Official Review

Written by RuinMyTrip Editorial from published research and official sources, not from a personal trip. It is not a traveler review and is never counted in the community rating. How we research.

attraction · Zurich

Thirteen Francs, Which in Zurich Counts as Free

Review of Swiss National Museum

★★★★☆ 4/5
by RuinMyTrip Editorial · Aug 15, 2026

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The Swiss National Museum charges 13 CHF for adults and 10 CHF for concessions, and admits children up to 16 free. The Simply Zurich exhibition is free to everyone. Thirteen francs is startling in a city where a coffee costs six. It buys the national historical collection, from prehistory through the Confederation to the present, in a purpose-built 1898 castle-like pile immediately behind the main station. The 2016 extension by Christ and Gantenbein is the other reason to come: a raw concrete addition that folds into the old building and is one of the better pieces of recent Swiss architecture. The armoury and the historical rooms are the collection highlights.

What was great

Thirteen francs in Zurich, free for under-16s, and free entry to the Simply Zurich exhibition. Directly behind the main station, so it works as an arrival or departure stop. The Christ and Gantenbein extension is worth seeing on its own.

What nearly ruined the trip

The permanent displays are dense and text-heavy, and the story of the Confederation assumes more prior knowledge than most visitors have. Closed Mondays. The park behind it is pleasant but small.

Value for money

★★★★★ Bargain

Safety

★★★★★ Felt safe
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