9 Incredible Habitats: Why Zoo Zürich Is the Absolute Best Family Day Trip!
Our Favourite Swiss Zoo
Zoo Zürich is one of our top repeat visit locations. We have explored the grounds at least 3 times over the course of 10 years, and it never fails to impress. Having visited multiple zoos all over Switzerland, I can safely rate Zoo Zürich as the best zoo in the German speaking part of Switzerland.
While there are a few wonderful playgrounds scattered around where little kids can burn off some energy, the incredible animals remain the main attraction.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
📸 Image Rights: All photos are our own. Please contact us for permission to reuse.
Arriving in Zurich
- Via Train or Bus: Zurich is centrally located with excellent rail connections through Basel, Bern and Aargau. To check schedules and book your ticket, use the Busbud platform here.
- Via Flight: Fly into Zurich Airport to experience the beautiful city of Zurich. To find the best deals on airfare, search and book your flights here.
Getting Around and Staying in Switzerland
- Going Around:
- Taxis & Private Transfers Secure a reliable, fixed-price ride with professional drivers. Avoid the airport queues by booking in advance. Book your taxi/transfer here.
- Car Rentals Enjoy the freedom of the open road. Compare the best rates from top brands to find your perfect vehicle here.
- Public Transport Travel like a local and save money. Skip the station lines by securing your train and bus tickets here.
- Stay Connected: To navigate the city like a local and share your photos in real time, we recommend getting an eSIM. Pick the option that suits your needs:
- We recommend Airalo for a budget-friendly and basic plan. Get your Airalo eSIM here.
- Yesim is our top-pick for unlimited data needs. Get your Yesim eSIM here.
- Where to Stay: To make the most of your trip, I recommend booking one of these hotels.
The 9 Immersive Habitats of Zoo Zürich
The entire zoo is thoughtfully divided into 9 distinct habitats, each offering a deep dive into different ecosystems around the world.
- Panthera: The most recent addition to Zoo Zürich. We had been waiting eagerly for its opening for some time, making a visit to the zoo after its launch an absolute must do family activity for us.
- Masoala Rainforest: This area perfectly imitates a mini rainforest environment for its inhabitants. It houses several mammals, amphibians, birds, and reptiles that are entirely specific to tropical rainforests.
- Lewa Savanna: A massive open space that houses zebras, meerkats, giraffes, rhinoceroses, grey parrots, lizards, and tortoises, among many other fascinating animals.
- Kaeng Krachan Elephant Park: A beautifully designed, large area housing Asiatic elephants.
- Australia: This section features unique animals found down under, including koalas, wallabies, and emus.
- Aquarium: Home to a large number of colorful fish. Additionally, you will find the penguin exhibit located right inside this Aquarium section.
- Zoolino: The perfect spot for families to interact closely with domestic and farm animals. You can even watch them being fed during scheduled feeding times.
- Mongolian Steppe: A rugged landscape home to camels, yaks, and hardy goats.
- Research Station: This critical conservation zone holds a variety of small endangered animals that can be observed closely by visitors. The section also features interactive screens that provide detailed information about the different species found inside.
Our kids are huge fans of big cats, and they completely loved the newly built big cat enclosures. The Amur tiger and the snow leopard were absolute highlights for the children! Penguins are another one of their favourites and they fell in love with the little penguin structures in the outdoor area.
Final Remarks
The zoo also has a really rich shop, and we always end up buying something special at the end of each visit. Zoo Zürich is a must visit attraction for kids. I can already hear my kids asking when the next visit to this zoo will be. We have visited the zoo at least 3 times already. Once just us in 2016. Once with our daughter in 2023, and once all 4 of us in 2025. Zürich Zoo is truly our favorite zoo in the whole of Switzerland!
Found this honest review of Zoo Zürich insightful? We’d be happy to build a personalized itinerary just for you! Head over to our Custom-Plans page to get started.
If you are looking for travel essentials, check out our Resources section for hand-picked products that make travel stress-free.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main ticket prices for Zoo Zürich?
When purchased through the online shop, tickets cost 31 CHF for adults (18 and older), 26 CHF for youths, and 17 CHF for children.
What is the newest exhibit at Zoo Zürich?
The newest habitat is Panthera, a state of the art big cat enclosure featuring incredible environments for tigers and snow leopards.
Is the zoo suitable for toddlers and young children?
Yes! Alongside the 9 animal habitats, there are multiple dedicated playgrounds and the Zoolino petting zoo area where children can interact safely with farm animals.
