Incredible long lines at zurich Swiss passport control

Its a ski season Saturday.

Usually when we fly to Zurich it's pretty easy getting through passport control, must be a special event or something.

During ski season, Saturday is turnover day and everybody books Saturday-to-Saturday ski holidays, so they arrive at Zurich airport beginning about noon. An incredible number of Brits take ski vacations and Switzerland is big on their list after France. They are not in Schengen, so they have to use the non-Schengen passport lines. If you think Zurich is busy on a Saturday, try Geneva, an absolute madhouse.

Carrie, but you're there! Have a great trip, and pls report back frequently!

Carrie, just a small “hiccup” to your careful planning.
…. And….once you board that efficient Swiss train, you’ll be on schedule.
So excited for you as you explore old as well as new places on this trip.

“May your troubles be less and your Blessings be more.”

Sam of course is right. 😀 after 90 mins at passport control we made it to baggage claim where it seemed everyone but us was carrying around big ski bags.

Plan for tomorrow was day trip from Lugano to como but there’s a regional train strike tomorrow. 😟 Will think of a plan B. We saw bellinzona in 2021. Locarno maybe.

Monday it’s off to Verona.

Oh and we did get our paprika chips today. 😀

You could take one of the EC trains from Lugano to Como, or take a bus or taxi from Chiasso. Also, what about the bus from Lugano to Menaggio?

Carrie, Sam is so great at figuring out last minute connections. Keep us posted- it will be fabulous either way! Hope you do make it to Lake Como.

Carrie: we were in Varenna (lake Como) last year when we “knew” an 8 hour boat/ferry strike (9:00-4:55) was scheduled the day we were leaving. It wouldn’t affect us since we were leaving by train to Tirano the day of the strike.

What we didn’t know was it also included the regional train to Tirano. Fortunately, the train we took from Varenna at 9:25 am originated in Milan BEFORE 9:00 am. so we made it to Tirano.

…so maybe the regional strike is a short one and you could leave earlier than the strike hour.

I'd agree with Sam - one of the frequent international trains one stop from Lugano to Como then a short hike over to the docks (check which dock, the fast ferries use one dock and the slow ones another) for a ferry up the lake. I love the slow ferry, both in middle of the lake but also the lower half of the lake too.

I appreciate all the suggestions. We ended up going to Locarno. Just seemed easier and less stressful. Plus you can’t go wrong with another day in Switzerland. 😀

I told my sister we can go to lake Garda when we’re in Verona. Off to Italy tomorrow.