Switzerland Master Thread

[chayie]

I see there was a discussion about the SBB luggage service..
Is it still possible to check in the Luggage in NYC and LX will take care of the domestic transfer?
or will need to shlep it to the station in the airport?

looks like you can only do it originating from ZRH to a different airport (and not necessarily directly to all other airports - you have to check here and enter your flight numbers https://www.sbb.ch/en/iframes/door-to-door-flight-luggage.html).

read the discussion on page 109 of this topic.

[mendyt]

looks like you can only do it originating from ZRH to a different airport (and not necessarily directly to all other airports - you have to check here and enter your flight numbers https://www.sbb.ch/en/iframes/door-to-door-flight-luggage.html).

read the discussion on page 109 of this topic.

Thanks!

[Saulius]

I have a 12 hour stopover in Zurich mid August landing around 6am local time. What would be the best alps to see in that time frame? I would rent a car or take train whichever makes more sense.

Best bet is to head straight to Engelberg and go to Mount Titlis. http://wikitravel.org/en/Mount_Titlis On your return to Zürich, you can stop in Luzern, and do some exploring there, and take a boat ride.  http://wikitravel.org/en/Luzern http://www.luzern.com/en/boat-trips  http://www.myswissalps.com/boatlakelucerne

[@Yehuda]

I have a 12 hour stopover in Zurich mid August landing around 6am local time. What would be the best alps to see in that time frame? I would rent a car or take train whichever makes more sense.

We did Mt. Rigi which is also by Lucerne. They had something called a Golden Circle ticket (or something like that) which gave you access to the cog wheel that goes up and down the mountain.

[Shlomo1986]

We did Mt. Rigi which is also by Lucerne. They had something called a Golden Circle ticket (or something like that) which gave you access to the cog wheel that goes up and down the mountain.

Is the weather a factor in August up on the mountains?

[Shlomo1986]

Best bet is to head straight to Engelberg and go to Mount Titlis. http://wikitravel.org/en/Mount_Titlis On your return to Zürich, you can stop in Luzern, and do some exploring there, and take a boat ride.  http://wikitravel.org/en/Luzern http://www.luzern.com/en/boat-trips  http://www.myswissalps.com/boatlakelucerne

Thanks for the info. Any idea what the differences are between mt Titlis, mt Rigi and mt Pilatus?

[shaulyaakov]

I have a 12 hour stopover in Zurich mid August landing around 6am local time. What would be the best alps to see in that time frame? I would rent a car or take train whichever makes more sense.

I did Uetliberg mountain with a similar time frame. You can take a train most of the way up from the central Zurich train station.

[Saulius]

Thanks for the info. Any idea what the differences are between mt Titlis, mt Rigi and mt Pilatus?

http://myswissalps.com/rigi
http://myswissalps.com/pilatus
http://myswissalps.com/titlis

They are different -- And Mt. Titlis is the highest of them all. (3,238m (10,623ft))
Pilatus does not have a glacier,  and it's lower altitude   (2,128 m (6,982 ft))
Rigi is preferred by most, because of the great views, and hiking options (1,797.5 m (5,897 ft))

Üetliberg is just a hill offering panoramic views of Zürich - 20 min from the main train station. (870m (2,850 ft))
Note, Zürich city elevation is at 408 m (1,339 ft)

[@Yehuda]

Is the weather a factor in August up on the mountains?

I only had 1 chance, and it was extremely cloudy. Couldn't see anything once we got up past a certain height. What can you do?

http://myswissalps.com/rigi
http://myswissalps.com/pilatus
http://myswissalps.com/titlis

They are different -- And Mt. Titlis is the highest of them all. (3,238m (10,623ft))
Pilatus does not have a glacier,  and it's lower altitude   (2,128 m (6,982 ft))
Rigi is preferred by most, because of the great views, and hiking options (1,797.5 m (5,897 ft))

Üetliberg is just a hill offering panoramic views of Zürich - 20 min from the main train station. (870m (2,850 ft))
Note, Zürich city elevation is at 408 m (1,339 ft)

Did not realize they are so short! Been on taller mountains in CO without even realizing it.

[Saulius]

I only had 1 chance, and it was extremely cloudy. Couldn't see anything once we got up past a certain height. What can you do?
Did not realize they are so short! Been on taller mountains in CO without even realizing it.

There are higher peaks in Switzerland, e.g. see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_highest_mountains_of_Switzerland,
just for a 12-hour layover, the ones I posted would be more practical.

[@Yehuda]

There are higher peaks in Switzerland, e.g. see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_highest_mountains_of_Switzerland,
just for a 12-hour layover, the ones I posted would be more practical.

Oh yes, I understand that.

[cholent]

Best bet is to head straight to Engelberg and go to Mount Titlis. http://wikitravel.org/en/Mount_Titlis On your return to Zürich, you can stop in Luzern, and do some exploring there, and take a boat ride.  http://wikitravel.org/en/Luzern http://www.luzern.com/en/boat-trips  http://www.myswissalps.com/boatlakelucerne

For a 9 hour stopover is this still doable or am I better off sticking to Zurich + Lucerne?

[Saulius]

For a 9 hour stopover is this still doable or am I better off sticking to Zurich + Lucerne?

Yes it is doable. Skip Zürich, and go to Luzern and Mt. Titlis and / or Rigi.

[mmgfarb]

11 hr stopover in October, still worth it to do the mountains of is it going to be really cold up there?

[cholent]

Yes it is doable. Skip Zürich, and go to Luzern and Mt. Titlis and / or Rigi.

What is there to do on Titlis in that time frame? Could i fit in mountain biking, or I only have time for cable car/gondola?

[Adam101]

We had a few hours in the afternoon two weeks ago. We did the 1.5hrs cruise on the Zurich River. Was hot and got burned but was beautiful and very chilled. Then walked to the quaint old part of the city with expensive shops and cobblestone alleyways. I loved it.

[Saulius]

We had a few hours in the afternoon two weeks ago. We did the 1.5hrs cruise on the Zurich River. Was hot and got burned but was beautiful and very chilled. Then walked to the quaint old part of the city with expensive shops and cobblestone alleyways. I loved it.

You mean Lake Zürich, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Zurich ... There is a river as well https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limmat

If time permits, better to skip Zürich, as Luzern is million times more scenic, and you can take a cruise there as well.

[Saulius]

What is there to do on Titlis in that time frame? Could i fit in mountain biking, or I only have time for cable car/gondola?

https://www.titlis.ch/en

https://www.titlis.ch/en/activities/summer-activities/mountain-biking

http://www.titlis.ch/en/glacier/cliff-walk

[Saulius]

11 hr stopover in October, still worth it to do the mountains of is it going to be really cold up there?

October is usually dry & warm in the mountains, like e.g. May - although it can be chilly in the early mornings.
It is worth to do the mountains, just verify the weather and web cameras, as if it's raining hard or foggy, it wouldn't be worth it.

[Theodorel]

Any drivers in Zurich to hire for couple hours Or full day? If anyone has phone number please pm. Tia