Zurich by tram, train and boat: the back story

About Zurich by tram, train and boat: the back story

By the ULTIMATE Zurich Editorial Team

Editor-in-Chief: Jai Michael

Zurich runs on rails. The ZVV, the Zurich transport network, combines the city’s blue-and-white VBZ trams and buses, the S-Bahn, the boats of the ZSG on the lake and even the funiculars on one ticket system. Zürich HB, the main station, sends trains across Switzerland and to Milan, Lucerne, Basel and Chur, for the Glacier Express and the Bernina line; and the airport station has trains into the centre every few minutes.

Trams and S-Bahn

Tickets on the ZVV network are priced by zone; the Zürich Card, for 24 or 72 hours, covers second-class travel on trams, buses, trains and boats in the city and the region, including the airport. New prices apply from 13 December 2026.

The lake

The ZSG’s ships sail from the Bürkliplatz, from short round trips to the length of the lake to Rapperswil.

Buy a Zürich Card for 24 or 72 hours of travel in the city and to the airport.

The funiculars

The Polybahn climbs from the Central to the ETH, the Dolderbahn from the Römerhof to The Dolder Grand and the Zoo side of the Zürichberg, and the SZU’s S10 to the Uetliberg, which starts at Selnau until its main-station platforms reopen on 13 December 2026.

Long distance

From Zürich HB, SBB trains run to Lucerne, Basel and Chur, and through the Gotthard Base Tunnel to Ticino and Milan; St. Moritz is about three hours away via Chur.

Our advice: check sbb.ch on the day: building works can change platforms and lines.

Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Zurich by tram, train and boat: the back story before you go.