Getting to Zurich

We are excited to host the 35th Meeting of the European Society of Thoracic Surgeons (ESTS) in Zurich.

To ensure your journey is as smooth as possible, this page provides essential information on reaching Zurich from around the globe and navigating its efficient public transport network.

Zurich is one of Europe’s primary transport hubs, renowned for its precision, sustainability, and seamless connectivity. Situated in the heart of Europe, the city is exceptionally easy to reach by air, rail, or road.

Flying to Zurich

Zurich Airport (ZRH) serves as Switzerland’s primary international gateway and your entry point to the city. It is a state-of-the-art global hub, consistently recognized for its efficiency, world-class amenities, and excellent facilities.

Global Connections
Numerous international airlines operate direct and connecting flights to Zurich from major cities across Europe, North America, Asia, and beyond, making it exceptionally accessible for our global delegate community.

European Hubs
For those traveling from within Europe, direct flights are plentiful from virtually every major European capital and key regional airport, offering seamless daily connections to Zurich.

Public Transportation

Getting to the City

Upon arrival at the Zurich International Airport, you have several efficient options to reach the city centre or your accommodation.

Train (S-Bahn / InterCity)

Direct trains (S-Bahn lines S2, S16, S24 as well as InterCity/InterRegio trains) run to Zurich Main Station (Zürich HB) in just 10–12 minutes. Trains depart every 5 to 10 minutes throughout the day.

Tram (Line 10)

The tram terminal is located right outside the airport main terminal (Upper level). Line 10 of the tram connects Zurich Airport directly to Zurich Main Station (Zürich HB) via Oerlikon in approximately 35 minutes.

Taxi / Rideshare

Official taxi stands are situated directly outside Airport Arrivals 1 and 2. Rideshare services (such as Uber) operate from designated pickup zones. The trip to the city centre is approximately 15–25 minutes depending on traffic.

How to Move Around Zurich

Public transport in Zurich is operated under the unified ZVV (Zürcher Verkehrsverbund) network.
A single ticket covers all modes of transit within the designated zones, including trams, buses, S-Bahn trains, funiculars, and even public lake boats.

Trams & Buses (VBZ Network)

The backbone of inner-city travel in Zurich, operated by VBZ (Verkehrsbetriebe Zürich), offers one of the densest and most reliable surface transit networks in the world.

Frequency & Hours
Trams run with ultra-high frequency—every 5 to 7 minutes during daytime hours and peak periods, and every 10 minutes during early mornings and late evenings. Standard service operates from 05:00 to 00:30.

Key Lines to Know

Tram 11 & 14: Key north-south arteries connecting Zurich Main Station (Zürich HB) to the Oerlikon district.
Tram 4: Runs along the scenic Limmat River and Lake Zurich shoreline.

S-Bahn (Urban & Suburban Rail)

The S-Bahn network is the fast, heavy-rail network designed for longer urban jumps across the city and surrounding canton.

S-Bahn trains bypass street-level traffic entirely, making them the fastest option when moving between major hubs like Zurich HB (Main Station), Zurich Airport, and Zurich Oerlikon.

Main S-Bahn corridors operate every 10 to 15 minutes.

Key Lines to Know:

S2, S16, & S24: The primary “Airport Express” routes connecting Zurich Airport directly to Zurich HB in under 12 minutes.
S5, S6, S7, & S9: Fast connections to surrounding lake towns and outer venue districts.

Limmat River Boats & Lake Zurich Ferries

For delegates looking for a memorable or scenic way to travel, Zurich’s water transit is a fully functioning component of the public transport system.

Limmat River Boats (Limmatschiff): These low-slung, glass-roofed motorboats operate along the Limmat River between Zurich Main Station (Zürich HB / Landesmuseum) and Lake Zurich (Zürichhorn). They run every 30 minutes during the spring/summer season and offer a unique, traffic-free perspective of Zurich’s Old Town (Altstadt).
Lake Zurich Passenger Ships (ZSG): Round-trip boat services and cross-lake ferries depart regularly from Bürkliplatz (at the head of Lake Zurich). They seamlessly connect the central waterfront to lakeside districts, botanical gardens, and restaurant venues.

Public Transportation

Tickets & Passes

To make your stay in Zurich as convenient as possible, we recommend taking advantage of Zurich’s transit passes:

The Zürich Card

The ideal option for ESTS 2027 delegates. The Zürich Card offers:

Unlimited 2nd class travel by tram, bus, train, boat, and cable car throughout the city of Zurich and surrounding zones (including airport transfers).
Free or discounted admission to top local museums and cultural attractions.
Available as a 24-hour or 72-hour pass, easily downloadable to your smartphone.

Single & 24-Hour ZVV Zone Tickets

If you prefer standard point-to-point travel:

Zone 110 (City of Zurich): Covers all central city transport. (Note: Zone 110 counts as two zones for fare calculation).
24-Hour Passes: Cost the equivalent of two single journeys and offer unlimited travel for a full 24-hour window from activation.

💡 Important Tip: Tickets must be purchased and validated before boarding any train, tram, or bus. Ticket checks are frequent throughout the network.