Major city · Switzerland
Horgen
Spend a half‑day in Horgen for the lakeside museum and mine tour; add a night if you want a quiet lakeside stay.
Horgen sits on the south shore of Lake Zurich, 18–24 min by S‑train from Zurich main station. Its main attractions – the Ortsmuseum Sust and the Käpfnach Mine – fit easily into a few hours, so a half‑day visit is sufficient. Overnight options exist but are not required unless you prefer lakeside relaxation.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CHF
- Best months
- May–September
- avoid December–February (cold, limited outdoor activities)
- Airport
- Zurich (ZRH)
- Nights
- 0–1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Central Europe ↗Six of the nine countries here — Austria, Switzerland, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary and Slovenia — charge a time-based motorway vignette, mostly digital and linked to the number plate; buy it before the first motorway past the border, because cameras, not toll booths, do the checking.
- Central Europe ↗Temporary police checks at internal Schengen borders are common in this region in 2026 (Germany, Austria, Poland, Slovenia among others — check): keep your passport on you on every cross-border train, bus and road even though there is no fixed control post.
- Switzerland ↗Switzerland is in the Schengen area but not the EU: check entry rules, the EU Entry/Exit System and any travel authorisation requirement for your passport on official sources.
- Switzerland ↗Switzerland is outside the EU customs area: allowances on meat, alcohol and tobacco are strict and checked at borders.
- Switzerland ↗Motorways need a vignette (sticker or e-vignette) before you drive on them.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Horgen117 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Horgen, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Swiss franc (CHF).Switzerland-wide
- SIM or eSIMSwisscom, Sunrise and Salt sell prepaid SIMs (ID needed); Swisscom covers the most mountain terrain.Switzerland-wide
- Tap waterTap and fountain water is excellent.Switzerland-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Service included; round up or leave 5–10% for good service.Switzerland-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/J. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Switzerland-wide
- SafetyHorgen is a safe Swiss town; standard precautions apply – keep an eye on personal belongings on trains and near the lake.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsStation toilets cost CHF 1–2 (≈ US$2–3); restaurants and department stores are free for customers.Switzerland-wide
- Emergency numbers117 police · 144 ambulance · 118 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysShops close early on Saturday in small towns and all day Sunday, except stations and airports.Switzerland-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportZRH Zurich Airport (Direct S‑train to Horgen, about 30 min).
- Getting aroundUse ZVV S‑trains (S2, S8, S24, S4) for local stops; walking covers the museum and mine area; bike rental is available near the lake.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a caféFr 4–6
- Budget bedCamping pitch, a night, per personCHF 30 (≈ US$40)
- Mid-range bedHotel double room, a night, per roomCHF 250 (≈ US$350)
- High-end bedHotel double room, a night, per roomCHF 400 (≈ US$500)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CHF 70 (≈ US$90) · Mid CHF 120 (≈ US$150) · High CHF 200 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- ZRH Zurich Airport (Direct S‑train to Horgen, about 30 min)
Map of Horgen
Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Feb
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Mar
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Apr
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
May
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jun
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jul
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Aug
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Sep
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Oct
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Nov
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Dec
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)), coolest Jan (−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C) low), wettest May (12 rain days), driest Feb (9). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Horgen: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
10 rd
Feb
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
9 rd
Mar
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
11 rd
Apr
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
11 rd
May
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
12 rd
Jun
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
12 rd
Jul
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
12 rd
Aug
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
12 rd
Sep
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
10 rd
Oct
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
10 rd
Nov
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
10 rd
Dec
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
11 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Use ZVV S‑trains (S2, S8, S24, S4) for local stops; walking covers the museum and mine area; bike rental is available near the lake.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Zurich
goDoor to door: ≈30 min total
S‑train S2/S8, 18–24 min
Zurich city centre for museums, shopping and lake promenade.
Rapperswil
goDoor to door: ≈45 min
S‑train S5 via Zurich HB, about 35 min
Historic town on opposite lake shore, castle and wooden bridge.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Hotel Schwan
Central, 2 min walk from Horgen station; price Fr 160 per night
Hotel Meierhof
Opposite the railway station; price check
Campingplatz Züri‑Leu
Campground near the lake; price check
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- CHF 70–120 (≈ US$90–150) excl. bed
- Mid
- CHF 120–200 (≈ US$150–250) excl. bed
- High
- CHF 200 (≈ US$250)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel double room1 × 1 night × CHF 150 | CHF 150 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × CHF 70 | CHF 70 |
| ZVV S-train Zurich HB–Horgen, both ways1 × CHF 17 · Fr 8.40 each way, second class | CHF 17 |
| Käpfnach Mine tour (Sat, Apr–Nov)1 × CHF 15 · Fr 15 adult / Fr 6 child | CHF 15 |
| Ortsmuseum Sust entry1 × CHF 0 · Free | CHF 0 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CHF 25 |
| Trip total≈ CHF 277 per person per day, bed included | CHF 277≈ US$350 |
2026 estimate in CHF; transport and accommodation excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a café | Fr 4–6 |
| Meal at a mid-range restaurant | Fr 20–35 |
| Lake Zurich boat ticket (short hop) | Fr 8–12 |
| ZVV single fare, Horgen–Zurich HB second class | Fr 8.40 |
| Käpfnach Mine public tourSaturdays, Apr–Nov, 13:30–16:00Saturdays, Apr–Nov, 1:30 PM–4:00 PM | Fr 15 adult / Fr 6 child |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Simple train fare to Zurich is Fr 8.40 second class; buy a day pass if you travel more.
- Mine tours run Apr‑Nov Saturdays only; check schedule before planning.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 117
- Ambulance
- 144
- Fire
- 118
- Rega air rescue
- 1414
Pocket card
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HorgenHorgen
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Zu dieser Adresse, bitteTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police117
- Ambulance144
- Fire118
- Rega air rescue1414
Embassy
Swiss federal authorities handle consular matters; the US consulate is in Zurich (check the address).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Zurich HB → Horgen (S-train): Fr 8.40 second class, 18–24 min
- Horgen → Horgen Oberdorf (S24): short hop, check the ZVV fare
- Käpfnach Mine tour: Fr 15 adult / Fr 6 child, Saturdays 13:30–16:00, Apr–NovFr 15 adult / Fr 6 child, Saturdays 1:30 PM–4:00 PM, Apr–Nov
Say or show
- Entschuldigung — Excuse me / Sorry (Entschuldigung)
- Danke — Thank you (Danke)
- Wie viel kostet das? — How much is it? (Wie viel kostet das?)
- Wo ist der Zug? — Where is the train? (Wo ist der Zug?)
Mine tours are Saturdays only, Apr–Nov: check the operator's site before you travel.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Horgen. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–September · avoid December–February (cold, limited outdoor activities) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a lakeside bike rental for quick museum‑to‑mine connection.
- Combine Horgen night stay with Zurich morning visit for a relaxed itinerary.
Sources
Ask about Horgen
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