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Switzerland

Zurich

Switzerland's largest city, set on a lake. Blue trams come every few minutes, right on time.

Zurich Airport access

The station connects straight into the terminal, and trains and trams into town run on the same ZVV zone fares. The trap is the count - zone 110 counts as two, so airport (zone 121) to city takes a 3-zone ticket.

Updated on August 5, 2026

How to ride

  1. 1
    Head for the station connected to the arrivals hall
    The station connects directly via the Airport Center - trains, trams and buses all leave from the same hub.
  2. 2
    Buy your ticket before you board
    Buy at a blue ticket machine or in the ZVV app by entering your start and destination. Nothing is sold on board.
  3. 3
    Pick a 3-zone ticket for the city
    The airport is zone 121 and the city is zone 110 - and 110 counts double, so you need 3 zones in total.
  4. 4
    Take the train or tram 10 into town
    The train is the quick way to the main station; tram 10 runs via Oerlikon to Zürich Bahnhofplatz/HB.
  5. 5
    Keep your ticket with you
    No gates, and no reader to tap a bank card on - inspectors work the vehicles, so keep your ticket to hand.
  6. 6
    Take a taxi from the inner curbside of Arrival 1 and 2
    Use the official cars marked 'Airport Taxi' - they queue along the inner curbside lanes of Arrival 1 and 2.

Fares

Single fares2

Single ticket, 3 zones (airport to city)
Valid one hour, and the journey must be over before it expires.
7.2 CHF ≈ $9
Airport Taxi to the city centre
The airport's own approximate figure - not a fixed fare.
65 CHF ≈ $79

Passes & multi-ride2

24h ticket, 3 zones (airport to city)
Unlimited travel in the same 3 zones for 24 hours - the price of two singles.
14.4 CHF ≈ $18
Zürich Card
24 or 72 hours from validation; it covers zone 121, so it works from the airport.
29〜56 CHF ≈ $35–68

Estimates use exchange rates as of November 4, 2026

Payment

Tap to ride
No tap-to-ride; contactless only pays for a ticket at the machine.
IC card
There is no stored-value transit card for visitors to buy.
App tickets
Buy in the ZVV app or SBB Mobile; a check-in/check-out mode also exists.
Paper tickets
Sold at machines and staffed counters - buy before you board.
Cash
Machines take coins and cards; nothing official says whether notes work.

Quick facts

Frequency
Trains every 10 min
Fares from
7.2 CHF+

Heads-up

  • The trip must be finished before the ticket expires

    Your journey has to be finished by the time the ticket expires - boarding before the deadline is not enough. A 3-zone single is valid for one hour.

  • Too few zones counts as a partly valid ticket, not evasion

    If your ticket covers too few zones you are not treated as fare-dodging but as holding a partially valid ticket - CHF 75 for a first offence.

  • The tariff is posted on the outside of the car's right side

    Since January 2026 taxis in the canton of Zurich must display their tariff on the outside of the right-hand side of the vehicle. Look at it before you get in.

Timetable

Typical duration 15 minutes by train from the airport station to Zurich main station
Check the official site for the latest times and service status
Editor Naotaka