Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Zurich Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit. Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.
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I found the airport very beautiful. It’s big and a lot of very helpful people who spoke with me in my language. -mayss94
ZRH Airport Overview
To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Zurich Airport.
What to Expect
Zurich Airport (code: ZRH) is divided into the Airport Center and the Airside Center. The Airport Center houses landside activities like check-in counters and security checkpoints. The Airside Center serves as the hub for the three terminals/gate areas: A, B/D, and E. Gates E are housed in a separate building connected by the Skymetro underground train.
Dining and shopping are plentiful (and expensive), though all close by 10:00 PM. Plan ahead for late-night snacks, as no eateries stay open 24 hours. Other amenities include free WiFi, a designated rest area with pay-to-use reclining chairs for napping, and pay-to-use showers. Economy class passengers can pay to access a few of the airport lounges.
Sleeping in Zurich Airport
Airport security is generally tolerant of the few overnight campers, and they’ll likely check your ID and boarding pass. The airport also has a pay-to-use napping area if you’re interested in more comfort – for a price. Travellers agree that the airside is more comfortable than the landside. One of our readers reported that the security checks close at 22:30. Keep this in mind if you are planning to sleep in the airside area. Most gates quiet down by 11:00 PM, and benches offer some spots to stretch out
Here are good sleep spots that travellers have reported:
- Gates B seem to have some armrest-free benches and padded seating with outlets to recharge your electronic devices (September, 2024).
- Gates D also seems to feature seats without armrests. The upper area, where Gate D43 is located, is quieter (July, 2024).
- Some of our readers spent the night in the waiting area on Level 1, located on the landside, and reported, “The comfy black padded seating makes for a decent makeshift bed” (June 2024).
Common complaints are the cold temps and bright lights — nothing that an extra layer and an eye mask can’t fix.
For uninterrupted sleep, check out the transit hotel at Gates B/D and the traditional hotel connected to the Airport Center. Nearby hotels also offer free or paid airport shuttles. See the Airport Hotels section below for locations.
Read the latest traveller airport reviews for more tips. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Zurich Airport Guide.
To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips.
In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security.
Airport Hours
Zurich Airport is open 24 hours.
- Landside (public areas): Open 24 hours
- Airside (after security): Access depends on flight schedules
- Security checkpoints: Typically close overnight and reopen around 5:00 AM
What this means for sleepers:
If you arrive late at night without an onward boarding pass, you should expect to remain landside until morning.
Rest & Relaxation Zones
Zurich Airport operates a pay-to-use rest area inside the Transit Hotel (Gates B/D, Non-Schengen).
Facilities: 12 reclining chairs, wool blankets, personal locker, tea and coffee
Access: Airside, Non-Schengen only
Overnight limitation: The Transit Hotel is not accessible from the Schengen area between approx. 11:00 PM and 5:30 AM
⚠️ Important sleeper note:
This is not a free rest zone, and access is limited overnight depending on your location in the terminal.
Cots
Zurich Transit Hotel & Nearby Airport Hotels
Quick Facts
- Nearest Hotel: Inside the Airport
- Sleep Cabins or Pods: Yes
- Day Rooms: Yes
- Nearby Hotels with Free Shuttles: Yes
When the prospect of sleeping on the floor or in a chair is giving you nightmares, there is good news for those of you who are looking to sleep at Zurich Airport in comfort. If you are on a layover, you don’t have to go through security, as a transit hotel offers both short-term and overnight rates. Other options include a hotel within walking distance and several more nearby hotels offering free airport shuttles.
Hotel inside Zurich Airport
Transit Hotel – The transit hotel offers private rooms and a rest area. The private rooms have beds, a television and a sink with running water. The rest and relaxation area has 12 recliner chairs. Blankets, access to a locker, as well as tea and coffee are provided. Showers are included in the cost of the room. Location: Airside, Transit Area, Gates B/D, 1st Floor (Non-Schengen). Access note: Inaccessible from Schengen between ~11:00 PM – 5:30 AM.
Rates (as last verified, use for general info purposes only):
Single rooms: CHF 70 (3h) • CHF 90 (6h) • CHF 120 (day) • CHF 130 (overnight 4:00 PM – 8:30 AM)
Double rooms: CHF 90 (3h) • CHF 110 (6h) • CHF 130 (day) • CHF 170 (overnight)
Recliner rest area: CHF 40 (3h) • CHF 50 (6h) • CHF 60 (day) • CHF 70 (overnight)
Email the hotel to make a booking: transithotel@zurich-airport.com » Read Reviews
Hotels at the airport
- Alpine Garden Capsule Hotel – Sleep capsules are opposite check-in 1 on the landside/public zone. Available for the day (9:00 AM – 4:00 PM) and overnight use. As of January 2025, when we checked online, the rates were from 39.00 CHF (Day-use) and 58.90 (upper level) – 62.70 (lower level). » Check Rates
- Radisson Blu Hotel Zurich Airport – The hotel is connected to the airport terminal via a walkway. No airport shuttle. » Check Rates
- Hyatt Place Zurich Airport The Circle – Five-minute walk to the terminal. No airport shuttle. » Check Rates
- Hyatt Regency Zurich Airport The Circle – Five-minute walk to the terminal. No airport shuttle. » Check Rates
More hotels near the airport with free shuttle
- Mövenpick Hotel Zurich-Airport » Check Rates
- Holiday Inn Express Zurich Airport » Check Rates
For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Zurich Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.
Airport Lounges
Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships
Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there are lounges that you can enter by paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass or through a lounge membership program.
Aspire Lounge – Lounge Access: Pay at the door (Walk-in rate: CHF 35 per person, subject to availability) • Lounge membership programs.
- (Schengen) – Location: Airside, Airside Centre, Schengen Area, after security, near B Gates, 2nd floor. Hours: 6:00 AM – 10:30 PM. Showers: No. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No.
Marhaba Lounge – Location: Airside, Airside Centre, Schengen Area, after security, near B Gates, 2nd floor. Hours: 6:00 AM – 10:30 PM. Showers: No. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Pay at the door (Walk-in rate: CHF 50 per person) • Prepaid lounge passes • Lounge membership programs.
SWISS Business Lounge – Lounge Access: Pay at the door – SWISS Economy or Premium Economy passengers can purchase access (subject to availability) • SWISS and Star Alliance Business Class passengers • Miles & More Senators • Star Alliance Gold members.
- Lounge A – Location: Airside, Terminal A, Schengen Area. Hours: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM. Showers: Yes. Dedicated Rest Zone: Yes (quiet zones with recliners). Sleep Facilities: No.
Aspire Lounge – Lounge Access: Pay at the door (Walk-in rate: CHF 35 per person, subject to availability) • Lounge membership programs.
- (Midfield Terminal) – Location: Airside, Midfield Terminal (Terminal E), Non-Schengen Area. Hours: 6:00 AM – 10:30 PM. Showers: No. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No.
Primeclass Lounge – Location: Airside, Terminal E, 2nd floor, near Gate E46, Non-Schengen Area. Hours: 6:00 AM – 10:30 PM. Showers: Yes . Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: Yes (private rooms with beds available). Lounge Access: Pay at the door (Walk-in rate: €42/approx. CHF 40) • Prepaid lounge passes • Lounge membership programs.
SWISS Business Lounge – Lounge Access: Pay at the door – SWISS Economy or Premium Economy passengers can purchase access (subject to availability) • SWISS and Star Alliance Business Class passengers • Miles & More Senators • Star Alliance Gold members.
- Lounge E – Location: Airside, Terminal E, Non-Schengen Area, near Gate E36. Hours: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM. Showers: Yes (shared with SWISS Senator Lounge E; wait times possible during peak hours). Dedicated Rest Zone: Yes (rest area with recliners). Sleep Facilities: No.
ZRH Club – Location: Airside, Airside Centre, after security, near Center Bar. Hours: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM. Showers: No. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Pay at the door (Walk-in rate: CHF 50 per person).
Airline Lounges
If you are a First or Business Class traveller, you may have access to the lounges listed below. Walk-in or pay-at-the-door access is not available at these lounges. For more information, check the airline’s website.
Emirates Lounge – Location: Airside, Terminal E, Non-Schengen Area. Hours: Open based on Emirates flight schedules (typically 3 hours before departure; unconfirmed). Showers: Yes. Dedicated Rest Zone: Yes. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Emirates First and Business Class passengers • Skywards Platinum and Gold members. No walk-in or pay-at-the-door access.
SKYTEAM Lounge – Location: Airside, Non-Schengen Area. Hours: 6:00 AM – 10:30 PM. Showers: Yes (based on standard SkyTeam lounge amenities). Dedicated Rest Zone: Yes. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: SkyTeam First and Business Class passengers • SkyTeam Elite Plus members. No walk-in or pay-at-the-door access.
SWISS First Lounge – Lounge Access: SWISS and Lufthansa First Class passengers • HON Circle members. No walk-in or pay-at-the-door access.
- Lounge A – Location: Airside, Terminal A, near Gate A. Hours: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM. Showers: Yes. Dedicated Rest Zone: Yes. Sleep Facilities: Yes (two private day rooms with ensuite available on a first-come, first-served basis).
- Lounge E – Location: Airside, Terminal E, near Gate E36. Hours: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM. Showers: Yes. Dedicated Rest Zone: Yes. Sleep Facilities: Yes (private day rooms and mini suites available).
SWISS Senator Lounge – Lounge Access: Miles & More Senators • Star Alliance Gold members • SWISS and Lufthansa First/Business Class passengers. No walk-in or pay-at-the-door access.
- Lounge A – Location: Airside, Terminal A, Schengen Area. Hours: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM.
Showers: Yes. Dedicated Rest Zone: Yes (quiet zones with recliners). Sleep Facilities: No. - Lounge D – Location: Airside, Non-Schengen Area, Transit Area D. Hours: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM. Showers: Yes. Dedicated Rest Zone: Yes (quiet zones with recliners and reading corner). Sleep Facilities: No.
- Lounge E – Location: Airside, Terminal E, Non-Schengen Area, near Gate E36. Hours: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM. Showers: Yes (shared with SWISS Business Lounge E). Dedicated Rest Zone: Yes (quiet zones with recliners and whisky bar). Sleep Facilities: No.
SWISS Arrival Lounge – Location: Landside, Arrivals 2, after customs (accessible from Arrivals 1). Hours: 6:00 AM – 1:00 PM. Showers: Yes. Dedicated Rest Zone: Yes (sleeping and working areas). Sleep Facilities: Yes (complimentary hotel rooms available for eligible passengers). Lounge Access: SWISS First and Business Class passengers • HON Circle members • Miles & More Senators • Frequent Travellers arriving on SWISS or Lufthansa flights. No walk-in or pay-at-the-door access.
Drinking Water
Drinking water fountains and refill stations are available throughout the airport.
Food & Drinks
Zurich Airport does not have 24-hour food outlets. Most restaurants close by 10:00 PM. Some cafés reopen around 5:30 AM.
Sleeper tip:
Buy food and water before closing time if you are staying overnight landside.
Luggage Storage & Lockers
Store your luggage in the left luggage storage room or the lockers available.
- Left Luggage Room – Rates are as follows: CHF 10 – CHF 20 per bag for six hours • CHF 15 – CHF 25 per bag per day • CHF 105 – CHF 175 per bag per week. Location: near Check-in 2. Hours: 6:00 AM – 10:30 PM.
- Lockers – Luggage can also be stored in coin-operated lockers for a maximum of 96 hours. CHF and main credit and debit cards are accepted. Hours: open 24 hours. Location: Train Station.
Mobile Charging
Free charging points are available near gates, seating areas, and at The Circle.
Showers
Freshen up with a shower before your flight. Locations of pay-to-use shower facilities:
- Radisson Blu – Three shower rooms with hand towels, a hairdryer, and a shower set with shampoo and shower gel. Location: Landside, outside of the terminal. Rate: CHF 35. Hours: Unknown.
- Service Center – Location: Car Park 2, Level 1. Hours: Reported as 24 hours Rate: Unknown.
- Airport Fitness and Wellness Center – Location: Radisson Blu Hotel, ground floor. Rates: CHF 15 (30 minutes). Hours: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM (Mon/Wed/Fri) • 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM (Tue/Thu) • 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM (Sat/Sun)
- Transit Hotel & Dayrooms – Location: Airside, Non-Schengen, D Gates. Hours: 24 hours. Rate: CHF 20 (includes towel and body care products)
- Primeclass Lounge – Location: Airside, near Gate E46. Shower access depends on lounge entry rules.
WiFi/Internet
Free WiFi is available at Zurich Airport for four hours. Connect to the “ZurichAirport” network.
After you register, you will receive a code by text message (if you cannot receive an SMS, use the ‘register by boarding pass’ option and head to one of the WiFi Stations or information desks to receive your access code). After the four-hour time limit, you can wait seven hours for another free four-hour period or purchase additional time at 6.90 CHF for one hour, 9.90 CHF for four hours, or 14.90 CHF for 24 hours.
Security & Safety
Airport staff have no problem with sleepers and overnight campers, although they would prefer that travellers stay in the transit hotel. If you are spending the night, do expect security staff to check your ID and boarding pass at least once.
At the time of this update, we have no reports from travellers commenting on safety issues at Zurich Airport. However, sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s essential to take certain precautions to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables. Here are a few tips:
- Safety First. It’s a good idea to know where the security office is and look for video cameras where you plan to sleep. You can also ask the security personnel for advice on the safest places to spend the night.
- Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you’re travelling alone, we recommend you stay near other travellers or close to security. This will help you feel more secure and deter potential thieves.
- Hide Your Valuables. It’s also important to hide your valuables. Please don’t leave them out in plain view, as this could make you a target for theft. Additionally, if you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something or sleep with your bag up against a wall to make it harder for someone to access zippers and pockets. We have received reports of sleepers who awoke without their phones and laptop bags. The travellers were left with just their headphones and laptop bag strap.
- Stay Alert. It’s best to stay alert and awake if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help you stay sharp, and remember that you can always catch up on sleep during your flight. These simple precautions can help you enjoy a safe night at the airport.
Pro-tip: If you sleep in the public zone, don’t be surprised if you receive an early morning wake-up call. Security is known to make the rounds, waking people up as travellers arrive for morning flights.
More Airport Information
Baggage Carts – Need a hand with your luggage? Free baggage carts are available throughout the terminal.
Business Centre – Need a quiet place to work between flights? Spaces offers coworking desks, meeting rooms, and offices. Location: Landside, The Circle. Hours: Daytime business hours.
Currency Exchange – Travelex operates currency exchange desks in both landside and airside areas. Hours vary by location and generally follow daytime schedules.
Drinking Water – see “Drinking Water” above.
Duty-Free and Shopping -Zurich Airport has multiple Zurich Duty-Free shops along with a wide mix of retail stores, comparable to a small shopping centre.
Family Services –
- Baby Care Facilities – A dedicated Family Services room offers changing tables, breastfeeding and sleeping rooms, a kitchenette, and a supervised play area for children. Location: Airside, A Gates. Hours: Daytime only
- Children’s Play Areas – Several small play areas are available airside to help kids burn off energy before boarding.
- Strollers – Airport strollers are available for children four years and under. Pick up at check-in and return at the gate.Small fee applies (cash only).
Fitness – Need to burn off some energy before your flight? Drop-in fees are available at the Airport Fitness and Wellness Center, including fitness equipment/classes, sauna access, personal training and much more. Location: Ground floor of the Radisson Blu Hotel, Airport Center. Hours: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM (Mon, Wed, and Fri) • 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM (Tue and Thur) • 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM (Sat-Sun). Rates: CHF 45. You can also pay to use the showers facilities, see showers above.
Food & Drinks – see “Food & Drinks” above.
Hotels – see “Airport Hotels” above.
Information Desk – Information desks are located throughout the terminal, both landside and airside. Hours vary by location and generally cover daytime and evening periods.
Lounges – see “Airport Lounges” above.
Luggage Storage & Lockers – see “Luggage Storage & Lockers” above.
Luggage Wrapping – Protect your bags from theft and damage by having your bags wrapped in plastic by Safe Bag. Location: Check-in Area 2.
Medical Services – Several medical and health services are available at the Airport Center and The Circle, including urgent care, dental care, eye care, physiotherapy, and specialist consultations. Hours: Mostly daytime business hours. Note for overnight travellers: Emergency services are limited late at night.
Mobile Charging – see “Mobile Charging” above.
Pharmacy – Amavita pharmacies operate in landside and airside areas, with hours generally covering daytime and evening travel periods.
Post Office – A Swiss Post office is available landside for mailing letters and postcards. Hours: Daytime and evening.
Prayer Room – Location: Airside, Gate D, 1st Floor (non-Schengen), next to the Transit Hotel. Airport chaplaincy is also available Location: Landside, Check-in 2.
Rest Zones – see “Rest & Relaxation Zones” above.
Shoe Repair – Mr Shoe Care offers shoe repair, key cutting, and engraving services.
Showers – see “Showers” above.
Smokers Lounges – Smoking lounges are located throughout the terminal, both landside and airside.
Spa & Salon Services – Hair, beauty, and wellness services are available at The Circle and the Airport Center.
Options range from haircuts and manicures to float therapy and spa treatments.
Sports Equipment Rentals – Enjoy the outdoors? Bicycles are available for rent via PubliBike near the airport, suitable for longer layovers and good weather.
WiFi – see “Airport WiFi/Internet” above.
E-Sports Simulator – Need a fun distraction between flights? Racing Unleashed offers a high-end racing simulator experience.
Location: Landside, The Circle. Hours: Daytime and evening hours.
Observation Deck – Watch pilots in the cockpits through special multimedia binoculars from Observation Deck B, the airport’s main observation deck. A miniature airport playground is available for the little ones. Observation Deck E is open for viewing long-haul airplanes all year round 8:00 AM – 9:30 PM. Observation Deck E can be reached by free shuttle bus from Observation Deck B. Tickets for Observation Deck B are CHF 5.00 for adults and CHF 2.00 for kids (kids under age 10 are free). Location: entrance next to Check-In 2, but you must clear security first. Hours for Observation Deck B: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (closed at 5:00 PM during winter months). Shuttle buses for Observation Deck E run in 30-minute intervals.
Bus
The covered bus terminal at Zurich Airport is Switzerland’s largest and best-connected bus terminal, providing direct access to Check-In, the Zurich Airport Railway Station, the Glattalbahn Tram stop, and the Airport Center.
Shuttler offers transportation from central Switzerland to Zurich Airport, arriving at the airport as early as 5:00 AM to catch those morning flights. For more information, visit the Shuttler website.
Special services buses operate during the winter, transporting passengers between ZRH airport and ski resorts in the Swiss Alps and across the border.
Car Rentals
A large selection of well-known hire car companies are on hand to provide assistance. Car rental companies include: Avis • Budget • Dollar/Thrifty • Enterprise • Europcar • Hertz • National • Sixt. A few of the counters remain closed due to Covid. Location: Airport Shopping, Level 01. Most operate from 6:30 AM – 11:30 PM.
Hotel Shuttles
These area hotels provide courtesy airport shuttles for their guests (bus stop on curbside lane near Arrivals 2): Hilton Zurich Airport • Holiday Inn Express Zurich Airport.
Check-In All Ways provides a shared ride service exclusively serving hotels in the city center. Shuttles depart every 30 minutes between 6:30 AM – 11:00 PM. Like regular shared ride services, the rates for a ride with Check-In All Ways depend on the amount of passengers riding and the destinations requested per shuttle.
See also Airport Hotels above.
Taxis
Taxis are readily available in front of Arrivals 1 and 2. Official airport taxis are all-white, with an illuminated sign that says “Airport Taxi.” All official airport taxis take credit cards, provide VAT-compliant receipts and have multi-lingual drivers. At the time of this update, the average one-way fare from the airport to the city center is CHF 50.
Train
With about 350 rail connections, the Zurich Airport Railway Station is one of the best-connected rail stations in Switzerland.
Last updated: 2025-12-29
This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice. The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or write a review.