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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 604874 times)

Offline shaya

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #300 on: December 12, 2011, 06:39:42 PM »
Ta v much

Offline shaya

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #301 on: December 13, 2011, 09:27:03 AM »
Anyone had experience of driving in swizerland during the winter?

Offline SuperFlyer

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #302 on: December 13, 2011, 07:12:20 PM »
What's the question.

Offline shaya

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #303 on: December 14, 2011, 03:23:45 AM »
You know, snow ice etc. Is it worth taking a car, it would be cheaper then the train. I worked that out.

Offline SuperFlyer

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #304 on: December 14, 2011, 07:49:06 AM »
if you are going to one location and staying there, a train - bus combo should be fine, unless you have a huge amount of luggage, lots of kids etc.

if staying below 1600m I wouldnt expect too much trouble, and I hope to make sure that you drive shift well (important for mountains).

also don't leave a car out of gear (neutral), as the car slips easier that way.

parking on slope with handbrake, and gear set to drive upwards..

Offline shaya

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #305 on: December 14, 2011, 07:59:54 AM »
I drive stick, and have driven is switzerland before, Ive never done it in the winter! a car would be cheaper although most of the sane people i know have advised me not to take a car. My reasons for taking a car 1. Speed it is more then an hour less then the train. 2. Flexibility, if i go by train i will have to wait 4hours in the airport for no good reason. 3. No Shlepping from one train/bus to the other.

My options as in hotel at the mo are. The maloja palace in st. moritz or good old arosa they are both around the $300 per couple per nite. Anyone ever been there? What does arosa vs st moritz equation equal? The Maloja hotel is further from my airport that im arriving to (bsl). Thanks for all your advice so far! Your super!

Offline SuperFlyer

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #306 on: December 14, 2011, 10:28:42 AM »
If renting a car in Switzerland, you will get winter tires = no problem.

Is there no way your ticket can end in ZRH or GVA ?

Offline shaya

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #307 on: December 14, 2011, 12:10:28 PM »
Iv had freinds telling me that the road up to arosa is treacherous and it would be suicidal even with snow tires etc etc.

Offline shaya

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #308 on: December 14, 2011, 12:46:24 PM »
And no Basel was the only place I could get cheap tickets.

Offline SuperFlyer

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #309 on: December 14, 2011, 07:49:00 PM »
Unless you are this scared guy, I wouldn't worry about.

There are much worse roads, than to arosa.

Just drive steadily, and not too fast, no abrupt moves, and you are ok.

Just in case, speak to areivim.

Offline shaya

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #310 on: December 15, 2011, 07:12:40 AM »
Lol, is there really an areiveim in Swaziland?

Offline chuchem

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #311 on: December 15, 2011, 10:09:47 AM »
sorry for my late reply. I am traveling at the moment. Go to maloja, nicer hotel, St. Moritz is close by, St. MOritz much nicer then arosa... the drive is fine, just dont speed on the snow, you will have winter tires. I hate the drive to Arosa, very curvy....

Offline PlatinumGuy

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #312 on: December 15, 2011, 11:53:01 AM »
Maloja is not in St. Moritz its one lake over
״וזה כלל גדול: שישנא אדם כל דבר שקר. וכל מה שיוסיף שנאה לדרכי השקר – יוסיף אהבה לתורה.״ - אורחות צדיקים

Offline shaya

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #313 on: December 15, 2011, 12:40:14 PM »
Hi chuchem, I was wondering where you went? I have all this conflicting info lol. Ok. Lets think about maloja what is the food like and the panorama?
In regards to the driving I was told that some roads may be closed or something. Isnt the drive to St moritz through the flulapass?

Offline chuchem

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #314 on: December 17, 2011, 01:23:35 PM »
I was in yul and ewr...

Maloja is very nice, st. Moritz is even nicer and only 20 minutes away. Food is ok, hotel is run by israelis. You will not get 5 star meals, but you will get plenty... Quantity very good, quality ok... I was happy, if you go with the right expetations... But st. Moritz and maloja are beautiful in the winter... You have to drive over the julier pass, not so hard... If you dont wanna do it, you can load your car on the train, there is a train tunnel, that you skip the entire mountain pass, you still have to drive about the same distance, but no pass. Costs about 50 fr. Incl all people in car... The whole journey takes 30 min longer like this...

Anyway go to maloja and st. Moritz, you will not regret it

Offline Armadillo

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #315 on: December 17, 2011, 02:13:28 PM »
Just to chime in because I never did get around to writing my report. I did 12 hrs in ZRH this past July with 2 kids ages 3 & 5 by myself (wife flew direct). I went to Lucerne by train, took the boat ride to Pilatus but didn't go up because didn't have enough time both because I missed my stop which really sucked (never took a boat ride before except from point a-b) and because I wasn't prepared with the schedule. Get your hands on the schedule beforehand so you know how fast you have to go, which train and boat you want to make. Totally worthwhile though. Stopped in Migros by the airport with the Zurich kosher list and picked up some good bread and chocolate. The lounge was okay - nothing exciting. The bathroom is outside the lounge down the hall which was really annoying. Grabbed a few local beers for the road.

Offline YudiG

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #316 on: December 17, 2011, 02:30:32 PM »
Just to chime in because I never did get around to writing my report. I did 12 hrs in ZRH this past July with 2 kids ages 3 & 5 by myself (wife flew direct). I went to Lucerne by train, took the boat ride to Pilatus but didn't go up because didn't have enough time both because I missed my stop which really sucked (never took a boat ride before except from point a-b) and because I wasn't prepared with the schedule. Get your hands on the schedule beforehand so you know how fast you have to go, which train and boat you want to make. Totally worthwhile though. Stopped in Migros by the airport with the Zurich kosher list and picked up some good bread and chocolate. The lounge was okay - nothing exciting. The bathroom is outside the lounge down the hall which was really annoying. Grabbed a few local beers for the road.

cool..what/where exactly is migros?

Offline Jkhein

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #317 on: December 17, 2011, 05:25:41 PM »
The bathroom is outside the lounge down the hall which was really annoying. Grabbed a few local beers for the road.
might be good to clarify, Your talking about the PP free entry lounge, definitely not about the Swiss lounge which is really really cool!

Offline Jkhein

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #318 on: December 17, 2011, 05:29:35 PM »
cool..what/where exactly is migros?
The Migros in the airport is before check in on the floor with all the stores which goes around like a circle. (the floor between check in 3 and check in 1+2) if your coming with a train you cant miss it on your way up.

Offline shaya

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #319 on: December 17, 2011, 05:54:51 PM »
Thanks chuchem, can the julier pass be closed during the winter? Also any pool or kinda thing in the area that can be used? I havent missed a mikva in a long time!