Zurich's transit system is typically Swiss—that is, streamlined, efficient and probably cleaner than your kitchen counter. Public transportation is certainly a cheaper option than cabbing it or, worse yet, driving. But there's also a completely free way to get around. Read on for all the specifics.
Getting Around Zurich
Bus, Tram, Cable Car, Train
The Zurich Transportation Network (ZVV) is a web of trams, buses, cable cars and trains that connect every square inch of the city and the surrounding canton. Buy your ticket from a machine and remember to validate the ticket before boarding.
ZVV ticket prices start at CHF 2.80 (CHF 2.40 reduced) and go up by number of zones traveled. The entire city of Zurich is located within Zone 10, so and even getting to the airport takes traveling in only two zones, at a cost of CHF 5.60. For a detailed map in English, visit the ZVV website.
A day pass, good for 24 hours of travel, costs CHF 9.20 (CHF 6.40 reduced) for one zone, and a six-day pass costs CHF 49.60 (CHF 26.20 reduced) for one zone.You can also purchase a multi-journey pass, good for six journeys. These cost between CHF 24.80 and CHF 96.20, depending on the number of zones you plan to travel. For more information or to plan your route, visit ZVV's website.
The ZurichCARD gives you unlimited travel on all public transportation, plus admission to several attractions, for one or three days. At a starting rate of CHF 29, it may not seem like a bargain, but if you're arriving from the airport and visiting several museums, the card easily pays for itself. Read more about the ZurichCARD in our Budget tips guide to Zurich.
Finally, the Swiss Pass, a Switzerland-specific rail pass, provides unlimited access to the Swiss Rail System, including public transit in Zurich. The Swiss Pass is good for three, four, six, eight or 15 days and costs between CHF 252 and CHF 470. Visit the Swiss Pass site for more information.
Boat
The Lake Zürich Navigation Company, Zürichsee Schifffahrtgesellschaft (or ZSG), has been operating boats on the lake since the late 19th century. Round-trip services offer several stops for commuters and a convenient and scenic way for travelers to get around the city. The long round-trip journey lasts four hours total and costs CHF 27 (CHF 13.50 reduced) and the mini or short round-tip journeys lasts up to 2 hours each and cost CHF 7 to 9.20 (CHF 3.50 to 4.60 reduced).
The company also offers Limmat River cruises for CHF 4.60 (CHF 3.20 reduced). Tickets can be purchased on the boat, at the Bürkliplatz ticket office or at any ZVV ticket office. ZVV zone tickets can also be used for travel by boat (a long round-trip journey requires an all-zone pass). Note that the service is limited in winter. Check with the ZSG website for more information.
Bike and Foot
Few things will cost nothing in Zurich, so you might as well take advantage of the city's free public bike scheme. With your ID and a CHF 20 deposit, you get a good road bike that will have you rolling on the cobblestone streets in no time.
For fewer than five bikes, you can't make reservations ahead of time, although we never had trouble getting a bike—and unlike many bike share programs, Zurich’s allows you to take out a bike for the entire day. For groups of five or more, you can email ([email protected]) ahead of time to reserve, but it does cost CHF 10 per bike to do so.
During winter, you can only rent from the train station, but a score of bike stands pop up from spring to fall. You can see the rental sites on the Zurich's website.
And of course you can always get around on foot. For a city with its international reputation, Zurich is surprisingly compact. You can cover a lot of the areas walking, but bring comfortable shoes—some of these streets are older than many countries.
Taxis
Taxis are painfully expensive in Switzerland, and Zurich is no exception. Unless you're rolling in it, you should steer away from them—especially since the public transit is superb.
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