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Switzerland

Zurich

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

Taxis and ride-hailing

Zurich taxis have no fare ceiling - the 2024 cantonal law scrapped the municipal maximums, and two cars can charge differently for the same trip. Read the tariff posted on the car's right-hand side before you get in.

Updated on August 5, 2026

How to ride

  1. 1
    Book in the app or take one from a rank
    With Uber and Bolt you pick a category in the app; for a taxi, the ranks at the main station and the airport are quickest.
  2. 2
    Read the tariff on the car's right-hand side
    There is no price cap here, so read the tariff and any surcharges posted on the outside of the car's right-hand side.
  3. 3
    Ignore anyone who walks up to you
    Drivers are barred from touting by shouting or waving, so never go with someone who walks up and offers you a ride.
  4. 4
    Watch the meter start
    Hailed: the meter starts only once you are seated and have named the destination. Booked: it may start at the agreed time.
  5. 5
    Pay as you get out
    App rides charge the method you saved; in a taxi you pay what the meter shows. The tip is already included by law.

Typical costs

Fixed-price routes1

Airport taxi to the city centre (typical)
The airport's own guide figure - with no cap in force the real fare follows each operator's tariff
65 CHF ≈ $79

Estimates use exchange rates as of November 4, 2026

Take one at a rank or book in the app. Agree a price with the driver before you set off and the meter no longer decides the fare.

Payment

Tap to ride
Airport taxis take credit cards; tapping is not stated. Varies by car in town
App tickets
Uber and Bolt charge the payment method saved in the app
Cash Unverified
The cantonal rules say nothing about it; acceptance is up to each operator

Quick facts

Hours
Apps run day and night
Fares from
65 CHF+

Heads-up

  • The law lets you pick any taxi in the rank, not the first

    You do not have to take the first car in the rank. Cantonal law says the passenger is free to choose the taxi, so compare the posted tariffs and pick.

  • You owe no cash if you already chose in-app payment

    If you chose an in-app payment method and the driver still asks for cash, you do not have to pay it - Bolt tells riders to report exactly this through in-app support.

Timetable

Operating hours Apps run day and night
Typical duration The train covers airport to the main station in 15 minutes; by road it depends on the traffic
Check the official site for the latest times and service status
Editor Naotaka