motheroftwoin

I wanted to check on the easiest way to get to the main train station from Zurich airport. We do have some luggage and would this be a hindrance if we take the train? or is a taxi a better bet? where does one keep the suitcases on trains there?

DAX

Taxi is always the easiest, but it may take a lot longer during rush hour plus it costs a lot more. The train station is very conveniently located below the airport. Normal luggage is not a problem. Kids up to 15 years old ride for free and I believe it's just a 10-12 minute ride.

Christina

I'm interested in this post as I'm going to be doing that this summer, also.

But I'm very confused by the response. If the train station is just underneath the airport, why would you take a taxi to get to it? I flew into Zurich, although I need to get to Luzern, because I thought there was a train station right at the airport.

swandav2000

Hi Christina,

You're right to be a bit skeptical about taking a taxi --

The OP here posted twice and got more information on the other post -- here's a link:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35004769

s

JN

take the train. You can load your luggage on free carts, take the carts down the escalator (honest, they're made to be able to do this) then load them on the train. No biggee whatsoever.

Cicerone

Christina, the AIRPORT train station is underneath the airport. The main train station for Zuirch is IN Zurich. Those are two different station people are referring to. They are about 10 minutes about by train or taxi (without traffic).

Luggage on the train is a medium pain, even with the rolling carts, but the taxi will cost you US$50-75 (depending on where you are going) for the 10-15 minute ride, so consider that pain as well. There are sometimes stairs INSIDE the cars when you get on the train, so bear that in mind with luggage as well. One the double decker trains, there are luggage areas near the doors on the trains, otherwise, you need to bring your luggage with you to your seat, don't worry lots of other will have theirs with them as well. Sometimes you can find a seat right by the door or just an area near the door and just stand with your luggage for the 10 minute ride. When you get off the train in Zurich, there are 2-3 stairs down onto the platform, i.e. the cars and platforms are not flush with each other like at the airport. Again just a bit of a pain, but probably worth the pain of cab fare...

Yes, you can take the luggage carts on the escalators, a bit unerving at first, and remember to take your hands OFF the brake and let the cart sit on the escalator at a somewhat crazy angle.

finally, depending on where you are gong in Zurich, you may NOT want to go to the main train station (the Hautbahnhof). You may want to go to one of the 3 other train stations in Zurich: Zurich Enge, Zurich Stadelhofen or Zurich Weidekon. For example, if you are staying at the Park Hyatt, you should take the train to the Zurich Enge station, as it is much closer and walkable to that hotel.

Pawan

Hi,

Which station in Zurich does one go to to get to Luzerne?

DAX

Pawan: I've taken the train to Luzern from the airport several times. If you take the InterRegio(IR) train which leaves at 47min after the hour(every hour 8:47. 9:47 etc), then it's a direct train to Luzern in just over an hour (5 stops with no train change). If you take the Intercity(IC) train which leaves at 13 min after the hour then you have to transfer at the Zurich Hauptbahnhof where you have to transfer to the IR train. It takes an extra 15 min for the transfer.

Cicerone

Pawan, if you are not at the airport but are already IN Zurich, then you can get a train from Zurich main station (Hautbahnhof) or one of the other train stations in Zurich which may be closer to your hotel. Do you know which hotel you will be staying at? I can tell you if there is another train station which may be closer than the Hautbahnhof.

From the main station, the trains to Lucerne which require no changes depart at 04 and 35 minutes past each hour, pretty much all day. Virtually all these trains depart from Track 4, which is on the main ground floor level, the main set of tracks in the huge arrival hall area.

For a schedule of all the trains from the Zurich main station to Lucerne, go to rail.ch and enter “Zurich hb” as the starting point and “Lucerne” as the end point. You can enter the names of any of the four train stations on the rail.ch website and get schedules to Lucerne from those stations.

The train DAX is referring leaves from the Zurich AIRPORT train station at 47 minutes past each hour. This train ALSO stops at the Zurich Main Station at 04 past each hour.

You do not have to stay near the main train station, and you do not always have to depart nor arrive into the main train station when staying in Zurich.

Pawan

Dear DAX, Cicerone,

Thx for your replies. I will not be staying in Zurich but will proceed directly to Luzerne. The direct train from Zurich airport sounds good since I do have some luggage. In Luzerne, I am satying at Apartment Utoring anderreuss. Any idea how to get there from Luzerne station? Do local buses have a provision to take on luggage?

DAX

Pawan: If you have a lot of luggage with you, I would suggest taking a taxi. If you decide to walk the 10-11 blocks, the closest/direct route is to walk along the Reuss riverbank. You will pass by the Chapel bridge and a few more bridges (but don't cross the river at all) eventually you'll see the end of old town and run into Burgerstrasse/Baselstrasse. Your apartment is on Guetschstrasse where it crosses Baselstrasse. It's basically a couple of blocks away from oldtown/Reuss river on the western end. Personally, I would take the taxi. Keep in mind however that city traffic can be quite congested during rush hour,though not as exasperating in Zurich rush hour.

zenny

I am from the Philippines. My husband and I will go to Lucerne from Gothenburg this May. The nearest airport to Lucerne is Zurich. From Zurich if we ride on the train, do we need to buy the ticket on line before going there or would it be okay if we just buy the ticket before boarding. Would they accept credit card or cash in US dollars?

Cicerone

It is not necessary to buy your ticket on line before the trip. Just buy a ticket at the train station after you land. The train station is located in the basement of Zurch Airport, just follow signs for Raiway or Bahnhof after you have been through Immigration and have collected your baggage.

The trains are never sold out in my experience so you do not need to reserve in advance or buy-on line. Second class is perfectly comfortable, and you do not need to spend the extra for first class.

There are automated ticket machines as well as English-speaking ticket sellers at the train station. They do not accept US Dollars, but will take credit cards. As I assume you will be in Switzerland for at least a few days, you will want Swiss Francs in any event, so you can can get cash at the airport either by exchanging Pesos for Francs or using an ATM card. You can then buy your ticket with Francs if you don't want to charge them to a credit card.

The one-way second class fare is CH27 (about US$30). If you are planning on taking other trains, or ferries, cable cars etc while in Switzerland, it may be more economical to buy some sort of rail pass. See rail.ch for informaiton.

The train to Lucerne from Zurich Airport takes an hour. There are many trains which require no changes, I would try to get one of those. Those direct trains seem to run at :02 past every hour. But see rail.ch for schedules and fares.

zenny

Thanks for your very prompt reply. We might not take anymore the rail pass since we have scheduled tours via Viator for 3 days in Jungfraujoch Top of Europe Trip, Mt. Titlis and Mt. Pilatus. On the 4th day, we will be heading to Munich and again will take the train going to the main railway station. Will be in Munich for 4 days via Viator Tours to see Nesuchwanstein Castle,Swarovski Crystal Worlds & Innsbuck & 1 day on a hop on hop off hop off tour. From Munich take the train again going to Amsterdam via Viators and see Keukenhof Hardens & Tulip Fields, Windmills, Delft, The Hauge & the Madurodam, Van Gogh Museum & Amsterdam Canal Bus On Hop Off Pass all in 4 days. Finally, boarding again on a train to our final destination, Paris for 3 days availing the 2 days pass, watching the Moulin Rouge Show and shopping then head back to the Phils.

Can you please give us some sort of tips especially the directions on boarding and unboarding the train in each city every step of the way. How many stops before we reach each city? This would surely be a big help to us to reach our destinations easier and faster.

Thanks and I am so blessed to find your forum and I know this is just one of my answered prayers. Uou're our guardin angel sent from heaven above, indeed!

zenny

Can you also recommend cheap hotels not sharing bathrooms for 2, me and my husband in each city as follows:
Lucerne - near main station
Munich - near central station (HAUFTBAHNHOF)
Amsterdam - near central station
Paris - near Hard Rock Cafe

Thanks again.

violetduck

zenny,if you go to www.sbb.ch/en/index.htm and put in your departure and arrival
cities and then Search Connection and then Show Details you will
find all your stops, times, etc. I always print these out before
a trip and it is very helpful. You will be able to know exactly
where you are and when your train stop is coming up. Always a good way to confirm that you are actually on the right train. Have a good trip.

drchris

zenny
We stayed at the Hotel des Alpes in Luzern. http://www.desalpes-luzern.ch/ Click the British flag for English. It is about a 6-7 minute walk from the train station and right in front of Chapel Bridge. If you get a river view room on an upper floor, the view up and down the river is beautiful. The included breakfast was excellent. To see photos of the hotel and the view, as well as others of Luzern, go to http://picasaweb.google.com/chrisnbill. Or check out my trip report on this message board, at http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ember-2010.cfm

To see the location of the hotel, go to google maps - get directions, type in luzern train station in the first space and Hotel des Alpes AG Rathausquai in the second space, click on the walking figure for walking directions, and a map showing the exact route will show up. Note that while the hotel faces the river, you enter from the street behind it. I printed out directions from each train station to the hotel on our trip last September.

Trains in Switzerland are a wonderful and easy way to travel. Pack light and luggage won't be a problem.

lincasanova

I think zenny will get more answers if he/she posts the accommodation questions separately .

Tumrukk

When I traveled there, I found taking the train super convenient – plenty of space for luggage and no worries about traffic. Plus, it's a quick ride right into the heart of the city. But if you prefer a more direct route without lugging bags around, a taxi could be worth considering. Either way, you'll be exploring Zurich in no time!

Tumrukk

And hey, if you ever find yourself needing a smooth ride in Miami, consider Miami Limo Service for a stress-free journey.