Conference Venue

CONFERENCE VENUE

Fred Hotel Hauptbahnhof - Zurich, Switzerland

Address: Limmatstrasse 5, 8005 Zürich, Switzerland
URL: https://fredhotels.ch/de/hauptbahnhof/
Hotel Contact: +41444465400
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/i6XQzFN71oK2rgw16
Hotel Email: Email: hauptbahnhof@fredhotels.ch?   

TRAVEL TO VENUE 

Fred Hotel Zürich Hauptbahnhof is located at Limmatstrasse 5, just north of the main train station (Zürich HB) and right next to the Sihlquai / HB tram stop.

1. Arriving from Zurich Main Station (Zürich HB)

  • On Foot (3–5 minutes): Walk toward the north side of the station (exit toward Sihlquai / Swiss National Museum). Head out onto Limmatstrasse; the hotel is less than 100 meters away on the left side of the street.

  • By Tram (1–2 minutes): Catch Tram Line 4, 13, or 17 from the station's tram platforms and ride just one stop to Sihlquai / HB. The hotel is directly across the street.

2. Arriving from Zurich Airport (ZRH)

  • By Train (Direct, ~12–15 minutes): Take any direct S-Bahn or IR/IC train from Zurich Airport station to Zurich Hauptbahnhof (Zürich HB). Trains depart every 5–10 minutes. From HB, follow the short walking directions above.

  • By Taxi / Uber (~15–20 minutes): A drive from ZRH directly to Limmatstrasse 5 costs approximately CHF 50–70 depending on traffic.

3. Arriving by Long-Distance Bus (FlixBus, etc.)

  • On Foot (1–2 minutes): Long-distance buses drop off at the Sihlquai Bus Terminal. The hotel is located right around the corner on Limmatstrasse.

4. Arriving by Car

  • Parking: The hotel sits in a mostly pedestrian zone with restricted street parking.

  • Use Parkhaus Hauptbahnhof (located at Sihlquai 41), a public underground parking garage just a 1-minute walk from the hotel lobby.

USEFUL INFORMATION ABOUT ZURICH

Money & Payments

  • Currency: Switzerland uses the Swiss Franc (CHF), not the Euro. While some tourist shops accept Euros, cash change will be given in CHF at unfavorable exchange rates.

  • Card Culture: Credit/debit cards and mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay) are accepted virtually everywhere, even for small purchases like a single coffee.

  • Tipping: Service charges are legally included in restaurant bills. Leaving a tip is not mandatory, but rounding up the bill or leaving around 5% to 10% for good service is appreciated.

Getting Around

  • Public Transit (ZVV): The tram, bus, boat, and train network is exceptionally efficient and uses an integrated fare system. You must buy and validate tickets before boarding; plainclothes inspectors conduct random checks with heavy fines for ticketless riders.

  • Zürich Card: If you plan to visit museums and travel around the city frequently, get a Zürich Card (available for 24 or 72 hours). It gives you unlimited public transit (including travel to/from the airport) plus free or discounted entrance to most local museums.

  • Airport Transit: Zürich Airport (ZRH) is only a 10-minute train ride from the main station (Zürich HB). Taxis from the airport are notoriously expensive (often over CHF 70), so the train is the best option.

Local Life & Etiquette

  • Sundays are Quiet: Most retail shops, supermarkets, and boutiques are strictly closed on Sundays. Only shops inside major train stations (like Zürich HB) and the airport remain open.

  • Free Drinking Water: Don't waste money buying bottled water. Zurich has over 1,200 public fountains spewing fresh, clean, drinkable water—just bring a reusable bottle.

  • Quiet Hours: Locals value tranquility. Noise laws (Nachtruhe) strictly enforce quiet hours after 10:00 PM.

  • Plugs: Switzerland uses Type J power outlets (3 round pins). While standard European 2-pin Type C plugs usually fit, standard grounded 3-pin plugs from other European countries will not work without an adapter.

Top Sights & Activities

  • Explore Altstadt (Old Town): Wander through cobblestone alleyways in the Niederdorf district, check out the iconic twin towers of Grossmünster, and see the Marc Chagall stained-glass windows at Fraumünster.

  • Lindenhof Hill: Climb this elevated park in the heart of the Old Town for the best free view of the Limmat River and historic skyline.

  • Lake Zurich & Boat Cruises: Walk the Seepromenade from Bellevue to Zürichhorn, or hop on a public ferry or round-trip lake cruise for panoramic views of the Alps.

  • Uetliberg Mountain: Take the S10 train from the main station (HB) up Zurich's home mountain for hiking trails and clear views across the lake and countryside.

  • Bahnhofstrasse Shopping & Chocolate: Walk down one of the world's most expensive shopping avenues. Stop by Confiserie Sprüngli at Paradeplatz for fresh Luxemburgerli macarons.

  • Lindt Home of Chocolate: Located in Kilchberg (a quick train or boat ride from the center), home to a massive 9-meter chocolate fountain and interactive tasting tours.

  • Zurich West: The city's trendy industrial district. Walk through the Im Viadukt shopping arches and grab food at the Frau Gerolds Garten outdoor market space.