Month guide · Zurich · Switzerland
Zurich in November
What November is really like in Zurich: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Matt Joseph, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
November is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 8°C (46°F), lows of 2°C (36°F), about 9 rainy days and roughly 9.2 hours of daylight. Grey and foggy, but Christmas markets and lights arrive late in the month.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 8°C (46°F) / 2°C (36°F)
- Rainy days
- About 9
- Daylight
- About 9.2 hours
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in November
November is the 9th-warmest month in Zurich: days average 8°C (46°F) against a yearly average high of 14°C (57°F), and nights fall to about 2°C (36°F). Rain falls on roughly 9 of its 30 days. Compared with October (14°C (57°F)), November is cooler; by December highs drop to around 4°C (39°F).
- Sunrise (15 November)
- About 07:31
- Sunset (15 November)
- About 16:51
- Daylight
- About 9.2 hours
Autumn (September–November). Settled September days, the film festival and autumn colour, then fog and greyer skies into November.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, November rates 2 for crowds (the peak is June at 4) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in May). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in November
- Christmas markets open (usually late November)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in November
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Experience · Lake Zurich and Limmat
Lake and river baths (Badis)
Bring a waterproof bag and swim only at the official baths; the Limmat's current is strong outside them.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Outdoors
- Active
- Kids
- Couples
Neighbourhood · Zurich West
Im Viadukt and Zurich West
The arches of a 19th-century railway viaduct now hold design shops, cafés and the Markthalle food hall, running for about 500 metres through Kreis 5.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- Food
- Architecture
- After dark
Garden · Seefeld
Zürichhorn: Pavillon Le Corbusier and Chinese Garden
Walk the lakeside promenade from Bellevue to Zürichhorn, about 30 minutes, and return by boat or tram.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Architecture
- Outdoors
- Couples
- Off the beaten path
Viewpoint · Niederdorf
Polybahn and Polyterrasse
The red Polybahn funicular, running since 1889, climbs from Central to the terrace of ETH Zurich's main building, designed by Gottfried Semper.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Kids
- Photo spot
- History
What to pack
For highs near 8°C, lows near 2°C and 9 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; shoes with good grip for icy pavements; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is November a good time to visit Zurich?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, May–September are better overall. Compare every month.
Zurich in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is November a good time to visit Zurich?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Grey and foggy, but Christmas markets and lights arrive late in the month.
+How warm is Zurich in November?
Average highs are around 8°C (46°F) and lows around 2°C (36°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Zurich in November?
Expect rain on about 9 days of the month.