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Zurich Airport
Zurich Airport (Flughafen Zürich / Zurich Airport) is Switzerland’s main international airport and the first point of contact with the country for many families. It sits about 13 km from Zurich city centre, so you’re close to city life, lakes, and onward routes soon after landing. From my first-hand experience as an Itinerary Expert, it sets the tone immediately: calm, clean, and logically organised, even after a long flight with kids.
The airport serves as a major hub for Swiss International Air Lines and connects to 200+ destinations worldwide, which makes it convenient for both direct arrivals and connections. Despite its size, Zurich Airport rarely feels chaotic-an important detail when you’re travelling with children, strollers, or multiple suitcases.
How is Zurich Airport structured and how easy is it to navigate?
Zurich Airport is organised around three main piers: A, B/D, and E. They are linked by the underground Skymetro, which takes about 3 minutes and makes terminal changes straightforward. Signage is clear and multilingual, so in most cases you can navigate without asking for help. That said, pier E is noticeably farther away, and getting there can take 10-20 minutes from security.
Click here to learn more about creating a personal itineraryArrivals and departures are split across levels, which helps reduce congestion. The airport is open 24 hours, but not all services run overnight. If you arrive late, note that many shops and restaurants close between 23:30 and 06:30, while vending machines remain available.
Tip from the Itinerary Expert: check your gate as soon as it appears on the screens. I once underestimated the walk to pier E and had to hurry, even though security itself was fast.
How do you get from Zurich Airport to the city centre?
Zurich Airport is a major transportation hub, with the train station located directly beneath the terminal, making transfers extremely convenient. The fastest way to reach the city centre is by SBB train: the journey takes 10-15 minutes, with tickets costing CHF 6.80 for adults and CHF 3.40 for children aged 6-15, while children under 6 travel free of charge. Trains run every 5-10 minutes and arrive at Zurich Hauptbahnhof, the city’s main railway station. An alternative option is the bus, which takes 25-30 minutes and costs around CHF 6-8, though it is mainly suitable for outer districts and less convenient when travelling with luggage. A taxi ride takes about 15-20 minutes and costs approximately CHF 50-70, with taxi ranks located directly outside the terminal exits. Car rental is also available at the airport, with pick-up points inside the terminal and economy-class vehicles typically priced from CHF 79-110 per day. Renting a car is generally more convenient, especially for families planning to explore lakes, villages, and mountain areas. Tip from the Itinerary Expert: if you arrive on public holidays such as 25-26 December, buy food at the airport-many city shops may be closed, while airport supermarkets remain open.
Looking out the window at Zurich Airport, I felt surprisingly calm. Clean gates, quiet movements, no rush – this is how flying should feel.
Is renting a car at Zurich Airport a good idea?
Car rental desks for Hertz, Sixt, Europcar, Avis, Budget, and Enterprise are located in the Airport Center on level -1. The process is efficient, but a credit card is required, and you should expect a deposit of around CHF 1,500-2,500.
Daily rates generally fall into these ranges: economy cars CHF 79-110, compact cars CHF 95-140, and SUVs CHF 140-200. From my experience as an Itinerary Expert, picking up a car at the airport saves time and avoids returning to the city later. Parking is well organised, though not inexpensive.
Booking in advance is strongly recommended, as walk-in rates are often 20-30% higher, especially during summer and winter holidays.
Click here to create a personal itinerary for SwitzerlandWhere can families stay near Zurich Airport?
Staying close to Zurich Airport is practical for early departures or late arrivals, especially when travelling with children. The area around the terminal offers several accommodation options across different budgets, and proximity often matters more than hotel category.
Radisson Blu Zurich Airport (5★) is located inside the terminal, which means no transfers at all. Average prices start from USD 350.
Hyatt Regency Zurich Airport (4★) is about five minutes on foot, with rates from USD 250.
Leonardo Hotel Zurich Airport (3★) sits around seven minutes away by shuttle, with prices from USD 160.
B&B Hotel Zurich Airport (budget) is reachable in about 10 minutes by tram, with average rates from USD 110.
From the perspective of an Itinerary Expert, choosing a hotel closer to the terminal reduces walking, simplifies logistics, and keeps travel days calmer for families.
Where to eat and shop at Zurich Airport?
Zurich Airport has more than 80 cafés and restaurants, ranging from quick snacks to full meals. Swiss concepts sit alongside international chains, which is useful when travelling with children who prefer familiar food.
Typical prices are on the higher side. Sandwiches cost CHF 6.50-9.50, chocolate bars (300-360 g) are CHF 8.90-11.90, and gift boxes range from CHF 14.90-29.90. Supermarkets Migros and Coop usually operate between 06:00 and 23:00 and are noticeably cheaper than Duty Free.
Tip from the Itinerary Expert: buy chocolate and snacks at Migros before security. The quality is the same, but prices are often around 30% lower than in Duty Free.
What services are useful for families at Zurich Airport?
Zurich Airport offers a wide range of practical services that make travelling with children noticeably easier. Free Wi-Fi is officially available for two hours, and in many cases it can be extended after re-login. This is helpful for entertainment, navigation, or last-minute planning.
Families will also find children’s play areas, luggage storage and lockers, showers, rest zones, and a medical centre. Currency exchange points accept CHF, EUR, and USD, which simplifies small payments on arrival.
One of the most family-friendly features is Observation Deck B, which opens from 10:00. From my first-hand experience as an Itinerary Expert, it’s one of the calmest ways to spend a long layover: kids can watch planes, while adults enjoy open views and a break from crowded gates.
Flying into Zurich, you immediately understand why Swiss travel feels so effortless. Everything below looks calm, organised, and perfectly planned – just like the journey ahead.
How smooth are connections and transfers at Zurich Airport?
The officially recommended minimum connection time at Zurich Airport is 45 minutes, but this can feel tight for families. Passport control and additional security checks may appear unexpectedly, especially on non-Schengen routes.
The Skymetro connects terminals quickly, yet queues at border control can be unpredictable. Automated passport gates sometimes redirect travellers to manual inspection, which adds time.
From my experience, avoiding connections shorter than 60 minutes when travelling with children reduces stress significantly. Smooth transfers are usually worth more than saving a few minutes on paper.
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What are the real downsides of Zurich Airport?
Despite its strong reputation, Zurich Airport does have a few limitations worth knowing in advance. Food prices are high, even by Swiss standards, and this becomes noticeable when travelling as a family. Seating can also be limited at some gates during peak hours, particularly in the evenings.
Most shops and restaurants close overnight, which can be frustrating if your flight is delayed late at night. Another common issue is the long walking distance to pier E, especially if the gate is announced late. From my experience as an Itinerary Expert, carrying snacks and checking the gate early solves most of these inconveniences.
Reviews from Travelling Families
Daniel Harper – Visited April 2023
I travelled through Zurich Airport with my two kids, and it was one of the calmest airport experiences we’ve had. Everything was spotless and clearly signed, so moving between terminals felt easy, even with carry-ons. The observation deck was a real highlight. Food was good but expensive, so buying snacks at Migros helped a lot.
Michael Collins – Visited December 2024
We arrived late in the evening, and the airport felt quiet, clean, and very organised. Immigration was surprisingly fast, which matters when travelling as a family. The underground train to the gates was smooth and fun for the kids. The only downside was limited food options at night.
Sofia Bennett – Visited June 2019
Zurich Airport made a strong first impression of Switzerland. Bright spaces, plenty of natural light, and friendly staff everywhere. We had a longer layover, and the kids enjoyed watching planes while we relaxed with coffee. Shopping is nice but expensive. Checking the gate early is essential.
Tips from the Itinerary Expert
- I always check my gate as soon as it appears on the screen. Some gates, especially in Terminal E, are far away and require the Skymetro. From security to gate can take up to 20 minutes, which easily catches families off guard.
- When travelling with kids, I plan extra time for connections, even if they look short. Passport control and additional security checks may appear unexpectedly. In practice, anything under 60 minutes for an international transfer creates unnecessary stress.
- I buy snacks and simple food at Migros or Coop before security. Restaurant prices are high, while supermarkets offer the same quality for less. This also helps if cafés are closed late at night.
- For long layovers, I head to Observation Deck B. It turns waiting time into a small experience: kids watch planes, adults get fresh air and views.
- When renting a car, I always book online in advance. Picking up the car at Zurich Airport is convenient, but walk-in prices are often 20-30% higher, especially during school holidays.
Insights from the Itinerary Expert
I last travelled through Zurich Airport (Zurich Airport) in September 2024, and it reminded me why I often recommend it to families. The airport feels calm and bright, with clear signage and smooth transitions between trains, terminals, and gates. With children, that sense of order matters. Prices are high and some gates require long walks, but planning ahead solves most issues. Zurich Airport is a confident, welcoming gateway to Switzerland, and a reliable starting point for a family journey. I’d be glad to help you design a personalised route through Zurich and beyond.
Essential Prices at Zurich Airport
| Category | Service | Price | Notes |
| Transport | Train to Zurich city | CHF 6.80 (adult) | 10-15 min, very frequent |
| Transport | Taxi to city | CHF 50-70 | 15-20 min |
| Transport | Car rental (economy) | CHF 79-110 / day | Deposit ~CHF 2,000 |
| Waiting | Seating areas | Free | Lounges paid separately |
| Snack | Sandwich | CHF 6.50-9.50 | Cafés & food court |
| Drink | Coffee | CHF 4-6 | Standard airport price |
| Water | Bottled water | CHF 3-5 | Cheaper in supermarkets |
| Internet | Wi-Fi | Free (2 h officially) | Often extended after re-login |
Popular Questions about Zurich Airport
How far is Zurich Airport from the city centre, and what’s the fastest way to get there?
Zurich Airport is about 13 km from central Zurich. The fastest option is the SBB train, which takes 10-15 minutes and runs frequently from directly below the terminal.
Is Zurich Airport easy to navigate with children and luggage?
Yes. From my experience travelling with kids, the airport feels calm and logical. Clear signage, elevators, and short transfer times make moving with strollers and bags manageable.
Are food and shopping prices high at Zurich Airport?
Yes. Food and Duty Free prices are generally high. Sandwiches cost CHF 6.50-9.50, and chocolate gift boxes range from CHF 14.90-29.90.
What can children do during a layover at Zurich Airport?
When we had time, we visited Observation Deck B. Watching planes take off kept the kids entertained and made the wait feel shorter.
How much time should families allow for connections at Zurich Airport?
The minimum connection time is 45 minutes, but families should plan 60-90 minutes, especially for non-Schengen flights with passport control.
Is renting a car at Zurich Airport practical for families?
Absolutely. Picking up a car at the airport saves time and makes trips to lakes, villages, and nature areas much easier than relying only on public transport.
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