Which place is cheaper, San Francisco or Zurich?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Zurich and San Francisco. 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, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Zurich is a historic, liberal, and beautiful city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and live music.
San Francisco is a beautiful, outdoorsy, and quirky coastal city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the nightlife, live music, and food.
Travelers will usually find more to do in San Francisco than Zurich, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. San Francisco is more popular for its museums, theatre productions, food, beaches, hiking, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Zurich is known for its nightlife, music, and historical sights. San Francisco is more touristy than Zurich and is popular for its striking bayfront setting, stunning urban hikes, quirky personality, and reputation within the tech industry. It is also home to The Golden Gate Bridge. Zurich is popular for its beautiful setting on Lake Zurich as well as its cafes, restaurants, and high prices.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between San Francisco and Zurich. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
San Francisco is a must-visit destination for its sights and museums. Also, Zurich is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.
The museums, monuments, and landmarks in San Francisco are among the most recognizable in the world. The city's landmarks are as diverse as the people who live there. The most recognizable landmark is the famous Golden Gate Bridge, but visitors also enjoy seeing Alcatraz Island, the Legion of Honor, the Palace of Fine Arts, as well as the small but fascinating Cable Car Museum.
Zurich offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Make sure you check out the Museum of Fine Arts, the Fraumünster, as well as the Swiss National Museum.
San Francisco is a good destination for its theatre productions. However, Zurich is not a theatre destination.
San Francisco offers a number of shows and performances. The city has around a dozen theaters where you can enjoy musicals or plays.
Zurich is not a theatre destination.
San Francisco is a must-visit destination for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Zurich is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.
Eat your way through San Francisco, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. There are local dives as well as five star restaurants, with everything in between. Popular local dining experiences include sourdough bread bowls and Dungeness crab at Fisherman's Wharf, and dim sum in Chinatown. Head away from the touristy neighborhoods if you want to sample some of the more local restaurants around town.
Zurich has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Many restaurants have a strong German influence, but you'll also find traditional Swiss dishes such as cheese and chocolate fondue. There are also several Michelin star restaurants in town.
Zurich is a great city for its evening party scene. Also, San Francisco is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for nightlife.
The nightlife in Zurich has something for everybody. The city has some of the best nightlife in Switzerland. There are a high concentration of bars and clubs around town, or you could check out one of the badis, which are pools that also act as bars during the summer months. They're usually located by the lake.
There's a variety of activities in the evening in San Francisco. It has a great nightlife with many local bars and trendy clubs. For the best nightlife away from the tourists, head to Valencia Street or Polk Street. If you want to be in a more touristy area, check out Union Square. Popular clubs in the city include Temple San Francisco, Monarch, and Audio Nightclub.
Zurich is a great city for its music scene. Also, San Francisco is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for live music.
Zurich has a thriving music scene. There are many nightclubs that offer a variety of music types including electronic music, rock, and even reggae.
You'll find some good live music in San Francisco. Well known music venues include the Great American Music Hall, Slim's, and The Chapel.
San Francisco is a well-known place for the beache. However, Zurich is not a beach destination.
Many people visit San Francisco for it's beautiful beaches. Whether you're interested in surfing or simply taking in the dramatic views, the beaches of San Francisco will take your breath away. Some of the best beaches include Ocean Beach, Baker Beach, and Muir Beach.
Zurich is not a beach destination.
Zurich is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town charm. However, San Francisco does not have a historic old town.
Zurich offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The city has an old town that is split into two parts on each side of the Limmat River. The historic districts are filled with churches, squares, and charming areas that are fun to explore. Walking tours are the best way to explore the old town.
San Francisco does not have a historic old town.
San Francisco is a must-visit destination for the nearby hiking options. However, Zurich is not a hiking destination.
San Francisco is well-known for its hiking and trekking. The city's hikes take in the dramatic views of the bay and city. Just outside of town there are also countless hikes through the Redwoods and along the coastline. Popular hikes in the area include Lands End, Tomales Point Trail at Point Reyes National Seashore, and Muir Woods.
Zurich is not a hiking destination.
Both Zurich and San Francisco are world-class shopping destinations.
The abundance of shops in Zurich make it a world-class shopping destination. Visitors often buy chocolate, watches, and jewelry in this city. You'll find brand names and luxury items that are of high quality. Each neighborhood has its own character with stores ranging from traditional to international.
Many people travel to San Francisco specifically to go shopping. The city has excellent shopping from local vendors to recognizable brands. Union Square, Embarcadero, Fillmore Street and Haight Street are some of the best neighborhoods for shopping.
San Francisco is a must-visit destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Zurich is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.
With a huge array of activities for kids, San Francisco is very family-friendly. With its many outdoor parks, hiking trails, beaches, and kid-friendly museums, this city makes a great family-friendly destination. There are also many amazing playgrounds with stunning views of the bay and city. Head to Chinatown for some unique and kid-friendly food, or down to Pier 39 for fun activities that the whole family can enjoy.
You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Zurich. It's a surprisingly mellow city with a relaxing vibe that makes it easy to explore with kids. Popular family-friendly activities include swimming in the Limmat River, sailing on Lake Zurich, and visiting Josefwiese park, which has a large playground.
Zurich and San Francisco both great destinations for a couple.
Zurich is a very popular place to visit for couples. One of the most romantic experiences you can have in town is visiting the Zurich Thermal Baths and Spa. There's an outdoor rooftop thermal pool as well as many ways that you can pamper yourselves.
San Francisco makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples enjoy the romantic backdrop of this beautiful city. There are world-class restaurants and plenty of spas that couples can enjoy during a honeymoon or romantic getaway. There are also many scenic walks and breathtaking views that couples can appreciate.
San Francisco is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Zurich is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.
San Francisco is a great coastal city to visit for backpackers. The city is one of the more backpacker friendly cities in the United States. There are a handful of hostels throughout, many concentrated in the popular Union Square and Downtown neighborhoods of the city.
Plenty of budget travelers visit Zurich. The city has a number of hostels to choose from, but, like most of Switzerland, the city is expensive in general.
Zurich is an amazing city to visit for its student-friendly activities. Also, San Francisco is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for students.
Zurich is a great destination for students. The city offers a number of unique experiences for international students. The academics are good and the university campuses are nice.
Students come from all over to stay in San Francisco. As a large and dynamic city, the area is popular with international students who want to experience this unique side of the United States. Major universities in the area include University of San Francisco, San Francisco State University, and nearby, the University of California, Berkeley.
San Francisco is a must-visit destination for its public transit. Also, Zurich is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.
San Francisco has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. The transit network includes a subway (the BART), trams, cable cars, ferries, and buses.
The public transit in Zurich can get you to most places easily. The system is made up of streetcars and buses.
Zurich and San Francisco both are great when exploring on foot.
Zurich is a very walkable city. There are paths that lead along the rivers and the lake connecting the old town areas to other parts of the city.
San Francisco is a very walkable destination. It is compact enough to explore on foot, but given the large hills, it's a bit of a challenge, even for the most fit among us.
For even more information, also check out Is Zurich Worth Visiting? and Is San Francisco Worth Visiting?.
Both Zurich and San Francisco have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in San Francisco than in Zurich. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Zurich, and 3-7 days is enough time in San Francisco.
Families should spend more time in San Francisco than Zurich. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in San Francisco, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in San Francisco than Zurich. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in San Francisco that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in San Francisco than Zurich if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in San Francisco.
Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the historic destination of Zurich. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Don't miss the shopping, as that's what most people do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.
San Francisco is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Zurich. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Don't miss the shopping, as that's what most people do. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.
San Francisco is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.
Many travelers enjoy the live music and food when visiting the liberal destination of Zurich. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in San Francisco. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
You'll find food and shopping around the beautiful city of Zurich. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.
San Francisco is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland, The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Zurich is $273, while the average daily cost in San Francisco is $222. 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 destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Zurich and San Francisco in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Zurich or San Francisco? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Zurich:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zurich:
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in San Francisco:
Also for San Francisco, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both San Francisco and Zurich 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.
Some typical examples of dining costs in Zurich are as follows:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zurich.
For San Francisco, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zurich are as follows:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for San Francisco.
For more ideas for your next trip, check out The Best Museums in San Francisco, The Best Outdoor Activities in San Francisco, and Things to Do In San Francisco on a Rainy Day.
Also in Zurich, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in San Francisco:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zurich and San Francisco, we can see that Zurich is more expensive. And not only is San Francisco much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Zurich is in Europe and San Francisco is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to San Francisco would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Francisco 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 San Francisco.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zurich Expensive? and Is San Francisco Expensive?.
San Francisco has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Zurich. When comparing the sizes of Zurich and San Francisco, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
The summer brings many poeple to Zurich as well as San Francisco. Many visitors come to Zurich in the summer for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to San Francisco for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Zurich is a little warmer than San Francisco. Typically, the summer temperatures in Zurich in July average around 21°C (70°F), and San Francisco averages at about 63°F (17°C).
Zurich usually gets more rain in July than San Francisco. Zurich gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Both San Francisco and Zurich are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Zurich for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to San Francisco because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Zurich is generally cooler than San Francisco. Daily temperatures in Zurich average around 13°C (56°F), and San Francisco fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).
In October, Zurich usually receives more rain than San Francisco. Zurich gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
Both San Francisco and Zurich during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Zurich because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to San Francisco this time of year.
The weather in Zurich can be very cold. Zurich is much colder than San Francisco in the winter. The daily temperature in Zurich averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and San Francisco fluctuates around 50°F (10°C).
Zurich usually gets less rain in January than San Francisco. Zurich gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain this time of the year.
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Zurich and San Francisco. The natural beauty are the main draw to Zurich this time of year. Also, many travelers come to San Francisco for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Zurich is cooler than San Francisco. Typically, the spring temperatures in Zurich in April average around 12°C (53°F), and San Francisco averages at about 58°F (14°C).
In April, Zurich usually receives more rain than San Francisco. Zurich gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
Zurich | San Francisco | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 50°F (10°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
Feb | 5°C (40°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
Mar | 8°C (46°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 56°F (13°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
Apr | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 58°F (14°C) | 1.2 inches (31 mm) |
May | 16°C (60°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 60°F (15°C) | 0.2 inches (5 mm) |
Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
Aug | 21°C (69°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.1 inches (1 mm) |
Sep | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 66°F (19°C) | 0.3 inches (7 mm) |
Oct | 13°C (56°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 1.3 inches (33 mm) |
Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
Dec | 4°C (39°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |