Zurich’s tram system is one of the most extensive and efficient in Europe, managed primarily by Verkehrsbetriebe Zürich (VBZ) and operating within the cantonal transport network of the Zürcher Verkehrsverbund (ZVV).
Below is some key information for getting around the city:
🚋 Tram Network
- Extension : The network has 16 lines covering approximately 185 stops, transporting around 200 million passengers per year.
- Infrastructure : Trams run on narrow gauge tracks electrified at 600 V DC, sometimes sharing space with vehicular traffic or running on dedicated lanes.
- Accessibility : Many stops are equipped with platforms at the level of the tram floor, facilitating access for all users.
🕒 Schedules & Frequency
- Regular Service : Trams operate daily from approximately 5:30 a.m. to midnight, with frequencies of 7 to 10 minutes during peak hours.
- Nighttime network : Nighttime services are available with specific schedules on Friday and Saturday nights, as well as on special holidays.
- Timetable Check : You can plan your journeys and check real-time schedules using the ZVV timetable or the ZVV app.
🚋 Tram Lines in Zurich
Zurich’s tram network consists of 16 lines, numbered 2 to 17, which cover a wide area of the city and connect to suburban areas. In addition, line S18 (Forchbahn) operates as a suburban tram line.
| Line | Main Route |
|---|---|
| 2 | Bahnhof Tiefenbrunnen – Bellevue – Paradeplatz – Stauffacher – Farbhof – Schlieren Geissweid |
| 3 | Klusplatz – Römerhof – Kunsthaus – Central – Hauptbahnhof – Albisrieden |
| 4 | Bahnhof Tiefenbrunnen – Bellevue – Central – Hauptbahnhof – Escher-Wyss-Platz – Bahnhof Altstetten Nord |
| 5 | Laubegg – Bahnhof Enge – Bürkliplatz – Bellevue – Kirche Fluntern – Zoo |
| 6 | Bahnhof Enge – Paradeplatz – Hauptbahnhof – ETH/Universitätsspital – Kirche Fluntern – Zoo |
| 7 | Bahnhof Stettbach – Schwamendingerplatz – Milchbuck – Central – Hauptbahnhof – Bahnhof Enge – Wollishofen |
| 8 | Hardturm – Escher-Wyss-Platz – Bahnhof Hardbrücke – Hardplatz – Stauffacher – Paradeplatz – Bellevue – Klusplatz |
| 9 | Hirzenbach – Schwamendingerplatz – Milchbuck – ETH/Universitätsspital – Bellevue – Heuried – Triemli |
| 10 | Hauptbahnhof – Central – ETH/Universitätsspital – Milchbuck – Sternen Oerlikon – Glattpark – Bahnhof Glattbrugg – Zürich Flughafen |
| 11 | Rehalp – Kreuzplatz – Bahnhof Stadelhofen – Bellevue – Paradeplatz – Hauptbahnhof – Schaffhauserplatz – Bucheggplatz – Bahnhof Oerlikon – Glattpark – Auzelg |
| 12 | Zürich Flughafen – Bahnhof Glattbrugg – Glattpark – Auzelg – Bahnhof Wallisellen – Glattzentrum – Bahnhof Stettbach |
| 13 | Albisgütli – Laubegg – Bahnhof Enge – Paradeplatz – Hauptbahnhof – Escher-Wyss-Platz – Frankental |
| 14 | Seebach – Bahnhof Oerlikon Ost – Milchbuck – Schaffhauserplatz – Hauptbahnhof – Stauffacher – Heuried – Triemli |
| 15 | Bucheggplatz – Schaffhauserplatz – Central – Bellevue – Bahnhof Stadelhofen – Klusplatz |
| 17 | Werdhölzli – Hardturm – Escher-Wyss-Platz – Hauptbahnhof – Paradeplatz – Bahnhof Enge – Albisgütli |
| 20 | Bahnhof Altstetten – Farbhof – Schlieren Geissweid – Spital Limmattal – Bahnhof Dietikon – Shoppi Tivoli – Bahnhof Killwangen-Spreitenbach |
| S18 | Bahnhof Stadelhofen – Rehalp – Esslingen (operated by Forchbahn, part of the S-Bahn network) |
| 21 | (Rehalp –) Burgwies – Hauptbahnhof / Usteristrasse – Burgwies (– Rehalp) (historical line operated by the Zurich Tram Museum) |
*Note: Lines 10, 11 and 12 operate partially on the Glattalbahn tracks, while line 20 is on the Limmattalbahn.
🗺️ Zurich Tram Map
🗺️ Network Maps
To view the complete tram line map and plan your routes, you can access the following resources:
- ZVV network map: Includes all tram, bus and train lines in the Zurich metropolitan area.
- Interactive public transport map of Zurich: Provides a detailed overview of all transport modes in the city.
🎟️ Fares and Tickets
The ZVV fare system is zone-based. The city of Zurich falls into zone 110, which counts twice in the fare calculation due to its traffic density.
- Single ticket : Valid for 1 hour within selected zones.
- 24-Hour Ticket : Allows unlimited travel within the specified zones for 24 hours.
- Day Pass from 9am : Valid Monday to Friday from 9am until 5am the following day, and all day on weekends and holidays.
- Children : Children under 6 travel free. Children aged 6 to 16 pay the reduced fare, known as «half price.»
The Zürich Transport Network (ZVV) employs a zone-based fare system, where ticket prices depend on the number of zones traversed during your journey. Notably, zones 110 (City of Zurich) and 120 (City of Winterthur) count as two zones due to their dense public transport networks.
🎟️ Single Ticket Prices (2nd Class)
| Zones Covered | Validity | Adult (CHF) | Child/Half-Fare Card (CHF) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local Network | 30 min | 2.80 | 2.40 |
| 1–2 Zones | 1 hour | 4.60 | 3.20 |
| 3 Zones | 1 hour | 7.00 | 3.50 |
| 4 Zones | 2 hours | 9.20 | 4.60 |
| 5 Zones | 2 hours | 11.20 | 5.60 |
| 6 Zones | 2 hours | 13.40 | 6.70 |
| 7 Zones | 2 hours | 15.60 | 7.80 |
| All Zones | 2 hours | 17.80 | 8.90 |
*Note: The City of Zurich (Zone 110) counts as two zones.
🕘 9 O’Clock Day Pass
This pass is valid from 9:00 am to 5:00 am the next day on weekdays, and all day on weekends and public holidays. It offers nearly a 50% discount compared to standard day passes.
🚍 Validity and Usage
Tickets are valid across all modes of public transportation within the selected zones, including trams, buses, trains, boats, and funiculars. During the ticket’s validity period, you can travel as often as you like within the chosen zones.
📲 Purchasing Tickets
Tickets can be purchased via:
- ZVV App
- Ticket machines at tram and bus stops
- Online ticket shop on the ZVV website
For more detailed information on fares and zones, you can refer to the official ZVV fare brochure .
Tickets can be purchased at ticket machines at each stop, through the ZVV app, or on the official website.
🗺️ Travel Planning
To plan your trips:
- ZVV App: Offers real-time schedules, ticket purchases, and network maps.
- Zone Map: Available on the ZVV website, useful for determining the zones you will be traveling through.