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How the Cycling World Championships will impact Zurich residents

Around 1,300 of the world's best cyclists will be hitting the streets of Zurich over the next week, competing for gold and glory. Of course, that means there will some disruptions around town.

Published: 20 September 2024 17:37 CEST
How the Cycling World Championships will impact Zurich residents
1,300 of the world's best cyclists and para-cyclists will descend on Zurich from Saturday for nine days of races. Photo: Peter Wingate / Unsplash

Here’s everything you need to know about how one of the world’s biggest cycling events will impact Zurich. 

What’s happening?

Fresh off the 2024 Olympic Games, some 1,300 of the world’s best cyclists and para-cyclists are heading to Zurich to compete in the 2024 Cycling and Para-cycling World Championships. 

Over eight days, over 52 different races will take place across the city – some more than 100 kilometres in length. 

It is, as they say, a big deal. 

What does this mean for Zurich? 

Besides a lot more lycra, the event will mean interruptions to traffic. 

With races taking place on public roads, many will be closed to motor vehicle traffic for substantial periods.

In fact, the city suggests that you take public transport to get about if you have the opportunity. 

Which roads will be closed?

Bellerivestrasse, Dufourstrasse, Utoquai and the north-south axis of Quaibrücke will be closed to traffic between 5am and 7pm from Sunday, September 22nd to Tuesday, September 24th.

Between Wednesday, September 25th and Sunday, September 29th, normal traffic access to the districts of Hottingen, Hirslanden, Weinegg, Mühlebach and Seefeld will be closed off. 

Outside of Zurich, various roads in Oerlikon, Schwamendingen, the Glattal and Oberland towns of Oetwil am See, Mönchaltorf and Gossau, and Lake Greifensee will be closed temporarily between Saturday, September 21st and Monday, September 23rd.

READ MORE: ‘There are no cycle paths’: How Zurich could improve safety for cyclists

What if I need to access those areas by car?

Again, the city strongly recommends that you take public transport, but if you absolutely must access the Zurich districts mentioned above with a car, there will be a checkpoint at Forchstrasse at the Itschnacher intersection.

While not obligatory to enter the area, you can speed up your access through the checkpoint with a permit secured beforehand, available here. 

Anything else I need to know?

The World Championships will also impact public transport.

Buses and trams that travel by Lake Zurich and in Oerlikon will be restricted between Saturday, September 21st and Monday, September 23rd.

S-Bahn services will be largely unaffected, with longer trains employed to handle the influx of fans. 

To avoid delays, both the ZVV and VBZ recommend that you check their websites and use the journey planner before setting out.

Where can I learn more?

A comprehensive overview of the event, race schedule and ticket shop, all in English, can be accessed here.

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ZURICH

How much does a Zurich city break cost in 2024?

As Swiss cities go, Zurich is the complete package: Not only is it the country’s economic and cultural capital, but its location on the lake of the same name, the River Limmat, and the nearby Uetliberg make it a great natural beauty. The question is, how much does it cost to visit?

Published: 23 February 2024 14:12 CET
How much does a Zurich city break cost in 2024?

Using a weekend city trip as a yardstick, The Local looked at the average costs of a visit to Zurich, factoring in accommodation, dining, public transport and sightseeing. 

Accommodation

Based on data from the online booking platform trip.com, the average price for a hotel room per night in Zurich in 2024 is 149 francs – roughly €157. 

Of course, this greatly depends on the level of comfort you’re looking for. 

A room in a popular budget hotel near the central train station, like Hotel Bristol, can run as low as 47 francs / €50 per night for a private room. 

On the other end of the scale, a room in a luxury hotel like the iconic Hotel Storchen starts at around 547 francs / €574. 

For a two-night stay in the city, budget around 350 francs / €370 – assuming you have two people sharing.

Dining

According to the crowdsourced travel information site Budgetyourtrip.com, the average meal in Zurich costs around 24 francs / €26.

Again, this depends on what you’re looking for. Hitting up a popular street food spot like Sternen Grill will cost you around 16 francs / €15 for a Bratwurst in a roll with mustard and a drink.

Conversely, you could splurge on a Michelin-star restaurant like La Rotisserie, part of the Hotel Storchen, and spend 300 francs / €315 per person. 

For a two-night stay in Zurich, expect to pay 156 francs / €163 per person to eat. 

READ ALSO: Nine Zurich life hacks to make you feel like a local

Public Transport 

Thankfully, Zurich is serviced by an excellent public transport network, and getting around couldn’t be easier. 

It may also be the easiest part to budget for your Zürich city trip. 

The Zürich Card offers unlimited 2nd class travel on all buses, trains, boats, funicular railways and other forms of public transport in the Zürich region. 

A 24-hour pass costs 29 francs / €30.41, while a 72-hour pass costs 56 francs / €58.74.

For two nights in Zürich, it’ll cost you about 56 francs / €58.74 per person to get around the city. 

Sightseeing 

What you spend on sightseeing in Zurich can be the most variable part of your budget, depending on what you want to see. 

Strolling around the Old Town and Lake Zurich and visiting historic churches such as the Grossmünster and Fraumünster are free. 

A trip up the Uetliberg is also free, as you can take a tram covered by your public transport ticket.

You could also visit such museums as the Landesmuseum Zürich (13 francs / €13.63), the Swiss Finance Museum (10 francs / €10.49 ), the FIFA Museum (26 francs / €27.27 ) and the Lindt Home of Chocolate (15 francs / €15.73).

Gallery offerings include the Kunsthaus Zürich (24 francs / €25.17 ), the Kunsthalle Zürich (12 francs / €12.58) and the Pavilion Le Corbusier (12 francs / €12.58). 

It’s important to note that some museums and galleries offer free entry with the Zurich Card – it’s worth checking at the ticket counter. 

Enjoying a boat trip on Lake Zurich is really worth your while, and a cruise with a vessel operated by the ZVV  will cost 44.60 francs / €44.76 for first class and 27 francs / €28,32 for second class,

READ ALSO: Five beautiful Swiss villages located less than an hour from Zurich

Suppose you operate on the assumption that you might see two museums daily and take a boat cruise during your trip. 

Budgeting 120 francs / €125.85 per person, is not unreasonable in that case. 

From the Uetliberg there are stunning views across Lake Zurich and the city. Photo: Stux / Pixabay

And in the end…? 

With some quick back-of-the-napkin maths, if you’re a couple expecting to spend two to three nights in Zurich, you can expect to pay around 1,062 francs / €1114.

While not the cheapest European destination, it’s more than made up for by natural beauty in scoops, a treasure trove of art, culture and history, and some of central Europe’s best dining. 

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