Zurich Airport before your flight: lounges, restaurants and useful stops
Zurich Airport (ZRH) lets you eat, rest and wait on both sides of security: restaurants in Airport Shopping and The Circle before it, lounges, cafés, a transit hotel and quiet places beyond it. Each facility below says where it is, who may use it and its official page. Airport services change with the seasons, so check that page before you travel.
Zurich Airport in a minute
Zurich Airport has three check-in areas, Check-in 1, 2 and 3, and two arrival halls, Arrival 1 and Arrival 2. Check-in 3 sits above the railway station, at Airport Shopping.
Check-in opens at 04:00 at the earliest and closes at 22:00 at the latest, at times each airline sets, and each airline names its own check-in area: SWISS, for one, checks in at Check-in 1, with self bag drop also at Check-in 2 and Check-in 3, where its business counters stand. The airport advises arriving two to three hours before departure; its check-in page gives the time for your flight.
Check-in at flughafen-zuerich.chPast security, the Airside Center gathers restaurants and lounges before the gates. The A and B gates serve Schengen flights; the D and E gates, past passport control, serve flights outside the Schengen Area. The Skymetro takes you to the E gates in about three minutes, so allow more time for passport control and the walk.
Since 26 June 2026, passengers starting their journey in Zurich may carry containers of up to 2 litres through the main security checkpoint and leave liquids and electronics in their bags. At transfer and special screening the 100 ml rule still applies, in a 1-litre clear resealable bag, and double-walled bottles must be empty.
Liquids at security at flughafen-zuerich.chWorks at Airport Shopping have closed its direct way to Check-in 1: go through Terminal 2 and Check-in 2. From Airport Shopping to the gates, use the security checkpoint in Terminal 2. From Arrival 1, the way to Airport Shopping and public transport leads through the drop-off area, with step-free access by the lifts in car park P3.
Routes during construction at flughafen-zuerich.chAirport Information
- Where
- Arrival 2, public area
- Who may use it
- Everyone
- Hours
- Daily 06:00–23:30
Free Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi for eight hours in a row from your first login. Register with a code sent by text message, or get one with your boarding pass or an identity document at a Wi-Fi station or an information desk.
- Where
- Throughout the airport
- Who may use it
- Everyone
Before security: restaurants, showers and places to wait
Before security, Airport Shopping, the check-in areas, the arrival halls and The Circle are open to everyone, travelling or not. The public buildings stay open day and night, but each service keeps its own hours.
Restaurants before security
In Airport Shopping, the restaurants include upperdeck, open daily 08:00–22:00; AIR is at Check-in 2, and Sablier and Leon's Loft are in The Circle. The airport's directory lists every venue.
- Where
- Airport Shopping; Check-in 2; The Circle
- Who may use it
- Everyone
Luggage storage
A staffed counter keeps luggage, clothing and bulky items; SBB lockers come in sizes from S to XXL.
- Where
- Counter in Arrival 2, level 0, beside Airport Information; lockers in Airport Shopping at Check-in 3
- Who may use it
- Everyone
- Hours
- Counter daily 06:00–22:00; lockers 24 hours a day
Trolleys and porters
Luggage trolleys are free. CGS porters carry your bags and accompany you on departure, on arrival from the gate or the baggage belt, or between flights. Book them by the day before; requests on the day may have to wait.
- Where
- Trolleys at the airport's entrances and exits; porters anywhere in the airport, on request
- Who may use it
- Everyone; porters on booking
Showers
Three places offer a shower: two before security and the Transit Hotel beyond it.
- Where
- Before security, Airport Fitness Shower & Go and the Radisson Blu hotel; beyond security, the Transit Hotel beside the D gates
- Who may use it
- Everyone before security; at the Transit Hotel, passengers with a boarding pass
- Price
- Radisson Blu CHF 35, Transit Hotel CHF 25, towel and body care included (Zurich Airport, checked 13 October 2026)
Room of tranquillity
The airport chaplaincy's quiet room welcomes passengers, visitors and staff, whatever their belief.
- Where
- Check-in 2, public area
- Who may use it
- Everyone
The Circle and the Airport Park
During the works at Airport Shopping, The Circle, beside the airport, is reached through the bus station. From it, paths and a cable car lead into the Airport Park, which is open to the public.
- Where
- Beside the airport, through the bus station
- Who may use it
- Everyone
- Hours
- The whole park, its cable car included, is closed until 30 October 2026
Observation Deck B
An observation deck with its own security check, which gives no access to the gates; it may close in bad weather or for safety.
- Where
- Entrance at Check-in 2
- Who may use it
- Everyone; free with a boarding pass for the same day
- Hours
- 10:00–18:00 until 25 October 2026; 10:00–17:00 from 26 October 2026 to 28 March 2027
SWISS Arrival Lounge
For eligible passengers arriving in Zurich, with showers and space to rest before you travel on.
- Where
- Arrival 2, right after customs; also reached from Arrival 1
- Hours
- 06:00–13:00
- Entry
- SWISS First and SWISS or Lufthansa Business passengers on arrival; HON Circle, Senator and Frequent Traveller members arriving on an eligible flight, under SWISS's admission rules
After security: lounges, restaurants and places to rest
Beyond security, what you can reach depends on your flight: the Airside Center and the A and B gates, then, past passport control, the D and E gates for flights outside the Schengen Area. Each lounge names who may enter: by ticket, by status, by paid entry or through a lounge programme such as Priority Pass.
ZRH Comfort
The airport's ZRH Comfort gives you priority access at security, then a non-alcoholic drink and a snack at Pret A Manger, Starbucks or NZZ Café. It is not lounge access, and it skips neither check-in nor passport control: arrive at the airport as you would without it.
- Who may use it
- Passengers of any airline, class or status who book it online, while places remain for their flight
SWISS First Lounges
Two lounges: one in the Airside Center, one at the E gates.
- Where
- Airside Center; gates E, past passport control
- Hours
- Airside Center 05:30–22:00; gates E 06:00–22:30
- Entry
- SWISS First and Lufthansa First passengers; HON Circle members
SWISS Senator Lounges
Three lounges: in the Airside Center, with its own entrance beside the Business Lounge; at the D gates, with showers; and at the E gates, with a terrace and areas to rest and work.
- Where
- Airside Center; gates D and E, past passport control
- Hours
- Airside Center and gates D 05:30–22:00; gates E 06:00–22:00
- Entry
- SWISS First passengers; HON Circle and Senator members; Star Alliance Gold members on a Star Alliance flight
SWISS Business Lounges
Three lounges: in the Airside Center, beside the Senator Lounge; at the D gates, without showers; and at the E gates, with showers and recliners.
- Where
- Airside Center; gates D and E, past passport control
- Hours
- Airside Center and gates D 05:30–22:00; gates E 06:00–22:00
- Entry
- SWISS First and Business passengers; HON Circle, Senator and Frequent Traveller members; Star Alliance Gold members and Business Class passengers on a Star Alliance flight
SWISS Alpine Lounge
The Airside Center's fourth SWISS lounge, without showers.
- Where
- Airside Center
- Hours
- 05:30–18:00
- Entry
- SWISS First and Business passengers; HON Circle and Senator members
SWISS's lounges admit you with a boarding pass for the same day, valid for the lounge's area. Miles & More HON Circle, Senator and Frequent Traveller status counts on a flight with a Lufthansa Group or Star Alliance airline, Edelweiss or Eurowings, Eurowings Basic excepted for Frequent Travellers; Star Alliance Gold and Business Class count only on a Star Alliance flight. HON Circle and Senator members may also use the departure lounges on the day they arrive. Whether you may bring a guest depends on your ticket or status.
SWISS lounge admission rules at swiss.comAspire Lounge, Airside Center
- Where
- Airside Center, third floor, towards the B gates
- Hours
- Daily 05:15–21:00
- Entry
- Paid entry, whatever your class of travel; Priority Pass, children under 2 free, not for transit passengers
marhaba Lounge
- Where
- Airside Center, second floor, towards the B gates
- Flights
- Schengen
- Hours
- Daily 05:15–20:00; closed for an upgrade from 23 November to 4 December 2026, reopening on 5 December
- Entry
- marhaba's own passes, for 3 or 6 hours, whatever your airline or class, children under 2 free; Priority Pass, for up to 4 hours, without children
Aspire Lounge E
- Where
- Gates E, above gate E52
- Flights
- Non-Schengen
- Hours
- Daily 06:00–21:00
- Entry
- Paid entry at the airport's rate, children up to and including 6 free; Priority Pass, children under 6 free, a dress code, entry may be limited when the lounge is full
Suite by Aspire
A lounge for adults only.
- Where
- Gates E
- Flights
- Non-Schengen
- Hours
- 08:00–21:00
- Entry
- Adults aged 18 and over, for up to 3 hours: paid entry, or an upgrade booked with Priority Pass or DragonPass
- Price
- Upgrade CHF 30 with Priority Pass or DragonPass (Aspire, checked 13 October 2026)
Primeclass Lounge
Priority Pass announces that the lounge closes for good on 31 October 2026, while the airport and Primeclass still list it as open: check before you go.
- Where
- Gates E, near gate E46, third floor
- Flights
- Non-Schengen
- Hours
- Daily 06:00–22:30
- Entry
- Paid entry in any class; Priority Pass; for up to 3 hours, children under 2 free
Emirates Lounge
- Where
- Gates E
- Flights
- Emirates
- Entry
- Emirates First and Business passengers, except Business Special; Skywards Gold and Platinum members on an eligible flight; Economy, Premium Economy and Business Special passengers may buy entry, subject to availability
The airport's VIP Service, 05:00–23:00, has its own lounge for the passengers who book that service; no lounge card or ticket class admits you to it.
VIP Service at flughafen-zuerich.chTransit Hotel
Rooms by the hour and a rest area with twelve loungers, with blankets, lockers and showers; all are paid.
- Where
- Beside gates D, first floor, on the non-Schengen side
- Who may use it
- Passengers with a boarding pass and hand luggage only; from the Schengen side, not between 23:00 and 05:30
- Hours
- Reception 24 hours a day; closed for works from 9 to 22 November 2026, reopening on 23 November
- Price
- Showers CHF 25, towel and body care included (Zurich Airport, checked 13 October 2026)
Restaurants and cafés after security
In the Airside Center: Center Bar and Kitchen, open daily 04:30–22:00, Chalet Suisse, Marché and the Sportsbar. NZZ Café is at the A gates; at the E gates, Bakeside serves snacks and coffee daily 07:00–14:00.
- Where
- Airside Center; gates A; gates E
- Who may use it
- Passengers past security, in the areas their flight allows
Prayer room
A multi-faith prayer room for passengers.
- Where
- Gates D, past passport control
- Who may use it
- Passengers at the D gates
Observation Deck E
An observation deck at the E gates; weather or events may close it.
- Where
- Gates E, past passport control
- Who may use it
- Passengers flying from the E gates
- Hours
- Weekdays 08:00–21:30 by the airport's page, in winter 08:00–21:45 by its terminal regulations; at weekends, check before you go
Smoking and vaping are allowed indoors only in the designated smoking zones, and never at the entrances and exits.
Smoking lounges map at flughafen-zuerich.chFamilies and assistance
Beyond security at the A gates, Family Services offers a staffed family room free of charge, and play areas stand near several gates. Passengers with reduced mobility ask their airline for the airport's assistance at least 48 hours ahead.
Family Services
A staffed family room with changing tables, a quiet room for breastfeeding with baby beds, a microwave and dishes, and toys and games. It is not childcare: children stay with an adult.
- Where
- Gates A, after security
- Who may use it
- Families flying with any airline, free of charge
- Hours
- Daily 06:00–20:30
Play areas
Play areas without supervision: children stay in the care of the adults with them.
- Where
- Near gates A70 and A80, and in the B and D gate areas
- Who may use it
- Passengers past security, in the areas their flight allows
Assistance for reduced mobility
The airport's assistance service helps passengers with reduced mobility through the airport. Request it from your airline or travel agent when you book, or at least 48 hours before departure, for your return flight too. On departure, go to an assistance pick-up point two hours before your flight; on arrival, it helps retrieve your baggage and accompanies you to a meeting point in the arrival hall.
- Who may use it
- Passengers with reduced mobility
If your flight is delayed
If your flight is delayed or you miss a connection, your airline is generally the one to rebook or refund you: go to its desk, and keep your documents and the times.
Zurich is a silent airport: routine departures are not announced throughout the terminal, so follow your flight on the screens, on the airport's flight information or with your airline.
Departures at flughafen-zuerich.chThe public buildings stay open 24 hours, but check-in, restaurants and services keep their own hours, and beyond security what you can reach depends on your gate.
For a long wait beyond security, the lounges above are places to rest; the Transit Hotel beside the D gates rents rooms by the hour and loungers, except from 9 to 22 November 2026.
A missing or damaged bag is reported to your airline; something lost in the airport goes to its Lost and Found, and something lost on a train or at the station to SBB's.
Lost and found at flughafen-zuerich.chAcross the day
- Public buildingsOpen 24 hours
- Check-inFrom 04:00 at the earliest to 22:00 at the latest, by airline
- Airport Information06:00–23:30
- Luggage storage counter06:00–22:00; lockers at any hour
- Center Bar and Kitchen04:30–22:00
- SWISS lounges, Airside Center05:30–22:00; Alpine to 18:00
- Family Services06:00–20:30
Getting to and from the airport
Zürich Flughafen railway station lies beneath Check-in 3. Trains leave for Zürich HB, the main station, every 10 minutes, and the journey takes 15 minutes.
Train, tram and bus at flughafen-zuerich.chBy public transport to Crans-Montana, take a train to Sierre, for example with a change at Visp, then the funicular or a bus up to the resort; check the whole journey for your date before you travel.
Public transport to Crans-Montana at crans-montana.chTravelling on to Crans-Montana by road? Our page on airport transfers between Zurich Airport and Crans-Montana sets out where your chauffeur meets you in the arrival hall, the waiting included from landing and how to plan either direction.
Spending a few days in Zurich before the mountains? Our private transfers between Zurich city and Crans-Montana collect you at your hotel or another agreed address when you travel on.
Sources
Every fact on this page was checked on 13 October 2026 at the sources below, and again on 17 October 2026 wherever they could be read. The airport's own pages come first; lounge details also come from SWISS, Priority Pass, Aspire, marhaba, Primeclass and Emirates, and the journey to Crans-Montana from SBB and the resort.
Zurich Airport
- Airport Information, Arrival 2
- Check-in
- SWISS at Zurich Airport
- New routes during construction
- Liquid limit raised for local passengers
- Wi-Fi and internet
- All food and drink, with upperdeck, Center Bar and Kitchen and Bakeside
- Baggage services
- Showers
- Airport chaplaincy
- Airport Park
- Observation Deck B
- Observation Deck E
- ZRH Comfort
- SWISS lounges: First, Airside Center, First, E, Business and Senator, Airside Center, Business, D, Senator, D, Senator, E and Arrival
- Aspire Lounge Airside Center and Aspire lounges
- Aspire Lounge E
- marhaba Lounge
- Primeclass Lounge
- Emirates Lounge
- VIP Lounge
- Transit Hotel and Transit Hotel and day rooms
- Family Services and Family Services A
- Play areas map
- Prayer room
- Smoking lounges map
- Assistance for passengers with reduced mobility
- Departures
- Lost and found
- Train, tram and bus
- Terminal regulations 2026 (public buildings, announcements, smoking and play areas)