Winterthur is the sixth-largest city in Switzerland, 25 km northeast of the airport.

About Winterthur

Winterthur is Switzerland's hidden cultural powerhouse, home to 17 museums and one of Europe's finest art collections in a city of just 115,000 people. The Oskar Reinhart Collection 'Am Romerholz' features masterpieces by Renoir, Cezanne, El Greco, and Cranach in a villa setting, while the Fotomuseum and Kunstmuseum are world-class. The city's industrial heritage (former Sulzer and Rieter factories) has been repurposed into creative spaces, restaurants, and performance venues.

The beautifully preserved Old Town features a long pedestrian zone along Marktgasse and Steinberggasse with independent boutiques, cafes, and the Stadtkirche church. The Calatrava-designed Stadelhofen station addition and the converted Halle 53 event space reflect the city's blend of heritage and modernity. Winterthur is surrounded by vineyards and gentle hills, making it an ideal base for cycling and wine tasting in the Zurich wine region.

Nearby Landmarks

Oskar Reinhart Collection Fotomuseum Winterthur Old Town Stadtkirche Technorama

Transport Options

Taxi

Cost CHF 60-80
Time 20-30 minutes

Follow "Taxi" signs at arrivals. Queue at official taxi stand. Metered fares, no need to negotiate.

Train (S-Bahn S11)

Cost CHF 10
Time 20 minutes
Frequency Every 30 minutes

Step-by-Step Directions

Take S-Bahn S11 from airport station directly to Winterthur. No transfer needed. Runs every 30 minutes.

Quick Comparison

Option Cost Time Best For
Taxi CHF 60-80 20-30 minutes Convenience, groups, heavy luggage
Train CHF 10 20 minutes Budget, avoiding traffic

Good to Know

Late Night Transport

S-Bahn trains from Zurich Airport to Winterthur run until approximately midnight. After that, night buses within Winterthur serve the station area. A taxi from the airport costs approximately CHF 60-80 ($65-88).

Luggage Tips

S-Bahn trains have luggage areas. The journey is only 20 minutes, making luggage management trivial. Winterthur station has lockers and the pedestrian Old Town is a flat 5-minute walk from the station.

Accessibility

Swiss trains provide wheelchair-accessible carriages with level boarding. Winterthur station has elevators. The Old Town pedestrian zone is flat and fully accessible. Most museums have accessible entrances and facilities.