Hello,
I have a flight ticket with only 45min transfer time from 6:10am to 6:55am this July 24, in Zurich coming with flight UA 9807 from Chicago USA and transferring to flight LX 1390 going to Sofia Bulgaria.
The points of arrival and departure in the Zurich airport for my trip are not announced yet, but when I checked Google and other flight trackers websites for the flights with the same numbers flying these days they show the arrival at terminal 2 gate E19 and departure from gate AB without specifying the terminal.
I searched the web and found various maps and description of the Zurich airport but none of them show terminals. Please correct me if I'm wrong but It seems to me that unlike other airports, in Zurich they don't call the areas of the airport terminals but use words as "Arrival 2" and "Check out 1, 3" and use Letters like B, D, E. and I really need help with understanding all this in order to plan for my transfer.
I checked the Zurich airport website and found an interactive map where I can search and get directions for navigating the airport. When I type in the search "terminal 2 gate E19" the closest results were "Arrival 2 level 0" and "E19 level 1" which are two very different locations on the map.
If someone is familiar with this airport or knows an easy to understand navigation map of it please help, I will greatly appreciate it.
Posted by
Bay Area, California
1632 posts
If both segments were booked as a single trip, then you don't need to collect your bags in Zurich. However, you will need to go through immigration (passport control) there and then follow the Transfers/Connecting sign to the A or B gates. E gates are for non-Schengen long haul flights.
Note that depending on your exact gate, there is some walk from immigration to the A's or the B's.
You don't have to worry about Arrival or Check-in.
The signage is excellent at Zurich. Don't worry too much, but make sure you walk pretty fast. It's much more walkable than ORD.
Posted by
Wengen
2493 posts
Zurich used to have two terminals, with one used by Swissair, and the other by all other airlines. But both terminals have been joined in one big terminal, with a common security checkpoint in the middle, and a big joint concourse airside. So there is now only the one terminal.
But as a left over of the time when Zurich did have two terminals land side you sill have Check in 1, and Check in 2, and Arrivals 1 and Arrivals 2. (Check in 3 is in the railway station, and is for railway passengers).
If you are transiting this is all of no concern to you. Knowing if you will be at Arrivals 1 or 2 is only relevant if for example someone is picking you up, so they wait at the right door.
Airside you have the big concourse used for Schengen flights, connected to piers A and B. Pier D is actually just the lower level of pier B, and uses the same gates. That is often used for flights to the UK and European countries no yet in Schengen.
Pier E is an mid field pier, connected to the main terminal through an underground railway. E is where most of the overseas flights arrive.
In your case you will arrive at an E gate. Because the US is "clean" you will deplane in the mixed departure/arrival level. From there you will just have to follow the signs to AB. This will bring you to the small train that takes you to the main building. Once you get of that train you will be at immigration (because you are entering the Schengen area here) where they will want to see your passport, and then you go up to the AB concourse, and on to your gate. In Sofia you will not need to pass immigration.
You should be able to do it in 20 minutes. Zurich is very efficient. Don't overthink this, just follow the signs.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Thank you both for your replies.
I'll have only one carry-on bag, so collecting bags is not a problem.
Regarding the airport, thanks to your explanations, I understand it much better now but my concern is when using the interactive navigation map on the Zurich airport website for directions from "E19", the gate where the flights from Chicago are arriving to gate A86 which is the last gate on pier A, the map navigation tool for the time it takes gives 45-50min and to gate B43 the last gate on pier B it gives 40-45min. I can't find any information on the web specifying where the gate for the Sofia flight LX 1390 is or has been but hopefully for my flight it's closer, if not I guess I have to run fast but I don't know how much of this estimated time is allocated for the train trip.
Your input is greatly appreciated.
In case someone like me can't figure out quickly how to get the Direction using that interactive map, use the Search box and type the letter for the pier and the gate number for example "E19", typing just the letter will show on the map all gates for that pier, and once a gate is selected, Directions button will appear.
Posted by
Wengen
2493 posts
It does not matter wether you have only carry on luggage or not. On one ticket checked luggage transfers automatically with you and you only see it at your final destination.
In Zurich just follow the signs. Don't worry. It will all be fine.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Thank you WengenK,
one more question, do you know if the train has just one or more stops?
Posted by
Los Angeles
4853 posts
I would also think since your UA flight is probably a LX codeshare, and you're transferring to a LX flight, they wouldn't have sold you the ticket if the transfer times weren't "legal"
Posted by
Wengen
2493 posts
The little train between the terminals is just a shuttle that goes back and forth between two stops. Takes 2 minutes.
Posted by
1 posts
Hello,
We have the same situation: arriving from USA to Zurich and proceeding to Italy with 45 min layover. Could you please let us know how it went. Was it enough? Any advice?
Thank you.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Hello,
the time was just enough if you don't walk very slowly or stop for rest, it was well organized and easy to find the departing gate.
Have a nice trip.