanes, then climb to the Lindenhof hilltop park for postcard-perfect views over the Limmat River.
Lake Zurich Boat Cruise
Glide across crystal-clear Lake Zurich on a scenic boat service with the snow-capped Alps shimmering in the distance and vineyard-covered hills rolling past.
Kunsthaus Zurich
Switzerland's largest art museum houses an outstanding collection spanning Monet, Picasso, Giacometti, and a major new wing by David Chipperfield.
Swiss Food Experience
Dive into a proper Swiss cheese fondue at a cozy traditional restaurant, followed by rich chocolate from Sprungli or Teuscher.
Day Trip to the Swiss Alps
Hop on a scenic train to Lucerne, Interlaken, or Jungfraujoch and spend the day surrounded by towering peaks, emerald lakes, and crisp mountain air.
Bahnhofstrasse Shopping Stroll
Stroll one of Europe's most exclusive shopping boulevards, lined with Swiss watch boutiques, luxury fashion houses, and the legendary Confiserie Sprungli.
Travel Tips
Best Time to Visit
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Getting There
ZRH
Visa & Entry
Check your country's requirements
Budget
Varies
Packing Essentials
Pack for the climate
Cultural Tips
Respect local customs
Ask AI About Zurich
Have questions about traveling to Zurich with points? Our AI advisor can help you plan the perfect trip, compare hotels, and find the best value redemptions.
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