Flying from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) to Zurich Airport (ZRH): what you need to know
The average duration of a direct flight from Juan Santamaria International Airport to Zurich Airport is 11 hours 10 minutes.
Zurich's timezone is UTC+1, making Zurich seven hours ahead of San Jose.
To ensure you catch your SJO to ZRH flight, allow plenty of time to check in and find your gate. Turning up two hours before international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
During popular months like July, it's best to get to the airport even earlier. Plan to arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead for an international flight when you fly during a high season in general.
Jetting into Zurich (and then seeing more of Switzerland!) is a snap with Edelweiss Air. This popular airline has direct flights from Juan Santamaria International Airport to Zurich Airport.
Edelweiss Air is the airline with the highest passenger demand for this route.
We make it a cinch to book a flight with a stopover. To see your options for tickets from Juan Santamaria International Airport to Zurich Airport, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Then, choose a flight with a stop long enough to explore the city of your choice. Some great stopovers between SJO and ZRH include:
Charles de Gaulle Airport
Miami International Airport
Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport
How to find the cheapest flights from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) to Zurich Airport (ZRH)
The cheapest price we've found for a one-way Juan Santamaria International Airport to Zurich Airport flight is $495. A return plane ticket is currently $1,027. Depending on the availability and when you book, these fares can change.
Score cheap tickets from SJO to ZRH by booking seven months ahead. According to our research, that's the sweet spot for picking up a bargain.
Organise your trip for June. That's the cheapest month for flights from Juan Santamaria International Airport to Zurich Airport. If your travel dates are flexible, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the lowest price across each month.
Picking up cheap flights from SJO to ZRH is a breeze with Price Alerts. All you need to do is create one of these automatic alerts and we'll get in touch as soon as a new discounted fare appears.
Tailor your flights using filters. Select your arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort the results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' flights from Juan Santamaria International Airport to Zurich Airport.
Handy information about Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO)
Of all flights departing from Juan Santamaria International Airport, 79.83% touch down on time at their destination.
Central San Jose to Juan Santamaria International Airport is around 18 kilometres. Depending on traffic, it'll take you about 20 minutes to get there if you're catching a cab, ride-sharing or driving.
You can expect a journey time of roughly 2 hours 20 minutes on public transport.
Get your break off to a hassle-free start by staying near SJO. Whether you've booked an early flight from Juan Santamaria International Airport to Zurich Airport or just don't like being rushed, these hotels are the answer:
Arriving at Zurich Airport (ZRH)
Reserve a hotel close to ZRH if you're catching a late Juan Santamaria International Airport to Zurich Airport flight. Select one of these accommodation options and make your arrival easier:
Hit the road running by picking up a Zurich Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Alamo, Europcar or Green Motion and explore beyond Zurich's usual tourist stops.
For the lowest price, reserve your vehicle from Zurich Airport about two weeks in advance.
Getting from Zurich Airport (ZRH) to central Zurich
Zurich Airport to central Zurich has a drive time of around 20 minutes. It's approximately 13 kilometres away.
If you're using public transport, expect a journey of about 1 hour 35 minutes.
When to fly to Zurich Airport (ZRH)
The quietest month for a flight from Juan Santamaria International Airport to Zurich Airport is January, while July is the busiest. Choose the best time to visit Zurich based on whether you prefer a laid-back vibe or a more bustling atmosphere.
When booking your flight from Juan Santamaria International Airport to Zurich Airport, think about the type of weather you like. July is the warmest month in Zurich, with the temperature ranging from 10ºC (50ºF) to 27ºC (81ºF).
If you'd rather travel in cooler conditions, search for a cheap ticket from SJO to ZRH in January. Average temperatures are between -6ºC (21ºF) and 7ºC (45ºF) then.
Explore more of Switzerland
You've done Zurich, now it's time to discover other corners of Switzerland. Travel around 72 kilometres west to Basel to tick off its top attractions. From Basel Minster to Bistro Kunstmuseum Basel and Rhine River Cruises, you'll have a full itinerary ahead.
Around 97 kilometres south-west of Zurich, Bern is another favourite stop in Switzerland. Experience the best of this destination with a visit to Old Town Bern, Zytglogge and Bern Cathedral.
