We arrive in Zurich at 8:30 am and know we will have to go through customs in Zurich. We will be heading to Basel directly after arrival by train. How much time should we expect from getting off our flight to getting through customs? We did not book our tickets yet, as we figured there is really no way of knowing how much time it will take. Once we purchase the tickets - do they need validating or are they just hop on - and conductor/attendant will check them on board?
Posted by
Seattle, WA
16183 posts
I believe you mean immigration/passport control, not customs. We have never spent more than 5 minutes in the immigration line at Zurich airport, but that could always change. Then you collect your bags and just walk through the green "nothing to declare" line ( assuming you indeed have nothing to declare)--- that is all there is to "customs".
The train station is downstairs in the airport---just follow the signs. They even have a train picture. You can buy your tickets frommthe machine or from an agent at the window---best option if you have any questions on the route or timing. No validation required.
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
You DO NOT buy tickets in advance for Swiss Railways, neither do you need to "book" or "reserve" (except for the few special tourist trains). The price is the same whether you buy on the day or before. It will cost CHF 38, full fare 2nd class from Zürich airport to Basel, CHF 19 if you have a half fare card. When you buy a ticket it is valid on any train on that day. Neither do Swiss tickets need validating.
Once you get through arrivals, just follow the signs "bahn/railway", buy a ticket from either a ticket machine or the manned counter, and get on the next train.
There is one direct train per hour from Zürich airport to Basel, and two more per hour where you change at Zürich HBf. In either case takes about 1h20.
As Lola says, customs never takes any time at any airport in Europe, as you just walk through the "green channel". Immigration (passport control) is usuallly fast at Zürich, typically 5-10 minutes.
Posted by
Green Bay
20023 posts
There is a connection to Basel about every 15 minutes from the airport train station (actually in the basement of the mall/parking structure across the street). The fastest connections are with a change at Zurich Hbf, but a few are direct but taking about 15 minutes longer than the 1 hour using the main station (Hbf) connections.
Posted by
OP
Gulf Coast, usa
1157 posts
Thanks for the quick responses - feel better about making that 9:43 train but no, we didn't buy ahead of time. Will wait until day of - thanks!