Travel information
Childpage navigation
Zurich can be easily reached from all international locations, for many with direct flights. In the city we recommend external page public transport, even for car enthusiasts: it's safe, reliable and gets you everywhere within no time - without having to worry about traffic jams and parking slots.
From Zurich Airport (Zurich Flughafen) to Zurich
The easiest and fastest way to get to and from the airport is by train. Take one of the fast trains or slower S-trains leaving from the underground railway station near terminals 1 and 2 - if the sign on the platform reads Zürich HB (HB = Hauptbahnhof = main train station), it‘s the right train.
There are up to ten trains per hour and the journey takes roughly ten minutes. Tickets can be bought at external page the ticket machines (switch them to English on the first screen) next to the stairs towards the platforms or at the counters.
A external page ticket for an adult costs 6.60 CHF and is valid for one hour in the whole city (external page 3 zones). If you plan to travel by public transport, take a 24 hour ticket (from time of purchase) for just twice the price or consider buying a ZürichCARD (free transport and free entry to museums).
By Tram
Tram No. 10 (towards Bahnhofplatz/Hauptbahnhof) departs outside the building and connects Zurich airport with the Main Rainway Station and the city center. The tram runs every 7 to 15 minutes between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. and stops at ETH Zurich too. Travel time to the city center is approx. 30 minutes.
By Taxi
Taxi ranks are located outside Arrivals 1 and 2. The trip to the city center costs around CHF 60.- depending on your final destination. Also consider external page Uber, which offers competitive rates in Zurich.
However, public transportation is in general the fastest way and always cheaper. Switzerland is well known for its extremely tidy and well organized public transportation system.
By car (not recommended)
If you have booked a rental car or are planning to hire a car, the rental car center is located in the Airport Center. Parking in Zurich city center is expensive. Free parking is hard or impossible to find.
From Zurich Main Station to ETH Zurich
At the main station walk to the head of the train and follow any sign towards Bahnhofplatz (Tram No. 10, just next to the main station) or Bahnhofstrasse (Tram No. 6, 100m down the Bahnhofstrasse).
- Tram No. 10 from Zurich Bahnhofplatz (direction Bahnhof Oerlikon or Flughafen) to stop ETH/Universitätsspital
- Tram No. 6 (direction Zoo) from tram stop Bahnhofstrasse to the stop ETH/Universitätsspital
Tip: You may also cross the Limmat river (2-3 minutes walk) and take the Polybahn next to Central stop. The Polybahn funicular goes straight to the ETH Main building. Timetabe: Mon - Fri from 06.45 am to 7.15 pm, Sat 7.30 am - 2.00 pm every 2—5 minutes.
Tickets for the city center (zone 110) more
You will require a ticket that is valid for zone 110 (external page city of Zurich). If you plan on taking more than one trip on public transportation per day, it is worth buying a 24hour (return) ticket.
Single ticket (valid for 1 hour from time of purchase): CHF 4.30
Round trip ticket (valid for 24hours from time of purchase): CHF 8.60