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Switzerlandchecked Jul 2026StraightforwardTaxis in Switzerland, and why to take the train
Swiss taxis are honest and metered, but among the most expensive anywhere, and the public transport is so good that you will rarely want one. Here is how it works.
At a glance
Apps
Uber (in the big cities)
Taxis
Metered, honest, very expensive
From the airport
The train easily beats a taxi
Tipping
Round up (service included)
Uber works in the big cities (Zurich, Geneva, Basel, Lausanne), and regular taxis are metered, honest and regulated by the canton. The catch is price: Swiss taxis are among the most expensive in the world. Because the trains, trams and buses are superb and reasonably priced by comparison, most visitors barely use taxis. From the airport, the train easily beats a taxi. Service is included, so you only round up.
Which app, and the transit alternative
Uber operates in the larger cities (Zurich, Geneva, Basel, Lausanne), and local taxi apps and ranks cover the rest. Regular taxis are ordered by phone or found at a rank rather than hailed.
The honest advice: Switzerland's trains, trams and buses are punctual, extensive and good value next to a taxi, so most visitors use transit for almost everything and keep taxis for late nights or heavy bags.
From the airport, take the train
From Zurich (ZRH) and Geneva (GVA), the train station is inside the airport, and trains reach the city center in around 10 to 15 minutes for a modest fare.
A taxi covers the same trip for many times the price, so unless you have a lot of luggage or a group, the train is the clear choice.
Honest and metered, but pricey
Swiss taxis run on regulated per-canton tariffs, so the meter is honest and there is nothing to haggle over. Cards are widely accepted.
The only real thing to know is that they are expensive, among the priciest anywhere, so treat a taxi as a convenience rather than a default and lean on public transport.
Fares, paying and tipping
Fares are metered and paid in francs, by card or cash. Service is included, so you do not owe a percentage, just round up a little for good service.
For more, see tipping in Switzerland, cash or card in Switzerland, and the Switzerland money guide.
Common questions
Quick answers.
Is Uber in Switzerland?
Yes, Uber operates in the larger cities such as Zurich, Geneva, Basel and Lausanne. Regular taxis are metered and honest but expensive, so most visitors use the excellent public transport instead.
Should I take a taxi from Zurich or Geneva airport?
Usually not: the train station is inside the airport and reaches the city in 10 to 15 minutes for a modest fare, far cheaper than a very pricey taxi. Take the train unless you have heavy bags or a group.
Are Swiss taxis expensive?
Yes, among the most expensive in the world. They are metered and honest, with regulated per-canton tariffs, but the price is why most visitors lean on trains, trams and buses instead.
Do you tip taxi drivers in Switzerland?
Only by rounding up. Service is included in Switzerland, so you do not owe a percentage, just round up the fare a little for good service.
More on Switzerland
The little money things nobody warns you about.
- Tipping in SwitzerlandSwitzerland is a light-tipping country. Service was folded into prices long ago and staff earn strong wages, so nobody expects a US-style percentage. Rounding up for good service is the norm. Here is what you actually owe.
- Do I need cash in Switzerland, or can I use cards?Short answer: a card for almost everything, a little cash in francs. Switzerland is very card-friendly, but the thing to get right is the currency: it uses Swiss francs, not euros, despite being surrounded by the eurozone.
- Bringing your dog or cat to Switzerland.Switzerland runs on the single EU pet-entry process for a US-origin dog or cat: microchip, rabies in the right order, and an EU health certificate on a 10-day clock. No quarantine, no rabies titer. Here is what that means for Switzerland, and the local parts worth knowing.
Sources, and how this was checked
Last checkedJul 2026
- Switzerland Tourismofficial travel information
- US State DepartmentSwitzerland country information
Our own readSwiss taxis are honest and metered but very expensive, and the superb public transport is usually the better choice. Fares and app coverage shift over time, so this is our practical read. Checked July 2026.
How we checkHow every guide is researched, checked and dated