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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 604258 times)

Online cholent

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #1800 on: August 20, 2017, 04:04:24 AM »
Which energy drinks are kosher in Switzerland? Is it possible to get at gas stations?
Don't ask stupid questions and you won't get stupid answers

Offline Saulius

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #1801 on: August 20, 2017, 04:11:01 AM »
Which energy drinks are kosher in Switzerland? Is it possible to get at gas stations?

See: http://www.wwwdesigner.ch/downloads/koscherliste_aktuell.pdf  - Page 20

Energy Drink “Red Bull” – Energy drink “Red Bull” 

Online cholent

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #1802 on: August 20, 2017, 04:12:47 AM »
See: http://www.wwwdesigner.ch/downloads/koscherliste_aktuell.pdf  - Page 20

Energy Drink “Red Bull” – Energy drink “Red Bull”
Thank you! You have been so helpful to me in planning this trip, I really appreciate it!
Don't ask stupid questions and you won't get stupid answers

Offline sillypainter

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #1803 on: August 20, 2017, 05:04:01 AM »
@Saulius Please see my question above regarding the kashrus of Ramseier apple juice and Pepita, if you have any idea why it's not on the list and I see people drinking it.

Offline Saulius

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #1804 on: August 20, 2017, 10:27:11 AM »
@Saulius Please see my question above regarding the kashrus of Ramseier apple juice and Pepita, if you have any idea why it's not on the list and I see people drinking it.

I apologise, it's hard to answer, as the answer is not concretely clear to me.  The most common reason drinks would not appear on the kosher list is either because it has grape ingredients, or if the factory manufacturers other products with grape ingredients on the same machinery. Although Ramseier Süssmost is 100% apple juice, the manufacturer does have other drinks on their product line that do include grape juice and wine. - So I am guessing that this is the reason.

Note, kashrus works differently in Europe -- as the Jewish population is too small for the manufacturers to be interested in being kosher certified. The Kehilla employees rabbonim at their own expense to verify and maintain the kosher list. Also, a few Migros juices were removed from the kosher list in the past year, and I would guess it's because of the grape issue.

Offline sillypainter

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #1805 on: August 20, 2017, 11:13:58 AM »
Thanks. I was just wondering how come everybody drinks it, yet I can't find it on the list. Saw at least 3 charged it people with Apple juice from Ramseier.

Offline Moshe123

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #1806 on: August 20, 2017, 02:47:55 PM »
Back in the muck in the big city. I only now can fully appreciate the clean fresh air and 40 degrees cooler temperature of this morning in Saas-Fee.

Offline saraloo

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #1807 on: August 29, 2017, 02:48:19 PM »
hi is anyone familiar with a nice spg ro marriot hotel in the swiss alps, closest location to zurich. would like if kosher food around as well. thanks

Offline hr555

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #1808 on: August 29, 2017, 07:31:39 PM »

Offline @Yehuda

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #1809 on: August 30, 2017, 07:47:15 AM »
Beautiful!

Offline saraloo

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #1810 on: August 31, 2017, 04:59:43 PM »
hi is anyone familiar with a nice spg ro marriot hotel in the swiss alps, closest location to zurich. would like if kosher food around as well. thanks

Offline SweetPea

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #1811 on: September 02, 2017, 08:58:01 PM »
Does anyone have a connection to the Jewish community in Geneva, specifically at Beth Yaakov Synagogue? We are moving to Geneva at the end of the year and want to learn more about the Jewish Community and if there is an English speaking group at that shul.

Thanks!

Offline shauly

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #1812 on: September 02, 2017, 10:40:15 PM »
So, when can we expect the sample layover itinerary mentioned in the wiki?  :) I'll be there Monday.

Offline henche

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #1813 on: September 02, 2017, 10:43:57 PM »
So, when can we expect the sample layover itinerary mentioned in the wiki?  :) I'll be there Monday.

+1 would be super helpful if someone could do that.


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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #1814 on: September 02, 2017, 10:53:28 PM »
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
Don't ask stupid questions and you won't get stupid answers

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #1815 on: September 03, 2017, 12:58:04 AM »
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
Awesome! And stopping by the lake is not a mistake. It's worth it to see it. Especially in the winter. I believe I posted a picture here of it.

Offline mr.

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #1816 on: September 10, 2017, 03:24:02 AM »
Does any one know if there is a minyan in the winter in Davos?

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #1817 on: September 10, 2017, 08:32:35 AM »
Does any one know if there is a minyan in the winter in Davos?
No.

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #1818 on: September 10, 2017, 12:36:22 PM »
No.
I Asume you mean no there isnt as aposed to no you dont know correct?

Besides Arosa and Crans are there any other places in the alps that have a minyan?

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #1819 on: September 13, 2017, 01:57:34 PM »
I am going to zurich for a few days in 2 weeks.
have a bbay and using babysitting in the frum community-near irg shul on freigutstrasse.
i am debating betweeen the zurich marriot near grand central station that is more down town or the 4 points by sheraton across from the mall, and walking distance to the shul. if somoen is very familiar with areas adn can give me pros and cons to both, that would be very helpful.
on a diff note. has anyone gone to mt rigi, taking a boat ride to lucerne..all in one day...? if yes, does that compare to going to the alps?