German picks the preposition by the kind of place. Zu takes the dative and merges into zum for der and das words, zur for die words: zum Unterricht, zur Arbeit. Cities, countries and home take nach: nach Berlin, nach Hause. In plus the accusative is for going inside something.
Examples
- Ich gehe um acht Uhr zur Arbeit.
- I go to work at eight o'clock.
- Nach dem Kurs fahre ich nach Hause.
- After the course I travel home.
- Wir gehen heute in die Stadt.
- We are going into town today.
The mistake to avoid
Nach Hause is going home; zu Hause is being at home.
Where this fits in
Daily routines & habits, German A2: Talk about what you do every day, at what time, and how often. Reflexive verbs and frequency adverbs.