Topic Wiki

Trip Reports
Dan
Yungerman
chucksterace
VacationLover Part 1
VacationLover Part 2
Chapshnell
Tzadik Nistar
@Yehuda - 1 day trip
sam28
Sam28 St Moritz Switzerland kosher Grand Hotel Kempinski
Yehudaa - 18-hour Zurich stopover


Kosher food list 2022

Zurich
HOTELS
-The Park Hyatt is fantastic and a 10 minute walk to shul.
Tram stop: Stockerstrasse

RESTAURANTS

Meat:

Florentin - Located inside he JCC https://florentin.rest/
Tram stop: Bahnhof Enge

Grill Cave

Food truck. Check website for opening hours. Burgers, sandwiches, hot dogs etc.
https://www.thegrillcave.co/


Milk/Parve:

Babi's Bagels (Bederstrasse corner Klopstockstrasse 8002 Zürich) Tram Stop "Waffenplatzstrasse"

Bakery:
Ma'Adan Bakery
Manessestrasse/Schimmelstrasse
Has delicious pastries and also sells sandwiches, salads, and some sushi.

Butcher:
Metzgerei Kol Tuv

Can preorder for pickup.
Can also deliver throughout Switzerland by post.
See website for details.

https://www.koltuv.ch/en

ATTRACTIONS
-Walk around the lake area
-Bahnhofstrasse window shopping
-Take a train to Lucerne and buy the golden ticket, included a boat ride on Lake Lucerne, cogwheel train and tram. Then take bus back to Lucerne
-When you arrive in Lucerne you can go to the tourist office to see a live view from Mount Pilatus (Or you can check online). If it's cloudy skip the cogwheel train and just take a nice boatride and explore the town, ancient bridges, and walk on top of the old city fortress walls.




Options in the Alps

Arosa: Metropol Hotel - quaint little old hotel. Not very fancy - it's like honeymooning in your grandmother's house (HT: Mrs. Moishebatchy). The food is very basic, but delicious. Mikva on premises. If skiing is your thing, the have an agreement with one of the ski places (Härtner) not to charge Metropol customers for ski rentals over Shabbos.


Need a meal on shabbes, please PM me (Chuchem). I live 15 minute walk from the hyatt, close to chabad. Zürich has no eiruv!

Major Attractions
“Please edit the wiki to add more attractions”

Central Switzerland
-Lucerne, Pilatus Offers: Cogwheel, Gondolas, Alpine Sliding, Mini Zip-line and fun area
-Titlis Offers: Gondolas, Snow Tubing, Trutti Bikes, Ice Museum, Row Boating
-Brunni Offers: Gondolas, Alpine Sliding, Stroll in Lake(!)

Jungfrau Region
-Jungfrau/jungfraujoch Click here for the Kosher hotel in Wengen / 360-degree panorama of Jungfraujoch-Top of Europe
-Grindelwald Offers: Gondolas, mega Zip-line, Trutti Bikes

Eastern Switzerland
-St. Moritz
Davos / Klosters
Arosa Click here for the Kosher Levins hotel

Southern Switzerland
-Zermatt - "Matterhorn"
-Saas-Fee Offers: Gondolas, Alpine Sliding, Mega Zip-line, Trotti Bikes, (Saas-Grund has Monster Trotteres) and on top of "Allalin" you can go Snow Tubing and Skiing even in the summer!
-Crans Montana You can email the Kosher hotel in Crans Montana Hotelmk@gmail.com  or call them at 0032485640498 or 003233011600


HalbTax Pass

A HalbTax pass (or Half Fare card) is a card designated for tourists and not for Swiss residents (officially...). The card gives you half price on all public transportation like buses, trains, trams, boats and also on "most" cable cars (attractions). There are basically 4 kinds.

1) An annual pass, the price is currently 175 francs. If i remember correctly it has a photo ID of the recipient, so double check before sharing it.
Click here for the annual pass

2) A 30 day pass, the price is currently 120 francs, it does not have a photo ID on it.
Click here or here for the 30 day pass

3) - Recommended for frequent traveling Swiss Travel Pass - you prepay a set amount per day and get unlimited for that day (plus "optional" for a fee, for 1 month including the days you chose, it is a HalbTax, even on the prepaid free days, it's only free for all transportation, on cable cars you only get half off). The price per day depends on how many days you prepay, for example if you prepay 8 days, the price per day will be about 53 francs, if you prepay 3 days the price per day will be about 73 francs. If you are 25 y/o or younger, you can get the Youth Pass which is cheaper - If you prepay 8 days  the price per day will be about 40 francs a day, if you prepay 3 days the price per day will be about 62 francs.
Click here (or here) for the prepaid pass

The card comes with a few days “you could chose your dates later”, officially when you want to use a certain day for the free day you should fill in on the pass that date, and when the first conductor comes he punches that day, but technically you can leave the date blank until the conductor comes, that way you have a chance if no conductor asks you for your card (happens quite often) you can save it for the next day :)

4) Swiss Transfer Ticket" This card costs 141 francs and is valid for 2 trips from and to the boarder or airport, for example you are traveling from the airport to Arosa and are not planning to go anywhere else or take any other transportation, with this card you will effectively pay 71 francs per way. This card is only valid for trips to and from the airport or boarder and no (long) stops allowed. Technically if you will travel one more day, the Swiss travel pass mentioned above will probably be cheaper.

Make sure to order your pass a few weeks before leaving, it takes about 1-3 weeks for the pass to arrive. But you can always buy it in the Airport, though you might have to wait in line and also if you want to buy the Youth pass (for 25 y/o or younger) they might ask you for proof...

There is also a family pass if you travel with a large family, I am not familiar with that.


Fast Baggage
There is a service via SBB, They deliver your luggage for you!! For example you are traveling from ZRH to Arosa, you don't want to be busy Shlepping around your luggage, You can check in your luggage in the airport and they (SBB) will deliver it to the train station in Arosa. This service is available "from and to" most train stations in Switzerland. You can ask about the Fast Baggage by any train station or read here or here

You can even buy a tag that you put on the luggage before checking in your luggage in any airport (i.e. JFK) and Rail Europe will take your luggage from the airplane in Switzerland and deliver it either to your hotel or to the train station in the city you're going to.  Read about Flight Luggage Here




PS. When doing research and getting to a website in German, just add /en (after .ch) to translate to English.
And Hey, Don't forget to write a TR ;)

Sample Itinerary for 9 hour stopover on Swiss flight from TLV to U.S. that lands at 810 and takes off around 5
Copied from @cholent:
Here it is: landed in zrh, crazy line for entering country but moved pretty quickly, about half an hour. Picked up sim in the airport. Rented car through Priceline from europecar. Drove to Titlis, stunning scenery along drive. Missed a turnoff because I couldn't get Waze to talk and I was trying to do some stuff online while we were driving, added half an hour to get there, but the stunning scenery made it worthwhile. Got there, parked, you pay at the entrance if you're going to park for more than an hour. Paid, took the cable car. Got off at there halfway station by mistake, gorgeous lake. Went back on and back up to the top. It was somewhat cloudy which was a pity. Suspension bridge was fun but no view because of the clouds. Took the ice flyer to the other peak, then went sledding down the hill, lots of fun. No tubing because there wasn't enough snow. We didn't have enough time for the ice cave because of the extra time driving there and we weren't sure where it was anyway. Made some new Israeli friends and took the cable car down with them. Got back to the airport, returning the car took less than five minutes, getting through the airport took a little longer so we didn't have time for showers at the lounge. It was amazing all around, I would definitely recommend

« Last edited by yyzzrh on October 20, 2022, 01:16:48 PM »

Author Topic: Switzerland Master Thread  (Read 604156 times)

Offline yelped

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Mar 2015
  • Posts: 10465
  • Total likes: 3823
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 43
    • View Profile
Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #2180 on: March 31, 2019, 12:29:44 PM »

Online kosherjid

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite
  • ****
  • Join Date: Aug 2018
  • Posts: 323
  • Total likes: 22
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #2181 on: March 31, 2019, 01:19:35 PM »
Thank you.
Know what train name it is, and what station?
 Edit: S16?
Edit 2: and the station name is Zurich main station. Lol. Thanks

Every 10 min ca there's a train from the airport to "Hauptbahnhof Zürich".

Online kosherjid

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite
  • ****
  • Join Date: Aug 2018
  • Posts: 323
  • Total likes: 22
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #2182 on: March 31, 2019, 01:20:09 PM »
How much does the train cost?

Cost of the ticket is ca 7 sfr.

Offline Hi its me

  • Dansdeals Bronze Elite
  • *
  • Join Date: Mar 2011
  • Posts: 36
  • Total likes: 59
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #2183 on: April 01, 2019, 07:24:14 AM »
Hello, I am reaching out for advice from all the experts here.
I am traveling from JFK to TLV after pesach- family of 8.  date is apr 6,  Monday.
12 hour stop in Zurich, land 11 AM.
would love to see the alps.
what is best way to do this?  I mean the cheapest, but also the way that will enable this to happen on a tight schedule.
use the trains?
rent a van?
hire a driver?

and where is best to go?
Titlis or Pilatus?

Offline Yehudaa

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Mar 2018
  • Posts: 3603
  • Total likes: 2404
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 111
    • View Profile
Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #2184 on: April 01, 2019, 08:36:27 AM »
Hello, I am reaching out for advice from all the experts here.
I am traveling from JFK to TLV after pesach- family of 8.  date is apr 6,  Monday.
12 hour stop in Zurich, land 11 AM.
would love to see the alps.
what is best way to do this?  I mean the cheapest, but also the way that will enable this to happen on a tight schedule.
use the trains?
rent a van?
hire a driver?

and where is best to go?
Titlis or Pilatus?

You can read my TR here for some ideas. With a family of 8 I would assume that you should rent a car as the trains were expensive. Pilatus is expensive (~$100 pp) but very nice views. I haven't been to Titlis.

Offline Yehudaa

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Mar 2018
  • Posts: 3603
  • Total likes: 2404
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 111
    • View Profile
Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #2185 on: April 14, 2019, 01:16:25 PM »
Got a 40 CHF parking ticket in Davos, and I'm trying to pay it online. Which is the fine number to use online? There are a few numbers:

OB-Nr. (6 digit number)
Konto (8 digit number)
Referenz-Nr (16 digit number)

Anyone know which one is the fine number?

Offline sillypainter

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jan 2012
  • Posts: 2068
  • Total likes: 200
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #2186 on: April 14, 2019, 01:44:23 PM »
Konto is the account number if you pay in a bank. Try the ref# or the OB number.

Offline Yehudaa

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Mar 2018
  • Posts: 3603
  • Total likes: 2404
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 111
    • View Profile
Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #2187 on: April 14, 2019, 03:19:22 PM »
Konto is the account number if you pay in a bank. Try the ref# or the OB number.
Thanks. I used the OB number and it went through. The confirmation email had no details but it did have an email address to contact for inquiries so I guess I'll email them to confirm.

Offline Daniel

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Gold Elite
  • ******
  • Join Date: May 2008
  • Posts: 916
  • Total likes: 8
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #2188 on: April 16, 2019, 02:26:38 PM »
What are the options for kosher hotels in mid June in the Swiss or Italian alps?

Offline YesThatsMe

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: May 2017
  • Posts: 736
  • Total likes: 128
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #2189 on: April 30, 2019, 11:35:45 PM »
Has anyone here been to Scuol when they has a kosher hotel during the late 2000’s?

Offline Buruch

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Dec 2012
  • Posts: 1984
  • Total likes: 39
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
    • View Profile
Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #2190 on: May 03, 2019, 08:20:24 AM »
Any cheapish boat rides on lake Lucerne?
Also, as of now, weather is supposed to be cloudy but not rainy on Tuesday. Is that fairly reliable 4 days out, or is that still very much subject to change? I'm trying to guage if it's worth it to buy a non-flexible train ticket to Lucerne now while it's still 13.60, or wait until closer. If it's raining, I'm not sure it will be worth it - it's a 12 hour stop.
« Last Edit: May 03, 2019, 08:27:14 AM by Buruch »

Offline ReadsTheT&C

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Feb 2011
  • Posts: 671
  • Total likes: 43
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 6
    • View Profile
  • Location: NY
Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #2191 on: May 03, 2019, 10:50:27 AM »
We did a boat tour that was around $15-$20. Just walked up and paid. I don't think there was much of a discount for reserving in advance. It was fine. Honestly I found Lucerne to be very boring. The best activity was visiting the bars at Chateau Gutsch and Hotel Montana. Both have great views of the city from high up. The Montana has a fantastic piano player at night. Best time to get there is right around sunset. I would also recommend Free Walk Lucerne. We were the only ones to show up so it was a private tour. Pay what you wish. If you are into Picasso and Klee, you can visit the Rosengart collection but if art isn't your thing I would skip it.

Offline chinagel

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Mar 2014
  • Posts: 3863
  • Total likes: 388
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
  • Location: brooklyn
Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #2192 on: May 24, 2019, 11:45:02 AM »
Is there a place in eastern switzerland where I can rent a house for a large group near (walking distance) a minyan?

Offline chinagel

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Mar 2014
  • Posts: 3863
  • Total likes: 388
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
  • Location: brooklyn
Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #2193 on: May 26, 2019, 02:15:38 PM »
Is there a place in eastern switzerland where I can rent a house for a large group near (walking distance) a minyan?
BUMP @chuchem  @Saulius

Offline yelped

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Mar 2015
  • Posts: 10465
  • Total likes: 3823
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 43
    • View Profile
Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #2194 on: May 26, 2019, 06:30:58 PM »
Is there a place in eastern switzerland where I can rent a house for a large group near (walking distance) a minyan?
Could you be more specific? Summer? Winter? What do you consider Eastern Switzerland?

Offline chinagel

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Mar 2014
  • Posts: 3863
  • Total likes: 388
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
  • Location: brooklyn
Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #2195 on: May 27, 2019, 10:08:25 AM »
Could you be more specific? Summer? Winter? What do you consider Eastern Switzerland?
After tisha bav. Arosa and eastward (will look at other options, just not something all the way out like saas fee or adelboden). Looking for a country style place (room outside, views etc.) for a few families that will be near a minyan on shabbos.

Offline Sameach

  • DansDeals Copper Elite
  • *
  • Join Date: Mar 2019
  • Posts: 5
  • Total likes: 0
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #2196 on: May 27, 2019, 02:53:04 PM »
Hi,

Any recommendation for apartment / chalet or Jewish - friendly hotel in Wengen, as well as information regarding a minyan in Wengen for July?

Thanks

Offline yelped

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Mar 2015
  • Posts: 10465
  • Total likes: 3823
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 43
    • View Profile
Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #2197 on: May 27, 2019, 06:11:05 PM »
After tisha bav. Arosa and eastward (will look at other options, just not something all the way out like saas fee or adelboden). Looking for a country style place (room outside, views etc.) for a few families that will be near a minyan on shabbos.
Arosa has minyan at the hotel. Davos has a few minyanim. Klosters might have.

Offline helpyouamdme

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite
  • ****
  • Join Date: Aug 2017
  • Posts: 472
  • Total likes: 80
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 4
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
    • contact ‘Kоѕhеr Ski Club’ for the experience of a lifetime!
  • Location: Recalculating signal lost!
Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #2198 on: May 27, 2019, 10:06:28 PM »
saas fee has Minyan

Offline chinagel

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Mar 2014
  • Posts: 3863
  • Total likes: 388
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
  • Location: brooklyn
Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #2199 on: May 27, 2019, 11:07:31 PM »
Arosa has minyan at the hotel. Davos has a few minyanim. Klosters might have.
Any ideas what sites to look at for large houses?