Among other purchase options, you can buy your ticket at one of our numerous automatic ticket machines. Here you will find an explanation of the easiest way to obtain your ticket at a ticket machine.

The ZVV Automatic ticket machine

At present, the new automatic ticket machines are now in a test phase. The test machines are located at Bellevue, Albisriederplatz, Limmatplatz and Paradeplatz. As soon as this phase is completed, the new machines will be installed in a rolling launch.

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What the ZVV automatic ticket machine looks like:

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The start screen

The offerings on the start screen adjust to the location of the automatic ticket machine and the time of day. For instance, you will only see the 9 o’clock day pass option during valid hours of use.

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The product range of the test machines

At the new ZVV automatic ticket machines, you can purchase the same product range offered on the old machines: single tickets, day passes, zone upgrades, etc. Now you will also be able to obtain the following products as well:

• Multiple tickets (multiple-journey tickets, multiple day passes, etc.)
• Extension of personal monthly travelcards
• Transferable, non-personalised monthly and annual travelcards
• ZürichCARD 24 hours/72 hours

Further advantages

• The most frequently purchased tickets are visible at first glance.
• Along with coins, you will be able to pay with all major credit and debit cards.
• The machine offers a shopping cart function.
• The machine speaks German, French, Italian and English.
• Even for people with impaired vision or in a wheelchair, the ticket machine is easy to use.

Payment options

You can pay for your ticket with coins as in the past as well as with the new option of debit and credit cards. Banknotes are not accepted. Banknote processing equipment takes up a lot of space and is susceptible to theft and vandalism.

Future product range

In the future, the automatic ticket machines will be equipped with the following functions and products:

• Place of departure of your choice
• Tickets for national traffic routes (e.g. Zurich–Berne)
• Combo tickets (e.g. public transport tickets with zoo entrance)

Additional options such as topping up prepay cards for mobile phones are still being examined for possible introduction at a later point in time.

If you have any questions about the new automatic ticket machine or encounter any problems, please get in touch with ZVV-Contact at 0848 988 988 (8 centimes/minute).

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When is a ticket vending machine or a ticket puncher installed at a stop?

Generally, there is a ticket vending machine located at every stop. If none is available, you have the possibility to buy your ticket in the bus. That is the case for all interurban bus lines, as well as for some city-lines.

General criteria for setting up a ticket vending machine or a ticket puncher:

• A ticket vending machine is installed at a stop, if more than 10’000 tickets are sold, and more than 100’000 passengers are served at that stop each year.

• Additional ticket vending machines are installed at a stop, if more than 70’000 tickets are sold annually. They can also be installed in case of special local circumstances or complex transfer conditions.

• At stops which only have one ticket vending machine, an additional ticket puncher will be installed, if the stop doesn’t fulfill the necessary outlet/passenger criteria of the ZVV to warrant an additional ticket vending machine installation, but the local circumstances require a solution regardless.