I arrive in Zurich on the morning of May 15 with a flight out early May 16. Hotels seem to be expensive, but there is a cheap one by the airport (Park Inn w/ free shuttle to airport). Would it be wise to take the airport hotel and then just spend the day in town or just easier to pay extra and be right in the city? Figure with an early flight it might be easier to be close to the airport. Anyone with knowledge of Zurich .. is this doable? How close together is everything? How easy to manage is the city? Thanks.
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9099 posts
Either way with the hotel is very doable. Zurich is a nice place to live, but doesn't have a lot of "tourist" appeal. Instead I would spend they day in Luzern. It only an hour away from Zurich, and there are direct trains from the airport.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19092 posts
Anyway you cut it, staying in Zürich is going to be expensive. Getting between the airport and town is no big deal. Zürich Hbf to the airport is only about 10 min and there are connections every few minutes. Stay wherever you get the best deal.
Posted by
Oklahoma City, OK, USA
430 posts
The Hotel Leoneck can be had for a fair price. Call or e-mail them and negotiate a 'full breakfast included' at the Crazy Cow downstairs.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19092 posts
Jim, you had me exciting as I was thinking of going back to Zürich, and the place I where I stayed 20 years ago no longer appears on the web. But I don't consider 137-217 CHF, single w/ breakfast, to be exciting. What were you able to negotiate?
Posted by
Oklahoma City, OK, USA
430 posts
Remember that 'fair' is a relative term -- and Zurich is expensive. We got a Tb for 130 CHF in late May, breakfast included. That has now been 6 years ago.
A family member stayed the same place and was able to get a last-minute rate for a single under 100 CHF two years ago.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19092 posts
I assume Tb is 3BZ (3-Bett Zimmer)? Was the 100 CHF mit Frühstück?
I think I am still going to try to fly in, see a little, then go on to the BO that evening.
Posted by
Oklahoma City, OK, USA
430 posts
Now that we've hijacked James' question for our own uses...
Yes, Mr. Language Mixer, Tb is a 3 bed room with bath ensuite. I beleive the 100 CHF single included breakfast.
The recession has effected Switzerland, though not to the extent as here in the states, so lower hotel occupancy rates may give you some pretty good leverage.
Were I in your shoes, I'd plan to spend no more than 4 or 5 hours in Zurich, and head toward the BO early enough that the rail journey is in complete daylight.
Posted by
Lake Forest, CA, USA
1633 posts
The hotel, Novotel Zurich airport, is a very new, clean property. They have a shuttle to the airport. Their rate for May 15th ranges from $118 to $146 (depending on the cancellation policy you select) for 2 people. I don't believe it includes breakfast. I stayed here several years ago before our flight out and it was great (not like the one in Geneva). It's very modern and clean. Have fun!
Posted by
Knoxville, TN, USA
7209 posts
The "free airport shuttles" in Zurich are about as helpful as a boat anchor. You don't need them. The train goes directly from within the airport to the Zurich Hbf right in the center of Zurich. From there you can walk to many many hotels or take trams. It's very easy.
We always stay in the Hotel St. Josef for central location in a squeeky clean room with a bountiful breakfast included.
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9099 posts
The "free airport shuttles" people are talking about are the ones that take you from the airport to the airport hotel.
....not from the airport to the city center. I'm not even sure those exist:)
Posted by
Knoxville, TN, USA
7209 posts
Yes, I know what airport shuttles are. What I'm saying is there is no need to stay at an airport hotel. Both hotels AND airport are easily accessible from the Zurich Main Train Station. I've stayed at one of those airport hotels with the free shuttle, and it was such a hassle to get the shuttle to go to the airport to get on the train to get to downtown. Stayin in a downtown hotel near the Zurich Hbf is so much nicer and actually simpler.
Posted by
santa rosa, california, usa
35 posts
We also stayed at the Hotel St. Joseph and really liked it.No need to get room with bath as Swiss are so clean so public bath o.k.Laundry facility. Close to train station, we walked, don't try to carry luggage up the street stairs, just beyond is a ramp to get to the St. Joseph street. I think Zurich is great. Don't miss Springerli (sp ?) chocolates- the truffles du jour absolutely best in the world. They have a shop in the area downstairs under the station.I recommend wandering from the St. Joseph towards the lake, some upper shopping streets, very charming.
Posted by
Atlanta, Ga, USA
2023 posts
Have you considered Priceline? We got Hotel Renaissance near the airport for $88 USD. Beautiful hotel with pool, large comfortable bed, etc. and shuttle just outside the door for getting into heart of Zurich or airport in minutes. The hotel is situated in a quiet area so no airport noise at all.
Posted by
Bay Area
3551 posts
look into www.accorhotels.com, they have some nr the Zurich airport.
Posted by
Michigan, USA
162 posts
Staying at the Park Inn would be an easy and less expensive choice than anywhere downtown. We stayed there last Fall and it was clean and had some cool remote control beds. You can use the very easy airport shuttle to get back forth from the airport. For instance, Shuttle to the hotel -- check in -- shuttle back the airport to catch the train downtown -- or even easier, a 5-10 min walk from the hotel takes you to another train station that will take you directly downtown. We spent a few happy hours wandering around downtown Zurich. Staying at the Park Inn worked great for us because the morning we left for the airprot is was pouring down rain -- that would have been a miserable trip if we had stayed downtown and tried to walk -- or even tried to get a taxi to the main train station.