Public Transport
The Verkehrsbetriebe Zürich – VBZ (tel: (01) 434 4111), operates the well-organized and easy-to-use tram and bus network (known as Züri Linie) within the city. The Zürcher Verkehrsverbund – ZVV, operates services within the canton as a whole, including all the trains.
Tickets for all forms of transit must be bought at ticket machines (located at tram stops, bus stops and train stations) and validated before boarding. Tickets cannot be purchased on trams or buses – there is a fine for anyone travelling without a ticket. Websites explain in more detail how to use the automatic ticket machines.
Zurich canton operates on zone system. A single adult fare for 1-2 zones is valid for 1 hour (including transfers). A cheaper short hop (known as a ‘Kurzstrecke’) is available for 5 or fewer stops. First class seating is available on S-Bahn trains, for a higher fare. Night buses depart from Bellevue on Fridays and Saturdays.
It is much simpler and better value to buy a day pass (Tageskarte), good for 24 hours of unlimited travel and available from ticket machines and the Tourist Information Office. The 24 hour and 72 hour ZürichCARD include all travel in the seven central zones, including trips to as well as from the airport. The 9-Uhr-Tagespass is perfect for daytrips out into the surrounding region, and is valid for all journeys after 0900 for one day.
Ferries
Ferries are also form of Zurich’s public transport network. Zurich is positioned at the mouth of the River Limmat, where it spills into the northern end of Lake Zurich. The main ferry terminal is at Enge, on the western shore of Lake Zurich – but it is much easier to board at Bürkliplatz.
Ferries go to several different towns and villages around Lake Zurich and operate daily 0900-1900. Zürichsee-Schifffahrtsgesellschaft (tel: (01) 487 1333), operates regular services to Schmerikon and Rapperswil, at the far end of the lake. Trams 2, 5, 8, 9 or 11 and buses 161 or 165 serve Bürkliplatz. For Enge, tram 5 from Bellevueplatz or Bahnhof Zurich-Enge stops at the Arboretum adjoining the harbour. Tickets can be purchased at the ferry terminal.
Taxis
Taxis can be found at taxi ranks or hailed on the streets, as well as ordered by phone from Taxi-Zentrale Zürich (tel: (01) 272 4444) or from taxi firms: Züri Taxi (tel: (01) 222 2222), Taxi 444 (tel: (01) 444 4444), Alpha Taxi (tel: (01) 777 7777) or Taxi Jung (tel: (01) 271 1188).
wheelchair-friendly taxis, call Zurich Disabled Transport (tel: (01) 461 3866).
Tipping is not an issue, seeing as a compulsory service charge of 15% is already included in the fare, although it is customary to tip SFr2 per bag for luggage handling.
Limousines
Transunix (tel: (01) 315 6030) offers Mercedes E-class and Mercedes stretch limousines. Drivers are available as well. People carriers, armoured cars, coaches and minibuses can also be rented.
Driving in the City
Motorways almost go right into the city centre, making it very easy to get to destinations in Zurich. However, parking in the city can be tricky. There is a printed parking guide (including locations of car parks and price of metres), published by the police and available from the Tourist Information Office. It is displayed in car parks as well. Car parks are located on Beethovenstrasse, Lavaterstrasse, Gessner-Allee, Lowenstrasse, and Dufourstrasse.
Car Hire
Zurich is very well represented by the major car hire firms, including Alamo/National (tel: (043) 816 4451), Avis (tel: (044) 296 8787), Budget (tel: (01) 450 7535), Europcar (tel: (01) 271 5656), Hertz (tel: (044) 298 8484) and Sixt/Eurodollar (tel: (01) 445 9090).
The minimum age for renting a car is 21 years and there is an additional charge for drivers under 25 years. Visitors wishing to rent a car must have held a category B driving licence for at least one year. Those renting a car should check if basic insurance is included in the fee.
Bicycle Hire
Rent-A-Bike (tel: (061) 726 9210), from Züri Rollt, offers free bicycles for use in the city on payment of a deposit and presentation of a valid ID. Bicycles are available from Gate 18 at the Hauptbahnhof (tel: (0512) 222 904), all year round, as well as from the railway stations at Altstatten, Enge, Oelikon and Stadelhofen and near the Globus department store on Usteristrasse, from May to October. |
