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Portland to Zurich

Just booked the 12 day Best of Switzerland tour for June of next year. It looks like we will be will be flying round trip PDX to ZHR. I'm looking for info from someone familiar with this route as to approximately how much the fare should run and how far in advance it would be wise to book. Any other input about this flight or tour is much appreciated. Thanks

Posted by
21145 posts

Right now, Matrix-ITA is showing $1175 in June with Condor to Frankfurt, then a connection on LH or Swiss to Zurich. If you really want to save money, RT on Icelandair to Frankfurt for $747, then travel to Switzerland by train.

Posted by
17427 posts

Sam found you some great prices. For comparison, the price on British Airways for Seattle to Zurich RT is around $1300 in Basic Economy ( hand baggage only). From Portland, you would have to add a flight or train trip ( risky) to SEA.

If you like the Iceland Air option to Frankfurt, you can buy train tickets from there to Zurich for around 25 euros if you purchase them 2 months in advance on bahn.de.

Posted by
5687 posts

Yeah, Will, if you have the time, consider flying into/out of another city prior to Zurich and just train (or bus) over to Zurich. Perhaps you can add something on to your itinerary at the beginning or end or both. Depends how much time you have and/or how long you want to be away. But you might wind up "paying" for the extra days of travel costs with the airfare savings.

I like to take direct flights to Europe when I can get them from PDX - the Delta direct flights to Amsterdam or London; the Condor direct flight to Frankfurt. Depends on the cost, of course. Getting to Zurich with a short hop flight booked separately might work too from one of those cities (maybe not even the same day).

Posted by
16895 posts

Icelandair does fly to Zurich or Geneve, but not every day.

Posted by
7209 posts

There is no crystal ball best time to book airfare. The only best time for that is when the fare is much lower than normal. You’ll have to be diligent in your searching.

Posted by
8880 posts

I flew Iceland air to Zurich. It works great!

You will love the best of Switzerland Tour!!!!