Our family is arriving in Zurich next month at 8:25am on a Sunday morning, then taking the train on to Lauterbrunnen. Two questions: Will there be restaurants and grocery stores open on a Sunday? Would someone please walk me thru getting off the plane and onto the train? I googled the archives and haven't found quite what I need. Many thanks!
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17440 posts
Delza---there are some "airport hotels" that offer shuttle service, but we've always stayed right in downtown Zürich the night before our flight home. It is about 12 minutes by train from the main station to the airport, and the trains run frequently. That way you are close to restaurants and can stroll along the river and down to the lake, if it is a nice evening.
Another option, if you prefer, would be the Radisson Blu hotel which is right IN the airport---I believe it is attached to the terminal building. All you do, from what I have read, is go downstairs to check in and board your flight---no shuttle needed.
It is new and very modern, and gets mostly very good reviews on Tripadvisor. Because of the price, I would only consider it on weekends, when the prices are very reasonable (around 150 CHF for a double room with advance purchase, last time I checked.) You could still take the train into downtown Zürich to walk around and have dinner if you choose this one.
Posted by
OP
RDU, NC, USA
15 posts
You guys rock! That's exactly what I needed. Thank you all, especially Lola!
Posted by
Manchester, CT, USA
69 posts
I would like to piggy back on your question, if you don't mind, because we arrive late Sunday afternoon in Zurich, in an overnight layover stay so if someone can also refer us to a hotel that is near and accessible to the airport and the restaurants. What can we see from 5 PM to around midnight that Sunday near the airport; can we see part of the city at least? Our flight leaves Zurich for JFK at 9 AM Monday.
Posted by
LaGrange, Georgia, USA
54 posts
Kim,I sent a reply to Delza about your zurich question. Hopefully you can read it or I'll send it to you.Dennis
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17440 posts
Restaurants are open on Sundays, but not stores---except in the Zürich main train station (Hauptbahnhof). Here is a map of the station with a list of ths shops (mostly found downstairs in "Shopville").
http://www.switch.ch/export/sites/default/about/_files/situationsplan_zuerich_hb.pdf
There are bakeries, food take-out stores, and a small grocery, Migros (look under "Lebesnmittel"). You might pick up your grocery needs for the rest of Sunday there before boarding the train to Lauterbrunnen. But you don't need a full day's food, as you'll find restaurants open in Lautergrunnen (try Hotel Oberland or your own hotel restaurant.)
As for getting from your plane to the train: the train station is inside the airport terminal building. Follow the signs through customs and then to baggage claim, and you'll see the signs pointing to the train (including a picture of a train for those who don't read German or the other languages posted.) You'll stay inside the airport---don't go outside to "ground transportation".
Be sure and buy tickets before you board the train. You can buy then all the way to Lauterbrunnen even if you are stopping at the Hauptbahnhof to shop for a bit. Many trains between the airport and the main station are "Selbst-Kkontrolle" or honor system (marked with a yellow eye symbol), meaning they don't routinely check tickets---but if they do and you don't have one, there is a still fine and no excuse!
Posted by
Manchester, CT, USA
69 posts
Thank you all, they are great suggestions! Really appreciated.