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Getting around Zurich

Public transport: 

Public transport in Zurich is good.The Verkehrsbetriebe Zürich (VBZ) (tel: 0848 988 988; www.vbz.ch) operates trams and buses. Zürcher Verkehrsverbund (ZVV) (tel: 0848 988 988; www.zvv.ch) operates services within the canton as a whole, including all trains. Tickets must be purchased at machines (located at stops/ stations) and validated before boarding.

Zurich operates on a zone system. A single fare for one to two zones is valid for one hour. The 24-hour and 72-hour ZürichCARDs cover all travel in the seven central zones, including trips to and from the airport. The 9-Uhr-Tagespass is ideal for regional daytrips, valid for journeys after 0900.

Ferries also form part of Zurich's public transport network. The main terminal is at Enge, but it can be easier to board at Bürkliplatz. Zürichsee-Schifffahrtsgesellschaft (tel: (044) 487 1333; www.zsg.ch) operates services to Rapperswil and Schmerikon.

Taxis: 

Taxis can be hailed or found at ranks, as well as ordered by phone: Züri Taxi (tel: (044) 222 2222), Taxi 444 (tel: (044) 444 4444), Alpha Taxi (tel: (044) 777 7777). A compulsory service charge of 15% is included in the fare, although it is customary to tip for luggage handling.

Driving: 

Motorways almost go right into the city centre, making driving fairly easy. 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.

Car hire: 

Zurich is well represented by the major car hire firms, including Alamo (tel: 0800 552 174; www.alamo.ch), Avis (tel: (044) 809 1818; www.avis.ch), Europcar (tel: 0848 808 099; www.europcar.ch) and Hertz (tel: (044) 654 5367; www.hertz.ch). The minimum age for car hire is 21. Visitors must have a full licence held for at least one year.

Bicycle hire: 

Cycling is popular in Zurich, especially along the shores of the lake. Züri Rollt (tel: (043) 288 3445; www.zuerirollt.ch) offers free bicycles for use in the city on presentation of a valid ID. Hire locations include the Velogate at the Hauptbahnhof.

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