Zurich Airport transfers at a glance
Zurich Airport (ZRH), in Kloten, north of Zurich, is the largest airport in Switzerland and the main hub of Swiss International Air Lines. It offers many long-haul flights to North America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East that do not leave from Geneva. For travellers based in Geneva or the Lake Geneva region, a direct car to Zurich Airport is often the simplest way to catch one of these flights.
Geneva Transfer Booking drives you between Geneva and Zurich Airport in both directions: from your home, hotel or office to the departures level in Zurich, and from the arrivals hall in Zurich back to Geneva, Lausanne or any other address.
The route between Geneva and Zurich
The trip covers about 280 kilometres. Google calculates about three hours without traffic. The motorway follows the lake to Lausanne, crosses the Swiss Plateau past Yverdon, Murten and Bern, then continues towards Zurich and the airport. There is no border to cross: the whole journey is in Switzerland.
Traffic can be heavy around Lausanne, Bern and Zurich at rush hour, and on Friday afternoons. Your chauffeur plans the departure time with a comfortable margin, and a short break on the way if you wish.
When travellers choose Zurich
- A long-haul flight that only leaves from Zurich, or a better connection.
- A flight with Swiss International Air Lines, whose main hub is Zurich.
- A cancelled or diverted flight: when Geneva is closed by fog or snow, some flights are diverted to Zurich, and passengers need to get back to Geneva.
- Arriving in Zurich for a stay in Geneva, Lausanne, Montreux or the ski resorts of the Valais.
- A business trip combining Zurich and Geneva, with meetings in both cities.
Car or train?
A direct train links Geneva and Geneva Airport to Zurich Airport in about three hours. For a traveller alone with light luggage, it is a good option. A private car makes the difference:
- With a family, children or a lot of luggage: no changes, no carrying bags on platforms.
- From an address outside the train network: a village, a chalet, a residence on the lake shore.
- For very early flights, before the first trains, or very late arrivals.
- For business travellers, who can work, call and rest in a quiet car.
- For groups, when the price per person becomes attractive.
How the transfer works
For a departure from Geneva, your chauffeur collects you at your address with a margin that takes into account traffic, the check-in time of your airline and the security checks in Zurich. We usually recommend arriving at the airport two hours before a European flight and three hours before a long-haul flight, unless your airline advises otherwise.
For an arrival in Zurich, give us your flight number: your chauffeur follows the landing time, waits in the arrivals hall with a sign showing your name, helps with your luggage and drives you to Geneva or your destination.
Comfort on a three-hour drive
Three hours in a car should be restful. Our Mercedes cars offer comfortable seats, a quiet cabin and water on board. Your chauffeur can stop for a break on the way. For business travellers, the journey becomes time to work or prepare a meeting.
Advice by type of traveller
Families. Ask for child seats with the children's ages, and tell us the number of suitcases.
Business travellers. A Mercedes S-Class turns the drive into three hours of quiet work.
Passengers of diverted flights. Call us as soon as you know; we organise a car depending on availability.
Skiers arriving in Zurich. We can drive you directly to Verbier, Crans-Montana or another resort; tell us the address.
Vehicles
A Mercedes E-Class suits one to three passengers with luggage; the S-Class offers the most comfort; the V-Class takes up to six or seven passengers with luggage. For larger groups, the Sprinter is available on request.
Booking
The prices on this page are calculated by our booking engine for a one-way trip from Geneva Airport to Zurich Airport. Book online to see the exact price for your address. Book the return at the same time and the booking engine applies a 10% reduction to the round trip.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Geneva to Zurich Airport?
About three hours for about 280 kilometres without traffic.
Is there a border to cross?
No. The whole journey is in Switzerland.
When should we leave Geneva for our flight?
Count the drive time plus about two hours before a European flight and three hours before a long-haul flight, unless your airline advises otherwise.
Can you pick us up in Zurich if our Geneva flight is diverted?
Yes, depending on availability. Call us as soon as you know.
Can you drive us from Zurich Airport to a ski resort?
Yes. Give us the address of your accommodation; your chauffeur drives you directly there.
