Thurgau

Thurgau lies between Zurich and Lake Constance, with convenient access from the Zurich-Winterthur axis. Towns such as Frauenfeld, Weinfelden and Kreuzlingen are well connected by regional trains and buses, and distances within the canton are generally short. From a purely technical point of view, it is possible to move around Thurgau using public transport.

In practice, however, families benefit significantly from having a rental car. While trains work well between main towns, many of the experiences that define Thurgau – farms, orchards, vineyards and small villages – are far easier to reach by car. A car also allows spontaneous stops, flexible timing and calmer days, which matters when travelling with children.

Typical costs to plan for include car rental at CHF 70-120 per day, parking at CHF 2-5 per hour or CHF 15-30 per day in towns, and regional public transport day tickets at CHF 20-30.

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Thurgau can be visited year-round, but each season creates a slightly different experience. The overall atmosphere remains calm and family-friendly, yet weather and available activities play an important role when travelling with children.

Spring is marked by apple orchards in bloom, soft natural light and comfortable temperatures. Trails and towns feel open and uncrowded, making this a pleasant time for outdoor walks and short excursions without heat or pressure.

Summer brings life to Lake Constance, with beaches, cycling paths and open green areas. This is the most active season, well suited for swimming days, outdoor attractions and longer time outside, though popular spots can feel busier.

Autumn is quieter again. Vineyards around Weinfelden turn warm in colour, the pace slows noticeably, and the light is ideal for relaxed walks and photography. Many families find this season especially comfortable.

Winter is very calm. Villages such as Gottlieben can feel almost empty, and options for children are limited compared to other seasons.

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Nature in Thurgau is gentle rather than dramatic, but it is exceptionally accessible for families. Landscapes are open, distances are short, and most outdoor areas can be enjoyed without technical hiking or long planning. This makes it easy to combine nature with relaxed days and flexible schedules.

Lake Constance (Bodensee) is the central natural anchor of the region. Families find small beaches, lakeside promenades, open lawns and calm swimming areas. Even short visits work well, especially in the late afternoon when light softens and temperatures drop.

Beyond the lake, apple orchards shape much of the canton. In spring they bloom, in summer they provide shade, and in autumn they frame vineyard views. The vineyards of the Untersee and the Thur Valley add rolling hills and wide paths that are easy to walk with children.

Thurgau offers around 1,000 km of walking trails and 900 km of cycling routes, many of them flat and well marked, often passing farms, fields and water.

Accommodation in Thurgau is generally more affordable than in many of Switzerland’s better-known tourist regions, especially when staying outside the main towns. For families, this makes it easier to balance comfort and budget without compromising location or space.

As a guideline, basic accommodation typically ranges from CHF 120-180 per night, offering simple but functional rooms. Mid-range hotels usually fall between CHF 180-300 per night, providing more space and family-friendly comfort. Higher-end hotels and spa stays start around CHF 300-450+ per night, depending on season and facilities.

Choosing smaller villages often results in better value, easier parking and a quieter environment in the evenings. With short driving distances across the canton, staying slightly outside a town rarely creates logistical difficulties.

Daily expenses in Thurgau are typical for Switzerland but remain predictable and easy to manage, especially for families who plan meals simply. Most towns offer bakeries, casual restaurants and supermarkets, which makes it possible to mix eating out with lighter, more flexible options.

As a general reference, breakfast costs around CHF 10-20 per person, depending on whether it is taken in a café or bought from a bakery. A light lunch in a casual restaurant usually ranges from CHF 18-30, while a sit-down dinner is typically CHF 30-60 per person. A coffee costs around CHF 5-7.

Local cuisine is straightforward and seasonal, with a strong focus on apples, cheese and regional products. Wines such as Pinot Noir and Müller-Thurgau are common on local menus and reflect the agricultural character of the region.

Thurgau is not designed to impress through scale or intensity, and this is important to understand before planning a family trip. There is no single landmark or attraction that defines the region. Instead, the experience is built from many small, calm elements that only work if you enjoy a slower rhythm.

Evenings are very quiet across most towns and villages. Restaurants often close early, and there is no nightlife. For families, this can be an advantage, but travellers expecting evening entertainment may find the atmosphere too subdued.

Several activities are also weather-dependent, especially those connected to Lake Constance, orchards and vineyards. While there are a few good indoor options, flexibility in planning is essential.

Thurgau integrates very naturally into a broader family trip through Switzerland, particularly when travelling through the eastern part of the country. Its location near Zurich and along Lake Constance makes it an easy addition without long transfers or complex planning.

For many families, Thurgau works best as a starting or finishing point. After busy cities or more dramatic alpine regions, the canton offers a noticeably slower pace, shorter days and space to recover. Days here are structured around short drives, light walks and one main activity, rather than full schedules.

It also functions well as a base for short day trips, while keeping accommodation in a quieter, greener setting. With a rental car, moving between villages, lakeside areas and nearby towns remains simple and stress-free.

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• I always rent a car in Thurgau. Trains connect the main towns well, but farms, vineyards and villages such as Gottlieben are far easier to reach by car. With children, this flexibility saves time and reduces daily stress.
• I plan each day around the weather. On rainy days, I focus on indoor options such as the Nature Museum Thurgau in Frauenfeld. On sunny days, I keep time free for Lake Constance walks and outdoor village stops.
• I arrive at Conny-Land as early as possible. The first hours are calmer, queues are shorter, and children manage more rides before fatigue sets in. By early afternoon, the park becomes noticeably busier.
• I treat small villages as short stops rather than full-day destinations. Places like Diessenhofen or Gottlieben work best for one to two hours, keeping children engaged without exhausting them.
• I choose accommodation in villages rather than towns. Prices are often lower, parking is easier, and evenings are quieter. With short driving distances in Thurgau, location rarely becomes a limitation.
• I regularly use supermarkets for picnic lunches. Around Lake Constance and along walking paths there are many benches and green areas, which saves money and avoids long restaurant stops with hungry children.
• I schedule vineyard walks for late afternoon. Light is softer, temperatures drop, and colours are better for photos. Children are also more comfortable walking at that time of day.
• I balance active days with calm ones. After Conny-Land or Camel Farm Olmerswil, I always plan a relaxed lake or village day. This rhythm keeps the entire family in a good mood.

I visited Thurgau in September 2022 while travelling with school-age children, and what stood out immediately was how naturally the region slows you down. Thurgau does not rely on packed schedules or major attractions. Instead, it offers a sequence of calm, well-connected experiences that work especially well for families seeking space, nature and flexibility.

Days felt balanced without effort. A relaxed walk along Lake Constance, a short stop in villages such as Gottlieben or Diessenhofen, and one clearly defined activity for children, like Conny-Land, were more than enough. Distances are short, and with a rental car everything connects smoothly. Without a car, the limitations become noticeable quite quickly.

One important point to understand in advance is the evening atmosphere. Thurgau is very quiet at night, with no nightlife and early restaurant hours. For families, this often becomes an advantage rather than a drawback, but expectations matter. Planning around the weather and keeping one indoor option available also proved essential.

Overall, Thurgau is a gentle, green part of Switzerland that rewards thoughtful planning over rushing. Nature, local food and simple experiences create a calm and consistent rhythm. For families looking for space and balance, it offers exactly that.