Zurich Airport
The Zurich Airport offers international flight connections throughout the world. This clean, efficient and well designed airport is easy to use and easy to get to from locations throughout Switzerland and served over 19 million passengers in 2006.
Trains, buses, taxis and car access are all conveniently available at the Zurich Airport. Depending upon your final destination, any one of these options may be useful. You can connect to Zurich's metropolitan rail system: the S-Bahn at the airport. Metropolitan train connections leave the airport every 10 minutes. If you are looking for an inexpensive way to get to your urban destination, this is a great choice. It may be more challenging if you have a lot of luggage, however. You can also connect to the Swiss rail network, SBB if Zurich is not your final destination. City buses, available at the terminal behind Carparks 2 and 3 and private airport shuttles will also be found at the Zurich airport.
Downtown Zurich is only ten kilometers away, so your taxi ride or drive will be short if you prefer to avoid the S-Bahn. Taxis are available at the airport in front of Arrivals 1 and 2. You will find your hotel shuttle bus in this area as well. If you prefer limousine service, this may be arranged in advance. Car rentals are found in Airport Shopping G1. Both short and long-term parking is available at the airport, if needed.
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The Zurich Airport is, like most major airports, occasionally hard to navigate. The airport has several check-in zones, one in Arrival 1 and one in Arrival 2. Check-in 3 is located near the rail station at the Zurich Airport. Most airport services, including dining and shops are found in the main part of the airport. If your flight leaves from Gate E, you may wish to wait to journey over until near departure time. An underground train will transport you from the main section of the airport to Gate E should that be necessary for your flight.
Clearly marked signs will help you find your way through the Zurich Airport. You will also find information desks in both Arrivals 1 and 2 to help you navigate the airport. Lifts are clearly marked throughout the airport, and signs will direct you to your gate or the rail station. Zurich Airport is a hub for both Lufthansa and Swiss International Airlines, but is also serviced by a number of other regional and international airlines. You will find flights to Asia, the Middle East and throughout Europe at Zurich Airport. Swiss International Airlines and United Air both offer flights to the United States from Zurich Airport. Other carriers offer flights to London or Paris, both of which offer easy connections to the US.
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Work on the Zurich Airport began in 1948, after a decision was made to build a network of four airports in Switzerland. The four sites chosen were Zurich, Bern, Basel and Geneva. Zurich was the only one of these airports planned for intercontinental air travel. The Zurich Airport served over 110,000 passengers in that first year. Expansions, including a second runway, occurred during the 1950's, and in 1970 a second terminal was built. The underground Swiss rail station was built at the Zurich Airport in 1981.
Significant expansions in recent years have added the midfield dock, also referred to as Gate E, as well as enhanced shopping and dining areas. The midfield dock is accessible via an automated underground train or people mover. A third check-in area, located by the underground rail station is also a new addition to the airport. The Airside Center, also built during this expansion links Arrivals 1 and 2 together.
As one of the top ten airports in Europe, the Zurich airport is well designed to handle the international air traffic it now receives. A good layout, modern conveniences, and recent changes to the airport incorporating the most recent technology all work together to make your visit to the Zurich Airport a pleasant part of your journey.
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You will find some great shopping options in the Zurich Airport. While you might expect the standard array of duty free shops offering alcoholic beverages, tobacco and perfumes, you may be surprised to find such a wide variety of other stores available in the Zurich Airport.
If you are looking for traditional Swiss goods, you will find shops offering watches, clocks and jewelry. You will also find designer clothes and leather goods in the shops at the Zurich Airport. The duty free shops offer affordable access to luxury goods, including tobacco products, perfumes and colognes from around the world, and quality liquor. Duty free goods bought after security may be carried on board your flight; however, they will be sealed by the shop.
Candy shops, a full service grocery store and good bakery all complement your Zurich Airport experience. You may even wish to pick up pastries to eat on your flight or treats to take home for your loved ones. Pharmacies in the airport can provide you with both hygiene needs and medications. Booksellers offer international newspapers, books and magazines to keep you entertained on your flight or layover. Shopping is a great way to pass the time in the Zurich Airport; however, do be aware that the majority of the shops are located in Arrivals 1 and 2.
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With a great array of dining choices in the Zurich Airport you can easily find a snack, a full meal or drinks in the airport before your flight, after arriving or during a layover. A number of restaurants offer fresh quality foods. You will find Pan-Asian cuisine, including sushi, traditional Swiss fondues, Northwestern Italian food options or an array of fast foods. The Zurich Airport boasts Switzerland's largest food court. Some restaurants offer sit down waiter service, while others are self serve. Many fully stocked bars are available, and some are open the full service hours of the airport itself.
American style fast food options include both Burger King and McDonalds. A variety of cafés, grills, and pasta and pizza options offer quick meals. Several restaurants, both in the Zurich Airport Foodland and elsewhere in the airport have take away options that may even work as an in flight meal if you prefer to avoid airline food.
You may even wish to assemble a simple meal with fresh foods from the grocery store and bakery if you prefer. Quality breads and excellent cheese can make a simple, but tasty meal in the airport if you favor something fresher than standard airport fare. Recent growth to the airport has provided a wide selection of high quality and appealing meals for travelers in the Zurich Airport.
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The Zurich Airport offers many nearby hotels, of varying quality and luxury. Travelers who find themselves with a long or overnight layover may appreciate the dayrooms available at the Zurich Airport itself. The dayrooms in a single, double or triple occupancy are available for as little as one hour, or more than 6 hours, and are located in the transit area past passport control. You may wish to make reservations ahead of time to make certain that there is a space when you reach the airport. While facilities in the dayrooms are basic, they do offer clean and comfortable accommodations, nearby internet access, and showers.
Nearby hotels are ideal for travelers arriving in Zurich late or leaving the Zurich Airport early in the morning. You will find many hotels close to the airport, ranging from basic but clean accommodations to hotels well suited to business travelers with an array of needs. The Zurich Airport is not far from the city center, and you may simply prefer to travel on to your final destination rather than staying in a hotel near the airport. Whichever option you choose, you will find that the lodging in Switzerland is excellent with great attention to detail and cleanliness.
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The Zurich Airport offers a fully equipped conference center, complete with private spaces capable of accommodating a crowd on the top four floors of the historic Zurich tower. Easy access by car, rail and plane make the Zurich Airport an excellent choice for your important occasions. VIP service is available, complete with escorts to flights, and a VIP lounge if needed. Some 28 conference, meeting and seminar rooms are available to meet all your needs. With the most modern technology, you will find the staff at the Zurich conference center fully prepared to meet all your needs.
Several full service lounges are available to business travelers, depending upon the airline and travel class. These lounges may be available to other travelers for a fee. Wireless internet is available for a fee at hotspots throughout the airport. Fax and copier access is standard in the airport lounges and computer access may also be available. If you have a longer layover, paying for admission to the lounge may allow you to use your time more efficiently, as well as allowing you to relax in comfort and style.
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Travelers will find that the Zurich Airport does an excellent job of meeting their needs. Whether it's a comfortable place to rest for a few hours or a good meal, you will find that the Zurich Airport is easy to use and a pleasant beginning to your Swiss adventure.
Parents traveling with children will find staffed nurseries and playrooms in the airport to allow their children a place to relax. Toys, books, cribs for infants and feeding supplies are all available in the nurseries at the Zurich Airport. The staff can help you with information and services; however, a parent must stay with their children.
Disabled passengers will find the airport is quite accessible, with lifts, accessible toilets and more. Porters can assist you with your luggage, and you will find special parking available. Consult an airport employee if you need further assistance.
A medical center is available, with fully trained doctors, as are pharmacies in the Zurich Airport. Knowing your medical needs can be handled will allow you to relax and enjoy your trip. In the case of an emergency, a full array of emergency services personnel is there to assist you at the Zurich Airport and offers you the reassurance of skilled staff and compassionate care.
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The Zurich Airport complies with all international security recommendations. While this is a busy airport, you will find that check in and passport screenings proceed quite efficiently. Do realize that Switzerland complies with EU regulations regarding liquids on board planes. You may not carry more than 3 oz or 100 mL of a liquid substance onto the plane and all such containers must fit in one clear, resalable bag. None of the containers can exceed 3 oz. Larger containers may be carried in your checked baggage. Also, sandwich spreads do qualify as liquids and may be questioned. You may also carry liquid medications, both prescription and over the counter, special foods (including breast milk, baby food and infant formula) and other medical needs on board, but should be prepared to present these to security and explain the need for the items.
Items purchased after security in the airport may be carried on board the plane, including liquids bought at the duty free shops. The duty free shop will seal your bags with the sales slip on the outside. You must not open these bags until after you have reached your final destination. You may also purchase food and drinks after security and carry these items on board your flight without difficulty. Understanding current security regulations will allow you to pass through security with ease, and reduce your overall travel time. Avoid having possessions confiscated or thrown away by carrying only what is legally allowed on your flight.
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