Andrew Nash
Vienna Transport Strategies

Getting Around in Zürich

Zürich is justifiably famous for its highly efficient, clean, safe, and inexpensive public transportation network. Residents are proud that everyone—from elementary school students to the Mayor—uses the streetcars, buses, boats, and trains that criss-cross the city and region. A Word to the Wise: Don't drive in Zürich! It's expensive and hard to find parking, but most of all you won't want to miss the public transport.

Even if you plan to travel elsewhere, Switzerland's dense system of railways and connecting public transport (boats, buses, cable cars, and more) mean that you can easily get almost everywhere in the country quickly and inexpensively by public transportation. There's absolutely no need to rent a car.

Zürich has 42 different public transit companies providing service to a region of approximately 1.2 million residents. The Züricher Verkehrsverbund (ZVV) coordinates fares and schedules for all these different companies. The ZVV website has useful maps, links, and trip planning information. (Read more about the ZVV below in: Trains, Trams, and Transportation).

One Ticket for All

One of the best things about Zurich's public transport network is that customers can use a single ticket for all modes of transportation. Tickets are based on zones and once you have a ticket, you can use any type of public transportation between the zones. For example, you can take the train from Zürich to Rapperswil, walk to the lake, take a boat back to Zürich, and take a tram back to your origin.

Public transport tickets are available from machines and from salespeople at main interchange points including most railway stations. In outlying areas the bus driver will sell you tickets, but in most places you MUST purchase your ticket before boarding. Buying a ticket is simple. Don't get caught without one, or you will be fined.

To buy a ticket from a machine simply select the zone you'll be traveling to, decide whether you want a one-way trip or a 24-hour ticket (good for multiple trips), and pay the amount shown. The city of Zurich is zone 10, most machines have a special button for these trips. Complete instructions for using machines are available on the ZVV's website. This site also illustrates the various symbols used on the machines. These symbols can be confusing (for example the 24-hour ticket symbol is two arrows pointing in opposite directions—to indicate round-trip). Machines accept coins and some accept 10 or 20 Swiss Franc (CHF) notes. The 5 CHF coin is especially handy for ticket machines.

The ZVV website also provides information on the many different types of tourist and discount tickets available. One interesting ticket is a six-ride-for-the-price-of-five ticket (not available at machines).

A popular option for people traveling around Switzerland is the national rail pass. These are generally good for city transit in addition to the whole national network of trains, ships, inclined railways, and cable cars. These passes are sold by the Swiss National Railroad (SBB in German), whose website describes several different ticket plans for visitors (there are SBB stations in both the Zürich and Geneva Airports). Please note that Eurail passes are not valid for city transportation in Switzerland (except for trains operated by the national railroad).

Multimodal Zürich!

Here are some of the many ways to get around in Zurich:

• Buses and Streetcars - The Vekehrs Betreibe Zürich (VBZ) is the city of Zürich's public transit company. Its blue and white trams and buses are ubiquitous in the city. The system is a fast and efficient way to get around. The VBZ's website provides maps and trip planning assistance for the system.

  The VBZ provides detailed instructions on how to use public transportation in Zürich. It's almost a "public transport for dummies" website ... quite useful.

• Boat Trips - There are two types of boat-based public transportation operated in Zürich: river boats, which operate only in the summer, and lake steamers, which operate all year around, although on a much reduced schedule in the winter.

  The river boats operate between the Landesmuseum (near the Hauptbahnhof) along the Limmat River and out in the Zürichsee (Zürich Lake) to Tiefenbrunnen. There are several stops along the Limmat River.

  The Zürichsee Schifffahrtsgesellschaft (ZSG) operates lake steamers which leave from Burkliplatz (at the end of Bahnhofstrasse). The ZSG's website provides information on destinations and ships. The ZSG offers a variety of tourist-oriented trips (including Jazz Brunch, and historic restored steam ships); a popular trip is to Rapperswil at the south end of the Zürichsee. The town has a beautiful castle overlooking the lake surrounded by a medieval town.

• S-Bahn - The S-Bahn is Zürich's regional rail system. The 'S' stands for schnell (fast). Zürich's S-Bahn system provides convenient and fast service throughout the region. Most of the lines pass through the Hauptbahnhof.
  The ZVV offers directions for a series of excursions (German only) on the S-Bahn. One popular destination easily reached by S-Bahn (not mentioned on the ZVV website) is Stein am Rhine a restored medieval village on the river Rhine which can be reached using the S-Bahn number 29 from Winterthur.

• Walking - Zürich is a walker's paradise. A group called Fussverkehr Schweiz actively promotes pedestrian transportation.
• Free Bicycles - In the summer, the city of Zürich in partnership with social service organizations offers free bicycles for temporary use. You need to leave your passport or other identification and a small deposit. The bikes are well maintained and include a basket (with advertising!). Biking is a great way to see the city.

Public Transport Information and Tour

For more information about public transport in Switzerland and Zurich please see: Zurich Transport - An Introduction below.

If you are interested in taking a tour of Zurich public transport highlights please see: Trains, Trams, and Transportation.

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