Campus and city
ETH operates across two main sites: the historic Zentrum campus overlooking Zurich from Raemistrasse and the modern Hoenggerberg campus in the northern hills connected by a dedicated shuttle bus running every 5 minutes. VSETH, the student union, coordinates 150+ student organisations from robotics teams to mountaineering clubs. The Polyterrasse terrace offers panoramic views of the city, lake, and Alps and serves as the social hub between lectures. Zurich public transport (ZVV) runs until midnight with a semester pass costing CHF 380. Weekend culture includes lake swimming from May through September, hiking in the Uetliberg forest (20 minutes by train), and skiing in Flumserberg or Davos within 90 minutes. Nightlife centres on Langstrasse and Zurich West, though Swiss prices mean a beer costs CHF 8 to 12 (USD 7 to 11). The international student community gravitates toward English-speaking events organised by ESN Zurich, though integrating with Swiss German-speaking peers requires deliberate effort.