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

1
Buy your ticket before boarding

Buy from a blue ticket machine or in the ZVV app. Nothing is sold on board, so buy before you get on.
2
Enter where you start and where you're going

Type both stops into the machine or the app and it issues a ticket for the right number of zones - no counting needed.
3
Only paper multi-ride cards need stamping

Single and 24h tickets are valid from purchase. Only a paper Multikarte needs one field stamped in an orange validator.
4
Board a second-class car

Walk straight to the platform. A second-class ticket used in first class counts as partially valid and costs extra.
5
Show your ticket and ID to inspectors

Inspectors 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 ≈ $11–44

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 ≈ $34

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 ≈ $35–68

Swiss Half Fare Card (1 month)

Half price on trains, buses and boats nationwide for a month; only for residents outside Switzerland.

150 CHF ≈ $180

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 ≈ $310–610

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 ≈ $18

Estimates use exchange rates as of November 4, 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 Unverified

TWINT 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

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.