About Zurich
So you dreamed about studying in Zurich; worked hard, passed your exams, applied to its universities, and you finally got accepted. The next step now is to find a place there where you can live. If you don’t know where to even begin, don’t worry, because Casita is here to help! To find your perfect student accommodation in Zurich, just visit our website and browse hundreds of room options. You can also contact our accommodation experts; together, they will make sure you find a perfect place to call home away from home. Our services are available around the clock and are 100% free.
Why Book Student Accommodation in Zurich?
When people think about Switzerland, most think of Swiss watches, Swiss army pocket knives, Swiss cheese and chocolate; but just as famous and even more stunning, is the city of Zurich itself which is located on the shore of a sparkling lake. There are mountains, beautiful waters and nature in all its abundance. It is one of the best cities in the world to live in according to many studies, due to its quality of life, high salaries and excellent organisation.
Switzerland is known for its world-class education, even though they are known for being rigorous. Some of the most famous scientists, like Albert Einstein or Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen, studied at Zurich universities. Today, about 60,000 people study at the 20 universities, colleges and institutions of higher education in Zurich. Besides education and excellent universities, Zurich has a lot more to offer. If you want some downtime from studying, then you can try skiing, rowing, cycling, jogging and more. In a nutshell, Zurich is a wonderful city and a top-study destination, but what really counts is what this city could mean for you and your study experience.
Universities in Zurich
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH Zürich)
Casita has five accommodation options within approximate distance of the university.
More than three bus stops surround the campus; Central is just an eight-minute walk away.
Paradeplatz is just an eight-minute car ride away from campus.
University of Zurich
Our six accommodation options are all within a close distance from the university.
There are three bus stops surrounding the university; Sprecherstrasse is just an 11-minute walk away.
Mastkopt is just a seven-minute walk away from the campus, while Häringsplatz is ten minutes away on foot.
Zurich University of the Arts
Casita’s three accommodation options are all close to the university.
More than six bus stops surround the university; Zuerich, Eurobus Terminal is just an eight-minute walk away.
Platzspitzbrunnen is just a six-minute car ride away from campus.
Student Life
Is Zurich a good place for students?
Yes, Zurich is one of the best cities to live in, in terms of quality of life. The city almost always comes at the top of the quality of life surveys. It is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful and elegant cities in Switzerland.
Zurich is also one of the best cities in Switzerland for studying and its campuses are great in general. Classrooms are pretty well-equipped with gyms, business centres, libraries, art studios, cafes and everything a student could ever need.
How is student life in Zurich?
Zurich offers a young and vibrant atmosphere to locals and expats alike. As an international student in Zurich, you will even find many benefits specifically tailored to make your student life affordable and enjoyable. Students in Zurich can take advantage of a range of free or discounted leisure activities in the city. Particularly during the summer, sunny days are the perfect occasion to enjoy the wonderful nature and outdoor scene that the city has to offer. Also, students and young people receive many special discounts there. Museums, events and attractions across Switzerland mostly offer student tickets at a special price. With your Zurich student card, generally known as 'Legi', you could also benefit from many discounts and special offers. If you wish, you may also pay to become a member of the student initiative LEGI, which provides an even larger number of student discounts in the city.
Is Zurich expensive to live in?
It comes without a surprise that living costs in Zurich can be high. However, there are many things that you can do to save on your budget. Many students in Zurich resort to doing grocery shopping at discount supermarkets such as Denner and Lidl, where prices are lower than other Swiss chain supermarkets. To save money on food, you can also eat at university cafeterias, where, upon presentation of a valid student card, you could enjoy meals at a discounted price. Regarding transportation, young people under 25 benefit from the junior subscription for Zurich's public transport network, ZVV. Most students in Switzerland also possess a half-fare card from the Swiss railway company, SBB, which allows them to buy public transport and train tickets at half price.
Must-Visit Places in Zurich
While Zurich is the financial and business capital of Switzerland, there is still plenty to see and do in and around the city. From relaxing in quiet, peaceful parks to exploring quirky shopping areas in refurbished industrial sites, there’s something for everyone. The Paradeplatz was a livestock market many decades ago; today, it’s home to banking headquarters and some of the most expensive pieces of real estate in Switzerland. The square, in the centre of the Bahnhofstrasse, is also the site of a perilous X-crossing for trams, which is exciting to see.
Another must-see is the Zurich Opera. Since 1891, it has made its home inside a neoclassical building, adorned with sculptures of famous musicians, poets and playwrights; Shakespeare, Mozart and Wagner are just a few of the faces on display. The Opera House is also the home of the Zurich Ballet, and it always has a wide array of shows and performances.
The long, crescent-shaped Lake Zurich curves past the wooded peaks of Pfannenstiel to the east and the Albis chain to the west. There are many ways to make the most of the lake, but for convenience, you can take the scenic promenade along the east shore in the Seefeld quarter. There you can look over to Uetliberg and see the hundreds of yachts and other crafts breezing across the lake in the summer. The promenade starts at Bellevue and extends for three kilometres down to Tiefenbrunnen. It’s one of a network of walkways plotted around the lakeshore in the 1880s.
Transportation in Zurich
Zurich Public Transport (VBZ) employs a network of trams, trains, buses, cable cars, and boats to help travellers traverse Zurich and its suburbs. The trams, in particular, are a good way to get around. Before you hop aboard, make sure you buy your ticket at a VBZ ticket office or an automatic ticket machine. Nine ticket offices and more than 1,400 automatic ticket machines are available at various stations.
The city also offers free bike rentals daily for getting around. To borrow a bike, travellers will need to show a passport (or another form of ID) and provide a refundable deposit of 20 Swiss francs (about $21). Loaner bikes can be found year-round outside Hauptbahnhof (Zurich's main train station). Additional bike stations are available by Bellevue station and along Bahnhofstrasse from May to October.
Taxi services are also available in Zurich; however, they can be expensive and largely unnecessary due to the city's expansive and reliable tram system. Taxi rates start at 6 francs (about $6.50), and an additional 3.80 francs ($4) are tacked on per kilometre travelled. You'll find taxicabs lined up outside the Hauptbahnhof station, as well as other transit hubs and attractions throughout Zurich. You can also opt to get around via the Uber ride-hailing service.
Nearby Student Accommodation In Switzerland
Casita offers student accommodation in other Swiss cities besides having facilities for student accommodation in Zurich. Some of these cities are: