Zurich is undoubtedly a city worth visiting despite coming there for work or business reasons.
Hiring a private jet to reach one of the most important cities in the whole of Switzerland is definitely a good choice because of the many advantages it brings with it, starting with the flexibility and privacy it offers the passenger to the comfort and services at the airport that halve the waiting time.
For its part, Zurich affords a wide range of high-class hotels and restaurants, as well as a conspicuous number of the world's most exclusive shopping streets.
Businessmen who travel to Zurich on business have the opportunity to visit Paradeplatz Square, the nerve center of Swiss finance, but also to engage in recreational activities by renting a yacht to sail on the lake the city overlooks and by taking part in the traditional Snow Polo World Cup, a snow polo competition aimed at winning a prestigious trophy.
But what are some other activities to do in Zurich, and what about other benefits of chartering a private jet to get there?
We answer these and other questions on this page!
Historical and geographical background on Zurich
Zurich rises in the northern part of the lake of the same name that bathes it, at the exact point where the Limmat River flows out of it headed toward the heart of Switzerland. In the area just to the north is the Platzsplitz, a large Zurich park that marks the northern border of the city, while to the west is the Zurichberg mountain range that is directly connected with the Adlisberg and Oschbrig mountains located on the southern border. The earliest traces of Zurich date back to Roman times when legionaries arrived near the area where the city is now located, founding its first settlement to do the necessary paperwork for the purpose of allowing goods and people to enter the neighboring province. During the Middle Ages, there were multiple castles that were built on the hills surrounding Zurich to garrison the area, one above all the Lindenhof palace wanted at all costs by Ludwig the German. German royalty during their dynasty made Zurich the main market for trade links with Italy and Holland, causing the city to enjoy a rather prosperous period. Around the 16th century, Zurich also became a very important textile center, but also a place where religious refugees who fled the Reformation implemented by Zwingli used to take refuge. The industrialization era transformed Zürich from a mere artisan city to a key industrial hub for the Swiss economy; the workforce developed even more after World War II until today, when Zürich is one of the cities where the quality of life settles at a very high level.
What to do and see in Zurich
The Zurich Festspiele
Throughout the year, Zurich is colored by numerous events also known as Festspiele, which is a festival of occasions that unites as many as four of the city's cultural institutions: the opera, the Kunsthaus art museum, the Tonhalle orchestra and the city theater. In fact, for as many as four weeks corresponding to the months of June and July, VIPs from all over the world and people belonging to the elite class are welcomed by the organizing municipal body to attend theatrical performances, classical music concerts, operas, exhibitions of art masterpieces or exclusive collections, dance performances, readings and discussions concerning topical issues. Such events give wealthy tourists a chance to take a closer look at Zurich's Old Town, also known as the Altstadt, which is characterized by an intricate network of alleyways, historic buildings, antique stores and small squares overlooked by luxury stores such as the famous Tasoni, a highly refined boutique distinguished by its cozy design and display of innovative and classy clothing.
Snow Polo World Cup
VIP tourists coming to Zurich cannot miss the Snow Polo World Cup, the world's only snow polo tournament that takes place in a breathtaking natural setting, namely the frozen lake in nearby St. Moritz. It is an incredibly glamorous luxury sporting event for the European and world elite that manages to create a perfect blend of sport, hospitality, charm and competition. Competing are as many as 6 teams consisting of 4 players and their horses from every corner of the planet.In addition to the trophy reserved for the ultimate winner, the chicest outfit of the entire competition is also awarded annually. The event is also enjoyed by VIP spectators because of the many gourmet restaurants on site and luxury hotels that allow them to enjoy a very high-class stay.
The top hotels in Zurich
Among the most luxurious lodging options Zurich has to offer is undoubtedly the Dolder Grand Hotel, a historic building that provides guests with ultra-elegant suites, 2 exclusive restaurants, bars, stores, and a dedicated concierge, not to mention an attached spa. Also worth mentioning is the Storchen Zurich, a 5-star hotel located in the heart of the city that offers rooms with lake views, gyms, restaurants, bars, and a spa to relax after a busy day of skiing.
Climate and best time to visit Zurich
Zurich's climate is continental but alpine, characterized by very cold winters and rather mild summers. Rainfall remains abundant throughout the year, but its frequency is pronounced during the winter and fall months. The spring season is marked by good weather, although rainy days are not lacking and therefore make the weather rather variable; average temperatures hardly ever exceed 20°C, and the evening hours remain rather cool. The weather improves from June to September, when temperatures settle around 30°C during the hottest days; this is a perfect time to go hiking outdoors or visit Zurich via the many lake cruises organized during the summer months. In autumn, nature rapidly changes color, tinging the city with reddish and gold hues; temperatures plummet, settling around 9°C on average, while rainfall decreases. Zurich winters are decidedly cold: temperatures do not go above 5°C, with heavy snowfall both in the city and in the surrounding mountains making this the best time to engage in winter sports. The most suitable time to charter a private jet to Zurich is definitely late spring or early summer, segments of the year that are not particularly crowded where the temperature makes in-depth sightseeing ideal.
How and why to fly to Zurich by private jet
Zurich International Airport (ICAO code LSZH) is Switzerland's largest airport, awarded Europe's leading airport for the 13th time in 2016. Since its official opening in the early 1950s, in fact, expansion work has expanded it more and more, keeping it abreast of modern technological advances and ensuring that it also plays a major role as a stopover for charter flights. In addition to those dedicated to scheduled flights, Zurich Airport also integrates a Business Aviation Terminal reserved for private flights, which is located east of Terminal 1, i.e., the main terminal. It is open to VIP travelers from 5:50 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. in the evening, giving private jet charterers access to a range of exclusive amenities including an incredibly spacious VIP Lounge, food and beverage outlets with a wide gourmet selection of food and beverages, personalized porter service, Smoking Lounge accompanied by a careful selection of cigars and cigarettes, as well as free WiFi throughout the Business Terminal. Despite being located more than 400 meters above sea level, Zurich Airport allows private jets to take off and land even in less than favorable weather conditions: this is possible thanks to no less than 3 runways oriented in various directions. In any case, it is worth pointing out that the maximum number of passengers allowed is 24 people per flight and that the airport does not allow air movements from 11 pm to 6 am. The city center is about 13 km away.The passenger who hires a private jet can take advantage of various car rental services as well as the VIP Service that provides transfer by limousine, by shuttle, or by helicopter depending on the selected destination.
How much does it cost to fly privately to Zurich
One of the most important routes to Zurich is the one that connects it with Paris, a route covered in about 1 hour and 15 minutes. The rental of a Light Jet involves a cost of about €6,000, an expense that becomes more sustained by opting for a Medium Jet or a Large Jet given the respective prices of about €14,000 and €18,000. It is also possible to get to Zurich from Saint Tropez; however, given the small size of the runway at the airport serving the French resort, a light jet can only be rented at a cost of about €7,000. About 1 hour and 30 minutes' flight from Zurich is Amsterdam, a regular route that allows VIP travelers to arrive in the Swiss city from a major European stopover. In this case, the rental of a Light Jet implies an expense of about 8,000€, while that of a Medium Jet raises the figure to about 14,000€; alternatively, one could opt for a Large Jet at a cost of about 21,000€.
The best jet to fly to Zurich
The Embraer Phenom 300, launched only in 2010, is one of the highest performing light jets available to date. It is an aircraft that can accommodate up to 7 passengers and proves to be extremely comfortable thanks to the large cabin with which it is equipped and the maximum speed it can reach, which is around 800 km/h. Takeoff and landing performance on the roughest runways makes this aircraft perfect for flying medium-haul routes. A note of credit should also be given to the Embraer Praetor 500, a Medium Jet with very similar performance of that of the Phenom 300; it too, in fact, is able to put every passenger at ease thanks to a very spacious cabin and a luggage compartment capable of holding about 400 kg of luggage. The reclining seats, comfortable settees present, and thoughtful design in every detail makes this aircraft ideal for making routes that join destinations that are not too far apart. Among the Large Jets, mention should definitely be made of the Gulfstream G550, an aircraft of unparalleled efficiency as it is capable of flying more than 12,000 km on a single tank of fuel. There are 19 transportable passengers, while the cabin it incorporates can literally be flooded with natural light thanks to 14 oval windows and excellent pressurization that provides an excellent environment that can make the journey pleasant.
The most frequent flights to and from Zurich
Below of the most frequent connections to Zurich:
