Polybahn in Herisau

Small incline railway with a unique feature of climbing a steel truss bridge of a roadway below. Provides some really unique views. While certainly used by students to access the university above, its a great add-on for tourists with little time investment if in the area. Consider combining the short excursion with a free walk around the Polyterrasse (observation deckat the top of the hill. Definitely recommended if you are a fan of trains, railways, or infrastructure in general. (I am an English-speaking tourist and rode this railway car using the Swiss Travel Pass.)

Take the funicular Polybahn from the Central Square up to the ETH (UniversityZurich and the Terrasse for enjoying a beautiful view onto Zurich City.

Fun way to spend 2 minutes.

Cheap n fast way to visit Einsteins Alma mater

The route is about 200 meters only...its a kinda elevator...

Very nice !

Great ride.

Cute funicular, in direct proximity to the "ETH Terasse", which offers a tremendous view over the city

A funny way to go from a place to another! A little bit too short

A historical tram experience in Zürich. The ride is short but a great experience. Youll arrive at the University grounds with a great view of the city, plus a place to enjoy your lunch or get a coffee.

Cute little cabin bringing up to a panoramic terrace

Leunat was locked in there once. Wasnt that nice :(

Best train to see the view from the top.Special .Chip ticket.The trip is 5 minutes

It’s a one minute ride and not worth the price.

Very convenient transportation if you want to visit the ETH campus. There is a ticket machine out of the building where you can buy the ticket. Note that the full day ticket of ZVV is not eligible for taking the polybahn. Fortunately, the ticket for polybahn is not expensive, just 1.2 CHF one-way.

This is a convenient short cut to get to the top of the hill where the universities are located. It gets crowded during "rush hour" however, as well as during events taking place at the universities.

A steep car that enables you to access the ETH/U of Zurich Campus

Nice experience for short tour by Tram up to cliffs

Must do thing to get into the Zurich university campus

It the cutest thing to do around HB. It could be extremely crowded of eth students during rush hours

Fun way to get up the hill for a nice view. It’s nice that you can use it with a regular public transportation pass.

Polybahn is a single-track with passing loop funicular railway, currently owned by UBS AG, that in 100 seconds brings up to 50 people from “Central” square, right beside the Zürich HB Railway station, up to the 1864 Federal Institute of Technology ETH Zürich Polyterrasse for wonderful panorama views of the city; Car leaves the lower station across the viaduct over Seilergraben every 2.5 minutes; Price: zonal fare tariffs apply (Only zone 110meaning that if you already have a ticket covering the Zurich City transportation you will not have to pay anything additional to enjoy the ride; Otherwise there’s a special single ticket fare of 1.20 CHF per ride; Polybahn runs Mon-Fri from 06.45 to 19.15 and Sat from 07.30 to 14.00; Unfortunately it is closed on Sundays and Holidays; It is one of the two funiculars within the city of Zurich, the other being Rigiblick funicular in the citys northern suburbs;

Built to bring students to the Federal Technic Institut that at its origins was built up the almost empty hill. It is -even it seems nostalgic only - the fastest way from Central (across main stationto the ETH Terrasse with its marvellous view over the city and the lake down to the alps in the south.Tip: During semester break at universities it is often not running due to revision and repair work.

Highly recommended this ride to all the tourists, the city view from the destination (University Campusis pretty good and picture perfect. Totally worth it and its also included in the daily pass, so naturally went my must do things at Zurich and also recommended in many travel guides.P.S: Theres not much to do once you get there, except for the view and maybe stroll around the University campus. I spent around 30 minutes before heading back

I grew up with the Polybahn. My grandma tells stories of how I loved it so much as a kid that we would spend an hour just going up and down. Fun, modern and interesting mode of transportation. Great for the university students. 10/10 would recommend.

This small funicular ride is a nice way to reach the ETH University from the Central tram station. It was my first ride since Im in Zurich and I loved it. Im quite into this kind of old transportation system! Once youre up, go to the Polyterrasse. It will be on your right hand side. The view of Zurich is really nice from there.

Pretty vintage funicular that goes from central to the terrace of the polytechnic university, which is worth a visit for the view of the city. Regular city public transportation tickets are valid here. Definitely recommend a ride with this beautiful old train.

A short ride (2 minsfrom Central tram stop to the view by the university. Well worth going up, bit nothing to make a special trip for.

This is a funicular right in the heart of Zurich. It is part of the integrated transport system and a valid bus ticket covers the ride.A pretty small funicular--I wouldnt go out of the way to ride it, unless you have kids with you. The views from the plaza at the campus on top are lovely, But you can easily get to the campus by other transportation means.

A little Victorian cable car takes you to the top with amazing views! You can use your day pass here. Its a quick ride to the top.

I suppose its worth it if you have a pass already. We paid CHF 1.20 to take it up and it was rather anticlimactic. You could walk up the same hill in 5 minutes or less.

Very pleasant and cute ride on the Polybahn to get to ETH Zurich, which has a beautiful view of the city. The cost was included in my day ticket. The ride itself is rather short but is a nice way to get to the University.

To get up to the University and the look-out, polybahn is the best way to take. The distance is rather short, but it worths! Besides, don’t forget! the visitors have to buy the tickets from the slot machine in front of the entry.

Instead of taking the tram you could take the Polybahn up to the university. The ride is short but you do have the opportunity to take pictures or to have a nice view.

This is a fun attraction in the city. Jump in and enjoy a vintage carriage climbing you up a steep hill using your regular city public transportation ticket!

Very cool little railway adventure right in the heart of the city. Although it is only a very short ride, it is still worth a ride. The cost is covered under the 110 transport day pass, and you can go on it as much as you like. My son enjoyed being up the front in the outside section, where he could get a good view. Very fun novelty. Would recommend

Cool experience! The ride lasts only 100 seconds. On the upper station there are a lot of stairs, no chance for a stroller to get in or out. On the button level there are also some stairs, but not critical. Polzbahn belongs to the public transport system of Zurich, so no extra ticket is necessary if you have already one. Otherwise the price is valid as for a casual ride within the city (doublezone 110. Self service Tickets stations are available on both sides. Self control within the train. #letsguide #thingstodoinzurich #publictransport #cablecar

Small train with couple of coaches - driver less, one end of it with open view. Nice experience to watch uphill climb and descend. Very well maintained - very good views of road traffic, crowded during campus college peak hours. Travel freely with monthly ZVV passes. Sunday closed, enjoyed the ride.

Such a fun ride on this really old Polybahn/cable car that works on a pulley system really! It takes you to this point at the top from where you can see most of Zurich city centre! The ticket vending machine is just outside the tiny building which the polybahn is housed in!

Short trip up hill to the university.

The only one in Zurich but mainly used by the students going up to the university. Great to visit and a fun and short ride. Its just a short walk from the main train station. Tickets are fairly priced. After the ride up enjoy the view from the University right next to the station.

Quick and efficient; runs very often. We had trouble working out what ticket we needed; the machines are confusing (I do speak German but dont live in Zurich so that may be part of the problem). Fun to ride up on the front and beautiful views from above the city; you can walk back down much more easily than going up so its a nice way to see more of the city.

Dont forget to have coffee at the top of the Lane

Goes very frequently and is useful to us students, worth going for the experience though. Regular Zurich public transport ticket is valid for it as well.

Fast and fun ride on an automated funicular to the ETH. Quite cheap for a ticket.

A must experience for tourist in Zurich. Cute, unique, historical funicular ride to the renowned ETH

Fastest way to travel to ETH (when in not in the student rush hour). Do not expect any fancy views as it mainly serves as a means of transportation, not really a tourist attractions.

Great transport to the ETH when too lazy to walk up the hill and a fantastic cheap attraction for tourists at just 1.20 CHF for a single ride.It only takes two minutes though - so dont go expecting a mountain excursion. As recommended by another reviewer, go for the top step (outside sectionfor fresh air, photos of other train, and the whole ambience.

Fastest way to get from Central to ETH Zürich. Rund every 2-5minutes.

I adore this wonderful feat of engineering that makes travelling to the university and back so convenient, and seems to have been doing so for quite a few lifetimes now. It takes all of 5 mins to traverse the slope of the hill, and you can do it in proper Victorian grandeur - I would recommend taking the highest step to enjoy the outdoors.