Owais Crawford
Switzerland is a country with a highly developed and efficient transportation system, including a network of airports that connect it to the rest of the world. The country has 36 airports in total, eight of which are commonly used by tourists. Switzerland's busiest and largest airport is Zurich Airport, which serves as a hub for Swiss International Airlines and is located 13km from the country's largest city, Zurich. The airport is also known as Kloten International Airport and is one of Europe's major international gateways, serving 31 million passengers annually. Geneva Airport, located near the United Nations headquarters, is another crucial airport for diplomatic and international travel.
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What You'll Learn
- Zurich Airport, Switzerland's busiest airport, is located 13km from the city centre
- Geneva Airport, situated near the United Nations headquarters, is a hub for diplomatic travel
- Sion Airport is located 1.5 miles from Sion, a small city in the heart of the Valais Alps
- St. Gallen Airport is located near Lake Constance, near the intersection of Switzerland, Austria, and Germany
- EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg serves three countries: Switzerland, France, and Germany
Zurich Airport, Switzerland's busiest airport, is located 13km from the city centre
Switzerland has eight major airports that are commonly used by tourists. The busiest of these is Zurich Airport, which is located 13 kilometres (8.1 miles) north of central Zurich, in the municipalities of Kloten, Rümlang, Oberglatt, Winkel, and Opfikon. All of these municipalities are within the canton of Zurich. The airport is also known as Kloten and is the largest international airport in Switzerland. It is the principal hub of Swiss International Air Lines and served 31 million passengers in 2018.
Zurich Airport offers scheduled flights to about 195 destinations in 62 countries. The airport has three terminals, A, B, and E, linked to a central airside building known as the Airside Centre. It has great rail connections to downtown Zurich and other major Swiss cities. Rail lines S2 and S16 can take you to Zurich's main rail station in about ten minutes, and the train costs only $7 each way. There is also a bus service into the city centre, and taxis to the city centre will cost between $50 and $70 and take around 15 minutes.
The airport has a range of attractions, including duty-free shopping, a viewing terrace, a park, and walking routes. The first regular international flight service from Zurich Airport began on 1 June 1922, with an Ad Astra Aero route to Fürth, Germany. In 1945, the Swiss federal parliament decided that Zurich was to be the site of a major airport, and construction began the following year. The first flight departed the airport in 1947.
Zurich Airport is conveniently located in the middle of Europe, making it a popular launching point for people looking to travel within the continent. It is also a popular airport for visitors to Bern, who will often fly into Zurich and then take an hour-long train ride to the capital city.
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Geneva Airport, situated near the United Nations headquarters, is a hub for diplomatic travel
Switzerland has eight major airports, with the largest and busiest being Zurich Airport, which serves 31 million passengers annually. The country's other major airport is Geneva Airport, which is situated near the United Nations headquarters in the Pâquis-Nations neighbourhood. As a result, Geneva Airport is a hub for diplomatic travel, serving as a gateway to the United Nations Office at Geneva, where delegates hold meetings and visitors can take guided tours. The airport is located 1.8 miles (2.9 km) from central Pâquis-Nations, with the Transports Publics Genevois offering public transport connections to the United Nations site. The airport is also accessible by taxi, with taxis to the Geneva city centre costing around $50.
Geneva Airport is not just a hub for diplomatic travel but also a popular gateway for tourists visiting Switzerland. The airport offers a range of amenities, including duty-free shopping, a viewing terrace, a park, and walking routes, making it an attractive destination for travellers. Its proximity to the United Nations headquarters further enhances its appeal, providing visitors with easy access to the international organisations and museums in the area.
The United Nations European Headquarters in Geneva is a bustling centre for international diplomacy. It is home to various organisations, including the World Trade Organization and the International Museum of the Red Cross and Red Crescent. Visitors to the United Nations Office in Geneva can expect a comprehensive guided tour experience. Delegates' meetings take place in the same spaces where visitors are guided by knowledgeable tour guides. To maintain the professional environment, visitors are reminded to remain with their tour groups at all times, keep noise levels down, and respect the working environment.
Geneva's efficient public transport system, including trams, buses, and ferries, provides seamless connections between the airport and the United Nations headquarters. The Palais des Nations transit stop, Appia, serves as the entry point to the United Nations Office at Geneva. Visitors can purchase travel cards or passes at the main TPG centres (Rive, Cornavin, and Bachet de Pesay), and hotels often provide complimentary Geneva Transport Cards for guests. While parking is not available within the premises of the Palais des Nations, underground parking is accessible at the Place des Nations, conveniently located next to the United Nations complex.
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Sion Airport is located 1.5 miles from Sion, a small city in the heart of the Valais Alps
Switzerland has eight major airports used by tourists, with its primary airports in Zurich and Geneva. However, there are smaller regional airports that serve both domestic and international destinations. One such airport is Sion Airport, located 1.5 miles from Sion, a small city nestled in the heart of the Valais Alps. Sion Airport is about 2.5 kilometres southwest of Sion city in the Rhone Valley and first opened in 1935. The airport is easily accessible by bus, with Bus #1 connecting it to the main bus station in Sion, which is near the train station. From there, passengers can take the Matterhorn Gottard Bahn to get to Matterhorn, Zermatt, and other ski areas to the south. Sion Airport is also a military base, serving as one of the four jetfighter air bases for the Swiss Air Force, alongside Payerne, Meiringen, and Emmen.
Sion Airport is relatively small, with 25,992 passengers travelling through it in 2019. The nearest larger international airport is Geneva Airport, approximately 110 kilometres (68 miles) to the west. The Swiss Air Force extensively utilises Sion Airport with various aircraft, including fighter jets F/A-18 and F-5 Tiger, as well as helicopters. Sion Airport is equipped with retractable arresting gear devices at both ends of the runway, catering to the F/A-18 and, in case of an issue, the F-5.
The city of Sion itself is a small city surrounded by the majestic Valais Alps. It serves as a gateway to some of Switzerland's best ski resorts, such as Zermatt. Sion's proximity to these ski resorts makes it an attractive destination for skiers and winter sports enthusiasts. The city's location in the heart of the Valais Alps provides a stunning backdrop for visitors, with towering mountains and picturesque landscapes.
While Sion Airport caters to commercial flights, it also has a significant military presence. The Swiss Air Force has a strong presence at the airport, and it serves as a base for the militia pilot unit Fliegerstaffel 19 Swans with F-5E. Sion Airport's dual role as a commercial and military airport contributes to its unique character and importance in the region.
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St. Gallen Airport is located near Lake Constance, near the intersection of Switzerland, Austria, and Germany
Switzerland has eight major airports commonly used by tourists, with the largest and busiest being Zurich Airport, which sees 31 million annual passengers. Geneva Airport is also a major airport in Switzerland. However, there are smaller regional airports that serve both domestic and international destinations. One of these smaller airports is St. Gallen Airport, located near Lake Constance, near the intersection of Switzerland, Austria, and Germany.
St. Gallen Airport, also known as St. Gallen–Altenrhein Airport, is a small airport in Altenrhein in the Canton of St. Gallen, Switzerland. It is situated near Lake Constance (Bodensee) and is open for various private and commercial flights, as well as seasonal charters. The airport owns its own airline, People's Airline, which frequently flies the Vienna-St. Gallen route. The airport is conveniently located near the railway stations of Rorschach and Rheineck, which can be reached in just five minutes. Taxis and shuttle services are also available at the airport, and it takes about 20 minutes to reach the city centre of St. Gallen by taxi.
St. Gallen Airport is a great starting point for travellers interested in visiting nearby countries or even other parts of Switzerland. For example, from the airport, you can easily travel to Vaduz in the Principality of Liechtenstein, Bad Ragaz, the Heidiland region, or Appenzell. During the winter, St. Gallen Altenrhein is a convenient starting point for the resorts of St. Moritz, Arosa, and Davos.
Interestingly, St. Gallen–Altenrhein Airport serves as an alternative landing site for planes unable to land at St. Moritz / Engadin Airport due to bad weather. This airport in eastern Switzerland is thus a versatile and important aviation hub for the region.
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EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg serves three countries: Switzerland, France, and Germany
Switzerland has eight major airports, with Zurich and Geneva being the largest, serving both domestic and international destinations. One of these airports, the EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg, is unique in that it serves three countries: Switzerland, France, and Germany. The airport is located in the French Alsace region, which borders both Switzerland and Germany. It is situated 3.7 miles from Basel in Switzerland, 16.8 miles from Mulhouse in France, and 44 miles from Freiburg in Germany.
The EuroAirport is one of the few airports in the world operated jointly by two countries, France and Switzerland, and is governed by a 1949 international convention. Although the airport is entirely on French soil and under French jurisdiction, Swiss authorities have the authority to apply Swiss laws regarding customs, medical services, and police work in the Swiss section, including the customs road connecting Basel with the airport. The Swiss section of the airport is home to the headquarters of Swiss International Air Lines and Swiss Global Air Lines, as well as the Swiss division Swiss Aviation Software.
The airport is easily accessible from all three countries. On the Swiss side, there is a bus service from the airport to the Basel SBB railway station, which is the main Swiss and French railway station in Basel. On the French side, there is a bus connection to the Saint-Louis railway station, and on the German side, the Flixbus company offers connections to Zurich, Basel, and Freiburg. Taxis are also available at the airport.
The EuroAirport offers a range of amenities, including ATMs, bureaux de change, restaurants, bars, snack bars, duty-free shops, newsagents, and a hotel information desk. There is also a Swiss Railways ticket counter in the Swiss section of the airport. Long- and short-term car parking is available on both the French and Swiss sides of the airport, with all car parks within a 10-minute walk of the terminal complex.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, there are 36 airports in Switzerland.
Zurich Airport, also known as Kloten International Airport, is the largest and busiest airport in Switzerland. It is located 13km from Zurich and offers flights from many international airlines.
Zurich Airport has all the facilities you would expect from a major international airport, including a lounge area, free Wi-Fi, porter services, eateries, children's play areas, and a family area.
Geneva Airport, also known as Cointrin Airport, is a crucial hub for diplomatic and international travel. Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg Airport serves Switzerland, France, and Germany. Other smaller regional airports include Sion Airport, St. Gallen Airport, and Bern Airport.
You can take a 15-minute taxi to the airport, which will cost between $50 and $70. Alternatively, you can take the train, which takes the same amount of time but only costs $7. There are 13 trains per hour, and the journey takes between 9 and 13 minutes.
