Zurich (ZRH) Airport Guide
from www.anyairportcarhire.com
SUMMARY
Zurich Airport is also called Kloten Airport by Swiss people and it is located in the canton of Zurich. It gets its name because the airport is located in the municipalities of Kloten, Rumlangand and Oberglatt. It is the main airport and international gateway in Switzerland. Like everything in Switzerland, Zürich airport is incredibly clean, efficient and modern and you can expect a good flying experience. In a nice touch when you take the train between terminals you can hear soothing sound effects of the Swiss Alps. Zürich airport is a hub for Swiss International Air Lines and it used to be a hub for Swiss Air.
When the latter airline shut down operations the airport lost a lot of traffic. This was then boosted by an increase in Lufthansa flights. In 2008, 22 million passengers passed through Zürich International airport. Skyguide, which is the Swiss Air Navigation Services Ltd, is responsible for all Air Traffic Control for Zurich. Not only can you fly to all of the major European cities but also to exotic destinations. Thai Airways International offers routes to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi, United airlines flies to Washington Dulles and US Airways flies to Philadelphia.
HISTORY
In 2003, a major expansion project at Zurich Airport was completed. As well as building a new terminal, an automated underground train was added to move passengers between the existing terminal and the new terminal, along with a new parking garage. In 2008, plans were given the go-ahead to renovate terminal B, with the main terrace being closed to visitors.
DIRECTIONS
The airport is located 6 miles to the north of the city of Zürich. Take the A20 road and follow signs to get to and from most of the major cities such as Zurich, St Gallen, Bern and Basel.
FACILITIES
For information go to the Service Center (043 816 8600) which is the main contact point. Further welcome desks are located in arrivals and in the new check-in area 3. And there are also FASTpoint terminals throughout the airport which provide advice about facilities, maps, shopping, schedules and other services.
Terminal E is connected to the main terminal building by an underground train. In fact underneath the terminal building there is the main train station - the Bahnhof SBB Flughafen Zürich from which you can connect to anywhere in the country.
Zürich airport has excellent facilities including showers if you need to freshen up after a long flight, supervised playrooms for young passengers and various other nice touches which have caused it to be recognised as one of Europe's leading airports.
Zürich airport looks after disabled passengers through its service provider Caregroup. They can assist people with mobility problems to get onto planes and also help you if you have a guide dog. Phones and Internet access are available throughout the airport as well as photocopiers and faxes.
SHOPPING
Zurich airport has excellent shopping. You can get high quality fragrances and cosmetics from the Davidoff Boutique, and the Dominican Republic is a special cigar shop. Not only does the Swiss brand La Prairie offer luxury beauty products but it even has a small spa where you can get basic facials and manicures.
DUTY FREE
Switzerland is incredibly famous for producing high quality chocolate and watches and these can be purchased from duty-free shops as ideal gifts. Because Switzerland is not part of the European Union it is possible to make duty-free purchases. The airport realised this and made every effort to maximise the shopping experience when it opened a new terminal and various shops run by the Nuance Group. If you want special offers you can order goods to collect before you arrive from the Duty Free Paradise website - http://www.dutyfreeparadise.ch/zrh_d_en.html
|
 |
CAR HIRE
With all leading suppliers located at the airport you wiil be spoilt for choice with
Zurich Airport car hire.