When to go · Zurich
Zurich in October
Mixed month. Outside the best window (May–Sep; Dec for Christmas markets). Across Switzerland: Autumn larches in the Engadin and Valais; lifts close from mid-month.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Mixed
- Temperature
- 14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C) / 7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 10
- Crowds
- Low
- Switzerland overall
- Prices
- Medium
- Switzerland overall
Verdict
Outside the best window (May–Sep; Dec for Christmas markets). Across Switzerland: Autumn larches in the Engadin and Valais; lifts close from mid-month.
Is another month better than October?
October is rated mixed. These months rate higher:
Weather in October
- ZurichHighs around 14 °C (57 °F), lows around 7 °C (45 °F), rain on about 10 daysHighs around 57 °F (14 °C), lows around 45 °F (7 °C), rain on about 10 days
- Plateau cities, Switzerland · Zurich, Bern, Basel, Lucernefine
Fog (Hochnebel) can sit over the Plateau for days in November–February while the mountains are sunny — take a train up.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Switzerland overall
- Low
- Prices · Switzerland overall
- Medium
Switzerland overall: Autumn larches in the Engadin and Valais; lifts close from mid-month.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Zurich, side by side.
Verdict
Oct: Mixed
May: Great (better)
Daytime high
Oct: 14 °C (57 °F)57 °F (14 °C)
May: 19 °C (66 °F)66 °F (19 °C)
Night low
Oct: 7 °C (45 °F)45 °F (7 °C)
May: 9 °C (48 °F)48 °F (9 °C)
Rain days
Oct: 10 (better)
May: 12
Crowds
Oct: Low
May: Low
Prices
Oct: Medium
May: Low
Festivals listed
Oct: 0
May: 0
October: Outside the best window (May–Sep; Dec for Christmas markets). Across Switzerland: Autumn larches in the Engadin and Valais; lifts close from mid-month.
May: Inside Zurich's best window: May–Sep; Dec for Christmas markets.
Zurich: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A warm layer for the evenings
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast