Switzerland is NOT part of the EU, so I’d be careful about how many Swiss Francs (CHF) you take out vs Euros. Most places accept card, of course, but it can be handy to have a little cash money (Geld, as the Germans say, which can be distributed by the Geldautomat).
You might be lucky enough to have an international plan with your cell phone provider. If you’re like Melissa, who has AT&T, you’ll get charged $10 a day to be international. But you can get around this with an e-SIM! Melissa has been using Arlo which seems to work well but more options there. As long as you put your US line off in the settings, you can navigate through Europe this way whether you have WiFi access or not. Even if you’re only staying for a week, this is more cost-effective than other e-sims that charge by days and data usage. No this section is not sponsored.
This is a great spot for public transportation! In Zurich, you can buy tickets at the station or download the ZVV app to keep on your phone, choose the Zone 110 24-hour pass to be able to travel around unlimited. Zurich is also easy for getting an Uber if you’re full of public transit. Meersburg/Konstanz are less Uber-friendly and generally rely on taxi service.
Zurich is in the German-speaking part of Switzerland (Switzerland is divided into three languages) so, for the wedding, you’ll be hearing a lot of German! Most people speak English and you should have no trouble navigating around without German. Google translate is very helpful! You can take a picture of the menu and it will translate for you. If you want some quick phrases: Grüezi: this is how they say hello in Swissgerman but only in Switzerland, in Germany they say “hallo” or “guten morgen/tag.” Probably best not to attempt as an American as the Swiss are a bit protective over it but at least you’ll know it if it’s said to you! Bitte: please Danke: thank you Enschuldigung: this is how you say “excuse me” in German but everyone understands “sorry” Mit karte bitte: by far the most important phrase for traveling around! It means you want to pay with card. While we’re on that note, if the card terminal offers for you to pay in CHF/EUR or USD, always choose the local currency! The conversion is a rip off Ich zhale bitte: I would like to pay Auf Wedersehen: this literally means until I see you again, no one really says this “bis später” (see you later) or “bis bald” (see you soon) are much more common. However, Germans are very literal so don’t say that unless you know you’ll see them again. You’re better off with Melissa’s favorite phrase “tschüss” which simply means bye and is fun to say Zug: Train Abfahlt: trash Eingang: entrance Links: left Rechts: right Toilette: toilet
Utilberg: this is the top of Zurich! You can take a train up or it’s a relatively mellow hike up. There’s a tower you can climb (I think it’s 5CHF but don’t hold me to it) and below the tower there are still gorgeous views and snacks and beverages! Old Town: you’re not traveling all the way to Europe for that modern architecture are you? Get your cobblestones and idyllic castle type buildings down in old town! There’s also plenty of places to enjoy the Swiss classic, raclette (which is melted cheese so neither Melissa or Björn can suggest any good places but we’re sure you’ll find one!) The lake! Of course you have to go see it! There are beautiful swans there and the east side has some pretty gardens. Langstrasse: this is a street with a history people! Perhaps a shady past but that’s kind of charming in its own right? It’s currently where all the young and hip people hang out and may or may not have served as a sort of red light district option in Zurich. Mel loves all the cute little restaurants here and can almost pretend she’s in East Williamsburg. It also hosts the bar Ole, Ole, Ole which Mel has fallen in love with. Be careful at night though.