Andrew Nash
Vienna Transport Strategies

Walking Tour of Zürich's Bahnhofstrasse by Andrew Nash

Bahnhofstrasse is Zürich's main street. Seven different tram lines run up and down the street between Zürich's Hauptbahnhof (main train station) and Burkliplatz on the Zürichsee (Zürich lake). No visit to Zürich would be complete without a walk and window shopping on Bahnhofstrasse.

Start at the south exit from the Hauptbahnhof. Cross the square, be careful of all the traffic and trams. Bahnhofstrasse is mostly dedicated to public transit vehicles although delivery trucks and taxis are allowed on many segments of the street (a good compromise between public transit priority and business). Bahnhofstrasse has some of the highest rents in the world, look at the prices in the windows and you will see why!

At Uraniastrasse private vehicles are allowed to use Bahnhofstrasse for one block to access a bridge across the Limmat River. The Urania building located on Uraniastrasse 9 has the Jules Verne Panorama Bar in the observation tower. The bar has great views over the city and is especially beautiful at night.

Continuing down Bahnhofstrasse, you will see Rennweg branching up to the left (this is part of the Altstadt tour outlined above).

This section of Bahnhofstrasse includes many small pedestrian streets opening on the left side, the Augustinergassegasse is particularly interesting with many renovated medieval buildings. Return to Bahnhofstrasse and continue to Paradeplatz.

Paradeplatz is a major interchange point between different tram lines. The shelter was recently renovated and includes a Ticketeria where you can buy transit tickets from a human being. Also on Paradeplatz is the Sprüngli Restaurant one floor above the street. This is a wonderful place for breakfast and people watching. Sprüngli has a cafe and chocolate shop here too, but go upstairs for the real experence!

After your chocolate experience continue walking down Bahnhofstrasse towards the lake. There are two 'Hofs' on the left side of the street. These are office/retail blocks with a central open space. You might want to wander into one of them to take a look, they both have fountains and cafes on the interior courtyards.

Bahnhofstrasse ends at Burkliplatz. Here you can catch a cruise on a Zürichsee boat (see for more information).

There is also a farmers market at Burkliplatz every Tuesday and Friday morning (from about 7 am until 11 am). It is a great place to watch people and pick-up picnic food.

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