What is the cheapest way from Zurich Airport to the city center?

The SBB/ZVV train from the airport station straight to Zürich Hauptbahnhof, a single ticket for about CHF 7.20 and roughly 10–12 minutes.

Where do I catch the train at Zurich Airport?

Follow the 'Bahn / Train' signs from arrivals down to the Zürich Flughafen railway station, directly beneath the Airport Center — about a 3–5 minute walk.

Do I need a special airport ticket?

No — any regular ZVV/SBB ticket covering zones 121 (airport) and 110 (city, counted as two zones) works, so any S-Bahn or mainline train heading to Zürich HB is fine.

Is the train really cheaper than a taxi?

Yes — the train costs about CHF 7.20 versus CHF 60–70 for a taxi, and door-to-door time is similar once traffic is factored in.

How often do the trains run?

Roughly every 5–10 minutes between about 5:00 and midnight, using S-Bahn lines S2, S16 and S24 plus mainline IC/IR services — all covered by the same ticket.

What is the best way from ZRH to downtown Zurich?

For budget travellers the best way is the cheapest one: the SBB/ZVV train from the airport station to Zürich Hauptbahnhof, about CHF 7.20 and roughly 10–12 minutes on the train (about 15 minutes door-to-door).

How much is a taxi from Zurich Airport to the city?

About CHF 60–70, taking 20–30 minutes in traffic — several times the roughly CHF 7.20 train fare for a similar door-to-door time.

How to get from Zurich Airport (ZRH) to downtown Zurich — the cheapest way

The cheapest way from Zurich Airport (ZRH) into central Zurich is the SBB/ZVV train straight to Zürich Hauptbahnhof: buy a CHF 7.20 single ticket (3 zones) before boarding, and the ride takes about 10–12 minutes, roughly 15 minutes door-to-door once you count the walk from arrivals. Trains leave every 5–10 minutes from directly beneath the terminal, so skip the taxi — it runs about CHF 60–70 and isn't any faster once traffic is counted. Buy your ticket at a machine, the SBB counter, or the SBB Mobile app before you board, since conductors check often and fine riders without a valid ticket.

How to find it

AIRPORTZurich Airport (ZRH)
01From arrivals, follow the blue 'Bahn / Train' signs down to the Zürich Flughafen railway station directly beneath the Airport Center — about a 3–5 minute walk.
02Buy a CHF 7.20 single ticket (3 zones: 121 airport + 110 city) at a machine, the SBB counter, or the SBB Mobile / ZVV app before boarding — it's valid on any train, so you don't need to wait for a specific line.
03Board any S-Bahn (S2, S16 or S24) or mainline IC/IR train showing Zürich HB — they leave roughly every 5–10 minutes between about 5:00 and midnight.
04Ride about 10–12 minutes to Zürich Hauptbahnhof, arriving right in the city centre with onward trams, buses and S-Bahn connections.
CITY CENTREZurich

Ticket

SBB/ZVV single ticket, 3 zones (121 + 110) to Zürich HB

Where to buy: Ticket machines or the SBB counter at Zürich Flughafen railway station (Level -1, beneath the Airport Center), or the SBB Mobile / ZVV app before you board.

How to pay: Machines and the counter take cash and cards; tapping a contactless card or the SBB Mobile app's EasyRide feature to check in/out on the platform auto-calculates the fare. No separate validation stamp is needed once bought — but carry it, as conductors check often and fine riders without a valid ticket.

Local's trick: Any train heading toward Zürich HB works on the same ticket — S-Bahn and mainline IC/IR trains share the same zone fare, so just board the next one instead of waiting for a specific service. Tapping in/out with a contactless card or the SBB Mobile app's EasyRide feature also auto-calculates the fare, so you don't have to work out the zones yourself.

Trap to avoid: Don't default to a taxi — it runs about CHF 60–70 and takes 20–30 minutes in traffic, several times the price of the train for a similar door-to-door time.

Frequently asked

What is the cheapest way from Zurich Airport to the city center?: The SBB/ZVV train from the airport station straight to Zürich Hauptbahnhof, a single ticket for about CHF 7.20 and roughly 10–12 minutes.
Where do I catch the train at Zurich Airport?: Follow the 'Bahn / Train' signs from arrivals down to the Zürich Flughafen railway station, directly beneath the Airport Center — about a 3–5 minute walk.
Do I need a special airport ticket?: No — any regular ZVV/SBB ticket covering zones 121 (airport) and 110 (city, counted as two zones) works, so any S-Bahn or mainline train heading to Zürich HB is fine.
Is the train really cheaper than a taxi?: Yes — the train costs about CHF 7.20 versus CHF 60–70 for a taxi, and door-to-door time is similar once traffic is factored in.
How often do the trains run?: Roughly every 5–10 minutes between about 5:00 and midnight, using S-Bahn lines S2, S16 and S24 plus mainline IC/IR services — all covered by the same ticket.
What is the best way from ZRH to downtown Zurich?: For budget travellers the best way is the cheapest one: the SBB/ZVV train from the airport station to Zürich Hauptbahnhof, about CHF 7.20 and roughly 10–12 minutes on the train (about 15 minutes door-to-door).
How much is a taxi from Zurich Airport to the city?: About CHF 60–70, taking 20–30 minutes in traffic — several times the roughly CHF 7.20 train fare for a similar door-to-door time.

Last verified: Jul 2, 2026. Prices and timetables change — confirm at the official transport source.