Zurich’s public transport runs on a zone system called ZVV. One ticket covers trains, trams, buses and boats within the zones you buy — you do not buy a ticket for a mode of transport, you buy it for an area.
The airport and the city centre are in different zones, which is the one thing every arriving passenger needs to know.
How the zones work
Not the stops
The price depends on how many zones your journey crosses, not on distance or on how many changes you make.
Two zones
The airport and central Zurich are separate zones, so your ticket must cover both.
Train, tram, bus, boat
One ticket, any combination, within the zones and time you bought. Intercity trains within the network are included.
Valid for a period
A short-hop ticket has a short validity. A day pass covers unlimited travel in its zones until the end of service.
Which ticket to buy
| Your situation | Buy |
|---|---|
| Airport to the city, one way | A single covering both zones |
| Arriving and moving around all day | A day pass for the zones you need |
| Several days in Zurich | A multi-day pass, or the ZürichCARD |
| Travelling beyond the ZVV network | A point-to-point SBB ticket instead |
| Two or more people for a day | Compare day passes against singles — often cheaper |
The ZürichCARD combines transport in the central zones with free or reduced museum entry, and is worth pricing if you intend to sightsee rather than only travel.
Fares
ZVV fares are set by the transport authority and are revised periodically, so we do not print them here — a stale figure on this page helps nobody at a ticket machine. Every machine shows the current price for the journey you select, and the SBB Mobile and ZVV apps do the same without the queue.
What is stable enough to say: a day pass becomes worthwhile at roughly two or three single journeys, and buying zones you do not need is the most common way visitors overpay.
Buying, and the thing that catches people
Machines are in the Airport Center, on the platforms and at every tram stop. They take cards and offer English. The apps sell the same tickets.
There are no ticket barriers anywhere in the Swiss system. You walk onto the platform, board the train and nobody stops you. This is not an invitation — inspections are frequent, the fine is substantial, and “I did not know” is not accepted. Buy before you board.
Beyond the network
ZVV covers the canton of Zurich. For Lucerne, Basel, Bern or the mountains you need an SBB point-to-point ticket instead, bought the same way. The train page lists the journey times to each.
Visitors travelling extensively should price the Swiss Travel Pass, which covers the national network including most mountain railways for a fixed number of days.
ZVV zones and tickets — FAQ
Do I need a special ticket from Zurich Airport to the city?
You need a ticket covering both the airport zone and the city zone, since they are different. Any machine or app will sell you the correct one if you select your destination.
Is the train from Zurich Airport included in a ZVV ticket?
Yes. Within the network, trains, trams, buses and boats are all covered by the same zone ticket, including intercity services on that stretch — you do not pay extra for the faster train.
How much is a ticket from Zurich Airport to the city centre?
Fares are set by ZVV and revised periodically, so the reliable figure is the one on the machine or in the app rather than one written here. Selecting your destination shows the current price.
Are there ticket barriers on Swiss trains?
No. Platforms are open and nothing prevents you boarding without a ticket. Inspections are frequent and the fine is substantial, so buy before you board.
Is a day pass worth buying?
Usually from about two or three single journeys. If you are arriving and then moving around the city the same day, a day pass for the right zones is generally cheaper than separate tickets.
Does a ZVV ticket work for Lucerne or Basel?
No. ZVV covers the canton of Zurich only. For destinations beyond it you need an SBB point-to-point ticket, bought from the same machines and apps.