Zurich Airport ZRH terminal
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How to Get from Zurich Airport (ZRH) to City Centre

10 Min Read
Zurich Airport (ZRH)

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Quick Answer

Zurich Airport (ZRH) to city centre — fastest to cheapest: 1. SBB train: 9 minutes to Zürich Hauptbahnhof, CHF 8.20 / €8.50 single. Trains every 5-10 min, 4:30am-1am. Best option. 2. Tram 10: 35-40 minutes to Hauptbahnhof via Bahnhofstrasse, CHF 4.40 / €4.50 single. Every 7-15 min, 5:30am-12:30am. Cheapest. 3. Bus 768: 30 min to suburbs only.

4. Taxi: 15-25 min, CHF 50-70 / €52-72. 5. Uber/Bolt: CHF 35-55 / €37-57. 6. Pre-booked transfer: CHF 60-90. Distance: 13 km north of Zurich centre. Currency: Swiss Franc (CHF). 1 CHF = €1.04 approximately. Euros sometimes accepted at airport but you get CHF change. Tickets: ZVV airport-City CHF 8.20 = single + transfer in city. Best option: SBB train — fastest + simplest. Tram 10 if budget conscious + Bahnhofstrasse hotel. Note: Switzerland NOT in EU but in Schengen. Switzerland uses Swiss Franc not Euro.

Zurich Airport ZRH terminal
Zurich Airport (ZRH)

SBB train — fastest + best

  • Duration: 9 minutes airport to Zürich Hauptbahnhof.
  • Frequency: every 5-10 minutes peak, 15-30 min off-peak.
  • Hours: 4:30am-1am daily.
  • Price: CHF 8.20 / €8.50 single (full fare). With Half-Fare Card CHF 4.10.
  • Children under 6: free with adult. 6-15 half price.
  • Where to board: Zurich Airport Bahnhof — escalators down from Departures Level 0 + Arrivals Level 0.
  • Hauptbahnhof connections: trams, S-Bahn, ICE to Geneva/Basel/Bern, Eurocity to Munich/Vienna/Paris (TGV).
  • Onward Switzerland: Bern 60 min, Geneva 2h45, Lugano 2h, Lucerne 50 min.
  • Tickets: SBB ticket machines (English), SBB app, or onboard with surcharge.
  • Swiss Travel Pass: CHF 244-389 unlimited 3-15 days. Includes airport SBB.
  • Pros: world’s punctuality king. Comfortable. Fast.

Tram 10 — cheaper

  • Duration: 35-40 minutes airport to Hauptbahnhof.
  • Route: via Bahnhofstrasse (Zurich’s main shopping street).
  • Frequency: every 7-15 minutes.
  • Hours: 5:30am-12:30am.
  • Price: CHF 4.40 / €4.50 single. ZVV Tageskarte (day pass) CHF 8.80 / €9.
  • Where to board: tram station outside Arrivals. Look for blue tram signs.
  • Stops on route: Bahnhofstrasse area + Paradeplatz + Bürkliplatz.
  • Pros: cheaper than SBB. Direct to Bahnhofstrasse hotels.
  • Cons: slower. Longer journey time.
  • Tickets: ZVV machines, app, or onboard surcharge.
  • Best for: Bahnhofstrasse-area hotels or budget-conscious travelers.

Taxi + Uber/Bolt

  • Duration: 15-25 minutes (traffic-dependent).
  • Taxi metered: CHF 50-70 / €52-72 to centre.
  • Where to board: taxi rank outside Arrivals.
  • Surcharges: CHF 6 luggage. CHF 5-10 late-night/airport surcharge.
  • Uber: CHF 35-55. Available since 2014.
  • Bolt: not yet in Zurich (as of 2024).
  • Pre-booked taxi: Taxi 7×7 444 4444. CHF 4 reservation.
  • Pre-booked transfer (Welcome Pickups, Suntransfers): CHF 60-90 with driver waiting.
  • Family of 4: Uber XL CHF 50-70 cheaper than 4× SBB (CHF 32.80).
  • Avoid: unmarked “private” taxis — illegal pickups.

Currency + Swiss specifics

  • Currency: Swiss Franc (CHF). NOT Euro. 1 CHF = €1.04 approximately.
  • Euros at airport: sometimes accepted but you get CHF change at unfavorable rate.
  • ATMs: dispense CHF. Some have CHF + EUR option.
  • Currency exchange: at airport. ATM better rate.
  • Cards: accepted everywhere. Apple/Google Pay too.
  • SBB tickets: CHF only at machines. Cards accepted.
  • Tipping: service included. Round up if appreciated (5-10%).
  • Visa: Switzerland in Schengen (since 2008) — same 90-day rule.

Zurich airport layout

  • Single terminal: Zurich has ONE terminal building (Terminals A, B, E lettered as gate areas, not separate terminals).
  • Free WiFi: 4 hours.
  • Lounges: Swiss Senator/Business, Aspire, Plaza Premium.
  • Hotels: Park Inn by Radisson Zurich Airport (in terminal), Movenpick.
  • Walking distance: SBB station 5-min walk underground.
  • Tram station: outside Arrivals.
  • Apple Pay/Google Pay: accepted everywhere.

From Zurich centre back to ZRH

  • Allow extra time: 2 hours airport before EU departure. 3 hours intercontinental.
  • SBB train from Hauptbahnhof: 9 min, CHF 8.20.
  • Tram 10 from Bahnhofstrasse: 35-40 min, CHF 4.40.
  • Taxi from centre: 15-25 min, CHF 50-70.
  • Pre-book Uber: save CHF 5-10.
  • Strike days: Swiss strikes RARE. SBB rarely affected.
  • Swiss Travel Pass: includes airport SBB + countrywide.

Tips

  • SBB Half-Fare Card: CHF 120/year — half price all transit. Worth it if 2+ weeks in Switzerland.
  • Swiss Travel Pass: CHF 244 (3 days), CHF 295 (4 days), CHF 339 (8 days), CHF 389 (15 days). Unlimited transit + free museum entry. Worth it for tourists.
  • ZVV airport-City CHF 8.20: Includes airport SBB + Zurich city transport for journey duration.
  • Avoid pickpockets: Hauptbahnhof + busy areas. Switzerland has low rates but still possible.
  • Ask at airport: SBB Information desk for journey planning.
  • Apps: SBB Mobile (trains), ZVV app (Zurich transit), Citymapper.
  • Free chocolate at airport: Zurich Tourism welcome desk sometimes hands out Lindt chocolates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cheapest ZRH to Zurich?

Tram 10 — CHF 4.40 / €4.50 single, 35-40 min via Bahnhofstrasse. Cheapest. Or ZVV day pass CHF 8.80 / €9 if multiple journeys. SBB train CHF 8.20 fastest at 9 min.

How long Zurich airport to centre?

SBB train 9 minutes to Hauptbahnhof (fastest). Tram 10 35-40 min via Bahnhofstrasse. Taxi 15-25 min (traffic). Uber 15-25 min. ZRH closest Swiss airport (13 km).

ZRH taxi price?

CHF 50-70 metered to centre + CHF 6 luggage + CHF 5-10 surcharges. Use OFFICIAL taxi rank. Uber CHF 35-55 cheaper. Pre-booked transfer CHF 60-90.

Switzerland Schengen?

Yes — Switzerland in Schengen since 2008 (NOT in EU). Same 90-day visa-free rule. Use Swiss Franc (CHF), not Euro. Borders may sometimes have ad-hoc checks but generally open.

ZRH Uber available?

Yes Uber available since 2014. CHF 35-55 typical. UberX + Comfort + XL. Bolt NOT yet in Zurich (as of 2024). FreeNow taxi-booking app.

Swiss Travel Pass airport?

Yes — Swiss Travel Pass CHF 244-389 (3-15 days) includes airport SBB + countrywide transit + free museum entry. Worth it for tourists planning 4+ days.

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See also

Last reviewed: April 2026
Author: Kir Rud, Grandgo editorial
Sources consulted: official tourism authorities, government health and law publications, peer-reviewed travel references. This article is for informational purposes; for formal advice, consult the relevant authority.

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