HB Railway Station

It is important for passengers to understand the complex structure of the facility. The station is divided into the ground level (the historic hall and terminal tracks) and the underground levels (Museumstrasse and Löwenstrasse), designed for through-trains and the S-Bahn. A huge underground shopping centre, ShopVille, connects all parts of the station and exits to the city. The main landmark in the central hall is the "Guardian Angel" sculpture suspended from the ceiling.

To plan your trip and clarify details, please use the following contacts:

• Official website: sbb.ch (Swiss Federal Railways).
• Information Service (SBB Contact Center): +41 848 44 66 88 (available 24/7, connection fees may apply).
• Address: Bahnhofplatz, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland.
• Station Opening Hours: The building is open 24/7, however, ticket counters and shops have their own schedules (usually from 06:00 to 21:00/22:00).
• Luggage Storage Info: Automatic lockers are available 24/7; the lost and found office operates during business hours.
• Accessibility: The SBB Call Center Handicap assists passengers with reduced mobility (assistance must be booked 1 hour before travel).

Getting to Zürich Hauptbahnhof is incredibly easy, as it is located in the very heart of the city.

From Zurich Airport (ZRH): This is the most popular route. Trains depart every 5–10 minutes, and the travel time is only 10–12 minutes. Any train (IC, IR, S-Bahn) going to Zürich HB is suitable for you.

Public Transport: The station is surrounded by tram and bus stops (Bahnhofplatz, Bahnhofquai, Sihlquai). Almost all key routes of the ZVV city network lead here.

On Foot: The station is located at the beginning of the famous shopping street Bahnhofstrasse. You can walk from the historical centre and Lake Zurich in 10–15 minutes.

Taxi: Taxi ranks are located at the south exit (Bahnhofplatz side) and the north exit (Landesmuseum side).

The station offers world-class service, turning the wait for a train into a comfortable experience.

Tickets and Information: Passengers have access to a large SBB Travel Centre (Reisezentrum) with counters and consultants, as well as numerous blue ticket machines with touch screens (accepting cards and cash).

Comfort and Connectivity: Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the area (SBB-FREE, registration required). There are waiting areas, including lounges for First Class passengers on international routes.

Luggage: Automatic lockers of various sizes (from S to XXL) are available, accepting coins and cards. A "door-to-door" luggage shipping service is also available.

Hygiene: Modern paid restrooms and showers (McClean centre) are located on the lower level.

For Passengers with Reduced Mobility: The station is fully equipped with elevators, ramps, and induction loops; an escort service is available.

The station's gastronomic zone, known as ShopVille, is located primarily on the underground level and offers a huge selection of food.

Quick Snacks: Here you will find dozens of bakeries offering traditional Swiss pretzels, sandwiches, and fresh pastries (e.g., Brezelkönig). Numerous takeaway coffee spots will help you freshen up before your journey.

Supermarkets: An important feature is that the Migros and Coop stores at the station are open 365 days a year from early morning until late evening, which is rare for Switzerland (where shops are usually closed on Sundays). This is the ideal place to buy groceries for the road at standard prices.

Restaurants: For those with time to spare, there are cafés with seating offering local as well as Asian or Italian cuisine. The average bill varies from 10–15 francs for fast food to 30–50 francs for a full meal.

The history of Zürich Hauptbahnhof began in 1847 with the opening of Switzerland's first railway line, nicknamed the "Spanish Bun Railway" (Spanisch-Brötli-Bahn). The initiator of the construction and development of the railways was the famous industrialist Alfred Escher, whose statue welcomes passengers in front of the main entrance.

The current majestic sandstone building was built in 1871. Initially, it was a classic terminal station, but as the city grew, radical changes were required. A crucial stage was the massive reconstruction in 1990, when underground platforms for the city train (S-Bahn) and the shopping arcade were opened.

The latest major achievement was the opening of the Löwenstrasse line in 2014—a deep underground tunnel allowing trains to pass through the station without changing direction, which significantly sped up connections between the west and east of the country.

To ensure your trip runs smoothly, please pay attention to the following tips:

Punctuality: Swiss trains depart to the second. Arrive at the platform at least 5–10 minutes before departure. Doors lock automatically one minute before the start.

Platform Sectors: Long platforms are divided into sectors (A, B, C, D). The display boards always indicate in which sector the carriages of your class (1st or 2nd) will stop. This helps avoid running along the platform.

Tickets: There are no turnstiles in Switzerland. Tickets are checked by inspectors on the train. Fines for travelling without a ticket are very high. If you have a Swiss Travel Pass, you do not need to validate it; simply board the train.

Safety: Zurich is a safe city, but the station is always crowded. Do not leave luggage unattended, especially in food court areas.

Night Time: On weekends (Friday and Saturday), a night train network (Nachtnetz) operates, for which a special surcharge may be required if you do not have a general travel pass.