Zurich Airport (ZRH) ZRH: Departure times and transfers

Flying from/to Zurich Airport

If you are planning to fly to/from Zurich Airport, check out our tips on what’s the best way to travel between the airport and the city center. It’s always good to know, what’s the most convenient way to get to your destination. You can also find some data on the Zurich Airport facilities and some local tips on the airport itself.

Travel from Zurich city center to Zurich Airport

Zurich sits in northeastern Switzerland, and although it is not the country's capital, Zurich is Switzerland's largest city by population. Zurich airport is one of Europe's most popular airports, servicing hundreds of flights around Switzerland, Europe, and the farthest corners of the globe. Public transport is the best way to get around Zurich. Like many Swiss cities, the public transit system involves regional and long distance trains, trams, buses, cable cars, and across the many lakes and rivers in this part of Europe, boats. Zurich Airport is roughly six miles northeast of Zurich's city center, and is well connected to Zurich's central train station, right in the bustling heart of Zurich. There is a train station right under the airport, so the best way to travel between the airport and the city center is by train. Taxis and cars are additional options, but locals avoid the steep Swiss costs when they can!

What's the best way to get to Zurich Airport from Zurich City Center?​

Travel to Zurich Airport from Zurich city center is made easy and stress-free via the country's public transit system. The best way to get to the airport is by train, and the end station is known locally as Zurich Flughafen, but English is a staple language throughout Switzerland's cities and transportation. Trains in Zurich are run by SBB and travelers to the airport will take IC1, IC5, IR75 or S2 trains in the direction of St. Gallen or Konstanz.

How far is it from the city center to the airport?

The city center is six miles (10 kilometers) away from Zurich Airport, and because trains are largely underground, they follow roughly the same northeasterly route that cars and taxis take when going to the airport. It takes nine to 13 minutes on direct trains from the city center to the airport, and trains are as frequent as ten minutes apart during peak hours. Because of traffic and the less direct routes taken by highways, it can take double the time to drive than the train. It is a good idea to leave at least 30 minutes to ensure that you make the check-in time even if you miss the first train or two. 

What facilities are there at the airport?

Zurich Airport is equipped with free WiFi and enough shops and amenities to entertain during any layover. The airport also has 60 restaurants ranging from bars and cafes to family restaurants. There are family-friendly attractions like an observation deck and guided tours around the facility, as well as an annual schedule of events that attracts people from the city to enjoy live music and food stalls. 

How accessible is the route for those with limited mobility?

SBB aims to make Zurich travel completely accessible to all by 2023, and is making a concerted effort to update its systems to accommodate travelers with limited mobility. Zurich central station has elevators and escalators, trains have ramps for wheelchair users and all IC trains have wheelchair accessible bathrooms. The airport is equipped with fantastic assistance for those with limited mobility, providing such travelers with a Careport team member to guide them from the moment they arrive until they depart on their flight. There are also parking options for drivers or passengers in cars with limited mobility. 

Local tips: how to travel to Zurich Airport like a local

Locals avoid the parking spot search and steep fuel costs of Switzerland by taking public transport when they can. Even travelers with heavy luggage have an easy time with the elevators, escalators and luggage ramps implemented at every station. Locals have a Zurich Card, which allows them access to all city public transportation, or day tickets if they live rurally and only come in for weekends. Switzerland can be an expensive city to travel around, so options like this are great money-savers that also encourage you to make the most of your time in this well connected country. Zurich locals arrive at the airport with plenty of time to purchase food at one of its many restaurants, ensuring a stress-free traveling experience even before take-off.