ETH Zurich Budget Guide

Emergency Numbers: Police: 117 | Medical / Fire: 144 | Local Currency: CHF (1 USD ≈ 0.9CHF)

Map of Budget Spots

Cheap Beds & Emergency Accommodation

No budget hostels or emergency shelters found inside this district.

Cheap Groceries & Free Meals

Supermarket Discount Hours: Coop discount stickers (25% to 50% off items near expiration) are typically applied between 16:30 and 18:30 on weekdays.
Best Cheap Eats: ETH/UZH Student Mensas (if holding a valid student ID) offer warm budget meals for 6.50 - 9.50 CHF. Non-students can buy Coop Prix Garantie budget items (loaf of bread ~1.20 CHF, humous ~1.80 CHF).

Discount Supermarkets

Supermarket	Best Budget Buys	Address (Google Maps)
Coop Supermarkt Zürich Rämistrasse	Prix Garantie basic staples (bread, oats, pasta, rice, canned beans)	Rämistrasse 36, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland

Free Meals & Food Banks

No free meal centers or food pantries located directly in this district.

Free Water & Public Restrooms

Free Drinking Water Points

Location	Address (Google Maps)	Where to Find It
Polyterrasse Public Water Fountain	Leonhardstrasse 34, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland	Fresh municipal drinking water fountain located on the Polyterrasse open plaza outside ETH Main Building. Accessible 24/7.
UZH Zentrum Courtyard Fountain	Rämistrasse 71, 8006 Zürich, Switzerland	Public drinking fountain in the main courtyard/terrace area of UZH Hauptgebäude. Accessible daily.

Free Public Toilets

Location	Address (Google Maps)	Hours & Notes
ETH Hauptgebäude Public Restrooms	Rämistrasse 101, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland	Very clean, free public toilets located inside the ETH Main Building (ground floor and lower levels). Open Monday-Friday 06:00-22:00, Saturday 08:00-17:00.
UZH Hauptgebäude Public Restrooms	Rämistrasse 71, 8006 Zürich, Switzerland	Free public restrooms inside the main university building near the atrium (Lichthof). Open Monday-Friday 07:00-21:30, Saturday 07:00-13:30.

Free Wi-Fi, Workspaces & Showers

Places with Free Wi-Fi & Power Outlets

Place	Address (Google Maps)	Wi-Fi & Desk Details
ETH-Bibliothek (Main Library)	Rämistrasse 101, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland	Free high-speed public Wi-Fi via ‘ETH-guest’ network. Abundant power sockets at public study desks. Open Mon-Fri 08:00-22:00, Sat-Sun 09:00-17:00.
UZH Main Library (UB Zentrum)	Rämistrasse 71, 8006 Zürich, Switzerland	Free guest Wi-Fi network (‘UZH Guest-net’) and accessible power outlets throughout public seating areas.

Note: Public Wi-Fi here is unencrypted. If accessing bank or work portals, keep NordVPN on. Grab the student rate (via Student Beans verification), or lock in the 2-year plan to save the most.

Cheap Showers & Public Baths

No cheap public bathhouses or drop-in showers found inside this district. A budget gym day-pass is often the best alternative.

Getting Around Cheaply

Best Way to Move Around: Walking (the campus is very compact) or taking the Polybahn funicular railway up from Central station.
Standard Fare: 2.7CHF
Transit Scams to Avoid: None

SIM Cards & Internet

Best Budget Carrier: Swype / Yallo / Digital Republic
How to Keep Data Costs Low: Digital Republic 0.4 Mbit/s line at 4 CHF/month for basic connectivity and 2FA, or Swype prepaid eSIM.

Safety, Scams & Areas to Avoid

Common Local Scams

Scam	How to Avoid It
Fake Petition Signers / Pickpockets	Individuals carrying clipboards may approach tourists/students on Polyterrasse asking for signatures for fake charities while distracting to pickpocket. Politely walk away.

Areas to Avoid at Night:

None