On one of mine and my boyfriend’s final stops in Europe, we had the pleasure to explore Zürich, Switzerland. We decided to pick one city at random, to plan minimally, and see where the wonders of the city would take us. Staying in a loving Airbnb with a single mom in her beautiful suburban abode allowed us to experience Zürich as if it was our own home. Being on a tight budget, we learned quickly that we had to get creative in order to make the most of our stay.

Buy public transit passes! For about 8 franc/day, the pass allows you to use buses, trolleys, and the ferry! Explore as many stops as you can on the ferry; it is an absolute fairytale. Kebabs, German street sausages, and grocery store picnics are about all we could afford in Zürich’s culinary world, but we enjoyed every morsel our creative budget offered.

Ask locals! Zürich-ians were just about the most friendly people on the planet and are eager to help you make the most of their beloved city. If you are able to, try to stay in an Airbnb with a friendly host rating. Their hospitality and guidance made our spontaneous adventure exceptionally unforgettable.