The Zurich International Airport is the hub for the airline Swiss. This airline is part of the Star Alliance network. Therefore, it is quite possible that you will pass through Zurich on a layover at some point, especially if you have booked your tickets with Aeroplan.
With the city nearby, why not take a few hours to go out and explore before boarding your flight to your final destination? However, if you prefer to rest or entertain yourself without leaving the airport, know that there are plenty of options to pass the time.
Several lounges are available, depending on the airline you fly with. The DragonPass program (Visa airport companion) gives you access to six of them (but only four are accessible at the moment):
As I preferred to visit the city, I didn’t spend any time in any of these lounges.
To find out more, see our guide to airport lounges.
Nothing beats a good nap and a shower after a challenging overnight flight before catching the next flight. On the way there, before heading out to explore the city, I decided to treat myself to a few hours at the Transit Hotel located directly at the airport.
Located in the non-Schengen area, there’s only one security check to go through before reaching the hotel (watch out for those full water bottles!) and you can rent a small room for durations of 1 hour or more. The directions in the airport are clear for getting there, and check-in is quick.
The room includes a single bed (or double, depending on your reservation), a small desk, sink, electrical outlets, free wifi, coffee and tea, and access to shared toilets and showers.
The website mentions a 9 a.m. check-in time, but it is possible to arrive earlier if there is availability. Reservations are made by e-mail only, and rates start at CHF 70.
It is also possible to rent just a sofa in a lounge near the entrance starting at CHF 40, or to have access to the showers only for CHF 20. All major international credit cards are accepted.
I stayed in my room for about 3 hours. Although the bed was super comfortable, the comings and goings of the cleaning crew and other travellers in transit remain somewhat noisy. Make sure you have some earplugs with you for a good night’s rest.
For my return, I stepped outside the airport, just a few steps from the entrance, to try the Capsule Hotel – Alpine Garden. Just as easy to find as the previous one thanks to clear directions, it offers rooms with multiple fully enclosed bunk beds resembling capsules.
Prices vary according to the choice of top or bottom bunk, and start at CHF 63 for one night, which also includes wifi access. There are also women-only rooms on site (more expensive, unfortunately) and capsules for disabled guests. Check-in is done electronically at a kiosk at the entrance using a code received by WhatsApp or email.
I opted for a loft bed and regretted my choice a little. Access isn’t super easy when you’ve got a bag with you, plus you have to fiddle with the numerical code to get into your little space.
However, once inside, this cozy little nest is carefully decorated and illuminated to give the impression of grandeur. The mirror has a lot to do with it, and the hooks allow you to install a few personal items. The capsule includes electrical outlets and earplugs.
Included in the price is access to a bathroom with showers, toilets, towels, cleaning products and dryers.
I’d like to say that I slept very well, as the space was so pleasant, but unfortunately the other travellers were rather noisy, opening and closing their capsule doors, which prevented me from getting a good night’s rest.
The sanitary facilities were very clean. What I liked the most was the café, which also serves as a workspace and bar, available at the entrance. It offers small snacks at reasonable prices. In the morning, fresh coffee with pastries is prepared at an affordable cost. One section allows for book exchanges between travellers, and another lets you sit with your own meal. It’s a nice addition when your “room” is actually just a bed!
For a few hours of rest or an overnight stay between flights, without even leaving the airport or just barely, I truly recommend these two places, even if they weren’t perfect.
Zurich Airport is divided into four terminals: A, B, D, and E. Most of the restaurants and shops are located in the center between terminals A and B-D before going through security. Terminal E is accessible by an electric tram that departs every 5 to 10 minutes, and the journey takes just a few minutes.
In the airport, you’ll find numerous luxury shops, souvenir stores, and of course, restaurants. If the weather permits (which wasn’t the case for me), there are two observation decks open from 10 AM to 5 PM. One is located at terminal B, and the other at terminal E.
There are five play areas dedicated to children in the airport, allowing them to burn off some energy between flights. For adults who also want to stay active, a gym is available. Prefer to relax? The Float spa offers various treatments to help you recover from your flight and prepare for the next one.
You might prefer to spend some time in one of the prayer rooms, which are adapted to accommodate various religious practices.
Simply need some peace and quiet or a place to meditate to relieve stress? A “quiet room” is available in terminal D, open to all religions, for finding inner peace.
For more information, visit the interactive map of Zurich airport.
Accessing the Wi-Fi might seem a bit complex at first. You need to find a kiosk, scan your passport or boarding pass, and then you’ll receive a ticket with a code for using the wireless internet. If you’ve stayed overnight at the airport, you’ll already have unlimited Wi-Fi access for 24 hours, so there’s no need to look for the kiosks.
If you go through security and customs, you’ll also have access to The Circle, a vast complex that includes offices, shops, restaurants, and hotels, with direct access provided through an indoor tunnel.
Inaugurated in November 2020, this modern space with glass facades offers a wide selection of shops and restaurants, with new businesses added each year. It also includes two Hyatt hotels. If you’re a member of the World of Hyatt loyalty program, staying there might be worthwhile.
With the exchange rate between the Canadian dollar and the Swiss franc, you have to admit that eating at Zurich airport is very expensive. There are restaurants to suit all tastes, but it’s hard to get by for less than CAD 50 per person.
It’s a good idea to have a few bars or snacks with you, as they can come in handy. The most affordable restaurant is definitely the Marché, where you can choose your dishes at different stations and then pay at the exit. Most of the restaurant’s booths are equipped with power outlets, perfect for charging your electronic devices.
When travelling with a Canadian passport, there’s no need for a visa to leave Zurich International Airport. It’s easy to pay with a credit card almost everywhere.
If your carry-on luggage is cumbersome, you can use the paid luggage storage service available at various service points in the airport.
As for transportation, trains to the city center pass directly through the airport. Tickets are purchased via a multilingual electronic terminal.
There is always someone on-site to assist if needed, given the numerous fare zones that can be confusing. As of January 2025, a pass granting access to all transportation (trains, metro, tramway) cost CHF 14.
To get to the city center, take the S2 or S16 S-Bahn train to Hauptbahnhof station. This is Zurich’s main station, from which many European trains depart.
It’s even said to be one of the busiest stations in the world! The train departs regularly from the airport and reaches downtown Zurich in less than 20 minutes. It’s straightforward and cheaper than taking a taxi.
The weather during my layover wasn’t the best: a gray day with a temperature of 1 degree Celsius. However, since the downtown area isn’t very large, I decided to keep warm by walking around.
My first recommendation, if you don’t have access to a mobile network, is to stop off at the tourist office located right in the station. Explain to the friendly staff how much time you have during your stopover, and they’ll come up with a great plan for the hours ahead.
Some activities are obviously not available in winter, so I wasn’t able to try them out.
I managed to see the whole thing in about 3 hours on foot, with a few coffee stops!
Here are a few options for your layover:
Layovers in Zurich can be quite common when traveling with Aeroplan points. It’s often easy to find last-minute award flight availability on SWISS, an Aeroplan partner and a member of Star Alliance, for trips to Europe (or other destinations worldwide) with a layover in Zurich. The welcome offer from the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card can help you earn the points needed for an award flight to Zurich.
Want to explore Zurich and the surrounding area even further? You can add a long stopover to your itinerary for just 5,000 extra Aeroplan points. Check out our Aeroplan stopover guide to incorporate this strategy into your next trip.
My stopover in Zurich took place between my two economy-class flights with SWISS and Edelweiss. Here are our flight reviews aboard those two airlines:
When you arrive at the airport, be the holder of a credit card that gives you free access to VIP lounges, such as the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite, the American Express Platinum Card® or the CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* CardYou’ll save considerably on airport meals, while enjoying the comfort of the lounges.
If the accommodation options mentioned in the article are not linked to loyalty programs, you can still use your points to reimburse this expense using the right credit card.
The Scene+ points from the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite card will allow you to credit $10 per 1,000 points to reimburse this expense. Plus, this is one of the few credit cards with no conversion fees, so you’ll save 2.5% compared with other cards.
Zurich is a charming layover destination that can be affordable if well-planned. The city is beautiful, feels safe, and has easily accessible transportation. I can’t wait to return on a lovely summer day!
Allow around 1 hour for your return to the airport and your departure gate. The airport is big, but the signage makes getting around quick and efficient!
Savings are here (if you don’t see the sign-up form, please click here):
