Walk to the terminal, take a five-minute shuttle or stay in the city after all? Which hotels are right at Zurich Airport, which are in Glattbrugg, Opfikon and Rümlang, who an airport hotel is worthwhile for – and how to travel relaxed to the mountains or your departure the next morning.
A flight at 6:30 am, a landing just before midnight, a long layover: there are many reasons to spend a night right at Zurich Airport. Around the airport there is a wide choice of hotels – from properties connected to the terminal on foot to hotels in neighbouring towns with a shuttle.
This guide gives an overview of the locations, helps you decide between an airport hotel and a city hotel, and shows how to combine a night at the airport with onward travel the next day. Prices and shuttle conditions change; check them directly with the hotel.
Right at the airport: walk to the terminal
The most convenient location is offered by hotels you can reach without a shuttle:
- Radisson Blu Hotel Zurich Airport: right next to the airport building, connected to the terminals by a covered walkway and only a few minutes' walk from the station.
- Hyatt Regency and Hyatt Place at The Circle: in the modern Circle quarter opposite the terminal, with restaurants, shops and a convention centre. A few minutes' walk to check-in.
These hotels are ideal for very early departures, late arrivals and short business meetings at The Circle. They are usually more expensive than hotels in the neighbouring towns, but save every minute.
Nearby: Glattbrugg, Opfikon, Kloten and Rümlang
The towns around the airport have many more hotels, many with a shuttle to the terminal. Well-known names include the Mövenpick Hotel Zurich-Airport and the Dorint Airport-Hotel in Glattbrugg, the Hilton Zurich Airport in Opfikon and several properties in Rümlang and Kloten, from business hotels to budget options.
The ride to the terminal usually takes only a few minutes. When booking, check whether the shuttle is free, when it starts running in the morning and whether it operates at your departure time – especially for departures before 6 am this is not a given.
| Location | Way to the terminal | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| At the airport / The Circle | on foot, a few minutes | Early flights, late landings, short meetings |
| Glattbrugg / Opfikon | shuttle or short drive | Budget-conscious, Messe Zürich, business trips |
| Kloten / Rümlang | shuttle or short drive | Cheaper overnight stays, longer stays |
| Zurich city | approx. 10–15 min by train | Anyone who wants to see some of Zurich in the evening |
Airport hotel or city hotel?
An airport hotel pays off when the night is short: an early flight, a late landing, a layover with an overnight stay. If you want to make use of the evening, however, it is better to stay in Zurich; the old town, the lake and the restaurants are a quarter of an hour away by train, and the next morning you are back at the airport just as quickly.
For a 24-hour stay between two flights we have a dedicated schedule: 24 hours in Zurich. And if you only have a few hours, you will find ideas in Layover in Zurich.
Late landing: sleep first, then head for the mountains
If you land late in the evening and actually want to go to Zermatt, St. Moritz or Grindelwald, consider spending the night at the airport. A three- to five-hour drive after a long-haul flight in the middle of the night is tiring, and between midnight and 6 am our 20 % night tariff applies.
The more relaxed option: stay at the airport, have a proper breakfast and take the transfer straight from the hotel to the mountains the next morning. Simply enter the airport hotel as your pickup address when booking. More on late arrivals is in Late-night arrival at Zurich Airport.
Early flight: from the hotel to the terminal
From hotels right at the airport you simply walk. From hotels in neighbouring towns the shuttle is practical if it runs early enough; otherwise a short transfer with luggage is the more reliable solution, especially for families or groups with several suitcases.
How much time to allow at the airport is explained in How early should you be at Zurich Airport?. From hotels right at the terminal it is enough to set off around two hours before a European flight.
For business travellers: The Circle and Messe Zürich
Since The Circle opened, the airport itself has become a business location with offices, a convention centre and hotels. For meetings there an airport hotel is ideal. Messe Zürich in Oerlikon is also close; hotels in Glattbrugg and Opfikon are a good base for it.
For meetings in several places around Zurich an hourly booking pays off: the driver picks you up at the hotel and waits between appointments. Invoicing with VAT shown is described in Corporate transfers in Zurich.
Frequently asked questions about hotels at Zurich Airport
Which hotels can be reached on foot from the terminal?
The Radisson Blu Hotel Zurich Airport and the Hyatt Regency and Hyatt Place at The Circle.
Do the hotel shuttles run very early?
That varies from hotel to hotel. Ask about the times before booking if your flight leaves very early.
Will you pick me up at an airport hotel?
Yes. Enter the hotel as your pickup address, for example for the drive to the mountains the morning after a late landing.
Is an airport hotel worth it before a 7 am flight?
If you live more than an hour away, often yes – you gain sleep and avoid the night tariff for a pickup before 6 am.
How far is it from the airport to Zurich city?
About 10 to 15 minutes by train to Zurich HB, a little longer by car depending on traffic.
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