When to go · Zurich, Switzerland
Best time to visit Zurich
The sweet spot is July, August and September — averages 19°C, 11 rainy days, peak-season crowds and peak prices.
May – September
Temperate with four clear seasons. Warm summers (around 25°C) ideal for lake swimming, cold winters (near 0°C) with occasional snow. Spring and autumn are mild, and the Föhn wind can bring sudden warmth and sharp Alpine views.
The short answer
19°C · 11 rainy days · high season
18°C · 11 rainy days · high season
14°C · 8 rainy days · mid season
Hardest months: December and January. averages a raw 1°C, 9 rainy days, few other visitors.
Month by month
| Month | Avg temp | Rain days | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 0°C | 9d | low | Cold |
| February | 1°C | 8d | low | Cold |
| March | 6°C | 9d | low | Cold |
| April | 9°C | 10d | mid | Chilly |
| May | 14°C | 12d | mid | Wet |
| June | 17°C | 12d | high | Wet |
| July | 19°C | 11d | high | Comfortable but damp |
| August | 18°C | 11d | high | Comfortable but damp |
| September | 14°C | 8d | mid | Mild |
| October | 9°C | 8d | mid | Chilly |
| November | 4°C | 9d | low | Cold |
| December | 1°C | 9d | low | Cold |
Verdicts are read off the three columns to their left — temperature distance from 21°C first, then rainfall, with crowds breaking ties. Averages, so any given week can differ.
If you'd rather go cheap than perfect
January, February, March, November and December are low season in Zurich — thinner crowds, and the months where accommodation is easiest to book late. Budget travellers already work to about $100–150 a day here; low season is where the accommodation share of that goes furthest.
Book the month you picked
Fares move with the same seasons as the crowds — the quiet months above are usually the cheap ones to fly.