Zurich Open-top Tour and Chocolate and Cheese Countryside

Zurich gives way to Swiss chocolate, cheese, and the storybook streets of Appenzell on this long but appealing day trip. You start with an open-top city tour, then leave the city for Maestrani’s Chocolarium, the Appenzeller Schaukäserei, and a free hour in the village of Appenzell.

I like the easy mix of city sights and rural Switzerland, and I like that the two food stops are built into the transport rather than requiring several separate bookings. The drawback is the loose guiding: you have an English-speaking driver, but no dedicated guide, and clear instructions at stops matter. One person had trouble finding the bus and missed much of the day, so arrive early and confirm exactly where and when to return.

Key points at a glance

• Zurich from an open-top bus: See the Swiss National Museum, Rietberg Museum, Lake Zurich, parks, historic squares, and central sights without arranging separate city transport.
• 75 minutes at Chocolarium: Learn about Swiss chocolate making, taste chocolate, and allow time for shopping.
• Traditional Appenzeller cheese: Spend 45 minutes at the Appenzeller Schaukäserei, with cheese tasting and a look at the traditional product, but no cheese production.
• One hour in Appenzell: Walk cobbled streets, see colorful frescoed buildings, and visit Landsgemeindeplatz.
• A full nine-hour day: The schedule includes long bus rides, including about 80 minutes to the chocolate stop and 75 minutes back to Zurich.
• Best for independent sightseers: You get transportation and entry, but lunch is not included and the day does not come with a full-time guide.

Starting in Zurich at Sihlquai

The day begins at Zurich Central Bus Station Sihlquai. Look for the Swisstours bus and go directly to the driver or the company office. I would arrive with enough time to find the correct vehicle, since the bus station can feel confusing when several coaches are loading nearby.

This is a coach tour rather than a small private outing. The bus is air-conditioned, which matters on a nine-hour day, and the English-speaking driver handles the route. The information says a driver guide is included, while a separate guide is not, so plan on transport, scheduled visits, and basic direction rather than continuous commentary at every stop.

Keep your confirmation details handy. At each stop, ask the driver to repeat the meeting time and the exact bus location if you are unsure. That simple step can protect you from the biggest practical problem reported with this experience: missing the group after getting off.

Zurich by open-top bus

The first part is a sightseeing circuit through Zurich. The route passes the Swiss National Museum, Rietberg Museum, Lake Zurich, parks, museums, and historic squares. You remain on the bus for these city sights, so this is a good orientation rather than a replacement for a full day of walking in Zurich.

An open-top bus gives you a broad view and makes it easier to spot the city’s major sights. It also means the experience depends on weather and your seat. On a sunny day, the upper deck should offer the most open views. If the weather turns poor, the air-conditioned coach offers shelter, though the city portion loses some of its open-air appeal.

The Swiss National Museum is a useful first landmark because it introduces Zurich’s national role and sits close to the central transport area. The Rietberg Museum adds a different cultural note, while Lake Zurich gives the route a break from streets and buildings. You will not have time to tour these museums during the circuit, so think of the stops as visual highlights and orientation points.

This portion suits you if you want a quick first look at Zurich before heading into the countryside. If your main goal is detailed city history, museum interiors, or time in Old Town, spend another day in Zurich rather than expecting this tour to cover it all.

The 80-minute ride to Chocolarium

After the city circuit, the bus travels for about 80 minutes to Maestrani’s Chocolarium. This is the longest outbound transfer, but it creates a useful change of pace. Zurich’s urban sights give way to northeastern Switzerland, and you have time to rest before the first tasting stop.

The Chocolarium visit lasts about 75 minutes. You can learn about the chocolate-making process, taste different chocolate treats, and shop for items to take home. The visit is not just a quick sample at a roadside counter. It is the main sweet-food stop of the day, with enough time for a look around and a purchase if something catches your eye.

I would bring a small bag or leave room in your day pack. Chocolate is an easy souvenir, and the shopping time is part of the stop. You should also keep expectations in check: the supplied details promise an introduction to chocolate making and tastings, not a hands-on workshop.

For families and anyone with a serious sweet tooth, this may be the most immediately enjoyable part of the day. It also breaks up the coach ride before the cheese visit. If you do not care much about chocolate, the 75-minute stop may feel long, especially because the day already includes substantial travel time.

Appenzeller cheese in 45 minutes

From the Chocolarium, it is about 30 minutes to the Appenzeller Schaukäserei. The stop lasts 45 minutes and focuses on traditional Appenzeller cheese, with a chance to taste different varieties.

Be clear about what this visit offers. You can see the cheese facility and sample the product, but cheese production is not included. That distinction matters if you are hoping to watch curds being made or see a full working demonstration. This is a cheese experience, not a production tour.

The tasting gives the day a pleasant contrast: chocolate first, then the salty, savory character of Swiss cheese. You may find this stop especially useful if you want to try Appenzeller cheese before deciding what to buy elsewhere. The time is fairly short, so stay aware of the bus schedule and do not wander too far from the arranged area.

The cheese factory visit also gives you a taste of regional identity. Appenzeller cheese is tied to the northeastern part of Switzerland, and sampling it near Appenzell feels more connected to place than buying a generic snack in a city shop.

One hour on Appenzell’s cobbled streets

A 15-minute coach ride brings you to Appenzell, where you have about an hour of free time. This is the most independent part of the tour. You can walk the cobbled streets, photograph the colorful buildings with painted frescoes, sit at a cafe, or look around Landsgemeindeplatz.

Appenzell is known for its traditional village appearance and its connection to the annual open-air assembly held at Landsgemeindeplatz. The hour is enough for a compact stroll and photographs, but it is not enough for a long hike into the Appenzell Alps or an in-depth village visit.

That short free period is both a strength and a limitation. You get a clear taste of the village without needing to plan a regional train connection, but you must choose your priorities. I would focus on the central streets, the decorated facades, and the main square rather than trying to cover every corner.

Sunday requires special planning. Shops in Appenzell are closed on Sunday, but you can still walk around and take photographs. If shopping is important to you, choose a non-Sunday departure. If your main aim is the village setting and architecture, Sunday can still work, though the stop may feel quieter.

The 75-minute return to Zurich

The return to Zurich takes about 75 minutes. By this point, you will have spent a full day on the road, so the schedule works best when you treat the bus as part of the experience rather than a minor transfer between attractions.

The long return is worthwhile for people who want a broad sample of northeastern Switzerland in one day. You see Zurich, taste chocolate, try cheese, and visit Appenzell without changing hotels or arranging several regional connections. The tradeoff is limited time at each place and a fair amount of sitting.

You return to Zurich Central Bus Station Sihlquai, the same general meeting point used in the morning. Since the activity ends there, you can continue with dinner or another Zurich plan, but allow yourself a little flexibility if the day runs late. The stated duration is nine hours, and the schedule leaves little room for confusion at stops.

What the $123 price really buys

At $123 per person, this is not a cheap Zurich add-on. Its value comes from the amount of transport and admission bundled into one day: the air-conditioned coach, open-top Zurich sightseeing bus, Chocolarium visit, Appenzeller Schaukäserei visit, cheese tasting, and free time in Appenzell.

You also avoid piecing together a complicated day by public transport. Zurich to the Appenzell area, the chocolate stop, the cheese factory, the village, and the return would require careful timing and several separate decisions. For you, the tour can make financial and practical sense if convenience matters more than setting your own pace.

Lunch is not included. You need to budget for food during the day, although the supplied schedule does not specify a lunch stop. Carrying a snack is sensible, especially since the main food attractions focus on tastings rather than a full meal.

The value is weaker if you are already comfortable navigating Switzerland and want long visits at just one or two places. Independent planning could give you more time in Appenzell or Zurich, but it would not give you the same easy combination in a single nine-hour outing.

Who should choose this day trip?

I would recommend it to first-time visitors who want more than Zurich but do not want to plan a separate countryside excursion. It also suits families, food-focused sightseers, and anyone who likes a structured day with several different stops.

It is a good fit if you enjoy seeing places briefly and collecting impressions. The open-top city circuit, chocolate tasting, cheese tasting, and Appenzell stroll each offer a different experience, so the day rarely feels repetitive.

I would hesitate if you need wheelchair access, since the activity is not suitable for wheelchair users. I would also hesitate if you want a fully narrated tour, guided walks, or hands-on demonstrations. The driver speaks English, but you should be ready to explore some stops on your own.

The mixed experience reported by people using the tour points to one clear lesson: logistics are important here. The strongest praise goes to the tour guide, while the sharpest criticism concerns finding the bus, knowing where to get off, and receiving too little information. I would treat the driver as your key contact and confirm every return time before leaving the coach.

Booking details worth knowing

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. That flexibility helps if your Swiss route is still changing.

The activity lasts nine hours, but starting times depend on availability. Check the departure time carefully before booking, then plan to reach Zurich Central Bus Station Sihlquai early. The tour is conducted in English.

The day ends back at the starting meeting point. Since lunch is not included, bring money or food for the day, and remember that Sunday closes Appenzell’s shops.

Should you book the Zurich, chocolate, cheese, and Appenzell tour?

Book it if you want a convenient sampler of Zurich and northeastern Switzerland in one day. The best parts are the efficient route, the two regional food stops, and the chance to see Appenzell without organizing your own connections.

Skip it if you want slow travel. Nine hours is a lot of time for only about an hour in Appenzell and short visits at the food attractions. My practical advice is to book on a non-Sunday, arrive early, listen carefully for meeting instructions, and choose this tour for variety rather than depth.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Zurich Central Bus Station Sihlquai. Look for the Swisstours bus or go directly to the company office and driver.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at Zurich Central Bus Station Sihlquai.

How long does the experience last?

The full activity lasts nine hours. Starting times depend on availability.

Is the tour conducted in English?

Yes. The listed language is English, and the driver speaks English.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, so you need to arrange or purchase your own food.

Is cheese production included at the Appenzeller Schaukäserei?

No. The stop includes a visit and tasting of traditional Appenzeller cheese, but cheese production is not included.

Are Appenzell’s shops open on Sunday?

No. The shops in Appenzell are closed on Sunday, but you can still walk through the village and take photographs.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is listed as unsuitable for wheelchair users.