Traveler-compatibility checks for this destination are still pending. Local notes are useful, but phone, payment and signup eligibility are not yet sourced per service.
Locals rarely ride-hail — trams, trains and bikes cover the city. Traditional Swiss taxis are very expensive (high base fare + per-km), so app rides are the cheaper alternative when you need one.
The default ride-hail in Zurich — cheaper and easier than street taxis, city-wide coverage. UberX plus taxi options.
Established local Zurich taxi fleet with its own app; use it if you specifically want a licensed cab. Metered Swiss taxi prices are steep.
The Swiss market leader (formerly Eat.ch) — widest restaurant selection nationwide and the app most locals default to.
Migros and Coop are the Swiss retail duopoly — between them they cover almost everything. Everyone has one or both loyalty apps.
Half of the Swiss grocery duopoly. App has Cumulus loyalty + digital receipts; Migros Online delivers a full weekly shop.
The other giant. Supercard app for points/offers; Coop@home for delivery. Coop edged past Migros as the biggest online grocer in 2025.
Online farmers' market — fresh, organic, regional produce delivered. Pricier but popular for quality.
Zurich-focused quick grocery delivery (groceries in ~30 min) covering the city and parts of Aargau.
Hugely used in Zurich to grab cheap surplus food from bakeries, supermarkets and restaurants before closing.
No ticket barriers — you MUST hold a valid ticket before boarding; spot-check fines are ~CHF 100+. Pay in-app by card, TWINT, Apple Pay or Google Pay.
The essential app everyone has — national + local timetables, tickets and the EasyRide check-in/out fare. Works for Zurich trams/buses too.
Zurich network app for trams, buses, S-Bahn and boats within the canton; buy zone tickets and day passes here.
Check-in when you board, check-out when you arrive — it calculates the cheapest fare automatically. Great if you don't know the zones.
Züri Velo is the city's station-based bike share. Free-floating e-scooters also operate, but the former Smide/Bond e-bike service closed in 2021.
Contactless is everywhere — Visa/Mastercard, Apple Pay and Google Pay accepted almost universally. Cash still works but is increasingly optional.
Swisscom has the best overall coverage (crucial for trains and mountains); Salt is cheapest. Local prepaid tourist plans are usually physical SIMs, so install a travel eSIM before you land for instant data.
The go-to travel eSIM for arrivals — install before landing and you're online instantly. Runs on Swiss networks.
Best local network by far. Prepaid tourist packs (e.g. unlimited data ~1 week); grab a SIM at Zurich Airport.
Cheapest local carrier (pay-per-active-day) and leading on 5G, but weaker rural 4G than Swisscom/Sunrise.
Verified Swiss emergency numbers. 112 reaches everything; locals often dial the specific service directly.
Universal EU emergency line — works from any phone even with no SIM or a locked screen, and routes you to the right service.
Swiss national police (Polizei).
Medical emergencies / ambulance (Sanität).
Fire brigade (Feuerwehr).
Swiss air-ambulance helicopter rescue — critical in the mountains and for hiking accidents.
Six concrete setup decisions for Zurich. No fake personalization—just the local default, the local caveat, and what to do before day one gets expensive.
Mark only what you have actually set up. Progress stays in this browser.
Set up data before you need a ride, ticket, map, or verification code.
Best local network by far. Prepaid tourist packs (e.g. unlimited data ~1 week); grab a SIM at Zurich Airport. Swisscom has the best overall coverage (crucial for trains and mountains); Salt is cheapest. Local prepaid tourist plans are usually physical SIMs, so install a travel eSIM before you land for instant data.
Know the local default before accepting a taxi quote or opening a global app.
The default ride-hail in Zurich — cheaper and easier than street taxis, city-wide coverage. UberX plus taxi options. Locals rarely ride-hail — trams, trains and bikes cover the city. Traditional Swiss taxis are very expensive (high base fare + per-km), so app rides are the cheaper alternative when you need one.
Compare the official airport-to-city option before paying for a car.
The essential app everyone has — national + local timetables, tickets and the EasyRide check-in/out fare. Works for Zurich trams/buses too. No ticket barriers — you MUST hold a valid ticket before boarding; spot-check fines are ~CHF 100+. Pay in-app by card, TWINT, Apple Pay or Google Pay.
Open the map that works best locally and save your hotel or first stop.
Default for walking, driving and directions; transit info is decent but SBB is more reliable for exact departures/platforms.
Check the local card, cash, and wallet reality before your first purchase.
The dominant Swiss mobile-pay app — QR at shops, markets, parking and person-to-person. Needs a Swiss bank account or Swiss card, so many visitors can't set it up. Contactless is everywhere — Visa/Mastercard, Apple Pay and Google Pay accepted almost universally. Cash still works but is increasingly optional.
Use the service locals answer—and note any calling or registration restriction.
The default for everyday chat and calls in Switzerland, same as most of Europe. You'll need it for basically everyone.
This is an arrival checklist, not an app ranking. Open the full local toolkit below for alternatives, coverage limits, and services you may need later.
Local tender, realistic foreign-currency acceptance, and a daily USD reference before a terminal or exchange desk chooses the rate for you.
Reference only. Your bank, card network, ATM, or exchange counter may add fees or use a different rate.
The normal currency for prices and payment.
Accepted by some tourist-facing merchants, often at their own conversion rate.
Cards are widespread. Pay in francs when possible; euro acceptance is optional and change may come back in CHF.
Country payment guidance reviewed Jul 21, 2026