Thank you for considering The Zurich Insider for your private guided tour wishes. Getting started is easy - reach out to us via our contact form here or by email at hello@thezurichinsider.com and let us know which type of service you are interested in and any specific wishes or requests you may have. If you are interested in a Curated Experience, please provide us with your preferred date, time, pick-up location, and the number of guests traveling with you. We will promptly respond to your inquiry and work with you to create a memorable tour that meets your needs. If you prefer a phone consultation before moving forward, just let us know the best way to reach you, and we will happily accommodate. For a Designed Experience, please let us know your preferred date(s), rough itinerary, wishes and desires, pick-up location, and the number of guests traveling with you. We will promptly schedule a consultation with you to answer your preliminary questions and get to know each other. This will help us determine if we are a good match for your needs and ensure we create a customized experience that exceeds your expectations. Finally, please let us know if there are any specific considerations we should keep in mind when planning your tours - such as health issues, physical limitations, or dietary requirements. We are committed to providing an unforgettable experience tailored to your unique wishes and preferences. Thank you again for considering The Zurich Insider. We look forward to hearing from you soon and creating an experience that will leave you with memorable memories.

We recommend booking as soon as possible to secure your preferred dates and times. Furthermore, the availability of drivers for day tours in Zurich & Beyond is currently low due to a significant increase in demand. This is particularly true during peak tourist seasons and holidays when the need for these services tends to be at its highest. However, do not shy away from last-minute inquiries, as there are times when unexpected openings become available due to cancellations or schedule changes. We will do our best to accommodate your request and help you find an alternative. It's always a good idea to plan ahead whenever possible to ensure a seamless and stress-free experience.

We offer various payment methods for your convenience. These include bank transfers and major credit cards. If you choose to make a bank transfer, we will provide you with our bank account details, so you can initiate the transfer from your bank. Alternatively, you can use one of the major credit cards to complete your payment securely and conveniently online. We take great pride in ensuring our customers have a hassle-free and secure payment experience. If you have any questions or concerns about the payment process, please don't hesitate to reach out, as we are always happy to assist you in any way we can.

NO. For booked Original-Curated Experiences, we do not charge a planning fee as the tours have a specific itinerary based on different topics and preferences. Slight alterations and personalizations to the planned tour do not incur a planning fee or deposit. You pay the total amount of your Experience at the time of booking. YES. For Exclusive - Designed Experiences/ Day Tours/ Multi-Day Tours/ Layover & Transfers, we kindly ask you for a deposit of CHF 260.00, which includes a planning fee of CHF 210.00, before we start tailoring your Experience to your wishes and desires. The one-time planning fee of CHF 210.00 covers our expertise and time spent carefully planning and customizing your unique Experience's itinerary. The planning fee is non-refundable. The difference is credited towards the total cost of your tour.

A gift card can be purchased for any amount towards any Experience, or you can buy a specific tour. The gift card is customizable for any occasion, such as weddings, birthdays, achievements, work rewards, thank-yous, etc. Connect with us to customize and purchase your Gift Card. Please include the amount or the specific tour you would like to buy, the recipient's complete name, number of participants, and, if applicable, the occasion for such a fabulous gift. Terms & Conditions for Gift Cards

Our diverse and professional guides share Switzerland with you in English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Italian, German, and Russian.

Our Rate page can provide an estimate of our prices, but please note that additional personalization costs may apply: public transportation (bus, tram, gondolas, train, etc.), private vehicle/driver, food, tickets, shows, museums, and more. If you're interested in Designed Experiences, Layovers & Transfers, Day Tours to other cities & Multi-Day Tours, please get in touch with us. We can provide a first estimate based on your wishes: including the duration (hours/days), the number of participants, destination, highlights, excursions, private or public transportation, and specific desires. The more details you provide, the more precise our first estimate can be. We're always happy to help personalize your experience to ensure you have the best possible time.

Yes! More than to business, we cater to humans…and sometimes to their furry companions as well. Humor aside, we closely work with travel agencies, private schools, and other businesses (pharmaceuticals, banks, law firms, etc.). We love to organize custom-tailored Experiences for their guests, team-building outings, and city tours for their visitors. Connect with us here to start building a lasting and mutually beneficial relationship.

Yes, definitely! We offer private transportation services to cater to all your travel needs. We take pride in our partnerships with highly skilled and experienced professional drivers committed to providing a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable journey. Whether you require airport transfers, city tours, day excursions, or multi-city tours, we can customize a package to suit your requirements and preferences. No matter the size of your group, we can accommodate you. Our vehicles range from luxury sedans to spacious vans and buses, and we can also provide transportation for larger groups. If you are interested in our transfer services, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are happy to provide you a quote and answer any questions.

If you need to cancel or change your existing booking, please send requests in writing at your earliest convenience to hello@thezurichinsider.com You can find more about our Cancellation and Change Policy here.

Yes, and maybe. Yes. In all outdoor Experiences (guided city tours), your beloved pets are more than welcome. Maybe. For Experiences that include indoor activities (overnights, private transportation, trains, museums, boats, gondolas, etc.), please let us know that you have a pet accompanying you. We will check with all locations if pets are allowed and how much the extra charge will be. If your pet is a service animal, please mention it on the contact form.

We might be more expensive than some of the other tour companies in Zurich, but this is because we offer uniquely crafted Experiences through our decennial expertise. We know that our guests are curious, discerned world travelers, so we need to ensure that the tours deliver knowledge, tidbits, insights, and sometimes even secrets that few others do. We do this in a fun, respectful, and knowledgeable way. We delve into history and heritage at each step we take.

Our guests are cultured travelers with a curious and inquisitive mind who want to experience the local culture bypassing the fabricated tourist offers. They want to explore what is not easily found with an internet search, discover little fun details, see what lies behind otherwise closed doors, and travel with all senses. We design our Experiences to bring the Swiss culture a bit closer to our visitors.

Official Name: The Swiss Confederation (Confederatio Helverica/CH - Latin) National Languages: German, French, Italian & Romansh Currency: Swiss Franc / CHF Electricity: 220volts, 50Hz Country Codes: +41 Time Zone: CET / GMT+1 Area: 41'285 km2 in comparison, the United Kindom is six times as big, and California is almost ten times bigger. The first Death Star was 1.7 as big!! Climate: all over the place! Just kidding. But be prepared to have layers even in the summer. The weather can vary with altitude as well. Cold and rainy/snowy in the winter, cool to warm/humid in the summer with occasional showers/storms. The south has a milder climate and is Mediterranean-like.

If your country of origin is within the Schengen Area, or you already possess a Schengen Visa, you do not need an extra visa to enter Switzerland as a tourist. For visa regulations for all other countries, please check with the local Swiss Embassy or the Swiss State Secretariat for Migration SEM here. For Covid related entry regulations and restrictions in Switzerland, you can get more and up to date information from the Swiss State Secretariat for Migration SEM and their Travelcheck.

The government is closely monitoring the Coronavirus situation in Switzerland and updating its measures whenever needed. Always check both Switzerland's and your home country's regulations before traveling. For Covid related entry regulations and restrictions in Switzerland, you can get more information from the Swiss State Secretariat for Migration SEM and their Travelcheck. For further information about Switzerland's current health measures and ordinances, you can visit the Federal Office of Public Health BAG here and here. You can find our Health & Safety Policy here.

Tipping in Switzerland is an interesting topic. As a general rule, tipping is neither mandatory nor expected, as service charges are already included in most bills (dating back to the early 1970s.) However, when you receive exceptional service, leaving a tip is a great way to show appreciation and make your service provider's day. A standard tip in Switzerland is around ca. 10% of the total bill, but you can also leave any amount at your discretion. Tipping is a personal choice, and you should never feel obliged. When you leave a tip, it's best to do so in cash and directly on the table, as some service providers may not receive credit card tips. If you need more clarification, you can ask your server directly. In conclusion, while tipping is not mandatory or expected in Switzerland, it's a lovely gesture that can make a big difference in someone's day. So, when you receive excellent service, don't hesitate to leave a tip to show gratitude.

The official currency in Switzerland is the Swiss Franc - CHF. Numerous vendors (shops, businesses, hotels, restaurants, etc.) accept Euros and sometimes US dollars as payment. However, the exchange rate will not be favorable, and your change will always be given in Swiss francs. Most vendors accept major credit cards. Ask to make sure, as sometimes small businesses (small kiosks, mountain huts, restaurants, etc.) only accept cash payments. Though this is becoming less frequent, also due to the new health measures. When you are in Switzerland, you can exchange your currency for Swiss Francs at airports and all serviced railway station booking counters or withdraw Swiss Francs at a bank ATM ("bancomat").

When entering Switzerland with your vehicle, you must have a "vignette" (toll sticker) to use the Swiss motorway network. It costs CHF 40.00 and is available at all customs, post offices, petrol stations, and online. The vignette is valid for 13 months (from 1 December of each year) and must be visibly applied onto the inside of the front windscreen. Of course, you also have the option to only travel, at a more leisurely pace, outside the motorway network. In this case, no vignette is required. Swiss traffic regulations Buy and vignette online

The good news is that basically everywhere parking between 9 pm and 8 am is free of charge. The less good news is that parking in Zurich during the day gets complicated and expensive. To avoid fines, extra expenses, traffic rage, and finding the elusive free parking space in the city center, chose to get around in the city with public transport. Here are the parking possibilities in Zurich: Park-Houses (in German) White Zones: For short stays, you can use white parking places (metered). The allowed parking time in the white zones varies from 30 minutes to 4 hours (with a few exceptions). Blue Zones: You can park in the Blue Zones for the specified time as shown on the parking disc, which you have to display on the windshield of your car. No Blue Zones are available in the city center. Day permits: Day permits for CHF 15.00, used on the Blue Zones, can be purchased at the Zurich City Police stations or online (only in German).

There are several and sometimes confusing options. Zurich & Switzerland You can purchase your public transportation tickets almost at all the stops that service the public transportation network. The touchscreens can be set to several languages, including English. Alternatively at the counter of the main train station in each city. To purchase your tickets online and for more information, visit the very well-structured SBB website here. When buing tickets for travel in Zurich, be mindful of buying the correct amount of zones to cover your entire trip/s. The city center is Zone 110, which is worth 2 Zones. Please note that the Airport is outside Zone 110. Find more information about the Zurich public transportation network (including boats) here. Switzerland For unlimited travel: Swiss Travel Pass & Swiss Travel Pass Flex For discounted travel: Swiss Half Fare Card & the Swiss Coupon Pass If you know exactly when and at what time you want to travel, you could benefit from a discount with a Super Saver Ticket. Visit SBB website here to purchase and for more information.

Train or S-Bahn (local trains): a quick and easy way to the city, with travel times between 10 and 15 minutes. Single trip CHF 6.80 (adults), CHF 3.40 (children). This ticket is valid for a one-way trip between the airport and the city. Tram Line 10: the scenic route will take you to the city center in ca. 35 minutes. Same price as the train. With both options, a "Day Travel Pass" is valid for 24h (from the time of issue) for unlimited rides on all public transportation services (train, S-Bahn, tram, bus, and boats); this is within the fare zones purchased. A day travel pass from the airport to the city center will cost you CHF 13.60 (adults) and 6.80 (children) Taxi: this service will cost you up to CHF 70.00 ca. Find the taxis waiting just outside arrivals. Private Transfer: a private car transfer service affords you the ultimate comfort, personalized service, and luxury. Enquire here to have the transfer organized by The Zurich Insider.

The Zurich Insider Blog The city of Zurich - Official website of the city of Zurich Zurich around 1800 - Historical online version of the town model

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