Although Zurich Airport serves as a major hub with flights to the rest of the world, the airport is compact, well-organised and the check-in and check-out processes are fast and efficient.
The airport officially has two terminals, but they are combined into one building. The only security checkpoint leads to the common transit area of both terminals.
The terminals are mainly distinguished for check-in and arrivals. Different airlines check in at each terminal.
Some airlines checking in at Terminal 1 (Check-in 1) also have "Check-in 3" counters immediately after leaving the station. If you arrive by train and are travelling with checked baggage, you can therefore check in with certain airlines as soon as you leave the train and not have to carry your baggage to the airport concourse.
- Check-in 1 + Check-in 3: Austrian, Croatia Airlines Edelweiss, Lufthansa, Swiss
- Only Check-in 1: Brussels Airlines, TAP
- Check-in 2: Aegean Airlines, Aer Lingus, AirBaltic, Air Cairo, Air Canada, Air Europa, Air France, Air Malta, Air Montenegro, Air Serbia, American Airlines, British Airways, Bulgaria Air, Cathay Pacific, Chair, Corendon Airlines, Cyprus Airways, Delta, easyJet, El Al, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad, Eurowings, Finnair, Helvetic Airways, Iberia, Icelandair, ITA Airways, KLM, LOT, Oman Air, Pegasus Airlines, Qatar Airways, Royal Jordanian, SAS, Saudia, Singapore Airlines, Sun Express, Tailwind, THAI, Turkish Airlines, United, Vueling
Transit Zone
After passing through security, which is common to all flights, you will find yourself in the central building.
Gates A, B, D
Between the security checkpoint and the following departure gates, you move only on foot.
- A - Departures to Schengen countries
- B - Departures to Schengen countries
- D - some departures to non-Schengen countries (mostly Swiss flights to European destinations)
Gates A and B can be reached within 5 to 10 minutes from the security checkpoint. D gates are after passport control, which extends the distance to 10 to 25 minutes depending on the queue.
Gates E
From the central transit area, immediately after security, escalators and elevators lead underground to departure gate E, which is located in a separate building in the middle of the airport area.
- E - departures to non-Schengen countries (mostly all long-haul flights and flights of foreign carriers to European destinations)
Underground, there is a passport control followed by a station of the underground automatic train "Skymetro", which will take you from the central building directly to the departure gate E.
The train ride is free and takes about 3 minutes. The train runs 24/7 with a frequency of 3-4 minutes.
It takes approximately 15 to 30 minutes to get from security to Gate E, depending on the queue at passport control.
Airport map
An interactive map of the entire airport and the individual terminals can be found on the airport's official website: flughafen-zuerich.ch/interactive-map.
Transfer between flights
Connecting flights in Zurich is very straightforward. The procedures vary depending on the destination you are arriving from and departing to (Schengen or Non-Schengen).
Gates A, B <-> Gates A, B
These departure gates are for flights within the Schengen area and therefore you do not go through any checks.
If you have to move between areas A and B, expect to change within 15 minutes.
If you are arriving at gate A and departing from gate A (similar to gate B), you will only need 5 minutes to transfer.
Gates A, B -> Gates D
Area D is one level below the B departure gates, so transferring from the B gates is faster than from the A gates. However, the procedures are the same.
You will go through passport control when you transfer.
- B -> D: 5 to 10 minutes depending on the queue at passport control
- A -> D: 15 to 20 minutes depending on the queue at passport control
Gates D -> Gates A, B
You will go through both passport control and security during your transfer from departure gate D. Therefore, compared to the transfer in the opposite direction, the total time will increase by approximately 5 to 10 minutes.
Gates A, B <-> Gates E
When transferring between Schengen flights (A or B) and the satellite terminal (E), you will always take the underground train.
In both directions you will go through passport and security control and the total transfer time will be between 20 and 40 minutes depending on the specific departure gate and queues.
Gates D <-> Gates E
As both areas are for non-Schengen flights, you will only go through security but not passport control on this transfer.
You will always have to use the underground train.
Depending on the specific departure gate and queues, the total transfer time will be between 15 and 35 minutes.
How do I entertain myself during the transfer?
Zurich Airport offers plenty of entertainment during long layovers.
The terminal itself is equipped with plenty of shopping options and restaurants. If you have more than 3.5 hours to transfer, you can extend your shopping and dining options outside at The Circle department store.
Flight enthusiasts will appreciate the two observation decks. One of them is accessible within the transit zone (only from departure gate E). After the second terrace (B), you have to leave the transit zone.
For a list of shops, opening times of the viewing terraces and other useful information, see the Services chapter.
On a nice summer day and if you have a layover longer than 3.5 hours, you can leave the transit area, walk through The Circle department store and sit on the grass in a beautiful park overlooking the whole airport area.
Visit the city
Zurich isn't far from the airport and if you have more than 5 hours to transfer, it may be worth a drive into the city centre.
For full information on getting to the centre, see the Transport chapter.
