Search Flights from Madrid to Zurich

The Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport, also referred to as Madrid-Barajas Airport, is located 12 km from Madrid’s city center. The airport is very easily accessible by taxi, rental car, and public transportation. Taking the train and metro are both convenient and quick transportation alternatives to access Madrid-Barajas Airport.

Rail

To get to the airport by metro from the city center you have to take metro line 8. This line starts from the Nuevos Ministerios Station and provides transportation to every terminal at the airport. This line takes between 12 and 15 minutes to reach the airport. The RENFRE train C1 line, which you can access from the Chamartin, Nuevos Ministerios, Atocha and Principe Pio stations, provides transportation to Terminal 4. The total trip time will vary depending on your location and which station you get on from. It takes 11 minutes to get to the airport from Chamartin and 38 minutes to get to the airport from Principe Pio.

Bus

Airport Express buses are another transportation alternative. These Airport Express buses depart from the Atocha Station. You can access Atocha Station from your location in the city using a different bus line or metro line. When calculating the duration of the trip take the varying traffic conditions into consideration, especially during rush hour. There are also regular public bus services that operate between the city and the airport. For more information on these bus routes please visit Madrid-Barajas Airport’s website.

Airport Information

Located 12 km from the city center,  Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport, also referred to as Madrid-Barajas Airport, is the main airport in Madrid, serving both international and domestic flights. Madrid-Barajas Airport consists of 4 terminals, Terminal 1, Terminal 2, Terminal 3, and Terminal 4, which was built in 2006. Terminal 4 is the largest terminal in the airport and operates flights for many major airlines such as Turkish Airlines and American Airlines. It is an impressive structure with modern architecture that also features a satellite building, TS4. Terminal 1 is the airport’s oldest building and another major terminal. Many airlines take off and land at Terminal 1. Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 are smaller in comparison to the others. Terminal 3 is dedicated to flights operated by Lagun Air. There is an airport shuttle bus that runs 24 hours a day, providing inter-terminal transportation.

Internet at the airport is free for the first 15 minutes. In Terminal 4 you can connect to the internet by paying a fee. In Terminal 1, Terminal 2, and Terminal 3 you can connect to the internet in the departure lounges, VIP lounges, and restaurant area.

There are various VIP lounges located at the airport. The La Revoltosa and Premium lounges at Terminal 4, La Revoltosa lounge in Terminal 4S, Cibeles lounge in Terminal 1, Puerta de Alcala lounge in Terminal 2, and Puerto del Sol lounge in Terminal 3 are accessible for those with a Priority Pass card. Apart from those there are 3 VIP lounges in Terminal 4 belonging to Iberia Airlines. Madrid-Barajas Airport offers passengers a rich variety of stores where they can go shopping. If you weren’t able to do as much shopping as you would have liked during your time in the city, you can easily make up for it at the airport.

There are many stores at the airport where you can buy various products such as duty free items, food, cosmetics, gifts, electronics, clothing, jewelry, and accessories. While the majority of the stores are located in Terminal 1 and Terminal 4 there are plenty of options in the other terminals as well. The airport is home to many brand name stores such as Adidas, Carolina Herrera, Sunglass Hut, Hugo Boss, Burberry, Massimo Dutti, Zara, and Michael Kors.  

Madrid-Barajas Airport also offers passengers a range of eateries aimed at meeting their pre-flight and post-flight needs. If you want to get a bite to eat or something to drink before or after your flight you can go enjoy familiar venues such as Starbucks, Mc Donald’s, Burger King, Paul, and Lavazza. The airport also features various cafes and restaurants that serve delicious examples of international cuisine. 

Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and is situated at the tip of Lake Zurich. The city is divided in two by the Limmat River, which is a outlet of Lake Zurich. The city’s main railway station, Zurich Hauptbahnhof, is the focal point of the public transportation network. Every tram, train, and bus line passes through this area, providing transportation to various parts of the city and its surrounding areas. The public transportation system in Zurich is the Zürcher Verkehrsverbund (ZVV). Public transportation vehicles in Zurich are very clean, reliable and comfortable. The prices are very reasonable and every vehicle is extremely punctual. While trains provide transportation within the city, and access to neighboring cities, the most preferred means transportation in the city are buses and trams.

The public transportation network also operates after midnight. This service is called the night supplement. You need to purchase a night supplement ticket, in addition to your regular ZVV network ticket. Tickets can be purchased from ticket machines, sales offices, or by SMS.   

The ZürichCARD is a fare payment system for all public transit in the city. It is an ideal option for tourists looking to explore the city during their stay. Purchasing a Zurich card to use during your stay ends up being more affordable. You have the option of purchasing a ticket that is valid for 24-hours or 72-hours. These tickets also offer free entry to museums in Zurich, a 10-20% discount in participating stores, and discounts on city tours and various cultural activities.

Zurich Airport is the largest and busiest airport in the country. The airport is located 13 km from the city center, a 12 minute ride by rail. If you plan on getting to the city center by public transportation you can purchase a ticket after you land, which will be valid for 1 hour. Passengers under the age of 16 receive a discount on tickets. Children under the age of six must be accompanied by an adult and ride for free. Passengers under the age of 25 can purchase a multi-day pass, which is more affordable.

Train

The easiest way to get to the city center from the airport is by train. The train station is located at the airport, on Level -2, next to the shopping mall. The train runs every 12 minutes and provides transportation to the main railway station, Zurich Hauptbahnhof. The total trip from the airport to the main station takes 12 minutes. The main railway station is located in the city center. The public transportation system in the city is incredibly punctual, so keep in mind that the train will depart on time.

Zurich Hauptbahnhof is a major station with dense passenger traffic. Trains departing from this station provide transportation within the city as well as transportation to other cities in Switzerland and neighboring countries such as France and Germany. The railway station also contains a shopping center, the ShopVille mall, located beneath it. Other areas that regional trains travel to include the Glattbrugg Railway Station, Regensdorf Railway Station, Schlieren Railway Station, Waldburg, Wollishofen and Uetliberg.

Bus

Another way to get to the city center from the airport is by bus. The bus network in the city is very comprehensive and convenient. Buses depart from the Airport Centre and provide transportation to the main railway station. From there you can access every part of the city using different public transportation alternatives. Buses are also very punctual and depart on time under normal circumstance but visitors should expect delays when it snows.

Tram

The tram is the second largest transport network in the city, after buses. There are 10 tram lines that provide transportation within the city. These lines all gather around the city center and operate from the city center to the outskirts of the city. However, since the tram network isn’t as comprehensive as the bus network you can’t access every part of the city by tram. Once you get off the tram you always have the option of transferring to a bus or train.   

Taking the tram to the city center is quite convenient. Tram Line 10 provides transportation from the airport to the main railway station located in the city center. The tram departs from the Airport Centre, which is located on Level -2. The tram runs every 7 ½ to 15 minutes.

Tram Line 2 operates between Farbhof and Tiefenbrunnen Railway Station, tram Line 3 operates between Albisrieden and Kluspla, tram Line 4 operates between Werdhölzli and Tiefenbrunnen Railway Station, tram Line 5 operates between Enge Railway Station and the zoo, tram Line 7 operates between Wollishofen and Stettbach Railway Station, tram Line 9 operates between Triemli and Hirzenbach, tram Line 10 operates between Seebach and the Main Railway Station, tram Line 11 operates between Oerlikon Railway Station and Rehalp, tram Line 13 operates between Albisgütli and Frankental, and tram Line 14 operates between Tremli and Seebach.

Taxi

Another transportation alternative to get to the city center from the airport is by taxi. However, taxis are more expensive than public transportation options and offer the same level of comfort. Public transportation vehicles provide quality service at an affordable price so paying extra for a taxi can be unnecessary.

Rental Car

If you don’t want to use public transportation vehicles, then renting a car is another transportation alternative. You can rent a car from the Airport Center, located on level 1, and return your vehicle to the Rental Car Return area at the end of your trip, if you are flying out of Zurich Airport. You can also book a vehicle in advance by making a reservation online. Rental car companies located at the airport that you can choose from include Alamo, Avis, Budget, Thrifty, Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz, National, and Sixt.