We have 2 1/2 days in Zurich…

Does anyone have any recommendations on place to stay? Money is not an obstacle, within reason.

Does anyone have recommendations on must see/do while in Zurich?

We need to get to Geneva after - any thoughts on train vs. plane?

Thanks in advance!

There's some neat churches (Grossmunster and Fraumunster), the observatory, the opera house and the ETH campus. Lots of shopping. You're better off taking the train elsewhere, unless you have to be in Zurich for a specific reason.

If not tied to Zurich, go to Lauterbrunnen. Stop and see the castle in Thun on the way there.

Trains for getting to Geneva. Much less hassle than the airport.

I stayed at the Renaissance and really liked it BUT it was just one night. I didn't really have time to explore. I really want to go back.

Explore for day or day and a half then go to Interlaken/Lauterbrunnen or head to Lucern for the day.

We stay at Hotel Schweizerhof which is directly across from the train station and on the top of the Bahnhofstrasse.

Agreed on Schweizerhof. It's by far the most conveniently located.

You arrive at Zurich HB from the airport and it's right across the street, and right in the middle of probably the most high end shopping district in the world on Bahnhofstrasse.

If you are headed to Geneva, I would take the train. You'd add at least 3-4 hours to the trip messing around at the airports rather than going across the street and getting on the train. With train you'll be 99.5% on time down to the minute.

There's also a full service Marriott across the river which is nice. Probably a 15min walk from Zurich HB but not on a streetcar line so you'll have to walk or take a cab.

I'd spend a day and a half in Zurich. Hit up old town, eat at a couple places and walk around the lake a bit. then like the poster said above, I'd get on a train and check out Luzern which is probably 1hr to 40min train ride.

We stayed at Hotel City Zurich. Close to main train station and to old town for walk. We'll priced. Liked the property.

Make sure to go to the Swiss History museum (I forget what it's called but walkable from this area).

I really didn't know much about Switzerlands history and all of its Cantons. Very cool exhibits that sort of walk you through their history up and passed WW2.

Do the park on the hill - great views. And climb the old church bell tower for some awesome pics.

Then go somewhere else.

All of this info is very much appreciated. Thanks y'all!

I also highly recommend taking the train from Zurich to Geneva. Beautiful scenery throughout.

If you want to visit the tiny country of Liechtenstein while over here, let me know. Little over 1hr train ride from Zurich Flughafen. I live here and can give some recs.
When are you traveling?

For food in Zurich, I'll vouch for Zum Kropf for Swiss German, and another more casual place next door owned by the same people.

Brasserie Lip is good French in Zurich and they also have a location in Geneva.

For lunch there's a place called Milchbar not far off Bahnhofstrasse.

Also in geneva a Portuguese place called Don Duarte is legit.

This made me chuckle every time walking around Zurich

This was at the train station in Zurich when I arrived.

Stat Monitor Repairman said:

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For food in Zurich, I'll vouch for Zum Kropf for Swiss German, and another more casual place next door owned by the same people.

Brasserie Lip is good French in Zurich and they also have a location in Geneva.

For lunch there's a place called Milchbar not far off Bahnhofstrasse.

Also in geneva a Portuguese place called Don Duarte is legit.

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SMR- not to take this too far off topic, but can you give me recs in Paris? You can DM me or post here.

Thanks

Paris is out of my wheelhouse.

I would love to hear some Liechtenstein recs. Sometime around June 4th-5th I'm planning to take the family Munich - Neuschwanstein - Zurich / Liech - Bernina Express - Lake Como. Nothing booked yet, so flexible on everything, including modes of transport. All suggestions are welcome!

I'll put together a full reply asap…one in general and one that may fit a more regionalized itinerary. The reality is Liechtenstein is geographically the same size as the city of Frisco and half of that is the Alps. There isn't a ton to do but it's a neat place to check off on your travels.

Living here has a whole other host of perks. Just a really neat place in general in the Rhine Valley.

One more question on the train thing....

We are doing Zurich to Interlaken for a day and then Zurich to Geneva on departure from Zurich. Is booking the trains in advance important or can you just walk up and buy tickets?

Swiss trains are typically open platform and open seating in second class. If you want to ride in first class you might buy in advance through the app. If you got luggage with you, like a full size roller, I'd upgrade to first class as space for larger bags gets tight in 2nd class if its busy.

I'd download the SBB app and get it all set up your card linked to it prior to arrival. I don't think the app will work from the US. When you get in country you can buy tickets through app on your phone as a QR code.Thats the easiest thing to do. No messing around with a machine or being restricted to a certain schedule.

But I'd also look at a site called trainline.eu. sometimes they have discounted tickets bought in advance. Downside is you might be restricted to a specific train whereas if you buy through SBB its point to point, any train.

Even if you buy in advance, get that app because it will give you specific routing point to point across all modes of transportation, busses, ferries, trains, gondolas, the whole 9 yards.

Stat Monitor Repairman said:

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Swiss trains are typically open platform and open seating in second class. If you want to ride in first class you might buy in advance through the app. If you got luggage with you, like a full size roller, I'd upgrade to first class as space for larger bags gets tight in 2nd class if its busy.

I'd download the SBB app and get it all set up your card linked to it prior to arrival. I don't think the app will work from the US. When you get in country you can buy tickets through app on your phone as a QR code.Thats the easiest thing to do. No messing around with a machine or being restricted to a certain schedule.

But I'd also look at a site called trainline.eu. sometimes they have discounted tickets bought in advance. Downside is you might be restricted to a specific train whereas if you buy through SBB its point to point, any train.

Even if you buy in advance, get that app because it will give you specific routing point to point across all modes of transportation, busses, ferries, trains, gondolas, the whole 9 yards.

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echo this - swiss trains are comfortable to sit but not great for luggage. We had 2 large rollers and they DO NOT fit around the seats. Had to find a spot to shove it under our feet. One leg we had to leave them in the entryway and I basically stared at them the entire train ride. It's the main form of transportation there and trains are pretty full. We were on mid-day trains between christmas and new years and finding a seat was hard in 2nd class.

Swiss trains are extremely timely. You should be certain that whatever is posted as the departure/arrival time will be accurate to the nth degree.

I went to Zurich 4 years ago and stayed at the Sheraton Schloss very quaint hotel in great location

Highly recommend eating at Zeughauskeller

Thanks everyone!

Lucerne is a nice place to spend a day or a part of a day, if you can fit it in. Easy train ride from Zurich.

I bleed maroon said:

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Lucerne is a nice place to spend a day or a part of a day, if you can fit it in. Easy train ride from Zurich.

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Agreed

I've always liked the Lion of Lucerne monument, as well:



In the 90s, I was walking under the covered bridge you posted, and about halfway through it, I happened to look up at one of the paintings and wording each section has, and it had my relatively uncommon last name mentioned repeatedly. Kinda shocked me. If it was today, I would have google translated to see if these potential kinfolk were famous or infamous.

We ended up doing Zurich, Interlaken area and Bernese Oberland area, and Lucerne. All were amazing. We're headed to Montreux today with a stop at Schlithorn Mountain on the way. This country is expensive but awesome.

aggiejumper said:

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Explore for day or day and a half then go to Interlaken/Lauterbrunnen or head to Lucern for the day.

We stay at Hotel Schweizerhof which is directly across from the train station and on the top of the Bahnhofstrasse.

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We ended up using this recommendation for the Hotel Schweizerhof and absolutely loved it. Worth the money for location, cleanliness, and quality.