Meilen (Meilen (BFS 156)) Travel Guide & City Profile

Last reviewed: October 23, 2026 · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.

Overview & City Profile

Meilen (Meilen (BFS 156)) is a municipality in Bezirk Meilen, Canton of Zurich (coordinates 47.2805°N, 8.6524°E; population 14,335). Visitors use Meilen as a base to explore Canton of Zurich's historic town centers, regional markets, and culinary specialties such as Zürcher Geschnetzeltes with Rösti, Luxemburgerli macarons, Fondue in historic guild houses.

Within Canton of Zurich Region (Bezirk Meilen region), Meilen (Meilen (BFS 156)) serves as a municipality (gemeinde / commune) in canton of zurich region. Travelers exploring Canton of Zurich often combine a stop in Meilen with regional highlights such as Zürich Altstadt & Limmatquai, Lake Zurich cruises & Uetliberg, Kunsthaus Zürich & Landesmuseum, Winterthur museums & Rhine Falls gateway.

Getting to Meilen & Getting Around

Via the regional hub (Zurich Central Station (SBB CFF FFS & Panoramic Alpine Railways)): Zurich Airport (ZRH) has a mainline SBB railway station underneath the terminal (10 min to Zürich HB).

• Local rail & IC cards: Once in Canton of Zurich Region, JR regional lines and local private railways connect Zurich with Meilen. Nationwide IC cards (Transit Card, Pasmo, Icoca) work on major urban and JR commuter gates; for rural branch lines or local buses, keep CHF 1,000 bills and CHF 100 coins handy for the onboard fare box.
• Luggage & station lockers: Main stations in Canton of Zurich have coin lockers for day-trippers. If you are stopping in Meilen en route between larger bases, check your suitcase dimensions in our Luggage & Locker Checker or forward big bags ahead with Takkyubin.
• Driving & car rental: While city centers around Meilen are accessible by train and taxi, renting a car from a major SBB CFF FFS & Panoramic Alpine Railways station or airport in Canton of Zurich can be rewarding for reaching mountain gorges, coastal viewpoints, and countryside onsen. Read our Renting a Car in Switzerland Guide.

What to Eat in Meilen & Canton of Zurich

Meilen shares the culinary traditions of Canton of Zurich Region and the wider Bezirk Meilen region. Don't miss these local specialties during your visit:

• Zürcher Geschnetzeltes with Rösti — a signature specialty across Canton of Zurich Region.
• Luxemburgerli macarons — a signature specialty across Canton of Zurich Region.
• Fondue in historic guild houses — a signature specialty across Canton of Zurich Region.
• Craft chocolate — a signature specialty across Canton of Zurich Region.

For dietary restrictions or food allergies, open our Switzerland Phrasebook & Show-to-Staff Cards to display clear Switzerland dietary explanations at restaurants in Meilen.

Best Time to Visit & Seasonal Highlights

Best time to visit Canton of Zurich: May–Sep, Dec (Christmas markets).

Regional highlights across Canton of Zurich Region that pair well with a visit to Meilen include: Zürich Altstadt & Limmatquai, Lake Zurich cruises & Uetliberg, Kunsthaus Zürich & Landesmuseum, Winterthur museums & Rhine Falls gateway.

Practical Travel Tips for Meilen

• Tourist information center (観光案内所): Look for the Kankō Annaijo counter inside or right outside the main train station in Meilen (or at Zurich Central Station (SBB CFF FFS & Panoramic Alpine Railways)) for free walking maps, bus timetables, and festival calendars.
• Cash & ATMs: While hotels, chain stores, and convenience stores in Meilen accept international cards and IC payment, smaller family-run restaurants, shrines, and rural buses often prefer cash. 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Switzerland Post ATMs accept foreign debit cards reliably.
• Dining hours: Outside major metropolitan hubs, lunch typically runs 11:30 AM–2:00 PM and dinner spots open around 5:30 PM, with earlier last orders (around 8:00–9:00 PM) in smaller cities.