By Plane, you`ll arrive in Zurich International Airport (also known as Kloten Airport), about 7 miles from the city center, so it is quick and easy to get there after your plane has landed. If you have not booked a private transfer with us then you have a few options. Arriving by plane you can travel to and from the city center by train, streetcar (Line 10), shuttle bus, and taxi.

The train is about 10 -15 minutes to the city center and the fastest form of transportation. Trains run daily from Zurich Airport to ZurichMain Station. The train ticket from the airport to the Zurich Main Railway Station (in the city center) costs about 6.60 CHF ($6.60 USD) for adults and about 3.30CHF ($3.30 USD) for children (ages 6 - 16). In addition, the S-Bahn lines S2 and S16, as well as various regional and InterCity trains, will take you to Zurich Main Station in just about 10 minutes.

The streetcar will provide a more leisurely ride into the city.The ride on Line 10 from Zurich Airport to Zurich Main Station takes about 35 minutes and goes past the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH) and Zurich University.

A taxi will allow for a quick ride, about 15 minutes, to downtown depending on the traffic. The taxi stands are located in front of Arrivals 1 and 2. You may also pre-book an airport taxi (tel. +41/0959 960 963). The taxi will be a more expensive option costing about 50 - 70 CHF (about $50 - $70 USD) from the airport to downtown. If you have many bags or bulky luggage, you may be required to pay a supplement as well.

The 7x7 shuttle bus/minibuses run at least once an hour in both directions between the city center and the airport. A single journey costs about 25 CHF ($25 USD) for adults and children under 12 travel for free when accompanied by an adult. All the hotels in central Zurich and Zurich-West are served by the shuttle bus. You will be informed of the departure times at the time of booking. You can reserve the shuttle service online or through the hotel reception. Another shuttle option is hotel shuttles, most hotels in the city and surrounding areas are served by a shuttle service for a fee. The price for the hotel shuttles will vary depending on the number of passengers and the distance involved.

Trains arrive at Zurich Main Station, one of the busiest train stations in the world. The station is located at the northern end of the Altstadt, or old town, in central Zurich. The station is tied together and is the central hub of the the S-Bahn. Around the station, the trams and trolley buses of the Verkenhrbetriebe Zurich (VBZ) provide local public transport services. It is important to note that Zurich Main Station is walking distance from many hotels and highlights in the city; you can walk or hop on a tram or bus to most Zurich hotels in less than 30 minutes.

Operated by ZVV, Zurich`s public transport system of buses, S-Bahn suburban trains and trams (there is no subway) is completely integrated. Most trams and buses connect at Zurich`s Main Station in the heart of the city. Regular services run daily from 5:30 am to midnight, with late-night services available on weekends with a surcharge. You will find a bus or ZVV tram stop at intervals of around 300 meters around the city. At each stop you can view timetable information, the next connections, a zone map and ticket machines. Tickets can be purchased for one hour or Day Cards, another alternative is the Zurich Card that is valid for unlimited travel during either 24 or 72 hours in the zones 110, 111, 112,121, 140, 150, 154. Late-night trains are available on Friday and Saturday nights and S-Bahn train routes travel from 1am - 9am on the night network, Nachtnetze.

Zurich`s bus routes function only as feeder lines from outlying suburbs, which lie off the train lines, into the vicinity of the town`s railroad station.

Ferries are another part of Zurich`s public transport network. The main terminal is at Enge, but can be easier to board at Burkliplatz. Zurich Navigation Company operates services to Rapperswil and Schmerikon.

There are several taxi stands in the city at which taxis are waiting to pick up passengers. You can also call ahead to the various taxi companies; the waiting time is around 5 - 10 minutes until the taxi arrives. It is important to note that taxis in the city are generally expensive and usually unnecessary given the quality of public transport.

We don`t recommend using a car in Zurich, the city is too congested, parking is tricky, scarce and expensive. If you do have a car we recommend to get a street plan, which indicates parking garages with a P sign. Some hotels have their own parking garages for an additional charge; many hotels, especially in Old Town, do not. You`ll have to inquire at your hotel for the location of the nearest public garage. Parking costs range from about 45 CHF (about $45) per 24-hour period.

Biking is a great way to get around Zurich, especially in the outlying areas. In the city, city bikes, e-bikes and children`s bikes can be borrowed for free by Zuri Rollt, the city`s innovative bike program. Bring an ID and leave a deposit (about 20 CHF / $20), if you bring the bike back on the same day the bike is free. Bikes are located at a handful of locations throughout the city. Bicycles can also be rented throughout the city as well.

Zurich is an ideal city for walking with all major sights within walking distance from Central Station and can be discovered in just a few hours on foot.

Zurich is generally a very safe place, both during the day and at night, and crime against tourists is rare. Feel free to let your guard down and explore where you so please, just always use precautions against pickpockets. The most potentially dangerous place is Niederdorf, the red-light district in Alstadt.

Zurich has linguistic diversity with four national languages recognized in Switzerland: German, French, Italian, and Raetoromansch. In Zurich, you should find it easy to get around as many people here do speak English. It is also very common to speak English in Zurich since Swiss German is not well understood even by German speakers. However, we suggest you get a good guidebook and familiarize yourself with common German phrases such as hello, goodbye, please, thank you, excuse me and numbers 1-10.

Zurich has a reputation of being a shopping city, even it is not quite that of London or Milan. Especially Bahnhofstrasse, a shopping street well known around the globe as being one of the most exclusive and expensive shopping streets in the world. Along Bahnhofstrasse, the top of the street will start more modestly and get more complex in the shops known as ShopVille below the vast transportation hub. Langstrasseis a great spot to find Swiss and urban designs.

The shopping mall Glatt, just outside the city limits is Switzerland, is the most popular shopping mall with around 100 shops all under one roof. The Sihlcity shopping center is another shopping center offering more than 80 shops from fashion to electronics, restaurants, a spa and multiplex cinema. Keep in mind that all shops are closed on Sundays except at the railway stations.

VAT (Value Added Tax)– A VAT rate of 8% applies to most goods and services. A reduced rate of 2.5% applies to certain everyday consumer goods such as food, non-alcoholic beverages, books, newspapers, magazines, medicines, but also tickets to sports and cultural events. Hotel accommodations are taxed at a special rate of 3.8%.

The city`s nightlife is becoming less conservative, but don`t expect it to be too wild. The most popular place to seek out nightlife is the Old Town of Zurich, on the left bank of the River Limmat there are many bars and cafes tucked away on the side streets. There are various new bars and clubs opening in the city, especially in the fourth and fifth districts know as Zurich West, around Langstrasse and Escher-Wyss-Platz.

Zurich has a typical continental climate with four distinct seasons. In the winter, temperatures occasionally drop below zero, while summer climates average around 70F. Thanks to the city`s art scene and all the many major attractions, Zurich can be enjoyed year-round.

Switzerland has a rich culinary heritage, and Zurich is a perfect place to experience it. Swiss cooking combines influences from the German, French and Northern Italian cuisine, however, it does vary greatly from region to region. You will often find the main cheese dishes, fondue and raclette on the menu. Zurich Geschnetzeltes is another popular dish, made with small pieces of veal cooked in a creamy mushroom and white wine sauce, usually eaten with noodles. Rosti is a traditional Swiss dish which is a potato dish that resembles hash browns. And Swiss Breakfast is one of the best meals in Switzerland, it is the country`s early-morning culinary heritage. Muesli was invented in Switzerland and is always on the breakfast menu along with a variety of breads with butter, cheese, jam and honey, and perhaps fried sausage, eggs and rosti potatoes as well. And not to be forgotten, chocolate! Swiss chocolate is the most famous around the world, so you definitely don`t want to leave Zurich without trying some.

For Police, dial 117

For first aid, dial 114; for the city ambulance service, dial 114