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There are cities in the world that travelers are inexorably drawn to for their climate, culture, cuisine, or a host of other compelling characteristics.

Places like Paris, Tokyo, London, Shanghai, and LA have an obvious and immediate appeal, attracting millions.

Then there are cities that receive sideways glances as we pass through, over, or around them—noble, beautiful, important cities that we hear of and add to a list of future destinations called “someday.”

Zurich is one of those cities, and we have been missing out.

Zurich is served by the renowned Zurich International Airport, a model of Swiss efficiency.

This airport isn’t just a favorite with visitors to Zurich; it’s also one of the best airports in the world for connections.

Experienced travelers often allow just 40 minutes between flights with confidence.

While I don’t suggest cutting it that close, you can be sure that arriving or passing through this airport will be a great experience.

If you’re planning on sticking around, the airport is conveniently located just a few miles north of the city.

The best way to get into central Zurich is by train, which runs every few minutes from the airport train station located underground beneath the terminal.

The 12-minute journey into town costs around seven francs. Buy your tickets from vending machines on the platform, and ensure you have a ticket before boarding to avoid a fine.

If you’re on the right train, a nice lady might even bring you a hot cup of coffee.

Your ticket is valid on any form of public transport from the airport, including the number 10 tram, which takes about 35 minutes to get into central Zurich, or buses from the airport bus terminal to various destinations across Switzerland.

Zurich’s main railway station, Zurich Hauptbahnhof (HB), is one of the busiest in the world, with over 3,000 movements a day.

It’s a hub for Swiss railways, Germany’s ICE, France’s TGV, and many local and regional services.

Located right in the middle of Zurich at the end of Bahnhofstrasse, it connects you to various public transport options to explore the city.

Zurich is a joy to get around, and it’s important to note that this is a very walkable city.

The city’s tourism board proclaims that walking is the best form of transport. Use Google Maps to plan your explorations and discover this beautiful city on foot.

But if you prefer not to walk, Zurich’s public transport system is incredibly convenient, with bus or tram stops every 300 meters.

The public transport network, unified by a single administrator, includes trams, buses, regular trains, suburban trains, cable cars, and boats, all using a zone ticketing system.

Most popular destinations are within a single zone, but if you’re crossing zones, make sure you have the appropriate ticket.

Single tickets are good for 30 to 60 minutes of travel within a single zone, and multi-zone tickets are also available.

You can buy tickets and 24-hour passes from vending machines and kiosks at train stations and tram stops.

Remember to validate your ticket before boarding to avoid a hefty fine.

Consider getting a Zurich Card, available in 24-hour and 72-hour increments.

It offers unlimited travel on all public transport within Zurich and adjoining zones, as well as discounts on museums, tourist attractions, and river cruises.

You can buy them at the airport, Zurich HB, and various outlets in the city. Don’t forget to validate your Zurich Card the first time you use it.

Uber is available in Zurich and is significantly cheaper than taxis. There are several levels of service, including a green level with hybrid and electric vehicles.

Taxis, while plentiful, are very expensive—a 12-minute journey from the hotel to the airport can cost 65 francs, whereas an Uber costs less than half that.

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Now, let’s talk about Swiss food. Swiss cuisine is far more interesting and satisfying than the chocolate and cheese we lazily associate with it.

Each canton and city adds its own touch to traditional dishes. For example, Zurich is known for its local sausages like bratwurst and cervelat, often enjoyed with mustard, despite regional variations on this tradition.

At Gambrinus, an unassuming restaurant in the west of the city, you’ll find an exemplary version of Zurich’s classic dish, Zürcher Geschnetzeltes.

This dish features veal strips in a sauce of white wine, cream, and demi-glace, served with potato rösti and topped with crème fraîche.

Zurich’s bread is universally wonderful, with bakeries every 50 feet offering treats like Zopf, a traditional Sunday bread made with flour, water, salt, yeast, milk, and eggs. It’s creamy, doughy, and absolutely delicious.

The city is also home to over a thousand beautiful fountains providing safe drinking water, perfect for topping up your bottle as you explore.

Zurich is an expensive city, but Swiss wages are among the highest in the world, offsetting the high cost of living.

Electronics are an exception, being cheaper than elsewhere in Europe. A cup of coffee costs around five francs, a beer six francs, and a Big Mac about six francs fifty.

While Switzerland uses the Swiss franc (CHF), many places also accept euros. Make sure to carry francs as some shops only take the local currency.

Tipping, while appreciated, is not expected but is becoming more common.

Zurich is unique and special, embodying Swiss qualities of discretion, precision, tidiness, and quiet.

But it’s also edgy, artsy, convivial, and communal, a place where the corporate meets the creative.

As my Swiss friend Paul Papademitrio says, it’s not quite Shoreditch or Brooklyn, but it is cool and well worth your time.

Explore Zurich, and you’ll discover a city that truly has it all.