Getting Around in Zurich

Getting around Zurich is made easy by the wide-ranging and efficient public transport network that covers this compact city. With a stellar 95 percent satisfaction rate among residents, Zurich’s transport system ranks as one of Europe’s best. Buying a car isn’t a priority for most expats, who instead get to know the city using the extensive network of trams, buses, boats and trains.

Public transport in Zurich

The size and complexity of Zurich’s public transport network may be daunting at first, but expats will come to appreciate its reach and efficiency. Public transport in Zurich is run by the Zürcher Verkehrsverbund (ZVV), which covers the entire Zurich canton and consists of buses, trams, ferry services and suburban trains (S-Bahn).

The network consists of fare zones that divide the city centre, the inner suburbs, and the outer suburbs. The more zones you travel through, the higher your fare will be. Passes and tickets have to be purchased at station vending machines or ticket outlets before boarding most forms of transport.

Fares in Zurich aren’t cheap, so if you commute frequently, you might want to buy an annual or monthly ZVV Network Pass, which is valid on various modes of transport. The monthly NetworkPass offers great value even if you travel just three or four times per week, while the yearly option saves you more than 20 percent compared to monthly purchases.

Trams and buses

Numerous bus and tram lines cover the city at street level. The network is constantly developing, with some lines being upgraded to more efficient trolleybus operations. Timetables can be found at bus stops, stations and the ZVV website.

Bus and tram services operate every 5 to 25 minutes, depending on the route and time of day. Download the ZVV app to access live timetable information and purchase tickets directly on your mobile.

Party animals, fear not – the Nachtnetz (night network) has you covered on weekends, with late-night buses and trains running from 1am to 4am on Fridays and Saturdays. Just look for routes marked with an 'N' prefix on timetables, and you'll be sorted for those post-midnight journeys.

S-Bahn

The S-Bahn network is the backbone of Zurich’s suburban travel – zipping passengers efficiently between the city and surrounding areas. Most lines thread through Hauptbahnhof (the central station) before branching out to the suburbs.

Boat

Boat-based public transport in Zurich consists of smaller river cruisers and lake steamers that are managed by Zurichsee. Riverboats only operate in the warmer months, while lake steamers run throughout the year.

River buses run from the Landesmuseum which is close to Hauptbahnhof, along the Limmat River, out onto Lake Zurich and onwards to Tiefenbrunnen. You can board and disembark at stops along the way, but they’re mostly aimed at tourists. Lake steamers leave from Burkliplatz and serve various destinations in a zigzag route across the lake.

ZVV tickets and passes are valid on all commuter boat services, making it easy to incorporate water transport into your daily commute or weekend adventures.

Useful links

• Zürich Card – City Travel Pass for Visitors
• ZVV App
• Zurichsee

Taxis in Zurich

Short on time? Grab one of the 1,500 licensed taxis in Zurich for a quick trip across town. The cars are clean and reliable, but expect to pay top dollar for the convenience. Taxi rates in Zurich are regulated by the city and include an initial fee plus a per-kilometre charge. Not keen on hailing from the street? Uber and Bolt both work perfectly throughout Zurich if you prefer booking through your phone.

Useful links

• Uber Zurich
• Bolt Zurich
• Talixo – Book Taxis Online

Driving in Zurich

Driving in Zurich might not be expats’ first choice for everyday travel, thanks to the city’s stellar public transport. Private vehicles make the most sense if you intend to take regular trips into the Swiss countryside or need to transport your children to and from school.

Getting around Zurich’s compact city centre in a car presents several challenges. The streets can be confusing for newcomers, parking is scarce and expensive, and rush hour traffic is notoriously congested. The most challenging areas for driving are typically the motorways during peak commuting times and the old town’s narrow streets.

Winter driving in Switzerland (December to March) requires special consideration. While main roads in Zurich are usually well-maintained, winter tyres are strongly recommended and sometimes essential, especially if you plan to venture beyond the city limits into more mountainous areas.

Driver’s licences

Driver’s licences in Zurich follow different exchange procedures depending on your country of origin. If you are from an EU or EEA country, you can simply exchange your foreign driving licence for a Swiss licence within 12 months of relocating without taking any tests.

If you have a licence from outside these two economic regions, you will have to take a practical driving test after 12 months of residence. Upon successful completion, you will receive a Swiss driving licence that is valid for three years on a trial basis.

You’ll need your current foreign licence, proof of where you live, a filled-out form, and possibly an eye test to swap your licence.

Driving in Switzerland

Useful links

• Official Swiss Guide to License Exchange
• Swiss Driving License Theory Test

Cycling in Zurich

Cycling in Zurich offers a cost-effective and environmentally-friendly way to travel around this bike-friendly city. The extensive network of dedicated cycling lanes and paths – many marked with bright green paint to keep the cars at bay – has earned Zurich a reputation as a cyclist’s dream.

The Zurirollt is a free bicycle-sharing scheme that operates all year round from 8am to 9.30pm. Bicycles can be picked up at easily accessible places in the city. Beyond this free service, numerous bike rental shops offer daily and weekly options, including e-bikes, children’s bikes, child seats, and trailers for those needing more specialised equipment.

You’ll only need to present a copy of your passport and pay an initial deposit to use Zurirollt, but don’t become too reliant on it. Given that it’s free, it isn’t unheard of to find that all the bicycles at a station are already in use – it might be better, in the long run, to buy your own bike or secure a longer-term rental.

While helmets aren’t mandatory for regular cyclists (only for fast e-bike riders), they’re strongly recommended.

Useful links

• Cycling Routes in Zurich
• Zurirollt
• Cycle Club Zurich

Walking in Zurich

Walking in Zurich gives you a chance to experience the city’s charm up close in one of Europe’s most pedestrian-friendly urban environments. The compact city centre features numerous car-free zones.

While most of Zurich is wheelchair accessible, some areas with cobblestones and hills may present challenges for those with mobility issues. Assistance is available for wheelchair users and those with walkers when using public transport – simply request help when boarding and alighting trains.

During winter months (December to March), traction devices for your shoes are recommended when walking on snow and ice. Always check weather forecasts before setting out, as conditions can change quickly, especially in higher elevation areas just outside the city.