Airport bus Zurich
Zurich airport, also known as Kloten, is located 10 km north of Zurich city center.
It is the largest international airport in Switzerland and in 2015 counted more than 26 million passengers.
Travelling to and from the airport is easy, due to its vicinity, and there are a few options to choose from.
How to get from Zurich Airport to Zurich
Public transport
There are two types of public transportation lines between the airport and the city centre: the streetcar and the train.
In both cases, the price of the ticket for single journey is 6.60 francs, and the 1-day ticket costs 13.20 francs.
Tickets can be purchased online or at the SBB machines in Arrival halls as well as at the Switzerlandinfo counters.
There you can also purchase the ZurichCard which includes unlimited transport on all public lines.
Streetcar
Zurich streetcar (tram) line 10 connects the airport and the main station, passing next to the Zurich University and the Institute of Technology, along with other regular stops.
The entire journey to the main station lasts about 35 minutes.
Train
The quickest way to reach the city center. The railway line runs under the airport building, so just follow the signs down the escalators and you’ll be at the platform.
Trains between Zurich airport and the main station depart every 5-10 minutes, from 5 AM to 00:30.
Various regional and InterCity trains along with the two local S-Bahn lines, S2 and S16, pass regularly and will take you to downtown Zurich in just 10-15 minutes.
You can check the details and purchase your tickets below:
| Zurich Airport – Zurich | Zurich – Zurich Airport |
If you are continuing your journey outside Zurich, there are different railway lines that go “directly” from the airport to other Swiss cities, e.g. Basel, Bern, Geneva, Lausanne, Winterthur, etc.
For all the other cities, and the international lines, you have to reach Zurich main city center station and change the trains there. The main station is easily reachable by train.
For all further destinations, you can check the timetables and compare the prices online.
Airport Shuttle
The shuttle bus between the airport and the city center is a direct, non-stop minibus that will take you to downtown Zurich in 30-40 minutes.
This minibus goes at least once an hour and the price is 25 francs. The ticket can be purchased online.
Almost all hotels use the shuttle bus service, so for the journey to the airport you should ask at the hotel reception.
- Benefit: Children aged 12 and under travel for free when accompanied by their parents
- Children safety seats available
- Free WI-FI onboard
- The bus departure point is outside the airport building, but the driver will welcome you at the meeting point on the arrival level
NOTE: Some hotels located near the airport offer free pick-up service to and from the airport for their guests. Check with your hotel.
Transfers
Another way to travel to Zurich is with a private, door-to-door transfer from Zurich Airport to your accommodation in the city.
To explore transfers to most popular destinations, visit Zurich Airport taxi & transfer page.
You can also pre-book a transfer to almost any town in Switzerland from Airport Zurich that you would like to visit for a hassle-free experience.
You will find a list of the most popular transfer routes from Zurich Airport below where you can pre-book your private transfer and pay on arrival.
- NOTE: The prices displayed in the table above are per person (Minibus for up to 8 Passengers) and NOT per vehicle.
Taxi services
Airport taxis are available from Arrivals exit 1 and 2. Depending on the traffic, your journey to downtown Zurich can last around 15 minutes and the prices range from 60-70 swiss francs.
If you have a lot of suitcases or bulky luggage, you might be asked to pay an extra fee.
Renting a car at Zurich Airport
All the major car rental companies, like Sixt, Avis, Europcar, etc. have their offices at Zurich airport, along with some local rent-a-car companies, so you can always compare the terms and conditions as well as the price.
All car rental agencies are located at the Airport Center (level 1).
It is, of course, possible to pre-book a car, which you can do here.
NOTE: To return the rented car, follow the signs “Rental Car Return, P3” when approaching Zurich airport.
Renting a bus at Zurich Airport
If you are a large group arriving to the airport, you might consider renting a bus prior to your arrival. Buses are offered by several bus rental companies in the area.
Travelling from Zurich Airport to ski resorts
From the airport there is ski bus to Stuben, Zürs, Lech, St. Christoph and St. Anton during the winter season, the bus drives once a day from Monday to Thursday, twice a day on Friday and Sundays and on the most busy travel day there is 4 departures.
Travel time from Zurich airport to St. Anton is about 3 hours, if you are travelling to other ski resorts, the easiest is to book a transfer.
The bus is operated by Arlberg Express, tickets can be purchased from their website minimum 24 hours prior to departure of the ski bus.
- From Zurich airport to Zermatt, train is the best travel option.
- From Zurich airport to Verbier, train and bus are not hassle free (multiple changes required), if your budget is not an issue book a transfer.
- From Zurich airport to St. Moritz, train with 1 change e.g in Chur is good option.
- From Zurich airport to Wengen, train should work out fine.
Zurich Airport bus FAQs
No, the last train from the airport is at 0:30 AM, and transfers and taxis run 24/7.
The bus station Shilquai is located 500 metre walking distance from the central train station, so just take the train there as described above. From the Shilquai bus station, you have international bus to Munich, Vienna, Prague, Budapest, as well hundert other international destinations.
Yes, there are several hotels located around the airport, in the walking distance, but it is good to know that there is also Transit Hotel&Dayroom at the airport, offering simpler accommodation, rest area and showers, open 24/7. Check it out!
Yes, there are several exchange offices and ATMs at the airport, working 24/7, but it would be better to exchange the money before the trip and have some franks on you since the rate will be a lot higher on the spot.
Yes, of course. Since the airport is so close to the city, the best way would be to take the train at the airport to reach the center (Old town, Zurich lake). You will be there in 15 minutes.
how to get the train from zurich airport to the guests hotel vietkon
Dear Tang,
Unfortunately, we do not have that kind of information. What I suggest is that You contact the hotel directly and ask them for directions.
Best regards!
Melani, GBB Team
how to get the train from zurich airport to the Ibis budget Hotel?
Dear Faezeh,
You can take tram lines 10 or 12 to the stop Unterriet. It takes approximately 5 minutes drive from the airport to reach the hotel.
Best regards!
Melani, GBB
I have an early morning flight out of Zurich. Can I get the train from downtown area?
Dear Kay,
Trains run frequently from Zurich to Zurich Airport between 5:00 and 00:30 and they depart from Zurich Hauptbahnhof (Main train station).
Best regards,
Melani, GBB Team
Hi there, we re travelling to Zurich airport, and we need to go to Lucerne, is it possible to go by bus? Thanks
Dear Christopher,
You can catch bus from Zurich to Lucerne, buses depart from Sihlquai Bus Terminal in Zurich. On the following link you can find timetable of departures https://getbybus.com/en/bus-zurich-to-lucerne
Best regards
Melani GBB Team
Hello. Is it Close e to courtyard by marriott zurich that the tram can stop or should we hire a transfer due to 8 in our party. Not sure how far stop is from the hotel and concerned due to luggage and older crowd and having to walk
Thanks in advance
Dear Thomas,
You can get on tram line 10 or bus 768 and get off at Zürich Oerlikon train station. The hotel is located 350m from the station.
Best regards
Melani GBB Team
Hi, can l use the Swiss pass to get from Zurich train station to Zurich Airport
Dear Debbie,
You can use Swiss Pass to get from Zurich Train Station to Zurich Airport.
Best regards
Melani GBB Team
I will be arriving at Zurich Airport train station, after visiting Stein am Rhein. At the Zurich airport I hope to catch the shuttle that will take me to my hotel in Kloten. How will I find the place where the hotel shuttles are waiting?
Dear Jo,
I suggest to contact directly the hotel you are staying at so they can give you the instructions on where to wait for the hotel shuttle.
Best regards,
Melani GBB Team
How can I go from
Zürich, Bus-Parkplatz Sihlquai to the airport? Is there any bus?
Dear Nertila,
maybe the easiest way to reach the airport is by train that departs every 5-10 minutes.
The travel journey is about 30 minutes.
Best regards,
Maja GBB Team
I would like to spend half day in Zurich in between flights (from 6:10 to 13:20). Is that possible?
Dear Cindy,
yes, it is possible. The airport is located only about 10 km from the city with frequent bus, tram and train departures. Check out all the ways of getting to the city and back in the text above.
Best regards,
GBB Team
Hi,
I have a flight to catch at 6:35 am to Spain. If I arrive to the airport train station at 5:36 am. Is it enough time to catch the flight? Are there too many controls to go through to travel to Europe?
Hi Javier,
it is always recommended to arrive at least 2 hours before your flight at the airport.
In case that’s the earliest you can get there, you will hopefully catch the flight just in time.
It largely depends on how many passengers are on your flight.
Best,
GBB Team