Zurich http://www.zurichtourism.ch/ (German: Zürich, Zürich German: Züri) is the largest city in Switzerland, with a population of some 364,500 in the city proper and close to 1 million in the agglomeration area. Zurich is on Lake Zurich, where the lake meets the Limmat River, in the north of Switzerland.

Get in

By plane

Zurich Airport http://www.zurich-airport.com (IATA: ZRH) (German: Flughafen Zürich-Kloten) is Switzerland's largest and busiest airport run with Swiss efficiency. It is actually in the community of Kloten and it is a 12 minutes by train from central Zurich. The trains depart about every 10-15 minutes but early morning and late evening connections are a bit less frequent, so if you travel at these times check the schedule http://www.zvv.ch/en/. A single ticket to the Hauptbahnhof (Central Station) costs CHF 6.20. Several bus lines connect to the airport and provide access to the Winterthur region.

Most major airlines fly to Zurich but SWISS http://www.swiss.com is still the Swiss flagcarrier and covers the biggest part of the international traffic at the airport. Almost every large hotel in Zurich provides shuttle buses from the airport to your hotel. The stops for these buses are a short walk to the right from Terminal 1 arrivals.

Zurich Airport has high passenger costs due to several noise reduction and approach restrictions. Most no-frill airlines fly to Basel which is 1.5 hrs away by train. EasyJet resumed its flights to Zurich in 2007 after a three year absence and Air Berlin offers several flights to Germany and Southern Europe.

By train

Regular trains to and from other Swiss and European cities leave from and arrive at Hauptbahnhof, the main train station, conveniently located in the city center at the end of Bahnhofstrasse, with easy access to mass transit. The Zurich Hauptbahnhof (HB) is served by the local S-Bahn commuter trains, InterCity (IC and ICN) connections throughout Switzerland, Italy's Cisalpino http://www.cisalpino.com, Germany's ICE, France's TGV http://www.tgv.com, and various other direct night train services to/from as far as Amsterdam, Berlin, Rome, Lecce, Barcelona, Budapest and Beograd.

For train times and tickets, visit the SBB http://www.sbb.ch/en/index.htm or Deutsche Bahn http://www.bahn.de websites, although you may not be able to book many international journeys online through these websites. If you are already in Europe, your local train station office should usually be able to book these trains. A rail pass may make your trip cheaper. For more long-distance international journeys, visit Seat61 http://www.seat61.com/ for more information.

The train station and the connecting underground mall has shops, restaurants, and a grocery store which locals use when they need to do Sunday shopping, as it is not subject to the closing hours laws otherwise in force in the city. It also hosts a Christmas market around Christmas.

By car

Almost every highway in Switzerland leads straight into Zurich. This might be quite easy for tourists, but is also really painful if you have to cross Zurich on a daily basis.

By bus

The main bus station is next to the main train station, where the river Sihl flows into the river Limmat.

Many buses arrive there from other European cities, mainly southern destinations like the Western Balkans or Spain. There is a bi-weekly bus to Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina http://www.autoprevoz.org/engleski/redvoznje.php (look for "Cirih").

By boat

As Zurich is located at the end of lake Zurich, it can be reached by boat from other lake villages, e.g. Rapperswil at the upper end of the lake.

Get around

Public transportation

Zurich is famous for its highly efficient, clean and safe public transport system. The network includes trams, buses, S-Bahn (local trains) and even boats for the lake and river. The size and complexity of the network may be daunting at first, but you will soon realize that there are dozens of ways to get from one place to another and following any of them will still be efficient.

Tickets must be purchased from a ticket machine before boarding or from one of the ticket selling kiosks. The ticket machines might be intimidating at first glance, but simply get a "Tageskarte Zone 10" (day card valid for 24hr) for 8.00CHF by pushing the green button (a single ride costs 4.00CHF). The ticket covers the city and should be enough for most tourists' needs, except perhaps the Uetliberg, which is not in Zone 10. This ticket is valid for all trains, trams, buses, boats and cable cars in Zone 10, so take a trip on the lake or river with the same ticket! If you are not sure whether your destination is in Zone 10, possible destinations (with their respective code) are listed at each vending machine. Punch in the code and the price will be displayed. Note: Not all machines contain this green button. For other machines simply type in the area code 8000 for Zurich followed by the return button that is showing two arrows.

If you're staying for a longer period, consider a monthly card. Even though there are no tickets valid for something between 1 day and a month, it takes only 10 zone 10 day cards for a zone 10 monthly card to be cheaper. When travelling in all zones, it takes only 8 day cards for the monthly card to be cheaper.

If you don't mind starting your travels after 9:00, the monthly "9 O'Clock pass" is the best option. This costs 86 CHF a month for the City and the Zones bordering the City. For 125 CHF you can tavel in all Zones for a whole month.

The Swiss Pass is valid on all public transportation in Zurich, and if you are a tourist visiting most of Switzerland, this may be your best way to saving both money and time spent trying to figure out zones, routes, and fare options. Eurail passes are valid only on the S-Bahn and boats. Interrail passes are valid on the S-Bahn (although the ZVV website claims a "reduction" for other routes for Interrail holders). Nevertheless, you may find you don't need the trams and buses if you don't mind walking around a little.

There are also so-called Z-passes, which can be used not only in Zürich, but also in one of the neighbouring cantons (Aargau, Schaffhausen, Schwyz, Zug, St. Gallen or Thurgau); however, only one additional canton is possible, so if you're not going to one neighbouring canton more often than the others you are probably better off with just a normal all zones Zürich monthly card and buying single tickets from the last valid station to whatever destination you wish to go to. The Z-pass system also has its zones. It is only available as monthly and annual cards

There are many other special offers on tickets for tourists so ask at the tourist information center, your hotel or visit the Zurich Public Transport Authority (Zürcher Verkehrsverbund ZVV)http://www.zvv.ch/en/. The ZVV is a regional agency that coordinates fares and schedules for the region's different transit companies. The ZVV's website has maps, links to transit providers in the Zürich area, and trip planning information.

By tram and bus

Several tram lines and buses (some electrified) cover the city at street level. Like all other public transport in Zurich, you purchase and validate tickets before boarding, or risk a fine if they decide to spot check. The most surprising thing about trams and buses in Switzerland is that they are extremely punctual and you can find a schedule at every stop accurate to within a couple of minutes.

By rail

The 'S-Bahn' is Zürich's suburban rail system, used mainly by commuters but also a good way to get to many destinations outside the city centre. Zürich's S-Bahn system provides convenient and fast service throughout the region. Most of the lines pass through the Hauptbahnhof. The ZVV offers directionshttp://www.zvv.ch/en for a series of excursions on the S-Bahn. One popular destination (not mentioned on the ZVV website) is Stein am Rhein, a restored medieval village on the river Rhine which can be reached using the S-Bahn number 29 from Winterthur.

You must have a validated ticket before you board. If you do not have a ticket you will be liable for an on-the-spot fine of 80CHF.

By boat

There are two types of boat-based public transportation operated in Zürich: river buses and lake steamers. The river boats operate in the summer months only and the lake boats operate on a much reduced schedule during the winter.

The river buses operate between the Landesmuseum (near the Hauptbahnhof) along the Limmat River and out in the Zürichsee (Zürich Lake) to Tiefenbrunnen. There are several stops along the Limmat River.

The Zürichsee Schifffahrtsgesellschaft (ZSG) http://www.zsg.ch/ operates lake steamers which leave from Burkliplatz (at the end of Bahnhofstrasse). The ZSG's website provides information on destinations and ships. The ZSG offers a variety of tourist-oriented trips (including Jazz Brunch, and historic restored steam ships), and a popular trip is to Rapperswil at the south end of the Zürichsee. The town has a beautiful castle overlooking the lake surrounded by a medieval town.

On foot

The main train station, old town and the lake promenade and all nearby tourist attractions are easily walkable. You may find that you don't need transportation for most of your tourist needs once you get into the city.

By bike

You can "rent" bikes, skateboards etc. for free from 7AM-9:20PM daily May-Oct at several places in Zurich and year-round at the central train station. All you need is your passport and a CHF 20 deposit as guarantee. This offer is called "Züri rollt (German only)"http://www.zuerirollt.ch. You can get and return the bikes at several locations: the bikegate just next to the central station, next to the "Globus City" shopping center, next to the opera, or at the Swissotel in Oerlikon. If you can't find these places, don't hesitate to ask some locals, they should know at least the bikegate at the central station. The Zurich Transit Company, VBZ also provides information about these bikes in English http://www.vbz.ch/vbz_opencms/opencms/vbz/english/FreeBikes/. Nevertheless, you shouldn't count on it because sometimes the "rent" spots run out of bikes.

By car

Driving in Zurich is possible but it is painful as the city center is not easy to navigate by car.

Get out

Short excursions from Zurich:

• Winterthur — Since in winter there is little to do outdoors, people flock to this city, the city of museums. It can be reached by taking S-Bahn S7 (33 min), S8 (28 min), S12 (20 min, fastest route) or S16 (30 min), to Winterthur Hbf.
• The Rheinfall, a large-volume waterfall. Take the S-Bahn S7, S8, S12 or S16 to Winterthur or S16 to Andelfingen and change there for S33 to the station called Schloss Laufen am Rheinfall. This station, however, is only open during summer. If you're going to the Rheinfall during winter (which you probably won't), you should get off at Dachsen, the station before Schloss Laufen am Rheinfall on the S33, and take the 634 bus to the stop Schloss Laufen, Rheinfall.
• Schaffhausen — Pretty town located very near the Rheinfall, accessible by S-Bahn S16 or S22 or S33, though S22 and S33 are rural local lines, so if you're coming from Zürich Hbf and, let's suppose, have an all-zone ZVV travelcard, you should buy a ticket between Andelfingen and Schaffhausen and use the S16. Dachsen (Schloss Laufen am Rheinfall during summer) is actually the last stop in the ZVV area, but Andelfingen is the only stop S16 makes between Winterthur and Neuhausen am Rheinfall outside the ZVV area; therefore you can save even more if you buy the ticket from Dachsen (Schloss Laufen am Rheinfall during summer), and change to S33 at Winterthur or Andelfingen.
• Stein am Rhein — A pretty town, accessible by S-Bahn S29 Winterthur - Stein am Rhein, which is connected to other S-Bahn lines at Winterthur (S7, S8, S12, S16), Oberwinterthur (S8, S12), Wallrüti (S12), Reutlingen (S12) or Seuzach (S12). If you have an all-zone ZVV travelcard, you should buy a single ticket from Stammheim.
• Baden. A cosy town just outside Zurich. Accesible by S-Bahn S6 (37 min) or S12 (30 min). If you have an all-zone ZVV ticket you should by a single ticket from Otelfingen (for S6) or Dietikon (for S12)
• Rapperswil — Pretty town on the other end of the Zurichsee, accessible by S-Bahn S5 (36 min), S7 (39 min) or S15 (36 min), or boat, famous for its rose gardens.
• Lucerne (Luzern) — Pretty city, home of the transport museum, and further excursions possible. It can be reached by the IR train routes Zürich Airport - Oerlikon - Zürich Hbf - Thalwil - Zug - Lucerne (45 min) or Zürich Hbf - Thalwil - Baar - Zug - Rotkreuz - Lucerne (50 min).
• Arth-Goldau — Your gateway to the Rigi railway, also less than one hour away.

Other further away easy excursions from Zurich include:

• Sankt-Gallen — Famous for its convent and extremely ornate Stiftsbibliothek. Also the point of access for the Appenzeller Bahn system, which can take you to the pretty town of Appenzell where there is a cheese factory you can visit.
• Solothurn — A very pretty baroque town in the northern metropolitan area of Berne, accessible by frequent ICN trains.
• Einsiedeln.
• Basel — Near the triple point between France, Germany, and Switzerland. Approx. 65 minutes from Zürich Hbf with IR train route (Chur) - Zürich Hbf - Aarau - Basel, or 70 minutes with IR route Zürich Hbf - Brugg - Basel.

Access to most other parts of Switzerland is extremely easy, thanks to the efficient and frequent SBB train system. Other locations easily accessible from Zurich worth a complete visit in their own right include:

• Berne — The capital of Switzerland, nice looking city, 57 minutes away by IC train routes St. Gallen - Winterthur - Zürich Hbf - Berne - Genève Aéroport or Romanshorn - Winterthur - Zürich Hbf - Berne - Brig, or 79 minutes by IR train route Zürich Hbf - Baden - Brugg - Aarau - Olten - Berne.
• Chur and Landquart — Although not so much to see within these cities, they are your starting points for exploration of the nature-rich and mountainous canton of Graubünden and the Rhaetische Bahn system which runs over naturally scenic routes.
• Interlaken — Your gateway to the Berner Oberland, an incredibly scenic part of Switzerland with some of the highest peaks in the Alps. You can continue from there using the (also incredibly touristy) Berner Oberlandbahn to the Lauterbrunnen valley and beyond, or get off somewhere and hike away from the touristyness if you are fit for it.
• Jungfraujoch, you can definitely take a day trip from Zurich, although there is so much more that the Berner Oberland offers that you'll be missing if you don't spend more time there.

Tip: The direct Zurich-Interlaken trains run via Bern. However, if you have time to spare, try reaching Interlaken by going to Luzern first and then taking a train from Luzern to Interlaken (Golden Pass or Zentralbahn). It's a much more scenic route.

• Lausanne is 2 1/2 hours away by train and is a gateway to the Lavaux vineyard region.
• Geneva is three hours away.
• The Italian-speaking region of Ticino, including the fortified city of Bellinzona are up to three hours away.
• The canton of Valais includes the famed Matterhorn in Zermatt and other gorgeous scenery, but is a little harder to reach from Zurich as there are no direct trains to these areas. Nevertheless, if you know where you are going, [htpp://www.sbb.ch] can give you the schedules.
• The Schwarzwald (Black Forest) of Germany is also easily accessible from Zurich. ICE trains run every two hours during the day to Stuttgart, stopping at Rottweil where you can find decent connections to most places in the Black Forest. There is also the Bodensee ("Lake Constance") which you can reach by good connections to Konstanz.

Zurich is also extremely well-connected to the rest of Europe by train, with direct trains to as far as Barcelona, Belgrade, Brussels, Amsterdam, Berlin, Budapest, Zagreb, Bari, and Rome, just to name a few.

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