Public Transport in Zurich & Switzerland: Complete Guide
ZVV Zones, SBB Trains, Tickets, Travelcards and Money-Saving Tips
One of the great things about living in or visiting Switzerland is just how easy it is to get around without a car. Zurich in particular has an exceptionally comprehensive public transport network, with trains, S-Bahn services, trams, buses, boats, funiculars and cableways all connecting with one another.
Whether you’re travelling from Zurich Airport to the city centre, commuting from somewhere around Lake Zurich, taking a tram across town or heading off for a weekend in the Swiss mountains, public transport is very often the easiest option. However, if you’re new to Zurich, terms such as ZVV, SBB, Zone 110, Halbtax, GA, SwissPass and Anschlussbillett can initially seem rather confusing. So here is our updated NewInZurich guide to the most important things you need to know about public transport in Zurich and Switzerland.
Public Transport in Zurich at a Glance
For anyone looking for the quick version:
- ZVV is the Zurich Transport Network.
- SBB is Switzerland’s national railway company and the SBB Mobile app is invaluable for journeys throughout Switzerland.
- Zurich’s regional tickets work primarily by zones, rather than by individual transport operator.
- Zone 110 covers the City of Zurich and counts as two zones for fare calculations.
- One valid ZVV ticket can cover trains, S-Bahn, trams, buses, boats and certain cableways within the zones you’ve purchased.
- Children under six generally travel free.
- Children aged six until the day before their 16th birthday generally receive the reduced fare.
- A Half Fare Travelcard – Halbtax – can dramatically reduce the cost of travelling around Switzerland.
- Frequent travellers may find a GA Travelcard or regional ZVV travelcard better value.
- Visitors should investigate the Zürich Card, Swiss Travel Pass or Swiss Half Fare Card.
- Always make sure you have a valid ticket before your transport departs.
- Ticket inspections are frequent and inspectors can be in uniform or plain clothes.
- The easiest apps to have on your phone are SBB Mobile and the ZVV app.
What Is ZVV?
ZVV stands for Zürcher Verkehrsverbund – the Zurich Transport Network.
The great advantage of the ZVV system is that the different forms of public transport are integrated. Within the zones and time period covered by your ticket, you can use trains, S-Bahn services, trams, buses, boats and certain cableways, regardless of which transport company is actually operating them. So you don’t normally need one ticket for a tram, another for a bus and yet another for the train.
That makes journeys such as:
train → tram → bus
or even
tram → boat → train
very straightforward.
This is particularly useful in Zurich, where changing from one type of public transport to another is a perfectly normal part of everyday travel.
Understanding the ZVV Zones
This is probably the most important thing for anyone new to public transport in Zurich. The ZVV network is divided into fare zones. You are therefore generally buying access to particular zones for a particular period of time rather than simply buying a ticket for one vehicle travelling from A to B. The price is based primarily on how many zones your journey covers. Once you have a valid ticket, you can travel as often as you wish within those zones during the period of validity. This is one of the details which often catches newcomers out.
A ZVV single ticket does not necessarily mean one single ride.
For example, if your ticket is valid for one hour, you can change from train to tram or bus – and even travel back and forth within the relevant zones – until that ticket expires. Your final journey must, however, be completed before the validity period ends.
Zurich Zone 110 – Why Does It Count Twice?
Central Zurich is Zone 110. However, Zone 110 is slightly unusual because for fare calculations it counts as two zones. The reason is simply that the public transport network within the city is considerably denser than in most surrounding areas. Winterthur’s Zone 120 works in the same way. So if you’re looking at a zone map and wondering why the maths doesn’t seem to add up, this may well be the reason!
Picture courtesy of ZVV
Example: Küsnacht to Zurich HB
For example, Küsnacht is in Zone 140 and Zurich HB is in Zone 110. Since Zone 110 counts as two zones, a journey from Küsnacht to central Zurich is calculated as a three-zone journey. The simplest approach is usually not to calculate this yourself at all.
Simply enter:
From: Küsnacht ZH
To: Zürich HB
into the ZVV or SBB app, or into a ticket machine, and the system will calculate the necessary zones and ticket for you.
Zurich Airport to Zurich City Centre by Public Transport
Zurich Airport is extremely well connected to central Zurich. The airport is in ZVV Zone 121, while central Zurich is in Zone 110. Because Zone 110 counts twice, travel between Zurich Airport and the city is generally a three-zone journey.Frequent trains run between Zurich Airport railway station and Zurich HB, and the fastest journeys take less than 15 minutes. This is usually considerably easier than taking a taxi.
If you have a valid Zürich Card the journey between Zurich Airport and the city included.
The Main Types of ZVV Ticket
There are a surprising number of ticket options, but these are the ones most people are likely to encounter.
ZVV Single Ticket
A ZVV single ticket is designed for occasional travel. Depending on how many zones it covers, it has a fixed validity period. And remember: despite the name, you can make multiple journeys and changes within the covered zones until the ticket expires. You can buy tickets via:
- the ZVV app
- ticket machines
- the ZVV online ticket shop
- staffed sales points.
ZVV 24-Hour Ticket
If you’re making several journeys over the course of a day, a 24h-Ticket can make much more sense. It allows unlimited travel within the selected zones for a full 24 hours from its start time. This can be particularly useful if you’re visiting friends, going into the city and back again, or planning several stops around Zurich.
Multiple-Journey Tickets
If you make the same sort of journey regularly but not frequently enough to need a monthly pass, ZVV also offers multiple-journey tickets with six validations. There are also multiple 24-hour tickets. Paper versions that require stamping must be validated before you travel.
Zone Upgrades – Anschlussbillette
Already have a travelcard but want to travel beyond its normal zones? You don’t necessarily need to buy a completely separate full-price ticket. A zone upgrade – Anschlussbillett – extends your existing ticket or travelcard into additional ZVV zones and can be purchased for shorter journeys or for 24 hours. This is particularly useful for people with a regular commuter pass who occasionally want to travel further afield.
The ZVV 9 O’Clock Pass
If you don’t normally need to travel during the morning rush hour, the 9 O’Clock Pass is worth knowing about. On weekdays it is valid from 9am until 5am the following morning. On Saturdays, Sundays and official public holidays it is valid all day. There is a ZVV-wide 9 O’Clock Day Pass, and monthly and annual 9 O’Clock travelcards are also available for various areas including Zurich and the whole ZVV network. For people with flexible working hours or retirees who travel regularly during the day, it can be a very useful alternative to a conventional travelcard.
Monthly and Annual ZVV Travelcards
If you use public transport regularly, buying individual tickets soon stops making sense. ZVV offers monthly and annual NetworkPass travelcards, with both personal and, for certain products, transferable versions. Your best option depends on where you live, where you work and how often you travel. If you frequently commute from the same town into Zurich, check the monthly and annual options before continuing to purchase individual tickets.
What Is SBB – And How Is It Different From ZVV?
ZVV is the regional public transport network for the greater Zurich area.
SBB – Schweizerische Bundesbahnen / Swiss Federal Railways – is Switzerland’s national railway company.
However, the SBB Mobile app covers far more than just SBB trains.
You can use it to search public transport timetables throughout Switzerland and purchase standard tickets as well as regional transport tickets, Saver Day Passes, Supersaver tickets and many other products. This makes it the app we use most frequently when travelling around Switzerland. Other parts of Switzerland have their own regional fare networks, so don’t assume that the ZVV zonal rules apply everywhere. Fortunately, the SBB app handles much of this complexity for you.
The SwissPass – What Is It?
A SwissPass is the personal card – and digital account – on which many Swiss public transport travelcards can be stored. Your Half Fare Travelcard, GA Travelcard, ZVV travelcard and various other subscriptions can be linked to your SwissPass. You can also activate SwissPass Mobile in SBB Mobile, allowing you to show your SwissPass digitally during a ticket inspection.
Don’t confuse SwissPass with Swiss Travel Pass. They sound remarkably similar but are completely different products. The SwissPass is essentially your personal public transport account/card. The Swiss Travel Pass is primarily a travel product for international visitors.
Half Fare Travelcard – Halbtax
If you live in Switzerland and travel even reasonably regularly by public transport, the Half Fare Travelcard – commonly called Halbtax – is one of the first products worth investigating. With it you receive around half-price or otherwise reduced fares on most SBB routes and most other railways, as well as boats and Postbuses. Discounts also apply on many urban transport services and mountain railways, although the reduction is not always exactly 50%.
Prices: As of August 2026, the adult Half Fare Travelcard costs:
CHF 190 for a new purchase or renewal after a break
CHF 170 for an uninterrupted renewal from the second year.
There is also a cheaper version for travellers aged under 25.
The Half Fare Travelcard is loaded onto your SwissPass. For many people living in Switzerland, it pays for itself surprisingly quickly. Tip: Prices do change, so check the current SBB price before purchasing.
GA Travelcard – Generalabonnement
At the other end of the scale is the GA Travelcard – Generalabonnement or General Abonnement. This is aimed at people who use public transport very frequently. It provides essentially unlimited travel across the GA network on SBB trains and most other railways, as well as local public transport and many buses and boats. There are numerous versions, including options for:
- adults
- young people
- seniors
- couples
- families
- children.
It is a substantial investment, but for someone who commutes frequently, travels extensively around Switzerland and perhaps does not own a car, it can make enormous sense. The GA is also stored on your SwissPass.
Junior Travelcard – Juniorkarte
For families, the Junior Travelcard is one of Switzerland’s best-value public transport offers. For CHF 30 per year, a child aged from six until before their 16th birthday can travel throughout much of Switzerland for free when accompanied by a parent holding a valid ticket. One Junior Travelcard covers the child with both registered parents. Even better, the third child and any additional children can receive the Junior Travelcard free of charge when the relevant conditions are met. If you regularly take your children on trains, boats and day trips around Switzerland, it is an exceptionally useful card.
Children’s Co-Travelcard – Not Just for Parents
The Children’s Co-Travelcard is similar but solves a different problem.
For CHF 30 per year, a child aged six to under 16 can travel with a specific registered adult companion aged 16 or over who has their own valid ticket. That adult could be:
- a grandparent
- godparent
- aunt or uncle
- family friend
- nanny
- neighbour
- other regular accompanying adult.
This is important because the ordinary Junior Travelcard is specifically designed for travelling with a parent.
What Do Children Pay on Zurich Public Transport?
The basic ZVV rules are refreshingly simple:
Children up to 5.99 years old: travel free and do not need a ticket.
Children aged 6–15.99: pay the reduced fare until the day before their 16th birthday.
There are additional child offers nationally, including a Day Pass for Children, which can be useful for an occasional day trip.
The Zürich Card – Best for Visitors?
If you’re visiting Zurich rather than living here, the Zürich Card is definitely worth considering.
It is available for 24 or 72 hours and includes unlimited 2nd-class travel on public transport within its designated Zurich zones. The transport coverage includes:
- Zurich city
- Zurich Airport
- Uetliberg
- buses
- trains and S-Bahn
- trams
- selected Lake Zurich and Limmat boat trips
- Polybahn
- Rigiblick funicular
- Dolderbahn
- Felsenegg cable car.
The currently included zones are 110, 111, 121, 140, 150, 154 and 155. The Zürich Card also offers free entry to many museums and reductions or other benefits at numerous attractions and participating businesses. For somebody arriving at Zurich Airport and planning several museums and sightseeing trips, it can work out very well.
Swiss Travel Pass For International Visitors Exploring Switzerland
If Zurich is only one stop on a larger Swiss holiday, look at the Swiss Travel Pass. It is available exclusively to visitors whose permanent residence is outside Switzerland and Liechtenstein. It offers unlimited travel on trains, buses and boats throughout much of Switzerland, local public transport in more than 90 towns and cities and additional benefits on selected mountain transport and attractions. It is particularly convenient for visitors who want to travel extensively without constantly buying individual tickets.You can choose:
Swiss Travel Pass: consecutive travel days or
Swiss Travel Pass Flex: selected travel days within a month.
Swiss Half Fare Card – Another Option for Tourists
Visitors who aren’t travelling enough to justify a Swiss Travel Pass may find the Swiss Half Fare Card more economical.
It is valid for one month and allows visitors to buy many train, bus, boat and mountain transport tickets at around half price or another reduced rate.
This is not the same product as the annual Half Fare Travelcard used by residents.
Save Money with Supersaver Tickets
If you know exactly which train you want to take, look for Supersaver Tickets – Sparbillette in the SBB app. They can offer discounts of up to 50% from the standard fare, depending on availability. There is one important catch: Supersaver Tickets are tied to the particular connection you purchase. You cannot simply decide to catch another train instead, except in specific disruption situations. They are therefore ideal when your plans are fixed, but less attractive when you want complete flexibility.
Saver Day Pass – One of Our Favourite Swiss Travel Tips
For a longer day out, always check the price of a Saver Day Pass – Spartageskarte. These provide a full day of travel throughout the GA area and can be remarkably good value if booked early. They are available both with and without a Half Fare Travelcard, subject to availability. The important thing is to book ahead: Saver Day Passes are sold in advance and cannot simply be purchased on the day of travel. For a big Swiss day trip involving several trains, buses and perhaps a boat, always compare the Saver Day Pass with the cost of individual tickets.
EasyRide and Check-In Tickets – Let the App Calculate the Fare
One of the biggest improvements in recent years has been check-in/check-out ticketing. SBB Mobile has EasyRide, while the ZVV app also offers a Check-in Ticket function. The principle is wonderfully simple:
- Check in on the app before boarding.
- Make your journey and change public transport as necessary.
- Check out after you finish.
- The system calculates the appropriate ticket afterwards.
EasyRide takes travelcards such as the Half Fare Travelcard and regional travelcards into account and automatically calculates applicable zone upgrades. The ZVV Check-in Ticket can also be used for travel throughout Switzerland. This is particularly handy when you don’t know which ticket or how many zones you need. One important warning: you must check in before the vehicle actually departs.
Ticket Inspections – Kontrolle
Switzerland operates largely on a proof-of-payment system, which means there are no ticket barriers at many stations or tram stops.
That doesn’t mean tickets aren’t checked!
Inspections are frequent on trains, trams, buses and other public transport, and inspectors may be either uniformed or in plain clothes. Make sure your ticket is valid before departure. For e-tickets, the purchase must be fully completed before the service departs. Also make sure your phone has enough battery to display your ticket. E-tickets are personal and non-transferable, and inspectors may request identification or your SwissPass.
What Happens If You Forget Your SwissPass or Travelcard?
If you actually possess a valid personal travelcard but are unable to show it during an inspection, don’t panic. If you subsequently provide proof within 10 days, the current handling fee is CHF 5 rather than the full surcharge. After ten days, the fee increases to CHF 30. This is very different from simply travelling without having purchased a valid ticket in the first place.
Do You Need to Validate Your Ticket?
Sometimes. Most tickets bought immediately from an app or machine are issued with a specific validity period and require no further action. However, paper multiple-journey tickets and certain multi-day tickets which are sold for later use need to be stamped/validated before travelling. Always check what is printed on the ticket. If you’re unsure, ask at the station or check in the ZVV app.
Can You Use Zurich Public Transport at Night?
Yes – and it is much easier than it used to be. The ZVV night network runs in the nights from Friday to Saturday and Saturday to Sunday, as well as on certain public holidays and special occasions, generally from around 1am into the early morning. Night trains and buses are identified by an N in their service designation. Most importantly, the old additional night surcharge has been abolished.
A normal valid public transport ticket is all you need.
The Best Apps for Public Transport in Zurich and Switzerland
SBB Mobile
If you only download one Swiss transport app, make it SBB Mobile. You can use it to:
- search public transport throughout Switzerland
- see live connections and delays
- buy standard tickets
- buy regional tickets
- find Supersaver Tickets
- purchase Saver Day Passes
- use EasyRide
- buy tickets for companions
- buy tickets for dogs and bicycles
- show your digital SwissPass
- reserve seats where reservations are offered.
ZVV App
For people living in Zurich, the ZVV App is also extremely useful. It offers journey planning, ZVV tickets, regional tickets and a Check-in Ticket function which can be used throughout Switzerland. It is particularly good when dealing with Zurich’s zones, short-distance fares and local travelcards.
Google Maps
Google Maps remains very useful for finding your way between stops and understanding the walking section of a journey. For actual Swiss public transport ticketing and the most complete fare information, however, I would use SBB Mobile or ZVV.
Züri Rollt – Free Bike Hire in Zurich
Public transport isn’t the only way to get around Zurich. Züri rollt continues to offer free bicycle rental in the city.The current spontaneous free-bike service is based at the Züri rollt Velostation Europaplatz beside Zurich Main Station. This is a great option if the weather is good and you fancy exploring Lake Zurich or the city on two wheels. Simply bring:
- an ID
- CHF 20 or EUR 20 cash deposit.
The standard bicycles are free when returned the same day and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. E-bikes and cargo bikes are also available for a charge.
Location:
Züri rollt Velostation Europaplatz
Kasernenstrasse 100
8004 Zurich
Züri Velo and PubliBike
Zurich also has an extensive city bike-sharing network called Züri Velo, operated in cooperation with PubliBike.
The system has been expanded considerably, with conventional bikes and e-bikes available from stations across Zurich and several surrounding municipalities.
The city planned around 250 stations and 2,500 bikes and e-bikes within Zurich, with an even larger network when the neighbouring municipalities are included.
For shorter spontaneous journeys, bike sharing can be a useful complement to public transport.
E-Scooters in Zurich
Shared e-scooters are also widely available in Zurich. Operators and tariffs change over time, so rather than recommending a particular company, check the apps for the scooters available near you. There are designated parking and no-parking zones within the city, so don’t simply abandon the scooter wherever you finish your journey. Under Swiss road rules, e-scooters are treated similarly to bicycles: cycle lanes and paths must be used where required, and riding on the pavement is prohibited.
Mobility Car Sharing
One reason living in Zurich without owning a car is relatively easy is Mobility car sharing. Cars can be reserved using the Mobility app and collected from numerous locations around Zurich – including railway stations and Zurich Airport. Mobility currently operates more than 3,300 vehicles at over 1,600 locations around Switzerland, and Zurich has one of the country’s densest networks. You reserve a particular vehicle for a particular period, collect it and generally return it to the same Mobility location afterwards. It’s particularly useful when public transport works for 95% of your life but you occasionally need a car for a trip to somewhere less accessible.
Parking in Zurich
For more information on the differences between blue and white parking zones and to find out where you can legally Parking in Zurich, without incurring a fine, take a look at our Parking Information here.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing in Zurich
Taxis are readily available at Zurich Airport, Zurich HB and taxi ranks around the city. Ride-hailing services (like Uber) also operate in Zurich. For many straightforward city journeys, however, public transport is so frequent and efficient that a tram, train or bus will often be the easiest option.
Public Transport Beyond Zurich
One of Switzerland’s greatest strengths is that you can continue far beyond the Zurich region without having to start from scratch. The nationwide timetable integrates trains, PostBuses, local buses, boats and many mountain transport services, and SBB Mobile allows you to search connections throughout Switzerland. However, regional fare structures differ.
Zurich has ZVV; other parts of Switzerland have their own regional transport networks.
If your daily commute crosses from ZVV into a neighbouring regional network, also investigate the Z-Pass, which integrates ZVV with neighbouring fare networks including A-Welle, Ostwind, Schwyz and Zug in defined corridors.
Which Ticket Should I Buy?
As a very general guide:
Living in Zurich and travelling occasionally:
Buy individual ZVV tickets or use the Check-in Ticket.
Living in Switzerland and taking regular day trips:
Consider a Half Fare Travelcard.
Using the same Zurich zones very regularly:
Compare monthly and annual ZVV travelcards.
Travelling extensively throughout Switzerland:
Compare a GA Travelcard with a Half Fare Travelcard.
Visiting Zurich for one to three days:
Look at the Zürich Card.
Visiting Switzerland from abroad and travelling extensively:
Look at the Swiss Travel Pass.
Visiting Switzerland and making several but not constant journeys:
Compare the Swiss Half Fare Card with individual tickets.
Planning a long day trip in advance:
Check Saver Day Pass availability.
Certain of your exact train and departure time:
Look for Supersaver Tickets.
Unsure which ticket you need:
Use EasyRide or the ZVV Check-in Ticket.
Halbtax Card
The Halbtax (or half tax) card is a personal card.
More infrormation on the Halbax Card (and its variants) here.
You can see all the details of the GA here.
The Zürich Card
Frequently Asked Questions About Zurich Public Transport
Do I need a separate ticket for Zurich trams, buses and trains?
Usually no.
Within the ZVV network, the same zonal ticket can be valid on trains, trams, buses, boats and certain cableways within the purchased zones and time period.
What zone is central Zurich?
The City of Zurich is Zone 110.
For fare calculations it counts as two zones.
What zone is Zurich Airport?
Zurich Airport is in Zone 121.
How long does the train take from Zurich Airport to Zurich HB?
The fastest rail connections take less than 15 minutes.
Can I use my Zurich tram ticket on the train?
Yes, provided the train journey remains within the zones and validity period covered by your ZVV ticket.
Can I use a ZVV ticket on Lake Zurich boats?
Many regular ZVV boat services are included if your ticket covers the necessary zones, although certain special services and offers have their own conditions.
Do children travel free in Zurich?
Children under six travel free without a ticket.
Children from six until the day before their 16th birthday generally pay the reduced ZVV fare.
Is the Halbtax exactly half price?
Not always. The Half Fare Travelcard gives half-price or reduced-price travel on most routes, but on short journeys, urban transport or certain combined products the reduction can be less than exactly 50%.
Do I need to book Swiss trains in advance?
For most everyday journeys, simply check your connection and buy the appropriate ticket. SBB Mobile shows seat reservation options where reservations are available. Booking ahead can, however, save money if Supersaver Tickets or Saver Day Passes are available.
Can I buy my ticket after getting on the tram or train?
Don’t risk it. Your e-ticket purchase or check-in must be fully completed before the service actually departs.
Are there ticket barriers in Zurich?
Many Swiss railway stations and tram stops do not have conventional ticket barriers. Instead, ticket inspectors carry out spot checks, so always have a valid ticket even if nobody checks it when you board.
Do I need an extra ticket for Zurich night buses?
No special night surcharge is currently required. You simply need a valid ticket covering your journey.
Why Zurich Is So Easy to Explore Without a Car
Zurich’s public transport is one of the reasons a car really isn’t essential for many people living in the city. Trams cover the centre, S-Bahn trains connect the suburbs and surrounding towns, buses fill the gaps, boats provide a rather more scenic way of crossing or travelling along Lake Zurich, and the national rail network makes the rest of Switzerland remarkably accessible. Once you understand ZVV zones, the Half Fare Travelcard and the SBB app, the system becomes surprisingly simple. And if all else fails, type your destination into SBB Mobile or the ZVV app and let the technology work out the details for you.
For visitors, meanwhile, Zurich’s public transport makes exploring the city particularly easy: you can land at Zurich Airport, be at Zurich HB in less than 15 minutes and continue by tram, train, bus, boat or even funicular – often all with the same ticket.
Useful tip: Public transport fares, travelcard prices and individual offers change periodically. For that reason we recommend checking the official ZVV and SBB information before purchasing an annual travelcard or relying on a specific price. This article focuses primarily on how the system works so that it remains useful even when individual fares change.
More Information
Visit the ZVV website here.
Visit the SBB website here.
