Switzerland
Zurich
Switzerland's largest city, set on a lake. Blue trams come every few minutes, right on time.
S-Bahn Zürich
No gates on the trains either - buy at a machine or in the ZVV app and walk straight to the platform. The trap - city zone 110 counts as two zones on its own. No ticket costs CHF 100, details recorded every time.
Updated on August 5, 2026
How to ride
- 1Buy your ticket before boardingBuy from a blue ticket machine or in the ZVV app. Nothing is sold on board, so buy before you get on.
- 2Enter where you start and where you're goingType both stops into the machine or the app and it issues a ticket for the right number of zones - no counting needed.
- 3Only paper multi-ride cards need stampingSingle and 24h tickets are valid from purchase. Only a paper Multikarte needs one field stamped in an orange validator.
- 4Board a second-class carWalk straight to the platform. A second-class ticket used in first class counts as partially valid and costs extra.
- 5Show your ticket and ID to inspectorsInspectors work on board. Keep your ticket where you can reach it - anyone without one has their details taken.
Fares
Single fares3
Short-distance ticket (30 min)
For short hops in the city; not valid on ZSG lake boats.
2.8 CHF ≈ $3
Single ticket (by number of zones)
1-2 zones CHF 4.70 for one hour; all zones CHF 18.00 for two hours.
4.7〜18 CHF ≈ $6–22
Single ticket, 3 zones (1 hour)
This is what you get when city zone 110 (two zones) meets one neighbouring zone.
7.2 CHF ≈ $9
Passes & multi-ride6
24h ticket (by number of zones)
Same price as two single tickets for the same zones, valid 24 hours; three zones is CHF 14.40.
9.4〜36 CHF ≈ $12–44
9 o'clock day pass (all zones)
Valid all zones from 9 a.m. to 5 a.m. the next morning on weekdays, and all day at weekends and on holidays.
28 CHF ≈ $35
Multikarte, 6 rides (1-2 zones)
Six single rides in one card. On paper you stamp one field per ride; in the app you tap to validate.
26.8 CHF ≈ $33
Zürich Card (24h / 72h)
Unlimited travel in zones 110, 111, 121, 140, 150, 154 and 155, counted from when you validate it.
29〜56 CHF ≈ $36–69
Swiss Half Fare Card (1 month)
Half price on trains, buses and boats nationwide for a month; only for residents outside Switzerland.
150 CHF ≈ $190
Swiss Travel Pass (3-15 days, 2nd class)
From CHF 254 (3 days) to CHF 499 (15 days); local transport in over 90 towns is included.
254〜499 CHF ≈ $310–620
Add-ons & fees1
Bike day ticket (Velo-Tageskarte)
Some operators take no bikes at peak times, and you load and unload it yourself.
15 CHF ≈ $19
Estimates use exchange rates as of September 5, 2026
Payment
Tap to ride No tap-to-ride; the ticket machines take JCB and Diners too
IC card No stored-value transit card for visitors; SwissPass only carries season tickets
App tickets Buy in the ZVV app, or check in and let it pick the ticket for you
QR ticketing UnverifiedTWINT works as an in-app payment; how e-tickets are shown is unconfirmed
Paper tickets From machines and counters; only paper multi-ride cards need stamping
Cash SBB machines take CHF and EUR notes; ZVV's blue machines take coins and cards
Tap for where to get the app
Quick facts
Fares from
2.8 CHF+
Heads-up
-
For first class, buy the Klassenwechsel upgrade first
Sitting in first class on a second-class ticket counts as a partially valid ticket - CHF 75 for a first offence. If you want first class, buy a Klassenwechsel upgrade first - CHF 3.10 for one or two zones.
-
The last ride must end before the ticket expires, not begin
A ticket's validity means your last ride has to be finished by the time it expires - not merely started. Boarding five minutes before a one-hour ticket runs out leaves you invalid mid-journey.