Mad dash into Zurich during airport layover??

We have actually been there, what you are suggesting is very doable in the time you have available.

The train station is underneath the airport. Go down two flights and there is the train. It is not a dead end train station like some of the dedicated airport trains elsewhere. So you have very frequent service as trains pass in both directions through the airport. Train station is in the center of downtown right on the river. Easy to walk around. The TI in the station is helpful. I will check my photo file to see if I can find the picture of the restaurant we ate at a couple of times. Also security screen is fairly efficient so any hour or so before flight time should be adequate for a walk through with no luggage.

thanks steve and frank. appreciate the replies. liked the link to the article. there was mention of an "old town" ....that is what i had in mind and would hope to find for a few hours of wandering.

Instead of going into Zurich, I would spend a couple hours in Luzern instead. There are direct trains from the airport journey time 1 hour. I find Luzern more scenic than Zurich; a lovely place to just wander around a stretch your legs.

http://wikitravel.org/en/Luzern

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYy_maSNnco

I'd be tempted to do the same, and I would but remember, your 6 hours and 45 mins between flights, will probably allow you five hours for getting into the city and sightseeing and getting back to the airport. It's easy to do since trains are frequent and the train stn is right at the airport. If interested, or it the weather is rainy, head to the Swiss National Museum which is just opposite the train stn. If the weather's good stroll around, the Old Town, Bahnhofstrasse, see Grossmunster, etc. Just watch the time. I'd be hesitant to sit down for a meal at a restaurant, just grab a quick bite at a cafe and you'll have enough time to quickly explore Zurich.

I don't remember anything being specifically call "Old Town." But it has been three years. Hit the TI in the train station. They have a lot of good information. And if you timing is good you might catch a walking tour which is one of the things we did.

I thought about making the same suggestion as Michael about Lucern but it is the hour train ride that discouraged me. Lucern is much prettier so put it on your list for the next trip.

thanks for additional replies.
i like the idea of walking around Old Town. Again, I know i need to do some more research on my own, but can anyone reply if "Old Town" is something I will see labeled on a map? Can we walk there from the train station? Thanks

It’s just referring to the central/historical part of Zürich where there are historical/cultural sites, clubs, restaurants, shopping, etc. What you’ll see on a map is Altstadt. Perhaps a 1 or 2 hour guided walking tour would be a good option for a limited timeframe?

Head for Zurich as then there is no worry about train schedules. We were staying in Zurich and asked about train schedule from ZRH to city, received blank looks and were told to just go down to station. There is essentially a train every 4-5 minutes from 5am to 1am when they drop off to every 20 mins. Your biggest problem is figuring out which track has the next train that you can reach before it leaves. This might be a bit exaggerated but not much. See: Museum next to train station. Bahnhofstrasse south to lake. Across Limat River is a funky street that angles slightly east and south up one block and somewhat parallel to river that has restaurants and U students and leads near the impressive art gallery. Take a short boat ride and walk back along east shore of lake.