Zurich Airport (ZRH) Flights & Flight Status

Zurich Airport (ZRH) is the largest international airport in Switzerland, with train connections to the city of Zurich, as well as the rest of the country. It acts as the hub for Swiss International Air Lines, also known as SWISS, and can be very busy, especially during the summer and winter. Thanks to the Swiss spirit of organisation, it’s relatively easy to navigate, but a few expert tips can go a long way when passing through the airport.

Getting to and from Zurich Airport

Zurich Airport is located eight miles north of Zurich and in my experience it is best accessed by public transportation. You’ll find the train station, Flughafen Zurich, directly under Zurich Airport. From here, you can travel to Zurich Hauptbahnhof in the centre of town in just 15 minutes. And don’t worry if you miss a train: SBB services run between the two stations every ten minutes, making it quick and easy to travel to and from the city centre.

Trains from ZRH also connect with the rest of Switzerland, including destinations like Geneva, Lucerne, Bern, and Basel. Switzerland’s trains are famously clean and punctual, ensuring a smooth and pleasant experience. In my experience, there's nothing quite like a Swiss train.

I used the Zurich Card regularly when visiting the city, and if you plan to take public transportation frequently while in Zurich, I highly recommend it. The card offers unlimited second-class travel on all trams, buses, trains, boats, funiculars, and cable cars in the city of Zurich and the surrounding region. It’s available for adults and children for either 24 or 72 hours, and also includes free or discounted admission to numerous museums and attractions.

Travellers who prefer to drive can take a taxi or a ride-share. However, road traffic is less efficient than public transport for getting into the city. Official airport taxis are available on arrival outside the terminal, as are Ubers, which can be expensive (like everything else in Switzerland). Although the driving distance isn’t particularly far, traffic can mean a longer journey into or out of central Zurich.

Car hire at the airport

There are nine car hire companies located at the airport. You can (and should) always make a reservation ahead of your trip, and pick up your car keys on the first floor of the Airport Shopping area. Car hire return is located on level three of the car park, and there is a gas station for refuelling on your way in.

In my experience, hiring a car at Zurich Airport is unnecessary unless you’re travelling outside Zurich to somewhere remote. Almost everywhere in Switzerland is accessible by train.

Transfers from hotels to Zurich Airport

Many hotels in Zurich and the surrounding region offer shuttle buses to and from the airport for guests. It’s worth asking your hotel if they have one and if it’s free. During ski season, several resorts have shuttles available for a fee, like the Arlberg Express, which services Lech, Zürs, and St. Anton am Arlberg and operates a less frequent schedule during the summer. These shuttles are best booked in advance to ensure a seat.

Getting through arrivals

Although Zurich Airport is well organized, the border control lines can become unwieldy depending on what time you land. I have missed a train because the queue was so long when I arrived. I ended up having to re-book my train ticket once I finally got out of the airport, which was a frustrating experience.

It can be a complete gamble as to when this happens, although mid-summer and ski season tend to be exceptionally busy. It’s best to have some flexibility about your onward journey. For example, book an open-ended train ticket, something I’m now always sure to do.

The Zurich Airport has introduced automated passport control, which works with biometric passports, however the gates aren’t always available and passengers with children must see a border control agent. Due to local laws, there are additional checks for minors travelling alone or with only one parent. The airport suggests bringing a child’s birth certificate and a signed declaration from the absent parent(s) so everything goes smoothly.

If you are arriving from a non-EU country, there are a few restrictions on what you can have with you when entering Switzerland. Be sure to toss out (or quickly eat) any animal products, fruits, and vegetables before you step off the plane.

Making the most of the terminals

Zurich Airport has three terminals, with the gate areas divided by Schengen and non-Schengen flights. Schengen area flights depart from Gates A and B, while non-Schengen flights depart from Gates D and E. Gates A and B/D are connected and travellers can walk between them, while Gate E is in a detached building and can be reached by a tram from the lower level.

Switzerland is known for its high-end designer goods and the airport has many of these luxury products available airside, including brands like Bulgari, Moncler, and Omega. But the real shopping perk here is Swiss chocolate, a personal favourite. Head directly to Läderach or Confiserie Sprüngli to stock up on some delicious treats.

The food situation in Zurich Airport is notably good, both inside the terminals and in the multi-level Airport Shopping area located above the train station. From sit-down eateries to grab-and-go bakeries, there is something for everyone, including those with dietary restrictions. Outside of security, there are also several good restaurant options, including a rooftop terrace, Sablier Rooftop Restaurant & Bar, which is worth enjoying if you have extra time before a flight.

Navigating Zurich Airport with kids

Kids aren’t always easy to travel with, but Zurich Airport has a few options to keep them entertained while waiting for a flight to leave. There are five Kid Corners through the terminals where children can play, and a Family Services area is located at the A gates.

Adults and kids alike will enjoy the airport’s two observation decks. Observation Deck B is open to the public for a ticketed fee, while Observation Deck E is available for all passengers with a boarding pass for free. Both offer outdoor areas and views of the runways, with binoculars on hand for keen aviation enthusiasts. The weather can impact the availability of the decks, however it’s always worth checking to see if Observation Deck E is open when flying out of Zurich Airport.

Security and immigration for departures

The security at Zurich Airport is efficient and very organised. The lines can be long, however they move quickly, and airport employees are good at helping passengers to be prepared while waiting to go through. I find it’s best to follow the instructions carefully and to have all of your liquids already sealed in a one litre clear plastic bag.

Anyone travelling outside the Schengen area will have to pass through immigration before reaching their departure gate. Immigration is located after security, but you don’t need to go through right away. Many of the shopping and dining options can be found before immigration, so purchase what you need before heading to the gate. During busy travel periods, give yourself at least 20–30 minutes to pass through immigration.

Flying SWISS

More than half the flights at Zurich Airport are run by SWISS a.k.a. Swiss International Air Lines. The airline uses all the terminals for their departures, so it’s best to double-check your ticket ahead of time. The airport has three check-in areas, and SWISS uses Check-in 1 in the departures hall and Check-in 3 near the train station. Take advantage of the self-drop option for luggage, especially when arriving at the airport by train.

Airport lounges

There are numerous lounges available in Zurich Airport. Most are for elite or frequent fliers, including the nine SWISS lounges. For those who want to pay for the experience, Aspire Lounge has two locations. The lounges can make for a nice respite if the airport is busy, however Zurich Airport is high-end enough that travellers don’t really need to pay for a lounge. I’ve always been able to find a quiet space and a good snack in the main terminal areas.

Some of the lounges are located after security and before immigration, which is something to consider when flying to non-Schengen destinations. The international lounges, including for Emirates, are primarily found near the E gates.