Zurich Airport ground transport
Nearly everyone leaving ZRH does so by train. The SBB station (Zürich Flughafen) is one level below the arrivals hall, with departures every few minutes to Zürich HB in ~10–13 min for about CHF 6.80 (~€7) on a ZVV zone ticket. From Zürich HB the national network fans out: direct or one-change intercity trains reach Lucerne (~1h), Bern (~1h20) and Interlaken (~2h), while the alpine resorts sit at the end of scenic branch lines — Zermatt via Visp (~3h20, and car-free once you arrive), Davos via Landquart on the Rhaetian Railway (~2h30), St. Moritz via Chur (~3h15). Trams and city buses also serve the airport at ground level, with tram 10 running a slower surface route to Zürich HB on the same ZVV ticket. Taxis exist but Swiss meters are steep — sensible only for the short city hop. Pre-booked private transfers cost far more than a rail ticket yet make sense for families or ski parties who want a single door-to-door vehicle with their gear. Car rental desks sit in the Airport Center; a car helps for touring the mountains but is a liability inside Zurich's limited-traffic centre. This guide compares each option by price, time and frequency for the destinations travellers search most.
Where are you heading?
Other airports in Switzerland
Flying into a different gateway? These hubs are covered too.
Step-free access in Zurich
The station is directly beneath the airport and reached by lift, and trains into the city take about 10 to 15 minutes.
- SBB trains have accessible carriages with designated wheelchair spaces.
- Boarding assistance must be booked in advance — call SBB on 0800 007 102 at least 24 hours before departure. Staff then meet you 10 minutes before the train, either at the Mobilift (the yellow lifting platform), at the folding ramp usually positioned mid-platform, or at a point agreed when you book.
- At Zurich Hauptbahnhof the SOS Bahnhofshilfe desk provides free information and help with mobility aids.
The 24-hour rule matters here: without a booking there may be no one on the platform to operate the lift.
Plan your arrival with confidence
Every option compared
Bus, tram, taxi, private transfer and car hire — side by side, not just the ones that pay us.
Real prices & times
Indicative fares, journey times and how often each service runs — so there are no surprises at arrivals.
No sales pitch
We tell you when the bus is the smart choice — and when a transfer is worth it. Honest guidance first.