Zurich Travel Guide

Getting There

By Air:

Switzerland is located in the heart of Western Europe. And since it's landlocked, the airports are automatically strategic important entry/exit points. Located about eight miles outside Zurich, in Kloten, the Zurich Airport is the country's largest international flight gateway, connecting the city to the world's commercial capitals and popular tourist destinations. The latest additions to the airport are an automated underground train system, a new terminal, and a new garage. The airport employs the service of around 100 different airlines that include giant carriers as well as low cost ones. The airport's Travel Center helps you book your tickets.

Zurich Airport (http://www.zurich-airport.com/)

Phone: +41 43 816 2211

Fax: +41 43 816 5010

Some of the major airlines flying to Zurich include:

Air France (+41 44 439 1818 / http://www.airfrance.com/)

British Airways (+41 84 884 5845 / http://www.britishairways.com/)

Air India (+41 43 888 7090 / http://www.airindia.com/)

Japan Airlines (+41 844 88 8700 / http://www.jal.com/)

Continental Airlines (+41 44 315 5320 / http://www.continental.com/)

By other modes:

You could also reach the city by train, car, bus or by boat. Trains from neighboring countries arrive in Zurich daily. If you plan to drive, take the N1 Northeast from Geneva, via Bern, to touch E17 and E4. Later drive eastwards to reach Zurich. If you are getting in from Basel, you can hit the route N3. For boat service, call Zurichsee Schifffahrtgesellschaft (ZSG) (+41 44 487 1333 / http://www.zsg.ch/) to learn more about its seasonal service on Lake Zurich. Several inter-city trains and regional trains run between Zurich and its surrounding cities - Constance, Lausanne, Geneva and Basel.

Getting Around

The best way to move within the city is with the help of its excellent public transportation system. Equipped with an efficient mesh of trams and buses, the various neighborhoods of the city are well linked. For more information on transportation facilities in Zurich, get in touch with Zürcher Verkehrsverbund (ZVV), which is the main link to all the transport companies in Zurich canton (0848 98 8988 / http://www.zvv.ch/). You may even check with the other public transportation authority, Verkhersbetreib Zurich (VBZ) (0848 80 1880 / http://www.vbz.ch/) for precise information on how to get where.

If you intend on traveling in and out of the city, but staying within Swiss borders, go for the Swiss Pass. You can choose from the 4 day to the 22 day pass, which permits unlimited access of Swiss Travel System's bus, boat and rail service (http://www.swisstravelsystem.ch/).

By Bus:

Both private and public bus services are available at your service. For instance, PostAuto (+41 44 317 2700) is a public bus service. Yet, private bus companies are a better way of getting acquainted with the city. Marti Reisebüro AG (+41 32 391 0111 / http://www.marti.ch/) at Kallnach offers good package deals on sightseeing within and outside the city. Twerenbold Reisen AG on Fislisbachstrasse in Rütihof also offers similar services (+41 56 484 8484 / http://www.twerenbold.ch/).

From the airport, there are about 11 bus lines (located behind car parks 2 and 3) that take you to the city center, and other surrounding areas like Zurich-Oerlikon, Glattal, Winterthur and more. For a unique way of getting acquainted with the city, hop on the Zurich Trolley or choose to bike it out with Zurich by Bike.

By Rail:

The Swiss Federal Railway (SBB) (+41 51 222 7376 / http://www.rail.ch/) at the airport, takes you to the main railway station within 10 minutes. The comprehensive website provides helpful information on train schedules; you can also book your own tickets. The Metro rail service (S-Bahn) offers service within the canton of Zurich and some outlying areas. The different lines are numbered from S1 to S43.

For a hike into the forests of Sihltal, or for a visit to some other scenic city, take the Sihltal Zürich Uetliberg Bahn. And if you are heading to some quaint towns in the Zurich Region, take the trip from Bauma to Hinwil with Dampfbahn-Verein Zürcher Oberland (DVZO) a historic steam train service, which is open on specific days of the year.

By Tram:

A good way to sail through the city is by hopping into a tram. And to know which one to take, identify from the number and color. Just make sure you are heading in the right direction though! For Tram Zurich-West services call +41 44 434 4795. Other seasonal services include the Fondue-Tram (+41 44 434 4434), which runs from October end to February end.

By Taxi:

Airport Taxi (+41 848 85 0852) offers a pick up from the airport to your hotel. It is located near the airport Arrivals 1 and 2. A ride from here to the city center would take you around 15 minutes and cost around 35EUR. The city is also served by many private taxi companies. Alpha Taxi AG with its 24 hour service helps you design your own trip and if you want to head to the train station or further, call the Rail Taxi (+41 800 44 2266). Taxi fares are metered and include a tip.

By Watertaxis:

Avoid traffic jams with this pleasant watery option. Many companies like Wassertaxi offer ferry service along the coast of the lake, connecting the different areas to the city. And if you want to enjoy the scenic beauty around the lake at leisure, opt for the inexpensive day trips offered by Zurichsee Schifffahrtgesellschaft (ZSG) (http://www.zsg.ch/).

By Car:

Opt to take it easy and drive down to your destination. Choose your car from the Rental Car Center at the airport, get in and drive off! Select among the few offices located in Car Park 3, some of which are the Alamo Rent a Car (+41 800 55 2174), the National Car Rental (+41 800 55 7021) and the Hertz Autovermietung AG (+41 848 82 2020).

Limousines:

For those exclusive rides with or without drivers contact Elite/Carey Limousine (+41 44 800 1600 / http://www.eliterent.com/), One Limo Zurich (http://www.onelimo.com/Zurich32.htm), or Werner Keim Limousine Services (+41 44 262 4490 / http://www.wernerkeim.ch/).

Behinderten Transporte Zürich is specially designed for the handicapped. It offers transportation services throughout the city. Seasonal passes are available for citizens, while tickets are essential for tourists. Tixi Zurich also offers similar services (+41 44 493 1144 / http://www.tixi.ch)2008-08-02T07:29:22.000 122