Zurich Airport (ZRH) to Zurich
Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) trains from the station under the airport reach Zürich HB in about 10–15 minutes. Tram 10 is a slower alternative that runs through the city's northern districts.
Best for most people: Train. Trains are frequent, fast and leave from directly beneath the airport shopping centre.
All the options
| How | Time | How often | Price* | Hours | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| train SBB trains (S-Bahn and long-distance) from Zürich Flughafen station to Zürich HB | about 10–15 min | several per hour, often every 5–10 min | about CHF 7 single (2nd class) | about 05:00 to after midnight; limited night service at weekends | Buy on the SBB app or at machines; Swiss Travel Pass and many rail passes are valid. |
| tram Tram 10 from the airport stop to Zürich HB via Oerlikon | about 35–40 min | every 7–15 min | same zone ticket as the train | early morning to around midnight | Handy for hotels in Oerlikon or along the route. |
| taxi Taxi rank outside Arrivals at the Airport Centre | about 15–25 min | about CHF 50–70 | 24 h | Metered; cards widely accepted. |
*Approximate 2026 prices and times. Services change: check the operator before you fly, especially for late arrivals.
Sort it before you land
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Tips
- The station is below the Airport Centre — follow the train symbol from baggage claim.
- A ZürichCARD covers the airport trip and city transport for 24 or 72 hours.
- Long-distance trains continue directly to Bern, Lucerne and Basel, often without changing at Zürich HB.
- Fare inspectors are frequent; buy before boarding.
Common questions
How much is a taxi from Zurich Airport to the city?
A taxi to central Zurich usually costs about CHF 50–70, depending on traffic and destination. The trip takes 15–25 minutes. Taxis are metered and accept cards. For most travellers the train is much cheaper and faster, at about CHF 7 for a 10–15-minute ride.
Is there a train from Zurich Airport at night?
Trains run from about 05:00 until after midnight. On Friday and Saturday nights there are night S-Bahn services; on other nights there may be a gap of a few hours. If you land very late, check the SBB app or take a taxi.
Do I need a separate ticket for the airport?
The airport is within the Zurich fare network, so a standard zone ticket covering zones 110 and 121 is needed. The SBB app or machines will sell the right ticket if you choose Zürich HB as the destination. Swiss Travel Passes and the ZürichCARD include this trip.
Can I pay by card?
Yes. Ticket machines, the SBB app and taxis accept major cards. Paying through the app is the easiest option and avoids queues at the machines.
Compiled by TonyPlan from airport and transport-operator information and travel knowledge; updated 2026-10-05. Anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.