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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 604639 times)

Offline davmtl

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #840 on: January 28, 2015, 03:09:22 AM »
I think there is a pass that includes some rides and attractions, so if someone has some experience, I would like to know what is the best option so I don't pay to much on Sunday.

I don't need a hotel for my stay in Zurich. I just want to go somewhere Sunday and maybe stay there in a nice hotel.

Offline morgs

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #841 on: January 28, 2015, 07:53:31 AM »
I don't need a hotel for my stay in Zurich. I just want to go somewhere Sunday and maybe stay there in a nice hotel.
There is a really nice sheraton in Davos that we stayed in and I heard they opened an IC there too which looks pretty nice (TA does not have the best reviews though.....)

Offline VacationLover

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #842 on: January 28, 2015, 08:15:02 AM »
There is a really nice sheraton in Davos that we stayed in and I heard they opened an IC there too which looks pretty nice (TA does not have the best reviews though.....)
I think Davos is far from Zurich and doesn't pay to go for one day - unless you have enough time.

Offline davmtl

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #843 on: January 28, 2015, 08:16:44 AM »
I think Davos is far from Zurich and doesn't pay to go for one day - unless you have enough time.
Thanks. Any better ideas?

Offline VacationLover

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #844 on: January 28, 2015, 08:18:19 AM »
Thanks. Any better ideas?
What are you looking for? Hikes? Views? Skiing? And how much time do you have?

Offline davmtl

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #845 on: January 28, 2015, 08:25:30 AM »
I'm coming for shabbos for a simche, so basically I have from Sunday noon till Monday afternoon. My flight is 4pm. I don't mind staying in Zurich (and then I won't have to pay for hotel) but I especially booked the return for Monday so we can have a mini vacation or at least some time for attractions. Do you have any ideas? Shall I just go to Lucerne as suggested in the wiki? Even winter?

And mainly I need more information on what passes I should buy and how to get it cheaply.

Offline @Yehuda

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #846 on: January 28, 2015, 08:35:17 AM »
I'm coming for shabbos for a simche, so basically I have from Sunday noon till Monday afternoon. My flight is 4pm. I don't mind staying in Zurich (and then I won't have to pay for hotel) but I especially booked the return for Monday so we can have a mini vacation or at least some time for attractions. Do you have any ideas? Shall I just go to Lucerne as suggested in the wiki? Even winter?

And mainly I need more information on what passes I should buy and how to get it cheaply.
I would imagine Lucerne is even more beautiful in the winter.

Offline davmtl

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #847 on: January 28, 2015, 09:15:02 AM »
I would imagine Lucerne is even more beautiful in the winter.
From the website it sounds like the cogwheel is only working in the summer.

Offline VacationLover

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #848 on: January 28, 2015, 09:26:55 AM »
I'm coming for shabbos for a simche, so basically I have from Sunday noon till Monday afternoon. My flight is 4pm. I don't mind staying in Zurich (and then I won't have to pay for hotel) but I especially booked the return for Monday so we can have a mini vacation or at least some time for attractions. Do you have any ideas? Shall I just go to Lucerne as suggested in the wiki? Even winter?

And mainly I need more information on what passes I should buy and how to get it cheaply.
Consider Engelberg which is a 45 minute train ride from Luzern (2-2.5 hour from Zurich) along the way their are stunning views .It offers everything for a mini vacation. Mega views of snowy mountains and strolling the streets would be nice too. There is a major attraction there called Titles but since you'll have to leave to the airport before 12:00pm you wouldn't have time for it . They don't have any chain hotel there but they do have fancy private hotels. If you want i can upload some photos of Engelberg (in summer).

Luzern would be  the next option which is a hour 15 minute train ride from Zurich, they do have nice chain hotels (not spg) and is a nice city which is surrounded with mountains, nothing close to Engelberg, but with limited time its a fair option.

 About the HalbTax pass, i ordered it a month in advance from a website i don't remember which one. I would say you should go the the SBB customer service center  in the airport and ask for it.

Offline The Guy

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #849 on: January 28, 2015, 11:37:09 AM »
About the HalbTax pass, i ordered it a month in advance from a website i don't remember which one. I would say you should go the the SBB customer service center  in the airport and ask for it.

Doesn't it cost CHF 175 for 1 year ?
Is it worth it for me if I will be traveling from ZRH to Crans Montana, and back - almost 4 hours each.

Offline VacationLover

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #850 on: January 28, 2015, 12:33:30 PM »
Doesn't it cost CHF 175 for 1 year ?
Is it worth it for me if I will be traveling from ZRH to Crans Montana, and back - almost 4 hours each.
98 euro for 30 days HERE or HERE
If i will find a better price i will post it.
« Last Edit: January 28, 2015, 01:00:41 PM by VacationLover »

Offline The Guy

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #851 on: January 28, 2015, 12:47:44 PM »
98 euro for 1 year HERE or HERE
If i will find a better price i will post it.

When I buy it at SBB I can pick up upon arrival in airport,but with these where do I pick up the card?
I am traveling Feb 8 will they be able to ship it to me in Israel?

Offline sruly101

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #852 on: January 28, 2015, 12:49:21 PM »
98 euro for 1 year HERE or HERE
If i will find a better price i will post it.
Just to make it clear, you pay this 100 euro to get the train price drop in half? does it pay for you going and coming one time to crans montana from zurich?

Offline VacationLover

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #853 on: January 28, 2015, 12:50:52 PM »
Doesn't it cost CHF 175 for 1 year ?
Is it worth it for me if I will be traveling from ZRH to Crans Montana, and back - almost 4 hours each.

Just to make it clear, you pay this 100 euro to get the train price drop in half? does it pay for you going and coming one time to crans montana from zurich?
I checked it, the train costs 106 francs each way. with the halbtax it will cost you only 106 for both ways. if you are planning to take any more train, tram, boat, bus or cable car then it  definitely is worth it. [Or if you find someone that will go in the summer you can buy an annual pass and divide with him...]
« Last Edit: January 28, 2015, 12:55:25 PM by VacationLover »

Offline VacationLover

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #854 on: January 28, 2015, 12:52:50 PM »
When I buy it at SBB I can pick up upon arrival in airport,but with these where do I pick up the card?
I am traveling Feb 8 will they be able to ship it to me in Israel?
Tough question. I imagine you can get it in the airport, but i'm not sure.

Offline sruly101

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #855 on: January 28, 2015, 12:53:16 PM »
98 euro for 1 year HERE or HERE
If i will find a better price i will post it.
Both links say its for one month

Offline The Guy

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #856 on: January 28, 2015, 01:01:31 PM »
I checked it, the train costs 106 francs each way. with the halbtax it will cost you only 106 for both ways. if you are planning to take any more train (or cable car) it is worth it. [Or if you find someone that will go in the summer you can buy an annual pass and divide with him...]

I wont get a photo ID on it?
Two people could share 1 card?

So maybe if I find someone here going within the month of me before or after and we could split the monthly card would be great,or only a yearly card can be shared?

Offline VacationLover

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #857 on: January 28, 2015, 01:05:28 PM »
I wont get a photo ID on it?
Two people could share 1 card?

So maybe if I find someone here going within the month of me before or after and we could split the monthly card would be great,or only a yearly card can be shared?
No photo id, just your name printed. (Actually its possible that on an annual pass there is photo, not sure) Its for 1 person but if you find someone else you can share with him i.e. one day you and one day him.

I did see one couple who sat in different carts and when the conductor punched the card for person #1 he ran and gave the halb tax card to his spouse... not recommended!!  ;)
« Last Edit: January 28, 2015, 01:17:51 PM by VacationLover »

Offline VacationLover

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #858 on: January 28, 2015, 01:11:29 PM »
@vacationlover mentioned something about a halbtax card. its unlimited travel for all transportation. designed for tourists.. if you can stay at the park hyatt zurich its stunning...

Doesn't it cost CHF 175 for 1 year ?
Is it worth it for me if I will be traveling from ZRH to Crans Montana, and back - almost 4 hours each.

Just to make it clear, you pay this 100 euro to get the train price drop in half? does it pay for you going and coming one time to crans montana from zurich?
Just found the link for the card that gives you unlimited days + 30 day halbtax
http://www.raileurope.com/rail-tickets-passes/swiss-pass/index.html

Offline VacationLover

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #859 on: January 28, 2015, 01:16:03 PM »
In a few days i hope to update the wiki with info on attractions and also all about the Halbtax pass, it looks like there is a lot of confusion going on here.