The Verkehrsbetriebe Zürich (VBZ) (tel: (044) 434 4111; website: www.vbz.ch), operates the highly efficient and easy-to-use tram and bus network (known as Züri Linie) within the city. The Zürcher Verkehrsverbund (ZVV) (tel: 0848 988 988; website: www.zvv.ch), operates services within the Zurich canton as a whole, including all trains.

Tickets for all forms of transit must be purchased at ticket machines (located at tram stops, bus stops and train stations) and validated before boarding. Tickets cannot be bought on trams or buses - there is a fine for anyone travelling without a ticket. Check the websites above for detailed instructions on using ticket machines.

Zurich canton operates on a zone system. A single adult fare for one to two zones is valid for one hour (including transfers). A cheaper short hop (known as a 'Kurzstrecke') is available for five or fewer stops. First-class seating is available on S-Bahn trains, for a higher fare. Night buses depart from Bellevue on Friday and Saturday.

It is much simpler and better value to buy a day pass (Tageskarte), good for 24 hours of unlimited travel and available from ticket machines and the Tourist Information Office. The 24-hour and 72-hour ZürichCARD cover all travel in the seven central zones, including trips to and from the airport, as well as other discounts for tourists (see Sightseeing). The 9-Uhr-Tagespass is ideal for daytrips out into the surrounding region, and is valid for all journeys after 0900 for one day.

Ferries also form part of Zurich's public transport network. The city is located at the mouth of the River Limmat, where it spills into the northern end of Lake Zurich. The main ferry terminal is at Enge (on the western shore of Lake Zurich), but it is easier to board at Bürkliplatz. Ferries go to many different towns and villages around Lake Zurich and operate daily 0900-1900. Zürichsee-Schifffahrtsgesellschaft (tel: (044) 487 1333; website: www.zsg.ch), operates regular services to Rapperswil and Schmerikon, at the far end of the lake. Trams 2, 5, 8, 9 or 11 all serve Bürkliplatz. For Enge, tram 5 from Bellevueplatz or Bahnhof Zurich-Enge stops at the Arboretum adjacent to the harbour. You can buy tickets at the ferry terminal.

Taxis may be found at taxi ranks or hailed on the street, as well as ordered by phone from the taxi firms: Züri Taxi (tel: (044) 222 2222; website: www.zueritaxi.chm), Taxi 444 (tel: (044) 444 4444; website: www.taxi444.ch), Alpha Taxi (tel: (044) 777 7777; website: www.alpha-taxi.ch) or Taxi Jung (tel: (044) 271 1188; website: www.taxijung.ch). For wheelchair-friendly taxis, contact Tixi - Transport Service for the Disabled (tel: (044) 404 1380; website: www.tixi.ch) or Zurich Transport for the Physically Disabled (tel: (044) 444 2211; website: www.btz.ch). Tipping is not an issue, seeing as a compulsory service charge of 15% is included in the fare, although it is customary to tip SFr2 per bag for luggage handling.

Motorways almost go right into the city centre, making it easy to get to destinations in Zurich. However, parking in the city can be difficult. Some of the more central car parks are located on Beethovenstrasse, Uraniastrasse, Sihlquai, Löwenstrasse and Gessner-Allee.

Zurich is well represented by the major car hire firms, including Alamo/National (tel: 0800 552 174; website: www.alamo.ch), Avis (tel: (044) 296 8787; website: www.avis.ch), Budget (tel: (044) 450 7535; website: www.budget.com), Europcar (tel: (044) 804 4646; website: www.europcar.ch) and Hertz (tel: (043) 444 4000; website: www.hertz.ch). The minimum age for hiring a car is 21 years and there is an additional charge for drivers under 25 years. Visitors wishing to hire a car must have held a full car licence for at least one year. When hiring a car, check if basic insurance is included in the price.

Cycling is popular in Zurich, especially along the shores of the lake. Züri Rollt (tel: (043) 288 3445; website: www.zuerirollt.ch) offers free bicycles for use in the city on payment of a deposit and presentation of a valid ID. Hire locations include the Velogate at the Hauptbahnhof (all year round), as well as from Bahnhof Enge, Oerlikon - Swissôtel, near the opera house and outside Globus department store on Usteristrasse (from May to October).