Tram-Museum Zürich

About the museum

The Tram-Museum Zürich goes back to an association founded in 1967 by a few enthusiasts of the "Züri-Tram" in the unheated rear shed of the Burgwies. In around 70,000 hours of volunteer work, the members have restored 15 historically valuable rail vehicles to date and assembled the most important collection on the history of local public transport in Switzerland. The association set up a first museum in the small Wartau depot in Höngg, which opened in 1989.

Since the space there was not sufficient, the present museum in the Burgwies depot was inaugurated in May 2007. The hall, built in 1893, is the oldest surviving tram depot in the city of Zurich, was used by the transport company until 1997 and is still operational today. On over 1,600 square metres of exhibition space the museum tells the story of urban development, industrialisation and urban mobility. Since December 2007 the museum has been run by the Tram-Museum Zürich Foundation; it is supported jointly with the association and the supporters' association in close cooperation with the Zurich city transport company.

The permanent exhibition shows original vehicles from 1897 to the present, historical uniforms, ticket machines, photographs and documents; most of the vehicles can be boarded. There is also a glass-floor tram, a model tram layout and the children's tram "Cobralino", which is driven by muscle power. The association also operates the historic tram museum line 21 and the bus museum line Ue.

Highlights

• Original vehicles from 1897 to 1968, most of which can be boarded
• Oldest surviving tram depot in the city of Zurich (1893)
• Children's tram "Cobralino" that you can drive yourself by muscle power
• Model tram layout and glass-floor tram
• Free audio guide in four languages
• Historic museum lines tram 21 and bus Ue

Permanent exhibition

• Dauerausstellung zur Geschichte des öffentlichen Nahverkehrs – Original vehicles from 1897 to today, historical uniforms, ticket machines, photographs and documents tell the story of the Zurich tram and local public transport; most vehicles can be boarded.

Founded

1989

Operated by

Stiftung Tram-Museum Zürich

Director

Sarah Lüssi

Admission & discounts

Free admission for members of the Tram-Museum Zürich association, ICOM members and with the Swiss Museum Pass, the STS Museum Pass, the Raiffeisen Museum Pass and the ZürichCard; 50% discount with the KulturLegi.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum is partly wheelchair accessible: a wheelchair lift leads to the gallery, and the accessible toilet can be reached without steps. There is a marked disabled parking space. Accessibility information is also available in the Ginto app.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Playground / play area
• Kids’ birthday parties

In the children's tram "Cobralino" you can be a tram driver yourself by muscle power and press all the buttons. There is also a large wooden railway, a piano with tram sounds on the gallery and a controllable model layout, a glass-floor tram and a search game with a small prize at the entrance. Children's birthday parties can be celebrated in the museum (hire).

Getting there & parking

The museum is located in the Burgwies depot at Forchstrasse 260.

Amenities & dining

An online shop offers specialist literature, models, toys and souvenirs.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 200 guests.

The vehicle hall of 1893 can be hired for weddings, company outings, club evenings, concerts, theatre, photo shoots and children's birthday parties; if required, vehicles are moved, in which case dinners for up to 200 people are possible. Catering by partners, extra trips with a historic tram and a bar car for small events.

Plan your visit