Day 6 – Paris to Zurich by Train : Our First Day in Switzerland (Sep’26)
07 September 2026
Day 6 of our Europe journey started with our Paris to Zurich by train journey. After spending time in Paris, it was time to leave France behind and continue towards Switzerland.
We travelled comfortably by train and had our lunch during the journey. By the time we arrived at Zurich train station at around 2:30 PM, we were ready to leave our luggage behind and start exploring the city.
This was our first day in Zurich, and instead of following a packed itinerary, we decided to experience the city in a simple way — by walking.
Paris to Zurich by Train – Our Journey to Switzerland
Travelling from Paris to Zurich by train was the beginning of another new part of our Europe trip.
One thing I enjoy about travelling around Europe is being able to move between countries by train. You can sit back, have something to eat and watch the journey unfold before arriving in a completely different city.
We had already eaten our lunch on the train, so there was no need to search for food immediately after reaching Zurich.
Our train arrived at around 2:30 PM.
We still had plenty of time before going to our Airbnb, so we decided to make the most of the afternoon.
Arriving at Zurich Train Station
After getting off the train, our first priority was our luggage.
We didn’t want to carry our bags around Zurich while sightseeing, so we decided to leave them at the train station.
This turned out to be very convenient because our plan for the afternoon involved quite a lot of walking.
Once our luggage was safely stored, we were ready to see Zurich for the first time.
Leaving Our Luggage at Zurich Train Station
We found a luggage locker at the station and kept our bags there.
Without our luggage, exploring became much easier.
Rather than immediately travelling towards our Airbnb, we could use the next few hours to walk around central Zurich.
For travellers arriving in a city before their accommodation check-in or before they want to head to their hotel, having somewhere to leave the luggage can make a big difference.
For us, it meant we could simply walk out of the station and start exploring.
Exploring Zurich on Foot
Our first experience of Zurich was mostly on foot.
We started walking around the area near the station and headed towards a nearby viewpoint.
I always find walking to be one of the best ways to get the first feeling of a new city.
You notice the streets, buildings and everyday surroundings much more than when travelling directly from one attraction to another.
We weren’t in a hurry.
This was our first afternoon in Zurich, so we simply walked and enjoyed discovering the city.
Walking Around Zurich Old Town
From there, we continued towards Zurich Old Town.
Walking through the Old Town gave us another side of Zurich.
We wandered around the streets, looked at the architecture and enjoyed the atmosphere.
There wasn’t a strict sightseeing schedule for us that afternoon.
Sometimes I prefer travelling this way.
Instead of trying to complete a long checklist of attractions, we simply followed the streets and enjoyed whatever we came across.
Eventually, our walk took us towards one of the most beautiful parts of the city — Lake Zurich.
Thai Dinner Near Zurich Train Station
Before travelling to our Airbnb, we decided to have dinner.
Interestingly, our first dinner in Zurich was Thai food. 🇹🇭
We ate at Chiang Mai Restaurant, which was near Zurich train station.
After spending the afternoon walking around the city, we were ready for a proper meal.
Once dinner was finished, we returned to the station, collected our luggage and prepared for the final part of our journey that day.
Our destination was Meilen, beside Lake Zurich.
From Zurich to Our Airbnb in Meilen
Our Airbnb was located in Meilen, near Lake Zurich.
After arriving at the property, we were very happy with where we had chosen to stay.
It was a beautiful and luxurious property, but what made it especially memorable was the location.
From our balcony, we could see Lake Zurich. ❤️
After spending the day travelling from Paris and then walking around central Zurich, arriving somewhere so peaceful was a wonderful way to finish the day.
Lake Zurich Views From Our Airbnb
The balcony and lake view became one of my favourite things about the property.
Sometimes accommodation is simply somewhere to sleep while travelling.
But when you have a beautiful view from your room or balcony, the accommodation itself becomes part of the travel experience.
Here, we could relax at the property while still enjoying the scenery of Lake Zurich.
It was a very different atmosphere from central Zurich.
Ending Our First Day in Zurich
By this point, it had already been a long day.
We had travelled from Paris to Zurich by train, explored Zurich on foot, walked around the Old Town and Lake Zurich, had Thai food and then continued to Meilen.
After arriving at the Airbnb, we freshened up and finally took some rest.
Looking back, we didn’t try to see everything Zurich had to offer on our first day.
And I think that made the day more enjoyable.
We simply walked around and experienced the city naturally.
From Paris in the morning to sitting near Lake Zurich by the end of the day, it felt like another memorable chapter of our Europe journey.
This was our first day in Zurich — and the beginning of our Switzerland experience
FAQs
1. Can you travel from Paris to Zurich by train?
Yes. We travelled from Paris to Zurich by train as part of our Europe journey and arrived in Zurich at around 2:30 PM.
2. What was your experience travelling from Paris to Zurich by train?
Our journey was comfortable, and we also had our lunch on the train before arriving in Zurich.
3. What did you do after arriving in Zurich from Paris?
We left our luggage in a locker at Zurich train station and started exploring the city on foot.
4. Where did you keep your luggage at Zurich train station?
We used a luggage locker at the station, which allowed us to explore Zurich without carrying our bags.
5. What did you explore on your first day in Zurich?
We walked around the area near the station, explored Zurich Old Town and spent time around Lake Zurich until evening.
6. Can you explore central Zurich on foot?
We explored much of our first afternoon on foot. Walking worked very well for the places we wanted to experience around central Zurich.
7. Where did you eat dinner on your first day in Zurich?
We had Thai food at Chiang Mai Restaurant near Zurich train station.
8. Where did you stay after arriving in Zurich?
We stayed at an Airbnb in Meilen, near Lake Zurich.
9. What was special about your Airbnb in Meilen?
The property was luxurious and had a beautiful view of Lake Zurich directly from our balcony.
10. How did you spend your first day after travelling from Paris to Zurich?
After arriving, we stored our luggage, explored Zurich on foot, walked through the Old Town and around Lake Zurich, had Thai dinner and then went to our Airbnb in Meilen.