ZRH — Zurich — Taxi Fare Guide
Official taxis wait at the ranks directly in front of Arrivals 1 and 2 at Zurich Airport. All are licensed, metered and reliable, but Switzerland has no single airport flat fare, so what you pay depends on the company's tariff and traffic.
The standard structure is a base fare of around CHF 6 plus about CHF 3.80 per kilometre, with possible surcharges for extra luggage. A ride to the city centre (Hauptbahnhof / Zurich HB) typically runs CHF 60-70 for the roughly 10-13 km trip. Because rates differ, some operators advertise a fixed price from about CHF 60 - ask for this and agree it before you set off.
Journey time is usually 15-25 minutes depending on traffic. Ride-hailing (Uber) also operates at ZRH and is often a little cheaper than a metered taxi, but surge pricing can erase the saving at peak times. For most travellers the train from the airport station to Zurich HB (about 10-15 minutes) is dramatically cheaper.
| Destination | Approx. fare | Time |
| Zurich main station (HB) / centre | CHF 60-70 | 15-25 min |
| Oerlikon | CHF 40-50 | 10-15 min |
| Zurich West / Hardbruecke | CHF 55-65 | 15-20 min |
| Bahnhofstrasse / Old Town | CHF 65-75 | 20-25 min |
Practical tips: Confirm whether the fare is metered or fixed before departure, since company rates vary a lot. Expect a luggage surcharge for several bags. Most taxis accept cards, but ask first. The train is the fastest and cheapest option into town if you do not have heavy luggage.
Other ways to the city
Zurich Airport has one of Europe's best rail connections, with the station located directly beneath the Airport Centre.
- S-Bahn (S2 and S16) - runs to Zurich Hauptbahnhof (main station) in about 10-13 minutes, several times per hour from early morning until around midnight. A single ticket costs roughly CHF 7 for zones 10 and 121.
- Long-distance trains - direct InterCity and InterRegio services connect the airport to Bern, Basel, Lucerne, St. Gallen and Winterthur without changing at the main station.
- Tram 10 - a slower but scenic surface route to Zurich Oerlikon and on to the main station, taking around 35 minutes.
- Night buses - the SN networks serve the airport on Friday and Saturday nights when the S-Bahn is not running.
- Car hire and hotel shuttles - rental desks are in the Airport Centre, and many airport-area hotels run free shuttles from the arrivals kerbside.
Zurich — Highlights in photos
Fares are researched from official and public sources and are approximate — always confirm the meter or fixed fare before you travel.