Zürich Airport - Flight Information and Guide (ZRH)

How to get to Zürich Airport

Downtown Zurich (Hauptbahnhof station) is approximately 10 km from the airport: transfer typically takes 10-15 minutes by train, the fastest option.

By Car

Those arriving by car reach Zurich's center in approximately 15-20 minutes.

By Train

Trains S2, S16 and S24 connect the airport to the central station (Hauptbahnhof) in 10-15 minutes, with departures every 5-10 minutes from 5:00 am to midnight.

By Bus

Some bus and tram lines connect the airport to neighbouring areas.

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Tips The train is the fastest and most economical solution to the city center: buy the ticket (zones 110+121, CHF 7.20) at the automated ticket offices before boarding, inspections are frequent.

Average travel time to ZRH

Train10-15 minutes (7.20 CHF)

Shuttle busService available

Taxi / Private hire15-20 minutes (60-70 CHF)

Parking near Zürich Airport

The parking, spread over multiple levels, is adjacent to the terminal.

Rates are high, in line with Swiss cost of living.

How to get to Zurich from ZRH

By Train

S2, S16, and S24 trains reach the central station in 10–15 minutes; single ticket 7.20 CHF.

By Bus

Some bus and tram lines connect the airport to nearby areas.

By Taxi

A taxi to the city center costs approximately 60–70 CHF, roughly 15–20 minutes; considering the train's efficiency, it is an option generally reserved for those with bulky luggage or traveling at late hours.

Airport transfers you can book in advance

Shuttles and private transfers you can book online, picked from the best rated by travelers.

From ZRH to the most sought-after destinations

If you want to...	Choose	Approximate cost
Reach the central station by the most direct route	Train to Zurich HB (10 min)	7.20 CHF
Stop at Zurich West without transfers	S-Bahn stopping at Hardbrücke (8 min)	7.20 CHF
Reach Oerlikon or the Hallenstadion	S-Bahn to Oerlikon (4 min) + tram 11	7.20 CHF
Travel with heavy luggage or late at night	Metered taxi	60–70 CHF

Zurich → Zurich HB

The central station is the hub from which trains depart for Lucerne, Basel, Geneva and, with international express trains, Milan: from the airport you arrive in just 10 minutes, faster than any combination of bus and tram.

Zurich → Bahnhofstrasse and the lakeside

Exiting Zurich HB, Bahnhofstrasse descends on foot to the lake and Bürkliplatz in about fifteen minutes; those preferring not to walk can board tram number 6 right in front of the station.

Zurich → Zurich West (Hardbrücke)

The neighbourhood of the Prime Tower and the city's nightlife has its own station, Zurich Hardbrücke, reachable from the airport in about 8 minutes without having to first pass through the central station.

Zurich → Oerlikon and Hallenstadion

For those heading to a concert or event at the Hallenstadion, the quickest route is to get off at Oerlikon, just 4 minutes by train from the airport, and take tram 11: the arena is reached in another 3 minutes.

Car rental at Zürich Airport

In the arrivals area, the major car rental companies are represented.

For EU citizens, a national driving licence plus passport and credit card are sufficient.

Hotels near Zürich Airport

In Zurich the question hardly arises: from the airport's underground station the S2, S16 and S24 trains reach the Hauptbahnhof in 10-12 minutes, with departures every 5-10 minutes from 5 a.m. to midnight. Sleeping in the city therefore costs very little time and only with a flight before 7 a.m. is it worth staying next to the terminals. For a single transit overnight stay, on the other hand, there are two hotels connected to the terminal by tunnels, useful also with checks that require arriving 2.5-3 hours ahead for international flights. In the city the advantage is the direct train, which takes you in under 10 minutes to the heart of town or to Zurich West, where the nightlife is livelier.

At the airport

The Radisson Blu is 250 m from the airport, with direct access to the terminals and the underground station; the Hyatt Regency at The Circle is linked to the airport by a pedestrian tunnel, about 5 minutes on foot.

Best for: Early-morning departures and overnight layovers, without taking the train.

Pros

You reach the terminals on foot, partly underground, with no timetables to check
Railway station a few minutes away: Zurich HB 10-12 minutes away
Shops and restaurants of The Circle a few steps away, if you choose the Hyatt

Cons

The district is all offices and infrastructure: in the evening there is no life outside the hotel
For Zurich and the lake you still need the train, there and back

Recommended hotels

See more hotels in this area

Near the airport link

Central station and Bahnhofstrasse

S2, S16 and S24 trains from the airport to the Hauptbahnhof in 10-12 minutes, with departures every 5-10 minutes from 5 a.m. to midnight.

Best for: Those staying a few days who want the old town, the lake and trains to Lucerne, Basel and Milan.

Pros

Direct, frequent train, with no changes with your luggage
The Bahnhofstrasse reaches the lake in about a quarter of an hour on foot
Trains to Lucerne, Basel, Geneva and Milan leave from the same station

Cons

After midnight you need taxis, with journeys much slower and dearer than the train
The centre around the station is very busy during the day

Recommended hotels

Hotel Schweizerhof Zürich At Bahnhofplatz 7, in front of the central station and the start of the Bahnhofstrasse; 95 rooms and suites, a stone's throw from Europaallee. View availability

See more hotels in this area

Neighbourhood

Zurich West

S16 from the airport to Hardbrücke in about 8 minutes, then tram 4 towards Altstetten to Toni-Areal.

Best for: Those looking for bars, galleries and nightlife in a former industrial district.

Pros

Hardbrücke station 8 minutes from the airport, without passing through the HB
Restaurants, bars and nightclubs on foot from the hotel
Tram 4 takes you to the centre in about 10 minutes

Cons

From Hardbrücke station to the hotel you need a tram or 1.1 km on foot
The district is noisier in the evening than the area around the central station

Recommended hotels

25hours Hotel Zürich West At Pfingstweidstrasse 102, in the Zurich West district; from the central station tram 4 reaches Toni-Areal in about 10 minutes. View availability

See more hotels in this area

Airport services

The airport is Switzerland's primary hub, home base of Swiss International Air Lines, with worldwide connections.

Shopping & Duty Free

The duty-free area offers chocolate, Swiss watches, and luxury items.

Lounges & relaxation

The destination decides almost everything at Zurich: Schengen departures have their lounges in the Airside Center, non-Schengen ones in Dock E, reached by the Skymetro. SWISS has the largest part of the offer, with First, Business and Senator lounges in both areas, but those with neither a premium ticket nor status find lounges open to everyone with Priority Pass or paid entry, run by Aspire, Marhaba and Primeclass. For those landing in the morning there is also the SWISS Arrival Lounge.

lounges: 15
with Priority Pass: 5
earliest opening: 05:15

Which lounge to choose: full comparison

Connectivity & Wi-Fi

The terminal building is fully covered by free Wi-Fi.

Families & Children

The terminal features play areas for children alongside standard family services.

Terminal guide

The two terminals (Terminal 1 and 2, interconnected) are modern and efficient, with direct connection to the underground railway station.

An advance of 2.5–3 hours is recommended for international flights.

Map of Zürich Airport

Frequently asked questions

Q. What is "The Circle" near Zurich Airport?

A complex of offices, hotels, a convention centre and even a university campus built right next to the terminal: one of the most ambitious urban development projects linked to a European airport, opened in 2020.

Q. How much does the train to downtown Zurich cost?

7.20 CHF for a second-class single ticket (zones 110+121), purchasable at the ticket machines before boarding.

Q. Is a taxi or the train better from Zurich airport?

The train is generally the better choice: faster (10-15 minutes) and much cheaper than a taxi (55-75 CHF, 20-40 minutes depending on traffic, up to 70-80 CHF during rush hour).

Q. Is Zurich the base of Swiss International Air Lines?

Yes, it's the main hub of the Swiss flag carrier, with connections worldwide.

Q. Which lounges accept Priority Pass?

Aspire Lounge Airside Centre (Airside Center), Marhaba Lounge (Airside Center), Aspire Lounge Midfield (Dock E), Primeclass Lounge (Dock E) and Suite by Aspire (Dock E).