The practical questions that do not belong to any other page — Wi-Fi, money, showers, prayer rooms, smoking, what is open at five in the morning. This is the A to Z.
Connectivity and power
Wi-Fi is free throughout the airport, landside and airside. Connection is through a captive portal; expect to accept terms and, depending on the current arrangement, to identify yourself once.
Power sockets are distributed through the Airside Center and the gate areas. Switzerland uses Type J sockets, which are not the same as the common European Type F — a standard two-pin plug fits, but a three-pin earthed European plug often does not. This surprises visitors more than any other practical detail in the country.
Money
| What | Where |
|---|---|
| ATMs | Landside and airside, dispensing Swiss francs and usually euros |
| Currency exchange | Bureaux in the Airport Center and airside |
| Cards | Accepted essentially everywhere, including for small amounts |
| Euros | Widely accepted at the airport — but change is usually given in francs |
Switzerland is close to cashless in practice. You can spend a week here without touching a note, and the airport is no exception. If an ATM offers to charge you in your own currency, decline — the rate is worse than your bank’s.
Facilities
Airside
Available for a fee, and included in some lounges. Worth knowing on a long-haul connection.
Multi-faith room
A room for prayer and reflection, open to all faiths and to none.
On-site care
A medical centre operates at the airport, and pharmacies sell what you forgot to pack.
Baby care and play
Changing facilities across the terminals and play areas airside — find them before the wait, not during it.
Smoking
Smoking is prohibited throughout the buildings. Designated areas exist outside landside, and airside there are enclosed smoking lounges. Vaping follows the same rules as smoking — an e-cigarette is not an exception in a Swiss airport.
What is open at 05:00
Enough. The morning wave starts early, so cafés in the Airside Center and the main landside outlets open ahead of the first departures. It is not a full choice at that hour, but you will not go without coffee. Shop hours are broader than city hours because airport retail is exempt from Swiss opening-hour restrictions — see opening hours.
What is not available at 05:00 is a full service airport: some counters, offices and specialist shops open later. If you need a specific service, check it rather than assume.
The things people search for
| You want | Go to |
|---|---|
| To leave a bag | Luggage storage, landside |
| To claim VAT back | VAT refund — before you check the goods in |
| To find something lost | Lost & found |
| To watch aircraft | Observation deck, landside |
| To travel with an animal | Pets |
| To sleep here | Overnight at the airport |
| To eat properly | Restaurants — or The Circle, landside |
| To get out | Transfers — the train takes nine minutes |
Zurich Airport practical information — FAQ
Is Wi-Fi free at Zurich Airport?
Yes, free throughout the airport both landside and airside, through a captive portal that asks you to accept terms and may ask you to identify yourself once.
What power plugs are used in Switzerland?
Type J, which is Swiss-specific. A two-pin European plug generally fits, but a three-pin earthed European plug often does not — which catches visitors out more than any other practical detail here.
Do I need Swiss francs at Zurich Airport?
Not really. Cards are accepted almost everywhere including for small amounts, and euros are widely taken at the airport, though change comes back in francs.
Are there showers at Zurich Airport?
Yes, airside for a fee, and included in some lounges. On a long-haul connection they are among the better things you can spend money on here.
Can I smoke at Zurich Airport?
Not inside the buildings. There are designated areas outside landside and enclosed smoking lounges airside. Vaping is treated exactly like smoking.
Is there a prayer room at Zurich Airport?
Yes, a multi-faith room for prayer and quiet reflection, open to people of all faiths and none.
What is open at 5 a.m. at Zurich Airport?
Cafés and the main outlets open ahead of the first departures, since the morning wave starts early. It is not the full choice available later in the day, but you will find coffee and food.
The rest of the airport — terminals against docks, the train under the building, parking, lounges and the ski season — is laid out in the Zurich Airport guide.