Find out how to get from Zurich airport to the city center. With many convenient transport options available, you’ll learn here how easy it is to get from Zurich airport to the train station and your hotel.
Zurich Airport (IATA code ZRH) is the busiest airport in Switzerland and the main hub of the national airline, Swiss. In 2019, the last normal year for travel before “you-know-what”, it served 29.5 million passengers.
The easiest way to get around Zurich is using a Zurich Card, which you can buy here. It includes free use of public transport (including from the airport), as well as free or discounted entry to many attractions in Zurich. You may also choose to rent a car at the airport.
If you’re traveling around Switzerland, then a better option is the Swiss Travel Pass, which gives you unlimited travel by train, bus, and boat in 90+ cities around try. It also gives you up to 50% discount at several museums and attractions. Check out all the benefits of the Swiss Travel Pass here.
Arriving at Zurich International Airport
When you arrive at Zurich Airport, you can follow the signs to the immigration control, if you’re not coming from a country in the Schengen Area. After clearing immigration, you will get to the baggage collection area and then wizz through the arrivals gate.
In the Terminal 2 Arrivals, you will find on your left a few ATMs at the Credit Suisse bank and a smokers lounge – yes, that still exists…
Zurich Airport offers free wifi and is reasonably fast. But if you want to have continuous internet, you may want to get a Swiss eSIM to stay connected during your trip. You can get your Swiss eSIM here.
To your right, you’ll see some small shops. Most of the other conveniences, such as supermarkets, major shops, luggage lockers, and more, are located at the Zurich Airport train station.
How To Get From Zurich Airport To The City Center
The airport is probably one of the best connected in Europe, so there are many easy ways to get from Zurich Airport to the city.
You may choose from the convenience of private Zurich Airport transfers, taxis, or the affordability of a train from Zurich Airport to the train station Downtown.
The distance from Zurich Airport to the city center is 10km (6 miles). So it will take you on average 20 minutes to get to your accommodation. from the airport.
Private Zurich Airport Transfers
If you want to get to your hotel quickly and get not waste time waiting for a taxi, the best option is to book your private transfer from Zurich airport. You can book it in advance online or through your hotel. Hotels that book Zurich airport transfers usually add a surcharge to the regular price.
As soon as you come through the arrivals gate, your driver will be waiting for you, holding a sign with your name on it. Several reliable companies offer private transfers from Zurich Airport and the prices vary slightly.
You can choose one of these two options:
Affordable Zurich Airport transfer to the city: from 78 euros
Comfort Zurich Airport transfers to the city: from 93 euros
Getting to the city by private transfer from Zurich Airport it’ll take around 15-20 minutes, depending on traffic and your hotel location.
Zurich Airport Taxis
You will find Zurich Airport taxis just outside the terminal. There are usually a few of them, so you won’t have to wait too long. The cars are comfortable and the drivers speak good English, in addition to other languages.
Zurich Airport taxis to the city center cost anything from 70 euros upwards.
Zurich Airport To Train Station “Hauptbahnhof”
If you want an affordable way to get from Zurich Airport to the city center, then taking a train is the best option.
Zurich Airport train station is like an extension of the airport itself. So you can easily go from the airport to the station and not notice it.
Zurich Airport train station is big and can be considered a shopping mall in its own right since it has several shops, boutiques, restaurants, cafes, luggage storage, and supermarkets. So much so that you have to look hard to find the ticket office and ticket machines.
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As explained before, if you buy a Zurich Card or a Swiss Travel Pass in advance, you can travel from Zurich Airport to the city by train at no cost.
Going from Zurich Airport to train station Hauptbahnhof takes only 10 minutes. The trains are comfortable and have enough room to store your luggage. They run every 5-10 minutes from 5am to midnight. The trains from Zurich Central Station to the airport run from 4:45am to midnight.
A one-way ticket to Zurich Central Station costs 7 euros for adults and 3.50 euros for children. You can also buy a day travel pass, which costs 14 euros. Click here to buy your train ticket in advance.
Tram From Zurich Airport To The City
Another option for public transport from ZRH to the city center is the local tram. It’s a less popular option since it takes around 35 minutes to get from the airport to the city.
The tram costs the same as the Zurich Airport train. If you buy the Zurich Card or the Swiss Travel Pass, you can also travel for free on the tram.
The only advantage of taking the tram instead of the train is that you will have some nice views of Zurich. That’s because the train goes mostly underground.
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Zurich Airport Shuttle Bus
You can reach many hotels in Downtown Zurich by shuttle bus. This option is only worth it if you’re sure the airport bus goes to your hotel. You confirm that with the hotel itself. If so, they can book it for you.
The Zurich airport shuttle bus fare is 26 euros. The shuttle buses depart from the airport on an hourly basis and the journey takes around 40 minutes.
It’s important to remember that it has to be booked in advance.
Zurich Airport Car Rentals
If you want to travel around Switzerland or visit places like Liechtenstein after your stay in Zurich, you may choose to rent a car at Zurich Airport. All the major car companies have an office at ZRH airport.
You can book your car online and collect it upon arrival. Driving around Zurich is not an issue, but if your hotel doesn’t have a car park, parking in the city can be quite expensive. Car rentals at Zurich Airport can cost anything from 50 euros per day. The prices vary considerably depending on demand.
Click here to get a car rental quote.
Where To Stay in Zurich
World-famous Swiss hospitality comes to life when you visit Zurich. That is such a serious business that some of the world’s best hotel schools are found in the country.
There are many great hotels in Zurich and these are Travelwithpedro’s top picks:
Motel One Zurich
This stylish hotel is located near Zurich Central Railway Station. It has a spacious lounge, bar, and restaurant. The rooms are modern and spacious. Despite the name, it’s far from a dingy motel. It’s a proper city hotel popular with business people and leisure tourists.
Motel One Zurich has a good buffet breakfast, included in some of the room rates. It is rated 8.7/10 by Booking.com guests. Room rates start at 150 euros per night.
Click here to check rates and availability on Booking.com.
FIVE Zurich City Resort
Located 3.8km (2.2 miles) from Zurich City Center, FIVE Zurich is a luxury resort in Wiedikon District, just on the city’s borders. It’s the perfect place for those who want to mix business and leisure since it has two swimming pools (one outdoor), a fitness center, as well as a hot tub and sauna. It also offers free bikes.
The hotel has a modern and trendy decor. The rooms are spacious and very stylish. The property is surrounded by a green area, perfect to be explored on one of the free bikes. It is rated 8.9/10 by Booking.com guests.
Click here to check rates and availability on Booking.com.
As you can see, getting from Zurich Airport to the city is easy. Perhaps one of the easiest airport transfers in Europe.
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