Around Zürich · SELF-GUIDED AUDIO TOURS
Switzerland charges properly for its days out, so it is worth knowing which are worth it. Here are 15 self-guided audio tours, each with its cost, its traveller verdict and the one thing to check before booking.
Zurich city bus tour with audio guide and Lake Zürich cruise. See Grossmünster and Bahnhofstrasse, then enjoy lake views from Bürkliplatz. 3.5 hours.
“Comfy bus trip around the city with an audio recorded narration about the city. Provides plenty of useful information and sites. From there you board what’s basically a ferry ride along the harbour stopping to pick up and drop off passengers.”
Ride Zurich’s Reinvented Trolley for about 2 hours with audio in 11 languages, covering Bahnhofstrasse, Old Town sights, Fraumunster, and Lake Zurich.
“Good overview of the City of Zurich. The staff was very accomidating when we requested to move up our tour time and the accomodations were very comfortable.”
Zurich highlights on an air-conditioned panorama bus with audio in 11 languages. See Bahnhofstrasse, old town churches, lake views.
“No vale la pena Mejor hazlo cambiado Autobús con Vidiros polarizados y vinil que te impiden ver adecuadamente Conductor prepotente y grosero No hay puntos de interés relevantes por lo que te terminan llevando a las casas de los jubilados y a la universidad”
Self-guided Mt. Rigi day: Lake Lucerne 2nd-class cruise, unlimited cogwheel trains and cable car, then Rigi Kaltbad mineral spa.
“We thoroughly enjoyed the day at Mt Rigi. The train ride up the mountain and the cable car coming down were a lot of fun. The weather wasn’t the best but we still had a great time.”
A self-guided audio walk through Zurich’s dark side, with medieval execution and witchcraft tales, plus a clear, photo-led route.
Hop a Gray Line Panorama bus through Zurich sights, then ride the steep Uetlibergbahn to the Top of Zurich for sweeping Alps views.
“The tour was great. It was a bit confusing checking in. There are several groups and tours and no one seems to want to help others. Once on the bus it was comfortable and we had headphones for explaining while riding on the bus. It was raining on our tour day so we did not explore as much as we wanted. The bus driver was helpful in offering suggestions or even to take us back if needed.”
Self-guided reading tour of Lucerne covering main sights, 20+ fresco houses, and stories from orphanage to executioner. $6, 1.5 to 2 hours.
“Easy to understand and nice to go at your own pace.”
Self-guided audio walk in Lucerne with free sights, frescoed facades, and 15 landmarks, from Jesuit Church to Lion Monument.
“It was boring and difficult to follow because it was too slow. It had a repetitive soundtrack which was disturbing and it talked too much about murals.”
A self-guided Lucerne audio tour for $13 with a pro English narrator, 20+ frescoed houses, and major sights, in about 1.5 to 2 hours.
“the places visited were great. I was confused with some instructions where to go.”
Zurich self-guided audio walk through Old Town, from Escher and Cabaret Voltaire to Grossmünster and Chagall stained glass. Phone required.
“I learned so much about the fascinating history of Zürich. The views of the river are spectacular! The audio guide is full of details about Roman baths, labor guilds, and other aspects of Zürich history. I went at a leisurely pace by myself, and got to about 65 of the 111 landmarks in the audio. You can access it for up to a year, so I will try to finish the tour today since it’s my last day in Zürich. My only criticism, and it’s a small one, it that the music sounded like it was for a Hallmark movie.”
Self-guided English audio tour of Zurich’s top sights and darker, stranger stories. See Grossmünster, Fraumünster, Cabaret Voltaire, more.
“Foto e descrizione decisamente migliorabile , forse da integrare con percorso Google maps come altre guide a parità di costo .”
Solve Lucerne puzzles on a self-guided walk to Chapel Bridge and more, using an app for hints, questions, and photo tasks.
“Great way to find the gems of the city. Only bad was the Lion was being restored/cleaned and was all covered up.”
Self-guided Zurich audio walk to witch-trial sites and execution landmarks, ending at Herkulesbrunnen. English, $13.22, 1-2 hours.
“Very easy to follow and very informative. It’s a great way to walk about the city and see things perhaps you may not encounter otherwise. Easy to understand. Definitely go inside the church to see the stained glass windows. Appreciate all the hard work to put this together.”
Lucerne Old Town smartphone walk with LocalGuide Silvan, augmented reality, and a free watch museum stop. Start anytime in English or German.
“Unsere Kennenlerntour in Luzern war schön und interessant. Leider waren von 9 Stationen nur 2 mit einem kurzen Video. Das meiste musste man selbst lesen. Das finde ich für einen Audioguide schwach. Ein Audioguide ist zum Anhören oder Zuhören. Bei direktem googeln im www konnte man deutlich mehr Informationen finden. Das haben wir in anderen Stästen schon wesentlich besser erlebt.”
A self-guided Zurich scavenger hunt with puzzles and photo tasks, hitting Grossmünster, Sechseläutenplatz, Paradeplatz and more in English.
“Zurich has so many beautiful spots. It was a beautiful walk and will use Explorial again. The app is really cool and you learn a lot with the riddles. All loved it and we have lots of pictures to share.”
The mountains, the water, the food and the city itself — and the best of each.
