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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 604054 times)

Offline world2see

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #200 on: June 06, 2011, 04:55:26 PM »
The main attraction is Switzerland is Chuchem. Some would argue that its the alps but I still think its Chuchem
always knew i could count on you ;D

Offline chuchem

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #201 on: June 07, 2011, 01:31:34 AM »
Yes, i am the main attraction.
People come to switzerland for 3 weeks, so there is no time limit. With 2 small kids you will not be able to do as much in one day, so its really up to you. You can stay in zuerich and do daytrips or stay in the mountains. I think st. Moritz is the nicest place. A cheap (dollar is very low, so nothing is really cheap) clean hotel is hotel sonne. Search for their website. Only place with minjan and kosher hotel is arosa

Public transportation is easy and no problem with a stroller.
At the end it really depends on your budget and time.
You can see alot in 2 days, but can also easy spend a week.



Offline chuchem

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #202 on: June 07, 2011, 01:36:48 AM »
@chaim

You will have to remember what canton (like state) it was from. If not maybe the embassy can help, as your name will be blacklisted !
If you plan on going to switzerland in the future, i would try to pay or they will stop you the next time at the airport and it will not be fun.

Offline world2see

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #203 on: June 07, 2011, 02:55:12 AM »
Yes, i am the main attraction.
People come to switzerland for 3 weeks, so there is no time limit. With 2 small kids you will not be able to do as much in one day, so its really up to you. You can stay in zuerich and do daytrips or stay in the mountains. I think st. Moritz is the nicest place. A cheap (dollar is very low, so nothing is really cheap) clean hotel is hotel sonne. Search for their website. Only place with minjan and kosher hotel is arosa

Public transportation is easy and no problem with a stroller.
At the end it really depends on your budget and time.
You can see alot in 2 days, but can also easy spend a week.
thanks so much!!!! where would you recommend basing ourselves and from there do daytrips?st moritz? what to do ? thanks again,appreciate the help!

Offline world2see

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #204 on: June 07, 2011, 02:56:02 AM »
how far is st. moritz from zurich?

Offline chuchem

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #205 on: June 07, 2011, 03:20:44 AM »
I dont mind answering all questions, but you can try a simple search yourself. 2,5 hours by car and 3,5 hours by train


Offline damaxer91

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #206 on: June 07, 2011, 05:50:30 AM »
I dont mind answering all questions, but you can try a simple search yourself. 2,5 hours by car and 3,5 hours by train

Hmmm.... I know that I once thought of telling that to someone :).

BTW, Any idea of CO allows an open-jaw and a stopover?

Offline world2see

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #207 on: June 07, 2011, 07:19:12 AM »
thanks!!!!!!!!!

Offline aussiebochur

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #208 on: June 09, 2011, 11:33:11 AM »
Hmmm.... I know that I once thought of telling that to someone :).

BTW, Any idea of CO allows an open-jaw and a stopover?
CO does allow an open-jaw and a stopover.
However, officially, the open-jaw must be at the origin or destination. Meaning you can do EWR-TLV(destination)-ZRH(stop)-LAX or JFK-FRA-TLV(destination)IST-JFK (stops under 24 hours don't count) but they will not allow EWR-TLV(destination)-ZRH(stop)LHR-EWR.
You can always try and get them to manually price it but it will be very hard if not impossible IME

Offline YudiG

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #209 on: June 20, 2011, 04:53:07 AM »
looking for a final psak having read this entire thread from beginning to end.

A) is 3 days in ZRH a decent amount of time?

B) where should I spend those three days (i don't want a kosher hotel)

dates are august 28-31

thanks and hats off to chuchem!

Offline chuchem

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #210 on: June 20, 2011, 05:52:46 AM »
3 days is nice, if its 3 full days, you can make a few nice day trips.
If you have points or free nights stay at sheraton, hyatt of four points. If not, search for a cheap hotel.( No such thing as cheap in switzerland)


Offline YudiG

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #211 on: June 20, 2011, 11:57:53 AM »
thanks! what 3 day trips would you reccomend?

what hotel is closest to the local jewish community?

Offline aussiebochur

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #212 on: June 20, 2011, 12:00:13 PM »
thanks! what 3 day trips would you reccomend?

what hotel is closest to the local jewish community?
Chuchem's B&B. "We serve Thommy!".

Offline YudiG

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #213 on: June 20, 2011, 12:10:24 PM »
Chuchem's B&B. "We serve Thommy!".


what does he charge...does he take C & P? will he accept my dansdeals elite status LOL

Offline YudiG

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #214 on: June 20, 2011, 12:32:33 PM »
is $330 a good deal for car for 4 days out of zurich airport?

its an automatic...manual is $80 cheaper but as a bloody american, i just don't so stick :)

Offline Dan

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #215 on: June 20, 2011, 12:34:07 PM »
is $330 a good deal for car for 4 days out of zurich airport?

its an automatic...manual is $80 cheaper but as a bloody american, i just don't so stick :)
Are you sure you want a car?
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline YudiG

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #216 on: June 20, 2011, 12:41:34 PM »
if i'll be going to lucerne it'll probably be worth it especially if doing 3 day trips out of zurich itself

is it not worth it?

Offline chuchem

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #217 on: June 20, 2011, 02:20:30 PM »
The train is nice for one day, but if you are here for a few days its for sure better to have a car. You will eant to go out at night to the restaurant, shachris, minche... Its just nice, not to have to rely on public transportation for 3 days.
I normally get the best rates at www.sixt.co.il   but you can check regular companies as well

There is a four points hotel close to chabad and a restaurant.... See if you can get that for decent price or cash and points. Its very central, so you will have a easy way getting around from there with a car

Offline YudiG

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #218 on: June 20, 2011, 03:17:44 PM »
The train is nice for one day, but if you are here for a few days its for sure better to have a car. You will eant to go out at night to the restaurant, shachris, minche... Its just nice, not to have to rely on public transportation for 3 days.
I normally get the best rates at www.sixt.co.il   but you can check regular companies as well

There is a four points hotel close to chabad and a restaurant.... See if you can get that for decent price or cash and points. Its very central, so you will have a easy way getting around from there with a car

thx, but the hotel was no c/p and high priced...i will check the rates w/ 6th though...what district is the community in?

Offline BrooklynCPA

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Re: Switzerland Master Thread
« Reply #219 on: June 24, 2011, 02:25:13 PM »
I am considering a long weekend in Switzerland arriving Thursday morning leaving to Paris on Monday morning at the end of July. I know there is only one Kosher hotel in Arosa where I would consider spending shabbos but is that the place to be the one Shabbos we will be in Switzerland? Is shabbos at the Park Hyatt in Zurich an option and is it in walking distance to shuls? Are there any restaurants or chabad houses offering shabbos meals....

From reading this post and doing some research it seems like the interesting places besides Zurich are Luzern, Zermatt, Interlaken, St. Moritz and Lugano. I know it is impossible to be everywhere in the short time we are there especially because of Shabbos. However, I would love it if anyone can give me some input on how to make the most of my time and itinerary advice.

Also, am I better of renting a car or taking trains in order to make the most of our trip? (I know an automatic car is a fortune but I hear the trains are expensive too)