How to find cheapest parking options in Switzerland?
From what I've found out, in big cities of Switzerland, there are a planty of Parkhouses, but the prices vary often considerably. For example, I've checked a few options on the site https://parkingzuerich.ch/parkhaeuser/tarife/ and I've found out, the difference can be as much as 4 times or even bigger. And I suppose, not all parkhouses are listed there.
Is there any service which helps to find the cheapest parking options, or the only option is to google for parkhouses, and check the prices of all of them on their web site (if they have one)?
Best Answer
I don't think there is any centralised database of parking fees for the whole of Switzerland, so you'd effectively have to look up each place. Parking fees are often required even for roadside parking and the rules and fees vary by town. However it may pay off to have a closer look at the fine print on the parking meter, often times overnight parking or weekends might be free.
However, there is one possibility: If you are looking to park just for a short while you can look out for blue parking lots which can be used with a blue parking disc. The disc can be bought at any petrol station or post office. The rules are not exactly the same as in neighbouring countries:
- It allows for 1 hour free parking Monday to Saturday from 08:00-11:30 and from 13:30-18:00. However you are allowed to put the mark on the next half hour (you arrive at 09:00, you can put it on 09:30) so this can effectively give you 1.5 hours.
- If you arrive during lunch, you can stay until 14:30, if you arrive at or after 18:00 you can stay until 09:00 the next morning.
Note that it will be hard to find those lots in big cities such a Zurich, which are also the places where parking will be very expensive. In those cases it may be cheaper and more convenient to park outside the city and take the train/tram/bus into the centre.
Just to add: There are also often white parking fields which are free as long as there is no sign indicating that they are private or payable. However, as mentioned above, you are unlikely to encounter these in bigger cities.
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Where can I find free parking in Switzerland?
Free parking space can mostly be found in the smaller towns or suburbs, for example at shopping centers, hotel car parks (for guests only) or in the street. There are time-limited free parking blue zones as well.Is it easy to find parking in Zurich?
In the city ZURICH parking on-street is hardly possible since parking spaces are preliminary for residents with permits. Parking in one of the car parks is advisable for a visit of the city centre. A Swiss motorway vignette is required to use the national motorways.Where can I park for free in Zurich?
You can park in the \u201cblue Zones\u201d or blue parking areas in Zurich. It is free for a specific amount of time, usually 1 hour, depending on the time you arrive. The general rules are if you park Monday to Friday between 8:00 and 11:30 and between 13:30 and 18:00 you can park in the blue zones for one hour.How parking works in Switzerland?
The parking disc is used in blue parking zones in Switzerland. In the so-called "blue zones" you can park free of charge for a full hour and one additional hour. The regulation applies between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. The parking disc for the blue zones must be visibly placed on the dashboard.Parking in Switzerland Explained
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