Myself and my 2 adult children will be flying in and out of Zurich in June 2024. What trains do I take to Airolo? How do I connect with the cog train that goes to Lungren?
Posted by
Paris
7300 posts
Hi,
You mean Lungern? It's on the train line between Luzern and Meiringen, so from Airolo you probably have to take the train back to Luzern first - unless there are buses across Sustenpass to Meiringen in summer, which you could take in Göschenen.
As for Airolo, just look at the SBB (Swiss railways) website, switch to English, and put in Zürich Flughafen (Airport) as starting point and Airolo as end point to find connections.
But... why Airolo? Family? Friends?
Posted by
OP
7 posts
yes, Lungern and yes Dad (deceased) from Airolo and Mom (deceased) from Lungern.
So many trains, don't know how to begin looking for information on trains, hotels, etc.
Posted by
Wengen
2493 posts
Use www.sbb.ch to plan your train trips. That site will plan your trip between any two points in the country.
Posted by
Green Bay
21141 posts
If you were just visiting these spots as a day trip, Luzern would be a good place to stay. There is a train every hour at 6 past the hour to Lungern from Luzern that takes 44 minutes. There is a direct train to Airolo at 18 past the odd hours (7:18, 9:18, etc) and takes 1 hr and 43 minutes. Also with connections at other times.
Posted by
Paris
7300 posts
yes, Lungern and yes Dad (deceased) from Airolo and Mom (deceased) from Lungern.
Oooh, visiting places with family roots is very special! I am glad that you have the opportunity.
My initial surprise regarding Airolo is linked to the fact that it sits right next to the entrance to the Gotthard road tunnel and is therefore not as pristine as many other places in Switzerland. There are still many places to see around there, with cable cars and with the Gotthard pass road (with buses) nearby.
Posted by
OP
7 posts
Thank you all for your information re trains. Is there a website (we're used to using AAA) that will give us rates/ratings on Hotels?
Posted by
Paris
7300 posts
Booking.com is easy to use and lists a broad selection of hotels. Smaller hotels tend not to be listed (they have to pay commissions to Booking.com), but otherwise it is a very good first stop. Ratings are trustworthy because you can only give a rating after you stay at the hotel. I regularly travel in Switzerland for work, in that country anything rated above 8.0 should be quite nice and even 7.5 is typically decent.
To dig deeper if needed, Google Maps lets you search for hotels, and gives you links to their websites when you click the hotels on the map. It also gives ratings, but they are less trustworthy: anyone can rate anonymously. Still, they are a good guide.