Public transportation
The city’s extremely efficient and easy-to-use tram and bus network is managed by the Zurich Transport Authority (VBZ) (Tel: (08 48) 801 880. Internet: www.vbz.ch). The Zurich Transport Association (ZVV) (Internet: www.zvv.ch) operates the transport system of the entire canton, including the trains.
Public transport operates from 5:30 a.m. to midnight. Night buses depart from Bellevue on Fridays and Saturdays at 1 a.m., 2 a.m. and 3 a.m.
Tickets for all modes of transport must be bought at ticket machines located at all tram and bus stops and in train stations before boarding. It is not possible to buy tickets on the trams and buses. For driving without a ticket, a penalty fee is charged in addition to the fare.
A zone system applies in the canton of Zurich. A single adult ticket for zones 1 and 2 is valid for one hour (including transfers). You can ride first class in the S-Bahn for an additional charge. It is much easier and cheaper to buy a day pass that allows unlimited travel for 24 hours and is available from ticket machines and from the tourist information for zones 1 and 2. The Zurich Card (for 24 or 48 hours) includes all travel options in the greater Zurich area, including boat and (funicular) cable car.
Ferry connections form an important part of public transport in the city. Zurich is located at the outflow of Lake Zurich, which is formed by the Limmat River.
The most important ferry landing is at Bürkliplatz. The ferries call at many different places and villages on Lake Zurich. The Zürichsee shipping company (Tel: (044) 487 13 33. Internet: www.zsg.ch) regularly offers departures from Rapperswil and Schmerikon at the upper end of the lake. The Bürkliplatz can be reached with the tram lines 2, 5, 8, 9 and 11 and the bus lines 161 and 165. Tickets can be bought at the ferry station.
Taxis
Taxis are available at the taxi stands, can be hailed on the street or by phone at
Züri Taxi (Tel: (044) 222 22 22),
Taxi 444 (Tel: (044) 444 44 44),
Alpha Taxi (Tel: (044) 777 77 77) and
Taxi Jung (Tel: (044) 271 11 88) can be ordered.
Taxis that are accessible for wheelchairs should be contacted by phone at Zurich Disabled Transport (Tel: (044) 461 38 66).
A mandatory tip of 15% is included in the fare. The fare consists of a basic fee and a kilometer price. A tip is generally given for luggage.
Driving in the city
The motorways lead almost to the city center and make it easy to get to your destination in Zurich. Parking can prove difficult in the city.
The police have released a brochure listing parking lots, houses and costs. It is available from the tourist information office (in the main train station or Tödistraße 7) and can also be viewed in the parking garages.
Parking garages are located on Lavaterstrasse, Beethovenstrasse, Löwenstrasse, Gessner-Allee, on Seilergraben and on Dufourstrasse.
Car rental
The well-known rental car companies are represented in Zurich, including:
Alamo National (Tel: (044) 271 26 46),
Avis (Tel: (044) 296 87 87. Internet: www.avis.ch),
Budget (Tel: (044) 450 75 35. Internet: www.budget. com),
Europcar (Tel: (044) 271 56 56. Internet: www.europcar.ch),
Hertz (Tel: (044) 242 84 84. Internet: www.hertz.ch) and
Sixt / Eurodollar (Tel: ( 044) 445 90 90. Internet: www.sixt.de).
The minimum age for renting a car is 21 years, for drivers under 25 years there is an additional fee. In addition, you must have had a Class 2 driving license for at least one year. The daily rental fee is higher on weekends.
Bicycle rental
Rent-A-Bike (Tel: (061) 726 92 10. Internet: www.rent-a-bike.ch) rents bicycles for city use free of charge between 6.45 a.m. and 7.45 p.m. upon presentation of a valid ID.
Bicycles are available all year round at Gate 18 of the main train station (Tel: (0512) 22 29 04) and from May to October also at the train stations in Altstatten, Enge, Oerlikon and Stadelhofen and near the Globus department store on Usteristraße.
