Zürich Airport: where to stay, areas and recommended hotels

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 in this area

Radisson Blu Hotel, Zurich Airport: 250 m from the airport, the only hotel with direct access to the terminals; pedestrian underpasses lead to the station, from which Zurich HB is 10 minutes away.
Hyatt Regency Zurich Airport The Circle: At The Circle 41, in Kloten, linked to the airport by an indoor tunnel (about 5 minutes on foot); tram and bus stop about 3 minutes away.

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Central station and Bahnhofstrasse

Near the airport link · 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 in this area

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.

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Zurich West

Neighbourhood · 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 in this area

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.

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