Sight guide · Zurich · Switzerland
Visiting 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.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Roland zh , upload on 14. September 2009, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Polybahn and Polyterrasse is a viewpoint in Niederdorf, Zurich. Allow 30 minutes; it is low cost. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Viewpoint
- Area
- Niederdorf
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- views, kids, photo spot and history
- Best months
- July–September
About 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. The Polyterrasse gives a broad view over the Old Town, the Limmat and the lake.
Tip: Ride up, enjoy the terrace view, and walk back down through the Niederdorf lanes.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 30 minutes.
- Cost: Low cost.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Niederdorf, pedestrian lanes of the right-bank Old Town with bars, guild houses and small hotels.
Best time to visit Polybahn and Polyterrasse
Polybahn and Polyterrasse is outdoors, so weather matters most. The driest, most comfortable months are:
- September: 19°C (66°F) highs, about 9 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- July: 24°C (75°F) highs, about 11 rainy days, busy crowds.
- August: 24°C (75°F) highs, about 11 rainy days, busy crowds.
For the view at golden hour: in mid-September the sun sets at about 19:39 local time (calculated for Zurich).
When to visit Zurich has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Our 3-day Zurich itinerary visits Polybahn and Polyterrasse on day 1, together with Niederdorf and the right-bank Old Town, Grossmünster and Im Viadukt and Zurich West.
- No. 16 of the 18 sights in our Zurich things-to-do list.
- Day 1 of the 1-day plan.
- Day 1 of the 2-day plan.
- One of the picks in historic sites in Zurich.
- A family favourite in Zurich with kids.
Near Polybahn and Polyterrasse
Also in Niederdorf, so you can walk between them:
- Grossmünster — 45 minutes, low cost
- Niederdorf and the right-bank Old Town — 2 hours, free
If you like Polybahn and Polyterrasse
- Lake Zurich cruise — Bürkliplatz, 1.5–4 hours
- Lindenhof hill — City and Lindenhof, 30 minutes
- Swiss National Museum — Main station, 2 hours
- Uetliberg — Uetliberg, Half a day
Staying near Polybahn and Polyterrasse
Stay in Niederdorf ($$$) to walk here: pedestrian lanes of the right-bank Old Town with bars, guild houses and small hotels. All areas to stay in Zurich.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Polybahn and Polyterrasse?
Plan 30 minutes. With Grossmünster nearby, it fits a half-day in Niederdorf.
+Is Polybahn and Polyterrasse free?
No, it is low cost. Tickets are usually available on the day.
+When is the best time to visit Polybahn and Polyterrasse?
July–September for the most comfortable weather. Ride up, enjoy the terrace view, and walk back down through the Niederdorf lanes.
+Do I need to book Polybahn and Polyterrasse in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.
+Is Polybahn and Polyterrasse good for kids?
Yes, it is one of our family picks in Zurich. Zurich is clean, safe-feeling and well organised for families, with trams that take pushchairs, lakeside playgrounds, shallow areas at the lake baths and hands-on museums.