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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 604520 times)

Offline dpk4588

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #1400 on: January 12, 2017, 12:29:11 PM »
I just finished reading the 1400 posts here. First of all the amount of repetition here is insane.

I've got a 14+ hour layover and from what I've read that's enough time to go to Luzern and back but I'm still unclear on a few things.

1) What to do about travel for one day. I looked into the 1 day travel pass and it looks like it needs to be used along with the Half-Fare travelcard. I'm not even sure which of the 4 Half-Fare travelcard I'd need to get.

2) I'm going in February so the Golden Ticket isnt an option as its only available May-October. Does it make sense to take the Panorama Gondola and Aerial Cableway to Pilatus? If I do that how do I get back to Luzern? The Golden Ticket Map makes it looks like theres some sort of bus down the back of the mountain from Pilatus to Alpnachstad. From Alpnachstad it looks like there are boats (or trains, I cant tell what the picture is supposed to be) even during the winter that go back to Luzern. But I'm not 100% clear on any of this.

3) I'm flying LX from JFK-ZRH-TLV, am I correct in assuming that my bags get checked through to TLV?

Can anyone shed light on any of this? TIA.
Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former.
-Albert Einstein

Offline Live N Learn

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #1401 on: January 12, 2017, 12:32:10 PM »
I'm flying LX from JFK-ZRH-TLV, am I correct in assuming that my bags get checked through to TLV?

Correct.
".איזהו חכם, הלומד מכל אדם"

Offline dpk4588

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #1402 on: January 14, 2017, 08:34:29 PM »
1) What to do about travel for one day. I looked into the 1 day travel pass and it looks like it needs to be used along with the Half-Fare travelcard. I'm not even sure which of the 4 Half-Fare travelcard I'd need to get.

2) I'm going in February so the Golden Ticket isnt an option as its only available May-October. Does it make sense to take the Panorama Gondola and Aerial Cableway to Pilatus? If I do that how do I get back to Luzern? The Golden Ticket Map makes it looks like theres some sort of bus down the back of the mountain from Pilatus to Alpnachstad. From Alpnachstad it looks like there are boats (or trains, I cant tell what the picture is supposed to be) even during the winter that go back to Luzern. But I'm not 100% clear on any of this.

Can anyone shed light on any of this? TIA.
BUMP
Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former.
-Albert Einstein

Offline Der Deutsche Jude

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #1403 on: January 15, 2017, 01:46:47 AM »
2) I'm going in February so the Golden Ticket isnt an option as its only available May-October. Does it make sense to take the Panorama Gondola and Aerial Cableway to Pilatus? If I do that how do I get back to Luzern? The Golden Ticket Map makes it looks like theres some sort of bus down the back of the mountain from Pilatus to Alpnachstad. From Alpnachstad it looks like there are boats (or trains, I cant tell what the picture is supposed to be) even during the winter that go back to Luzern. But I'm not 100% clear on any of this.
It is not a bus from Alpnachstad to Pilatus but a cogwheel train - the world's steepest.  This is definitely the most recommended method of transport to the pilatus.  Maybe do the rail one way and cableway the other.   And yes there are boats between Lucern and Alpnachstad, and the trip is gorgeous.
If you don't have time for the boat,  it's a short train ride.

Offline dpk4588

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #1404 on: January 15, 2017, 02:50:37 AM »
It is not a bus from Alpnachstad to Pilatus but a cogwheel train - the world's steepest.  This is definitely the most recommended method of transport to the pilatus.  Maybe do the rail one way and cableway the other.   And yes there are boats between Lucern and Alpnachstad, and the trip is gorgeous.
If you don't have time for the boat,  it's a short train ride.
I was wondering where on the map the cogwheel was. The problem is that it doesn't run from November until May and I'll be there in February. It also looks like the boats don't operate during that time period either. But I guess if I can't come down that side of the mountain anyway since the cogwheel is closed, I don't need to worry about getting from Alpnachstad back to Luzern.
Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former.
-Albert Einstein

Offline Der Deutsche Jude

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #1405 on: January 15, 2017, 09:56:51 AM »
I was wondering where on the map the cogwheel was. The problem is that it doesn't run from November until May and I'll be there in February. It also looks like the boats don't operate during that time period either. But I guess if I can't come down that side of the mountain anyway since the cogwheel is closed, I don't need to worry about getting from Alpnachstad back to Luzern.
hmmm, seems you're right about the cogwheel schedule.  But the cableway is certainly spectacular as well.   And for future reference, there's no need to worry about getting from Alpnachstad to Lucern.  It's a 20 minute train ride, IIRC.

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #1406 on: January 18, 2017, 04:47:52 PM »
What to do about travel for one day. I looked into the 1 day travel pass and it looks like it needs to be used along with the Half-Fare travelcard. I'm not even sure which of the 4 Half-Fare travelcards I'd need to get.
Can anyone shed light on this? TIA.
BUMP...Again...
Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former.
-Albert Einstein

Offline LeahB

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Offline chaimh770

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #1408 on: January 27, 2017, 12:32:39 PM »
So I'm planning on going to Europe late February, stopping in Switzerland, I want to go to the alps maybe stay in a relatively cheap ski resort for a night go skiing etc. I know that's not Zurich so where is it?

Offline Saulius

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #1409 on: January 28, 2017, 01:56:17 PM »
So I'm planning on going to Europe late February, stopping in Switzerland, I want to go to the alps maybe stay in a relatively cheap ski resort for a night go skiing etc. I know that's not Zurich so where is it?

The Swiss Alps stretch through the regions of Valais, Bernese Highlands, Central Switzerland and Graubünden.

If you are only going for one night, then the closest options I can suggest would be Flumserberg, Engelberg, Andermatt, or Klosters.

https://www.j2ski.com/ski_resorts/Switzerland/Flumserberg.html
https://www.j2ski.com/ski_resorts/Switzerland/Engelberg.html
https://www.j2ski.com/ski_resorts/Switzerland/Andermatt.html
https://www.j2ski.com/ski_resorts/Switzerland/Klosters.html


See also: http://www.sbb.ch/en/leisure-holidays/day-trips/snownrail.html
              http://wikitravel.org/en/Switzerland

Offline Saulius

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #1410 on: January 28, 2017, 02:21:36 PM »
So I'm planning on going to Europe late February, stopping in Switzerland, I want to go to the alps maybe stay in a relatively cheap ski resort for a night go skiing etc. I know that's not Zurich so where is it?

Also, cheap and Switzerland don't go together in the same sentence. If you want relatively cheap, you would have to fly to France or Austria instead.

Offline chaimh770

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #1411 on: January 29, 2017, 05:41:40 AM »
Also, cheap and Switzerland don't go together in the same sentence. If you want relatively cheap, you would have to fly to France or Austria instead.
How would this work coming from Venice? Train? To where?

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #1412 on: January 29, 2017, 05:54:19 AM »
Also would you recommend taking air bnb

Offline Saulius

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #1413 on: January 29, 2017, 08:58:53 AM »
How would this work coming from Venice? Train? To where?

From Venice, here are the places I can recommend in Italy. You can also venture out to Austria, or Slovenia. (Slovenia would be cheaper ski and accommodation prices.)

See:
http://www.dolomitisuperski.com/en 
http://www.dolomitisuperski.com/en/ski-area/alta-badia

https://www.j2ski.com/ski_resorts/Italy/Dolomiti_Superski.html
https://www.j2ski.com/ski_resorts/Italy/Alta_Badia.html
https://www.j2ski.com/ski_resorts/Italy/Madonna_di_Campiglio.html
https://www.j2ski.com/ski_resorts/Italy/Selva_Gardena.html

Also see: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/ski/articles/Best-Italian-ski-resorts/

From Venice, it's not worth schlepping to Switzerland, as it would be at least 8 hours by train to e.g. St. Moritz.  (although much shorter by car)
« Last Edit: January 29, 2017, 09:02:48 AM by Saulius »

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #1414 on: January 29, 2017, 10:25:03 AM »
From Venice, here are the places I can recommend in Italy. You can also venture out to Austria, or Slovenia. (Slovenia would be cheaper ski and accommodation prices.)

See:
http://www.dolomitisuperski.com/en 
http://www.dolomitisuperski.com/en/ski-area/alta-badia

https://www.j2ski.com/ski_resorts/Italy/Dolomiti_Superski.html
https://www.j2ski.com/ski_resorts/Italy/Alta_Badia.html
https://www.j2ski.com/ski_resorts/Italy/Madonna_di_Campiglio.html
https://www.j2ski.com/ski_resorts/Italy/Selva_Gardena.html

Also see: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/ski/articles/Best-Italian-ski-resorts/

From Venice, it's not worth schlepping to Switzerland, as it would be at least 8 hours by train to e.g. St. Moritz.  (although much shorter by car)
I wouldn't mind though taking a train that long through the night, where do I look for these trains?

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #1415 on: January 29, 2017, 10:27:30 AM »
I wouldn't mind though taking a train that long through the night, where do I look for these trains?
But all the ski areas that were mentioned before in Switzerland seem far from St. Moritz, isn't there a close destination from Venice? Or closer swis alps ski to st Moritz?

Offline Saulius

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #1416 on: January 29, 2017, 11:56:14 AM »
But all the ski areas that were mentioned before in Switzerland seem far from St. Moritz, isn't there a close destination from Venice? Or closer swis alps ski to st Moritz?
[/quote

My previous posts mentioned ski resorts in Italy, that would be convenient from Venice. St. Moritz is by the Italian border, so that would be one of the major ski resorts in Switzerland closest to Venice, although many Italian, Austrian, and Slovenian ski resorts would be much closer.
« Last Edit: January 29, 2017, 12:01:16 PM by Saulius »

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #1417 on: January 29, 2017, 01:37:25 PM »
But all the ski areas that were mentioned before in Switzerland seem far from St. Moritz, isn't there a close destination from Venice? Or closer swis alps ski to st Moritz?
[/quote

My previous posts mentioned ski resorts in Italy, that would be convenient from Venice. St. Moritz is by the Italian border, so that would be one of the major ski resorts in Switzerland closest to Venice, although many Italian, Austrian, and Slovenian ski resorts would be much closer.
And what are the ski resorts near st Moritz

Offline Saulius

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #1418 on: January 29, 2017, 01:49:23 PM »
I wouldn't mind though taking a train that long through the night, where do I look for these trains?

Venice to St. Moritz, you can get a 7.5 hour train with 3 connections - but if you are in Venice, why not just enjoy the Italian alps in Northern Italy?

This is a Swiss thread - Not Italy, but FYI - Italian trains you can look up at http://www.trenitalia.com  - and make sure to use the Italian names, not the English names. (Venezia not Venice)

For trains in Switzerland or going to Switzerland - look at http://fahrplan.sbb.ch/bin/query.exe/en

for Alta Badia there are buses from Venice airport- e.g http://www.cortinaexpress.it/index.php/linee-alta-badia/?lang=en
or get a train to Brunico and then a bus from there.

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #1419 on: January 29, 2017, 01:53:41 PM »
And what are the ski resorts near st Moritz

next to St. Moritz : Samedan, Celerina, Zuoz, La Punt-Chamues-ch, Pontresina, etc.