Should you visit Moscow or Zurich?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the prices of travel for Moscow and Zurich. We’ll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget. So, let's dig into it.
Moscow
Moscow is the capital of Russia and is notable for its important role in history. It's a very sprawling city with many museums and fascinating buildings. Ten percent of Russia's population lives in this capital city and it's a financial and political center for the country. The Moskva River weaves its way through the city and you will find most of the city's sights and attractions on the northern side of the river.
Zurich
Zurich has the biggest connection for trains in Switzerland. It also has the country's biggest and busiest airport. Because of its importance as a transportation center, it is likely to be the first place you visit in Switzerland. It is the financial capital of the country (although, contrary to what you may have thought, not the political capital). It has many international companies, and is home to the country's stock exchange.
Which city is cheaper, Zurich or Moscow?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Moscow is $63, while the average daily cost in Zurich is $211. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Moscow and Zurich in more detail.
Accommodation
For a normal double-occupancy room in Moscow, $80 is the average cost for a hotel room. Also in Moscow, the typical price for a place to stay for one person is $40, such as in a hostel.
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about $266 for a double occupancy room in Zurich.
Food
On average, meal and food prices in Moscow cost around $14 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around $5.60.
Zurich food costs typically run travelers around $49 per day. Eating every meal in a nicer restaurant will drive the cost up, and grabbing fast food or casual meals will help you save money.
-
Food
Meals for one day
Moscow $14
Zurich $49
Typical Food prices in Moscow
For Moscow, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Moscow
For Moscow, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Virtual Home Cooking with Russian Family:
$22
-
Moscow Food Tour:
$67
-
An evening at the monastery with dinner:
$80
-
Traditional Russian Cooking Class and Meal in Moscow with a Friendly Local:
$91
-
Private Market Tour and Traditional Russian Cooking Class in Moscow:
$101
-
Food Tour:
$102
-
Traditional Russian Cooking Class and Meal in a Local Home in Moscow:
$117
-
Moscow Metro and Russian Dinner Private tour:
$127
-
Moscow River Cruise with Dinner and Lively Firework with a Private Guide:
$133
-
Private food tour: Russian culinary culture:
$144
-
Moscow Yummy Food tour:
$160
-
Red Square and River Cruise with Dinner Private Tour:
$167
Typical Food prices in Zurich
Some typical examples of dining costs in Zurich are as follows:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zurich
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zurich.
-
Culinary Tour from Zurich with Traditional Swiss Cheese Fondue Dinner:
$154
-
Overnight Mount Titlis including 4-course dinner:
$545
Local Transportation
To get around in Moscow, the average visitor spends $6.19 per day, per person. This includes the costs of taxi rides and private drivers as well as public transportation, which tends to be much more affordable.
The average price of local transportation around Zurich is $28 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Moscow
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Moscow are as follows:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Moscow
Also for Moscow, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Ultra - Moscow Private Airport Transfer - City Center to Domodedovo Intl Airport:
$8.71
-
Ultra - Moscow Private Airport Transfer City Centre to Sheremetyevo Airport SVO:
$9.41
-
Moscow Train Stations Private Arrival/Departure Transfer:
$22
-
Private Arrival or Departure Transfer One Way: Moscow Airports to City Center:
$23
-
Private Arrival or Departure Transfer: Moscow Airports to Moscow City Center:
$30
-
Private Airport Transfer: Moscow to Sheremetyevo International Airport (SVO):
$30
-
Private Airport Transfer: from Moscow to Vnukovo International Airport (VKO):
$30
-
Moscow DME/SVO/VKO Airports Private Arrival/Departure Transfer:
$32
-
Private transfer from the Moscow center hotel to Sheremetyevo Airport:
$34
-
Moscow to Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport (SVO) - Departure Private Transfer:
$36
-
Departure Private Transfer Moscow City to Moscow Train Station by Business Car:
$38
-
Private Business Transfer from Vnukovo Airport (VKO) to Moscow City Center:
$40
Typical Local Transportation prices in Zurich
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Zurich:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zurich
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zurich:
-
Zurich to Zurich Airport (ZRH) - Departure Private Car Transfer:
$73
-
Zurich Departure Private Transfers from Zurich City to Zurich Airport ZRH:
$100
-
Zurich Departure Private Transfers from Zurich City to Zurich Airport ZRH:
$87
-
Zurich Arrival Private Transfers from Zurich Airport ZRH to Zurich City:
$95
-
Zurich Airport Transfers : Zurich City to Zurich Airport ZRH in Luxury Van:
$100
-
Zurich Airport Transfers : Zurich City to Zurich Airport ZRH in Luxury Car:
$133
-
Zurich Airport Transfers : Zurich City to Zurich Airport ZRH in Business Car:
$91
-
Zurich Airport Transfers : Zurich Airport ZRH to Zurich City in Luxury Van:
$100
-
Zurich Airport Transfers : Zurich Airport ZRH to Zurich City in Luxury Car:
$126
-
Zurich Airport Transfers : Zurich Airport ZRH to Lucerne City in Luxury Van:
$207
-
Zurich Airport Transfers : Zurich Airport ZRH to Lucerne City in Business Car:
$118
-
Zurich Airport Transfer: Zurich Airport (ZRH) to Zurich:
$91
Is it cheaper to fly into Moscow or Zurich?
Prices for flights to both Zurich and Moscow change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Entertainment
In Moscow, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average $16 per person, per day.
Zurich's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $28 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Typical Entertainment prices in Moscow
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Moscow's activities, tours, and tickets:
-
Theater Tickets
$16
-
Kremlin Entry (2)
$14
Tours and Activities in Moscow
For Moscow, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
-
Moscow classical tour:
$6.38
-
Admission ticket to Kolomenskoye Historical and Architectural Museum and Reserve:
$7.02
-
Tsaritsyno Museum entrance ticket:
$8.14
-
Admission ticket to the The Museum of Cosmonautics:
$11
-
The Jewish Museum and Tolerance Center Admission Ticket:
$12
-
Admission ticket to the State Museum of GULAG's History, Moscow:
$13
-
The Museum of Victory Admission Ticket:
$13
-
Admission ticket to the Tochka-G Museum of Erotic Art, Moscow:
$14
-
Admission ticket to Gallery of the European and American XIX-XX centuries art:
$14
-
Tretyakov Gallery Admission Ticket:
$16
-
Admission ticket to the New Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow:
$17
-
1-hour scenic Moscow River Cruise:
$18
Tours and Activities in Zurich
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zurich are as follows:
-
2-Day Alps Tour from Mt Pilatus and Mt Titlis:
$592
-
2-Day Jungfraujoch Top of Europe Tour from Interlaken or Grindelwald:
$557
-
2-Day Mt Rigi Tour from Zurich Including Mineral Baths and Lake Lucerne Cruise:
$474
-
2-Day Switzerland Tour from Zurich to Geneva: Mt.Titlis,Interlaken,Bern,Gruyères:
$693
-
2-Day Winter Tour from Mt Pilatus and Mt Titlis:
$592
-
2-hour Private Guided Zurich Downtown Tour:
$225
-
3 in 1: Zurich Walking Tour - Cruise on the Lake - Cable Car Ride to Felsenegg:
$98
-
3-Day Glacier Express Self-Guided Tour from Zurich:
$556
-
3-Day GoldenPass Line Self-Guided Tour from Zurich:
$439
-
4-Day Glacier and Bernina Express Self-Guided Tour from Zurich:
$768
-
4-Day Switzerland Tour from Zurich Including Mt. Titlis Cable Car:
$1,662
-
5-Day Famous Mountain Peaks Self-Guided Tour from Zurich:
$982
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Moscow spend on average $7.95 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
The average person spends about $23 on alcoholic beverages in Zurich per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Sample the Local Flavors in Moscow
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Moscow:
-
Pub Crawl Moscow Guided Tour in Classic Soviet Van:
$79
-
Private Wine Tour in Moscow with History, Architecture and Friendly Local Guide:
$121
Sample the Local Flavors in Zurich
Also in Zurich, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Moscow and Zurich, we can see that Zurich is more expensive. And not only is Moscow much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Moscow would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Moscow and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Zurich would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zurich than you might in Moscow.
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