Zurich‘s main train station, referred to by locals as HB (Hauptbahnhof), is right in the centre of the city. Zurich‘s major shopping mile Bahnhofstrasse starts just outside. All international and domestic trains leave and arrive here. From the platforms just follow the herd towards the main hall, where you will find ticket offices and the Tourist Information. Trams, buses and taxis leave just outside the station.

From the main station trains to all major Swiss cities leave once or twice an hour. Several direct trains a day leave here for many European destinations, such as Milan (4hrs), Paris (4.5hrs), Munich (4hrs), Berlin (8hrs) or Vienna (9hrs).

At the ticket office in the main hall you can buy train tickets, tickets for public transport in Zurich (available as well on the many ticket machines) and also change money. You must pay a fee to use the toilets (McClean), where you can also shower. SBB by the way is the abbreviation for the major Swiss national railway company, and becomes CFF or FFS in French or Italian respectively. Fro time tables and ticket you can also refer to www.sbb.ch, call (+41) 900 300 300 (1.19Sfr/min) or download the free app 'SBB Mobile' to your smartphone.

The train station can compete with any shopping centre, with a range of mostly subterranean shops, restaurants, a gym, a medical centre etc. They are all open from 09:00 - 21:00 on weekdays and 09:00 - 20:00 on weekends (some shops have longer opening hours). On Sundays shops in railway stations and petrol stations are the only ones allowed to be open.