Directions
These directions are intended to help visually impaired and blind people navigate unfamiliar routes unaccompanied. They have been compiled in collaboration with the Swiss Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, SBV.
On this page
- internal page HGchevron_right
- internal page CABchevron_right
- internal page CHNchevron_right
- internal page LFWchevron_right
- internal page MLchevron_right
- internal page NOchevron_right
- internal page HCIchevron_right
- internal page HILchevron_right
- internal page HITchevron_right
- internal page HPHchevron_right
Format, starting point and destination
- Direction of travel: Where appropriate, a clockface is used to indicate the direction to walk in; for example: 3 o’clock to turn right, 12 o’clock for straight on, 10 o’clock for slight left.
- Destination: Where you want to get to, such as the name of the ETH building. The address of the building can be used as guidance in navigation apps (such as Google Maps, MyWay Pro, etc.) or other support tools.
- Starting point: The directions begin here.
- Distance in metres: Approximate distance (walking distance, rather than as the crow flies)
- Directions: The directions are as concise as they can be and as accurate as possible, but do not rule out changes arising at short notice such as building sites, shifting of objects/fixtures or changes in ground surfacing.
- Special points: Alerts about potential dangers or special situations
- Telephone info: Contact point if you need help or information on site.
Travel to the ETH Zentrum campus by public transport (tram)
- To make things simple, the starting point for all directions to the ETH Zentrum campus is the tram stop at the main railway station, “Zürich, Bahnhofstrasse/Hauptbahnhof”, tram number 6. If you need help finding this tram stop, one option is to contact the Main Station’s passenger assistance service at external pageZürcher Bahnhofhilfe (German)call_made. Please give them plenty of notice.
- For all the directions provided, the destination point for access to all buildings on the ETH Zentrum campus is the tram stop “Zürich, ETH/Universitätsspital”, at the level of the Main Building (HG).
- Please note: The tram stop for the return journey from all buildings on the ETH Zentrum campus is not located at the same spot where you arrived! For your return journey, use the tram stop “Zürich, ETH/Universitätsspital” in Tannenstrasse, at the level of Tannenstrasse 5.
- Destination: Main Building (HG), Rämistrasse 101, Zurich
- Starting point: Tram stop “ETH/Universitätsspital”, tram number 6 (and 9), at the level of the Main Building
- Distance in metres: 80
- Directions: Continue walking in the direction of travel. Find the lowered kerb on the right. Cross Rämistrasse. Keep straight, wide forecourt. Entrance is a little below the street.
- Special points: There are three tram stops in total at “ETH/Universitätsspital”:
- in the direction of the zoo, in Rämistrasse (downhill),
- in the direction of Irchel, in Rämistrasse (uphill),
- in the direction of the Main Station, in Tannenstrasse (downhill).
- Telephone info: +41 44 632 40 71
- Return journey: Take tram number 6 to the main station “Zürich, Bahnhofstrasse/Hauptbahnhof”. Tram stop “ETH/Universitätsspital” in Tannenstrasse, at the level of Tannenstrasse 5. Distance 150 metres. As you come out of the main exit, walk straight uphill to Rämistrasse. Turn 90 degrees to the left to Tannenstrasse, lowered kerb at the pedestrian crossing. Cross Tannenstrasse at 11 o’clock to the tram island. Walk down the tram island to the guidance area for boarding the tram, on the left.
- Destination: CAB Building, Universitätsstrasse 6, Zurich, entrance on the street side
- Starting point: Tram stop “ETH/Universitätsspital”, tram number 6 (and 9), at the level of the Main Building
- Distance in metres: 180
- Directions: Walk back in the opposite direction of travel, find the lowered kerb on the right, cross Rämistrasse (caution: first two tram tracks, then a central island, then a car lane). Turn 90 degrees to the left, walk along the footpath, gently uphill at first, then a bit steeper. After 150 metres in total, climb the steps to the right, series of several iron gates, a paved forecourt, more steps up to the main entrance.
- Special points: There are three tram stops in total at “ETH/Universitätsspital”:
- in the direction of the zoo, in Rämistrasse (downhill),
- in the direction of Irchel, in Rämistrasse (uphill),
- in the direction of the Main Station, in Tannenstrasse (downhill).
- Telephone info: +41 44 632 40 38
- Bahnhofstrasse/Hauptbahnhof”. Tram stop “ETH/Universitätsspital” in Tannenstrasse, at the level of Tannenstrasse 5. Distance 150 metres. Exit Universitätsstrasse 6. Walk down Universitätsstrasse on the same side. After 50 metres you reach the first guidance area with tactile paving right across the footpath. Don’t cross the street here, but continue another 40 metres till you reach a second guidance area with tactile paving. Lowered kerb for the pedestrian crossing on the right. Cross Universitätsstrasse (caution: first a car lane, then a central island, then two tram tracks, followed by another central island with a guidance area, and another car lane). 10 metres to the left find the lowered kerb, take the pedestrian crossing over Tannenstrasse, heading in a 2 o’clock direction. Walk down the tram island to the guidance area for boarding the tram, on the left.
- Destination: CHN Building, Universitätsstrasse 16, Zurich
- Starting point: Tram stop “ETH/Universitätsspital”, tram number 6 (and 9), at the level of the Main Building
- Distance in metres: 210
- Directions: Walk back in the opposite direction of travel, find the lowered kerb on the right, cross Rämistrasse (caution: first two tram tracks, then a central island, then a car lane). Turn 90 degrees to the left, walk along the footpath, gently uphill at first, then a bit steeper. After 200 metres in total, the building entrance is at 1 o’clock on the right.
- Special points: There are three tram stops in total at “ETH/Universitätsspital”:
- in the direction of the zoo, in Rämistrasse (downhill),
- in the direction of Irchel, in Rämistrasse (uphill),
- in the direction of the Main Station, in Tannenstrasse (downhill).
- Telephone info: +41 44 632 40 38
- Return journey: Take tram number 6 to the main station “Zürich, Bahnhofstrasse/Hauptbahnhof”. Tram stop “ETH/Universitätsspital” in Tannenstrasse, at the level of Tannenstrasse 5. Distance 200 metres. Walk down Universitätsstrasse on the same side. After 100 metres you reach the first guidance area with tactile paving across the entire footpath. Don’t cross the street here, but continue another 40 metres till you reach a second guidance area with tactile paving. Lowered kerb for the pedestrian crossing on the right. Cross Universitätsstrasse (caution: first a car lane, then a central island, then two tram tracks, followed by another central island with a guidance area, and another car lane). 10 metres to the left find the lowered kerb, take the pedestrian crossing over Tannenstrasse, heading in a 2 o’clock direction. Walk down the tram island to the guidance area for boarding the tram, on the left.
- Destination: LFW Building, Universitätsstrasse 2, Zurich
- Starting point: Tram stop “ETH/Universitätsspital”, tram number 6 (and 9), at the level of the Main Building
- Distance in metres: 100
- Directions: Walk back in the opposite direction of travel, find the lowered kerb on the right, cross Rämistrasse (caution: first two tram tracks, then a central island, then a car lane). Turn 90 degrees to the left, walk along the footpath with a gentle incline. After 35 metres the entrance is on the right, with an iron gate. Can only be felt by tapping with a cane at half-height to the right (12 cm ledge). Climb four steps, paved forecourt, four steps to the big wooden doors.
- Special points: There are three tram stops in total at “ETH/Universitätsspital”:
- in the direction of the zoo, in Rämistrasse (downhill),
- in the direction of Irchel, in Rämistrasse (uphill),
- in the direction of the Main Station, in Tannenstrasse (downhill).
- Telephone info: +41 44 632 40 38
- Return journey: Take tram number 6 to the main station “Zürich, Bahnhofstrasse/Hauptbahnhof”. Tram stop “ETH/Universitätsspital” in Tannenstrasse, at the level of Tannenstrasse 5. Distance 100 metres. Pavement on right, walk uphill 20 metres. Lowered kerb on the left, pedestrian crossing over Universitätsstrasse. (Caution: first a car lane, then a central island, then two tram tracks, followed by an island with a guidance area, and another car lane). Ten metres to the left find the lowered kerb, take the pedestrian crossing over Tannenstrasse, heading in a 2 o’clock direction. Walk down the tram island to the guidance area for boarding the tram, on the left.
- Destination: ML Building, Tannenstrasse 3, Zurich
- Starting point: Tram stop “ETH/Universitätsspital”, tram number 6 (and 9), at the level of the Main Building
- Distance in metres: 100
- Directions: Walk back in the opposite direction of travel. Find the lowered kerb on the left, cross Rämistrasse. Turn 90 degrees to the right, after 30 metres cross Tannenstrasse and walk to the left down Tannenstrasse. After 40 metres the entrance is in the corner of the building on the right.
- Special points: There are three tram stops in total at “ETH/Universitätsspital”:
- in the direction of the zoo, in Rämistrasse (downhill),
- in the direction of Irchel, in Rämistrasse (uphill),
- in the direction of the Main Station, in Tannenstrasse (downhill).
- Telephone info: +41 44 632 40 74
- Return journey: Take tram number 6 to the main station “Zürich, Bahnhofstrasse/Hauptbahnhof”. Tram stop “ETH/Universitätsspital” in Tannenstrasse, at the level of Tannenstrasse 5. Distance 50 metres. On exiting the building, immediately turn 90 degrees to the left, after 5 metres climb 6 steps, then, to the right, a tactile paving across the entire footpath. Cross Tannenstrasse to the tram island. Turn 90 degrees to the left, after 5 metres the guidance area for boarding the tram is on the right.
- Destination: NO building, Sonneggstrasse 5, Zurich
- Starting point: Tram stop “ETH/Universitätsspital”, tram number 6 (and 9), at the level of the Main Building
- Distance in metres: 190
- Directions: Walk back in the opposite direction of travel. Find the lowered kerb on the left, cross Rämistrasse. Turn 90 degrees to the right, after 30 metres cross Tannenstrasse and follow the footpath for 100 metres, walking slightly uphill. At the destination: Tactile paving for guidance, across the entire footpath. Opening to the building forecourt is on the left, there is a stairway going up at 2 o’clock.
- Special points: There are sometimes many objects between the guidance area and the entrance stairway, including a permanently fixed, egg-shaped boulder around 80 cm in diameter and 1 m high. And: There are three tram stops in total at “ETH/Universitätsspital”:
- in the direction of the zoo, in Rämistrasse (downhill),
- in the direction of Irchel, in Rämistrasse (uphill),
- in the direction of the Main Station, in Tannenstrasse (downhill).
- Telephone info: +41 44 632 40 74
- Return journey: Take tram number 6 to the main station “Zürich, Bahnhofstrasse/Hauptbahnhof”. Tram stop “ETH/Universitätsspital” in Tannenstrasse, at the level of Tannenstrasse 5. Distance 150 metres. On exiting the building, turn 90 degrees to the right and follow the footpath to Tannenstrasse. Straight ahead there is a lowered kerb for the pedestrian crossing over Tannenstrasse, heading towards 2 o’clock. Walk down the tram island to the guidance area for boarding the tram, on the left.
Travelling to the ETH Hönggerberg campus by public transport (bus)
- To make things simple, the starting point for all directions to the Hönggerberg campus is the SBB railway station Zürich Oerlikon, which has excellent S-Bahn and intercity train connections. The following bus stop should be used at Zürich Oerlikon railway station: “Bahnhof Oerlikon Nord”, bus number 80.
- How to get to the stop “Bahnhof Oerlikon Nord”, bus number 80: The stop is at “Zürich Oerlikon (SBB)” station, alongside platform 8. Depending on which platform you arrive at, use the pedestrian underpass in the direction of Max-Frisch-Platz / Bus station “Bahnhof Oerlikon Nord” (address: Affolternstrasse 30, 8050 Zürich). After climbing the steps, turn 90 degrees to the right and walk 40 metres to the bus stop (double bus shelter). If you arrive on platform 8, you’re already on the right side.
- For all the directions provided, the destination stop for access to all buildings on the ETH Hönggerberg campus is the bus stop “Zürich, ETH Hönggerberg”.
- Destination: HCI Building, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1-5/10, Zurich. Entrance on the Wolfgang-Pauli-Strasse side.
- Starting point: Bus stop “ETH Hönggerberg”, bus number 80
- Distance in metres: 90
- Directions: Continue in the direction of travel. At the transition between the paved and tarmac surface (after about 80 metres) turn 90 degrees to the left to cross Wolfgang-Pauli-Strasse and then keep walking straight. Three marked steps and a ramp lead to the covered passage. 15 metres on the right: revolving doors, entrance HCI 100-199.
- Special points: On the left, street side, there are bollards every 1.5 metres spaced 1 metre from the roadway, plus a metal gutter along the side of the roadway. This can be used for guidance if necessary.
- Telephone info: +41 44 633 40 99
- Return journey: Take bus number 80 to “Zurich, Bahnhof Oerlikon Nord”. The bus stop is on the same side of the street as the HCI Building, no need to cross Wolfgang-Pauli-Strasse. Tap along the metal gutter, and after about 40 metres follow the curve as it leads first right, then left. After that the kerb edge is raised and can be tapped, the guidance area for bus number 80 is after 50 metres. Please note: Buses 80 and 69 use the same stop and may be lined up together – be sure to use the guidance area only for the bus at the front.
- Destination: HIL Building (Campus Info), Wolfgang-Pauli-Strasse 15, Zürich
- Starting point: Bus stop “ETH Hönggerberg”, bus number 80 (and 69)
- Distance in metres: 30
- Directions: Get off the bus right next to the HIL building. Continue in the direction of travel, turn right around the corner of the building. Entrance to Campus Info is on the right, after 15 metres. Main entrance to the building is 30 metres further on, slightly set back on the right.
- Special points: Get off the bus right next to the HIL Building with Campus Info. The surface in the bus stop area is paved with setts (slightly raised cobbled effect). Be careful on the street side: parked buses. An ATM is located directly on the building.
- Telephone info: +41 44 633 24 35
- Return journey: Take bus number 80 to “Zurich, Bahnhof Oerlikon Nord”. Bus stop is on the opposite side of the street. In front of the HIL Building – Campus Info walk straight ahead, feel where the surface changes from raised setts to flat paving and follow this edge to the roadway, no steps to cross roadway, metal gutter on the side of the roadway. Beware of buses and bicycles on the street. Cross Wolfgang-Pauli-Strasse, walk 15 metres to the gutter on the other side of the street. Turn left, follow the gutter and raised kerb edge for 40 metres till you reach the guidance area for boarding bus number 80. Please note: Buses 80 and 69 use the same stop and may be lined up together – be sure to use the guidance area only for the bus at the front.
- Destination: HIT Building, Wolfgang-Pauli-Strasse 27, Zurich
- Starting point: Bus stop “ETH Hönggerberg”, bus number 80 (and 69)
- Distance in metres: 200
- Directions: Walk back in the opposite direction of travel. Tactile guidance: tap along the kerb edge on the street side. After the double bend: walk to the left, along the division between the pavement and gravel. At the end of the gravel surface, the entrance to the HIT Building is set back slightly on the left. Paved surface before the entrance.
- Special points: Take care: Large building site alongside the footpath until 2025 at least while the new physics building is under construction. You can tap your way around it on the street side. Bus stops are right next to the HIL Building with Campus Info. The surface in the bus stop area is paved with setts (slightly raised cobbled effect). Be careful: parked buses on the street side: Narrow footpath.
- Telephone info: +41 44 633 24 35
- Return journey: Take bus number 80 to “Zurich, Bahnhof Oerlikon Nord”. Bus stop is on the opposite side of the street, exit the HIT Building, cross Wolfgang-Pauli-Strasse, there is a grassed central island between the two car lanes. The kerb edge on the opposite side is raised, and you can tap along it for guidance. Turn right, use the kerb as a guideline, after 25 metres the cobbled setts straight ahead mark the border of the grassed area. Turn to the left, then to the right after 2 metres, follow the edge of setts for about 40 metres, cross the narrow street about 5 metres wide. Follow the setts bordering the grassed area for another 30 metres, then it changes to a normal kerb. After 25 metres there is the guidance area for bus number 37. Do not get in, this bus does not go to Oerlikon station. Follow the kerb edge for 30 metres, change to metal gutter, cross a small street, only 7 metres wide with barely any traffic, the guidance area for bus number 80 is immediately after that. Please note: Buses 80 and 69 use the same stop and may be lined up together – be sure to use the guidance area only for the bus at the front.
- Destination: HPH Building, Robert-Gnehm-Weg 2-6, Zurich
- Starting point: Bus stop “ETH Hönggerberg”, bus number 80 (and 69)
- Distance in metres: 120
- Directions: Continue in the direction of travel to the end of the building on the right. After 20 metres, cross Wolfgang-Pauli-Strasse to the left and carry on straight through Joseph-von-Deschwanden-Platz. Use either the ramp in the direction of 11 o’clock, which has a slight incline, or the broad steps straight ahead – they both lead right up to the building. The ramp and the steps are separated by a high wall and line of trees.
- Special points: It’s a good idea to have someone accompany you due to the open areas and the absence of any visual or tactile orientation markers.
- Telephone info: +41 44 633 24 30
- Return journey: Take bus number 80 to “Zurich, Bahnhof Oerlikon Nord”. Bus stop is on the same side of the street. Use the ramp leading down a little, you can tap the wall on the left, there is a stone edge on the right. At the bottom of the ramp, walk straight on for 20 metres, follow the kerb to the right for 45 metres until you reach the guidance area for bus number 80. Please note: Buses 80 and 69 use the same stop and may be lined up together – be sure to use the guidance area only for the bus at the front.