Zurich Airport (ZRH)
ZRH is 11 km from the city center. Compact single-building airport. The train station is in the basement — follow signs from Arrivals (2 min walk). Given the excellent rail connection, pre-booked transfers are mainly useful for groups, heavy luggage, or destinations outside Zurich.
S-Bahn S2/S16 to Zurich HB (main station): CHF 6.80, 10 min — one of Europe's best airport rail connections. The station is directly under the airport.
Bus 768 to Zurich-Oerlikon: CHF 4.40. Limited use for most tourists.
Zurich taxis are metered, safe, and very expensive. Airport to center costs CHF 50-70. Switzerland has the most expensive taxis in Europe.
GetTransfer — Bidding model helps offset Switzerland's high prices. Often 20-30% cheaper than taxis.
Read full GetTransfer review →
GetTransfer — Same — bidding is the cheapest option in expensive Switzerland.
Read full GetTransfer review →
Uber works in Zurich. Prices are lower than taxis but still expensive by global standards.
SBB train (10 min to Zürich HB, CHF 6.80) is excellent — fast, frequent, and by far the cheapest option. The station is directly under the terminal.
The 10-minute train: Zurich's S-Bahn from the airport to Zurich HB (main station) takes just 10 minutes for CHF 6.80 — one of Europe's best airport connections. The station is directly under the terminal. Hard to beat for solo travelers going to the city center.
Switzerland is expensive: Prepare for Swiss prices — a coffee costs CHF 5, lunch CHF 20-30. Taxis are accordingly expensive (CHF 55-75 from ZRH). Pre-booked transfers offer fixed prices that are typically 20-30% below taxi meters.
Ski resort transfers: If heading straight to ski resorts (Davos, Zermatt, Grindelwald), pre-booked transfers are the most practical option. Distances are 2-4 hours, and trains require multiple changes with ski equipment.
Swiss Travel Pass: If you've bought a Swiss Travel Pass, your airport train ride is included. This makes the S-Bahn essentially free — the best budget option for pass holders.
The S-Bahn wins for: Everyone going to central Zurich — at CHF 6.80 and 10 minutes, it's essentially unbeatable. Swiss trains are legendary for punctuality and comfort.
Pre-booked transfer wins for: Groups with lots of luggage, families with car seats, ski resort connections (Davos, Zermatt, Engelberg — 2-4 hours by car), lakeside hotels not near train stations, and anyone connecting directly to Lucerne, Bern, or Basel without going through Zurich HB.
| Service | Price range | Standout feature | Book |
|---|---|---|---|
| Welcome Pickups | CHF 60–85 | In-terminal meet-and-greet, free child seats | Check price → |
| Kiwitaxi | CHF 48–70 | Wide vehicle selection, transparent pricing | Check price → |
| GetTransfer | CHF 40–60 | Bidding system — often cheapest | Check price → |
| intui.travel | CHF 42–62 | Shared transfers, budget groups | Check price → |
Prices for a sedan (up to 3 passengers). GetTransfer prices are typical winning bids. See our full comparison for Zurich for detailed pricing by route.
Currency: CHF (franc). Have some local currency for small purchases — many taxi meters display in local currency.
Language: German (excellent English widely spoken) Having your hotel address saved on your phone (screenshot or Google Maps pin) is always helpful for drivers.
Tipping: Rounding up by CHF 2-5 is customary in Switzerland.
Safety: Switzerland is extremely safe. Zurich Airport taxis are metered and honest but expensive (CHF 55-75 to center).
SIM / connectivity: Swiss SIM cards from Swisscom, Sunrise, or Salt at ZRH. Note: Switzerland is NOT in the EU — EU roaming may not apply. Tourist SIMs from CHF 20.
Tip 1: The SBB train is unbeatable — 10 min, CHF 6.80, station under the terminal. Use it unless you have extreme luggage or are heading outside the city.
Tip 2: Switzerland is expensive for everything — transfers included. Budget CHF 50-80 for car transfers.
Tip 3: For transfers to Lucerne (1 hr), Bern (1.5 hr), or ski resorts, pre-booking is often cheaper than the train for groups.
See how Welcome Pickups, Kiwitaxi, GetTransfer, and intui.travel compare for Zurich airport routes.
Compare all 4 services for this city →Traveling through the region? Check our airport transfer guides for these nearby cities:
Travel tip
Don't forget mobile data abroad — compare eSIM providers for your destination and stay connected from the moment you land.
