My 2 daughters and I will arrive in Zurich airport from California July 8 and will want to sleep one night before heading to Luzern. Heard airport hotels are expensive. Any ideas and directions?
Posted by
50 posts
Are you renting a car at the airport or will you be using trains?
Posted by
Knoxville, TN, USA
7209 posts
Unless you're arriving in the dead of night then just get on the train in the Zurich Airport and be in Lucerne in an hour...without wasting a day of your vacation.
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
I agree. Zürich airport to Luzern is 70 minutes, two departures per hour. Last train is 23:14 arrive Luzern 00:25. No reason to stay at Zürich airport, go straight to Luzern.
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
8384 posts
Switzerland=expensive. You just have to accept this as a fact of life.....
I agree, just get on the train and end up where you really want to be.
Posted by
The Heartland USA
8447 posts
If you arrive in the AM, you likely won't be able to check in to a hotel until mid afternoon anyway.
Posted by
California
745 posts
We had a nice 1 night stay at Rick's recommended http://www.leoneck.ch/en/home/. Although, next time I fly in or out of Zurich, I plan to book a hotel in Luzern.
Posted by
Atlanta, GA
1075 posts
Don’t know if you are members of any hotel loyalty chains but there are Best Westerns, a Hilton, and a couple Marriotts around the airport. Yes, most are pricey, but we are going to stay for free on points at the Hilton, which includes a free airport shuttle.
Posted by
The Heartland USA
8447 posts
Its only a short train ride to the city so you might as well head there to stay vs the airport area, if you must. Its been a long time since I was there, but the Hotel St Josef was close to rail station and nice enough.
Posted by
Knoxville, TN, USA
7209 posts
Hotel points may get you a cheaper night stay at the airport, but I personally wouldn't choose to stay at the airport even with discounted points. Downtown is much nicer and way more interesting a place to stroll and sight see. There is no strolling and sightseeing in an airport hotel.
Posted by
OP
Cambria, CA
2 posts
I appreciate all the suggestions. We will head to Luzern instead. Anyone know which train.? On our return, we plan to stay a night in zurich tho for an early flight out. Three of us will need a hotel July 20.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16893 posts
For the convenience of a jet-lagged person, I would choose the next train departing directly to Luzern, instead of one with a connection in Zurich. These tend to run about :45 after the hour.
Looking Up Train Schedules and Routes Online gives you the Deutsche Bahn train schedule link and tips for using it. Switzerland's SBB.ch will give you the same info, but not quite as easy to read.
Recently, I spent the night before an early flight at www.hotelbristol.ch, across the river from Zurich's main station. Small single room, comfortable, with friendly staff 24 hours. Trains to the airport start at 5:00 a.m. and take 10-15 minutes. I think the hotel breakfast started at 6:00, but you might want to skip it if it means getting up earlier or is not early enough.
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
We will head to Luzern instead. Anyone know which train.?
Duh, the next one going in the correct direction. ☺
When you get through arrivals, follow signs "Bahn/railway", this will take you to the station. There are ticket machines, and a manned ticket desk. If you buy your tickets from the manned ticket desk, they will tell you which train to catch and where. Through most of the day there are two trains per hour:
xx:47 direct. Same train all the way, but with intermediate stops.
xx:18 change Zürich HB. Arrive Zürich HB xx:27, depart xx:35 With this option just get the next train to Zürich HB which gives you more time to find your second train at Zürich HB
All this info is from the Swiss Railways website: https://www.sbb.ch/en/
Children 6 to 16 (under 16) pay half price, under 6 free.