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City guide

Zürich, Switzerland

Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zurich. It is in north-central Switzerland, at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich.

Type CityPopulation 436,551Metro Area Population 1,450,000

Why go

  • Largest city in Switzerland.
  • 1 recommended spot to eat and drink.
  • Served by Zürich Airport (ZRH).

History

Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zurich. It is in north-central Switzerland, at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich. As of the end of 2024, the municipality had a population of 436,551, while the urban area was home to 1.45 million people (2020), and the Zurich metropolitan area had a total population of 2.1 million (2020). Zurich is a hub for railways, roads, and air traffic. Both Zurich Airport and Zurich's main railway station are the largest and busiest in the country.

Where to stay

Talstrasse 1, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland · bauraulac.ch
Indoor
Zurich Airport, Rondellstrasse, 8058 Zürich, Switzerland · radissonhotels.com
Indoor
Beatenpl. 4, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland · ruby-hotels.com
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Kurhausstrasse 65, 8032 Zürich, Switzerland · thedoldergrand.com
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Stationsstrasse 7, 8003 Zürich, Switzerland · zumgutenglueck.ch
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Langstrasse 150, 8004 Zürich, Switzerland · 25hours-hotels.com
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Engimattstrasse 14, 8002 Zürich, Switzerland · engimatt.ch
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Bahnhofplatz 7, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland · hotelschweizerhof.com
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Niederdorfstrasse 40, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland · hotel-alexander.ch
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Tessinerpl. 9, 8002 Zürich, Switzerland · lockeliving.com
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Kalandergasse 1, 8045 Zürich, Switzerland · thehomehotel.ch
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Dammstrasse 1, 8037 Zürich, Switzerland · delta-cityhotels.com
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Weberstrasse 11, 8004 Zürich, Switzerland · saintgeorges-hotel.ch
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Central 1, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland · central.ch
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Steinwiesstrasse 8, 8032 Zürich, Switzerland · byfassbind.com
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Friesenbergstrasse 15, 8055 Zürich, Switzerland · hotel-neufeld.ch
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Badenerstrasse 420, 8040 Zürich, Switzerland · ihg.com
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Bahnhofstrasse 87, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland · hotelstgotthard.ch
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Limmatquai 88, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland · kronezurich.ch
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Maneggstrasse 41, 8041 Zürich, Switzerland · meininger-hotels.com
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Limmatquai 142, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland · limmathof.com
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Limmatquai 136, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland · limmatblick.ch
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Schifflände 26, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland · greenmarmot.com
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Konradstrasse 39, 8005 Zürich, Switzerland · hotelmontana-zurich.com
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Pfingstweidstrasse 100, 8005 Zürich, Switzerland · marriott.com
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Neumühlequai 42, 8006 Zürich, Switzerland · marriott.com
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Buckhauserstrasse 36, 8048 Zürich, Switzerland · placid.ch
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Zwinglistrasse 14, 8004 Zürich, Switzerland · easyhotel.com
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Stauffacherstrasse 141, 8004 Zürich, Switzerland · fuerdich.ch
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Asylstrasse 125, 8032 Zürich, Switzerland
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Stockerstrasse 61, 8002 Zürich, Switzerland · motel-one.com
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Eat & drink

Restaurants & places to go

Regional, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Sa 18:00-22:00; Su 17:30-22:00; Mo off Features: vegan options Wikipedia: en:Blindekuh (restaurant) · 148… · blindekuh.ch
Indoor
Cake, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Su 09:00-19:00 Features: outdoor seating Wikipedia: de:Conditorei Schober · 4 Napfgasse, Zürich, 8001 · cafe1842.ch
Indoor
Sausage, Swiss, Restaurant · Features: outdoor seating, step-free access Wikipedia: en:Bauschänzli · 2 Stadthausquai, Zürich, 8001 · bauschaenzli.com
Indoor
Cafe · Opening hours: Tu-Th 17:00-23:00; Fr-Sa 13:30-24:00; Su 13:30-18:00 Wikipedia: en:Cabaret Voltaire (Zurich)?uselang=de · 1 Spiegelgasse, Zürich, 8001 · cabaretvoltaire.ch
Indoor
Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-We 07:00-22:00; Th-Fr 07:00-23:00; Sa 08:00-23:00; Su 10:00-22:00 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway, vegan options, step-free… · hiltl.ch
Indoor
Italian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 11:30-23:30 Features: step-free access · 2 St. Annagasse, Zürich, 8001 · ristorante-ornellaia.ch
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Fine Dining, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Sa 18:30-24:00 · 163 Stauffacherstrasse, Zürich, 8004 · equi-table.ch
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French, Regional, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 12:00-24:00 · 4 Rämistrasse, Zürich, 8001 · kronenhalle.com
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International, Restaurant · International restaurant · aupavillon.ch
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Peruvian, Restaurant · Features: outdoor seating · 2 Hopfenstrasse, 8045 · nido-restaurant.com
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Vietnamese, Asian, International, Coffee Shop, Burger, Sandwich, Chicken, Japanese, Chinese, Thai, American, Ice Cream, Seafood, Noodle, Steak House, Fish,… · eclipsebarlounge.com
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Burger, Ice Cream, Pasta, Fast Food · Kleines Restaurant mit Aussenbestuhlung am See Opening hours: Mo-Su 09:00-20:00 Features: outdoor seating, vegetarian… · badeplatz.ch
Indoor
Mediterranean, Local, Restaurant · Gastro Pavillon Opening hours: Mo-Fr 11:15-14:00 · 47 Hönggerbergring, Zürich, 8093 · bellavista-ethz.ch
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Jewish, Restaurant · The only kosher meat restaurant in Zurich. Entrance through the Jewish community center ICZ. For security reasons, all visitors will be… · florentin.rest
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Coffee Shop, Regional, Sandwich, Ice Cream, Breakfast, Cake, Tea, Salad, Dessert, Pastry, Soup, Bistro, Cafe · Cozy neighborhood performance café with… · whisper.zuerich
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Fast Food · early closure if weather is bad Opening hours: Mo-Su 09:00-24:00 Features: outdoor seating · 21 Mythenquai, Zürich, 8002 · hafen-enge-beiz.ch
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Pizza, Restaurant · Opening hours: Nov-Mar Mo-Sa 11:30-22:00; Apr-Oct Su-Th 11:00-23:00; Apr-Oct Fr-Sa 11:00-24:00 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway, vegan… · dieci.ch
Indoor
Breakfast, Coffee Shop, Sandwich, Cake, Salad, Pastry, Bakery, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 07:00-17:00; Sa off; Su 08:00-13:00 Features: takeaway · 33… · walterbuchmann.ch
Indoor
Salad, Sandwich, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Th 07:00-20:00; Fr 07:00-18:00; Sa 11:00-15:00; Su,PH off Features: takeaway, step-free access · 19… · deananddavid.ch
Indoor
Thai, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 11:00-14:30,17:30-23:00; Sa-Su 17:30-23:00 Features: takeaway, vegetarian options · 81 Sihlfeldstrasse, Zürich, 8004 · fivespices.biz
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Chicken, Fast Food · Opening hours: Fr-Sa 10:00-01:00, Su-Th 10:00-23:00 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway · 16a Industriestrasse, Volketswil, 8604 · kfc-suisse.ch
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Chinese, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 11:00-14:00,17:30-22:00; Sa 11:30-14:30,17:30-22:00; Su 17:30-22:00; PH closed Features: takeaway, vegetarian… · royal-panda.ch
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Pasta, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Th 11:30-23:00; Fr-Sa 11:30-25:00; Su 11:30-22:30 · 5 Niederdorfstrasse, Zürich, 8001 · bindella.ch
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Sandwich, Coffee Shop, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 06:30-18:30; Sa 07:00-15:00; Su 08:00-16:00 Features: outdoor seating, vegetarian options, step-free access… · flughafebeck.ch
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Bagel, Cake, Coffee Shop, Donut, Local, Sandwich, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 07:00-18:00; Sa 08:00-17:00; Su 09:00-16:00 Features: outdoor seating, vegan… · bakerybakery.ch
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Lebanese, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 11:30-14:30, Mo-Th 18:00-22:00, Fr-Sa 18:00-22:30; Su 11:00-16:00 · 31 Nüschelerstrasse, Zürich, 8001 · libanesisch.ch
Indoor
Korean, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 11:00-23:00, Sa 12:00-23:00, Su 12:00-22:00 Features: outdoor seating · 97 Badenerstrasse, Zürich, 8004 · miss-miu.ch
Indoor
Swiss, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Fr 07:00-16:30; Sa 15:00-24:00 Features: outdoor seating, step-free access · 2 Anna-Heer-Strasse, Zürich, 8057 · restaurant-anna.ch
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Indian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Fr 12:00-14:00, 18:00-22:00; Sa 18:00-23:00 Features: outdoor seating · 96 Seefeldstrasse, Zürich, 8008 · chaat.ch
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Spanish, Restaurant · Opening hours: We-Sa 17:00-23:00 Features: vegan options · 112 Weststrasse, Zürich, 8003 · corwineandpintxos.com
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Austrian, Chicken, German, Restaurant · Opening hours: We-Sa 11:45-23:30; Su 11:45-21:30 Features: outdoor seating, vegetarian options · 25 Dorfstrasse,… · oxen.ch
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Mexican, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:30-23:00 · 138 Badenerstrasse, Zürich, 8004 · lataqueria.ch
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American, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Tu 17:30-23:00; We-Sa 17:30-24:00, Sa 10:00-14:00; Su 10:00-17:00 · 106 Zweierstrasse, Zürich, 8003 · lous-restaurant.ch
Indoor
Asian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Fr,Su 11:30-14:30,17:30-22:30; Sa 17:30-22:30 Features: outdoor seating · 43 Oerlikonerstrasse, Zürich, 8057 · restaurant-nihao.ch
Indoor
Japanese, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 11:30-14:00, 18:00-00:00; Sa 18:00-00:00; Su 18:00-22:00 Features: outdoor seating · 53 Zentralstrasse, 8003 · ooki.tokyo
Indoor
Malaysian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Sa-Su 11:00-14:00, 17:00-22:00; Tu-Fr 17:00-22:00 Features: outdoor seating, vegan options · 189 Limmatstrasse, Zürich,… · afatt.ch
Indoor
Afghan, Oriental, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 11:30-14:00,18:00-22:00; Sa 18:00-22:00 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway, step-free access, air… · afghananar.ch
Indoor
African, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Sa 18:00-23:00 · 70 Stampfenbachstrasse, Zürich, 8006 · african-queen.ch
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Greek, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-We off; Th-Su 18:00-00:30 · 14 Ueberlandstrasse, Zürich, 8051 · tavernaapollo.ch
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Kebab, Pizza, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:00-23:00 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway, step-free access · ayverdis.ch
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Sushi, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Fr 11:30-14:00,17:00-23:00; Sa 17:00-23:00 Features: vegan options · 4 Zürichstrasse, Adliswil, 8134 · barfuesser.ch
Indoor
Fish, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 11:30-23:30; Su 11:30-22:30 Features: step-free access · 82 Limmatquai, Zürich, 8001 · bindella.ch
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Local, Mediterranean, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 05:00-18:00 · 448 Schaffhauserstrasse, 8050 · cafeami.ch
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Brazilian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 11:00-14:30,17:30-22:00; Sa-Su 11:00-22:00 Features: outdoor seating · Zürich, 8005 · picanha-brasil.ch
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Traditional, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 11:30-14:00, 17:30-24:00; Sa 10:00-14:00, 17:30-24:00; Su 11:30-24:00 Features: outdoor seating, step-free… · chaesalp.ch
Indoor

405 more places in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →

Airports

Zürich Airport (ZRH) 11 km to the centre
Zurich, ZH, CH — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 71 airlines (Swiss International Air Lines, Air Berlin, Lufthansa Cargo, United Airlines…) · direct flights to 137 destinations incl. Lisbon, Vienna, Berlin, Istanbul, London… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 71 airlines, 137 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor
Hausen am Albis Airfield 14 km to the centre
Hausen am Albis, ZH, CH
Outdoor
Buttwil Airfield 20 km to the centre
Buttwil, AG, CH
Outdoor
Birrfeld Airfield 24 km to the centre
Lupfig, AG, CH
Outdoor
Wangen-Lachen Airfield 31 km to the centre
Wangen, SZ, CH
Outdoor

Regional airports

Further out, but often the cheapest way in — the airports the low-cost carriers use. Each links to its own town's guide for getting from there into the city.

EuroAirport Basel–Mulhouse–Freiburg (BSL) 80 km to the centre
Bâle / Mulhouse, GES, FR — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 21 airlines (easyJet, Swiss International Air Lines, TUIfly, Air Berlin…) · direct flights to 66 destinations incl. Amsterdam, Brussels, Catania, Frankfurt, Gran Canaria… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Feeder airport · 80 km from Zürich · easyJet, Swiss International Air Lines, TUIfly · Getting around Basel →
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 21 airlines, 66 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor
Bodensee Airport Friedrichshafen (FDH) 82 km to the centre
Friedrichshafen, BW, DE — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 6 airlines (Intersky, Air Berlin, Germania, Germanwings…) · direct flights to 12 destinations incl. Palma de Mallorca, Antalya, Berlin, Cologne, Duesseldorf… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Feeder airport · 82 km from Zürich · Intersky, Air Berlin, Germania · Getting around Friedrichshafen →
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 6 airlines, 12 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor
Bern Airport (BRN) 92 km to the centre
Bern, BE, CH — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 1 airline (SkyWork Airlines) · direct flights to 12 destinations incl. Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Cologne, Hamburg… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Feeder airport · 92 km from Zürich · SkyWork Airlines · Getting around Bern (Berne), Switzerland →
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 1 airline, 12 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor | Outdoor

Getting there by ferry

Zürich Bürkliplatz (See)
Ferry terminal · 1.3 km from the centre · ZSG
Outdoor
Zürich Bellevue (See)
Ferry terminal · 1.5 km from the centre · ZSG
Outdoor
Zürich Storchen
Ferry terminal · 1.7 km from the centre · ZSG
Outdoor
Zürich Limmatquai
Ferry terminal · 1.8 km from the centre · ZSG
Outdoor
Zürich Wollishofen (See)
Ferry terminal · 1.9 km from the centre · ZSG
Outdoor
Zürich Landesmuseum
Ferry terminal · 2.3 km from the centre · ZSG
Outdoor
Bürkliplatz - Wollishofen
Ferry route
Outdoor
Bürkliplatz - Zürichhorn
Ferry route
Outdoor
3731: Minirundfahrt
Ferry route · ZSG
Outdoor
Zürichhorn - Tiefenbrunnen
Ferry route · ZSG
Outdoor
Tiefenbrunnen - Zollikon
Ferry route · ZSG
Outdoor
Wollishofen - Zollikon
Ferry route · ZSG
Outdoor
Wollishofen - Kilchberg
Ferry route
Outdoor
Kilchberg - Bürkliplatz
Ferry route
Outdoor

Where things are

Full geo-intelligence in Better Mapping →
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping base map © OSM

Photographs

When to go

Tourist season
May – September

The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.

Shoulder season
April, October

Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.

Worth avoiding
Deep winter

Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.

Getting there & around

Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Zürich Airport (ZRH); 5 other airports serve the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: ZRH has direct flights to 137 destinations on 71 airlines (incl. Lisbon, Vienna, Berlin, Istanbul, London…). By water: 6 ferry terminals within 20 km (nearest: Zürich Bürkliplatz (See), 1.3 km); routes include Bürkliplatz - Wollishofen, Bürkliplatz - Zürichhorn, 3731: Minirundfahrt.

Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Zürich, Switzerland. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.

Local transit

Bus · Schedules & GTFS data (official feed)

Trains & rail

National rail
National rail

Coaches & shuttles

Intercity coach

Private aviation

On-demand charter, jet cards and the semi-private scheduled carriers that serve this city.

FBO, charter, management · Managed fleet · FBO network and management across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.
Charter, management · Large-cabin & VIP airliners · Geneva-based operator known for large-cabin and VIP airliner charters.
Charter, management, FBO, MRO · Managed fleet worldwide · General Dynamics company: charter, completions and FBOs in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the US.
Broker · Any aircraft via operators worldwide · Global charter broker with 30+ offices; private jets, group charters and cargo.
Fractional, jet card · Embraer Praetor, Bombardier Challenger & Global, Gulfstream · Fractional ownership and jet cards in North America and Europe.

Tours & experiences

Sightseeing
Sightseeing · from CHF 35/pp