Switzerland Travel Forum

My wife and I plan on staying in Locarno in early September, 2010. I can find a lot of general information about ferries, but not much specific about fares, passes, areas. My questions are:

1- Are there ferry passes available that are good for several of the lakes i.e. Maggiore, Como, etc. ?

2- Are there passes that are good for the ferries portions of travel both in Italy and Switzerland?

3-Where can I find info on number of days and costs of the passes?

4-Any recommendations for traveling to the most scenic spots on the lakes and minimizing car driving time??

Thanks in advance for info and your time to respond.
Bob

Hello
Is it possible to get from Geneva to Gandria by public transport?
Thanks

I am thinking of heading back to Lucerne next July and having done a 5 day impromtu (!) cycle trip on rented bikes, with my partner, in Alsace, France earlier this year, I am keen to do a little cycling in Lucerne but on a day trip basis ie up early and back to the hostel by dark. Has anyone got any suggestions? Can you actually cycle round Lake Lucerne? Best place to hire a bike?? By the way we are middle aged so no desire to do alpine passes at this stage! We did 40 - 60kms per day in Alsace which was manageable for ageing limbs!

I will spend a weekend in Zurich and have booked Ibis West. Is that a good location? In all reviews it says it's a but off and in the industrial part. which does not sound so fun. Is it a better location for Easyhotel?
Or any suggestion for hotel around 210CHF for a doubleroom for 2 nights

Any suggestion for great restaurants, pricey but not too expensive?

We are planning a short break in January to Switzerland and flying into Geneva, I wondered if someone could suggest a nice village near to geneva (we don't want to travel too far as we are not likely to stay more than 5 days. We do not want to Ski but rather just walk in the country and enjoy a nice hotel and an alpine village

Hi guys,
I want to go from Buchs SG to Chur on Friday around lunchtime. I will be walking/bussing from Liechtenstein to Buchs. I could take a train but it's only 40 minutes and maybe I could hitchhike there easily. Where should I stand to get a ride to Chur?

i have a long layover at zurich international airport and i was wondering if anybody could provide me with an estimated exit and entrace timetable so i could plan accordingly? thanks

When it comes to shopping in the smaller stores does anyone remember if they take M/C? Stores like Coop is what I am referring too. I hear that is the place to buy smaller purchases to take home like chocolate etc.

Any suggestions on places to visit in Lenzberg???

I will likely arrive in Rohrschach at 6am, want to travel to Lichtenstein (could stop in Buchs and walk the rest of the way to only use swiss ticket) and then around lunchtime want to get to st. gallen and stay a few hours and then try and get to basel by evening and then I'll get back to freiburg, germany after that. Any ideas how to have a one-day ticket? I also have german bahncard 50 with railplus and a i have student id...thanks!

hello....I am hoping someone can help me make a decision on how to get to Zurich from Lensberg. I am new to traveling in Switzerland and have never used a rail system for travel. Is it easy??? Will I get lost? very worried and yet I don't want to spend two days wandering in Lenzberg if there is little to do there. Can someone help?

Dear members,

I am travelling to Lucerne (on short notice, with my parents).. and have a possibility to stay at Hotel Schiff Luzern.. Could you kindly advise me if the quality is ok ... I know that it is not a luxury hotel.. but just want to ensure that it is clean and pleasant.

regards
Archana

hi

I'm thinking of making a day trip for st gallens to zermatt and back next sunday. I know the train rides are crazy but I heard the matterhorn is gorgerous so I want to see it. and i only have 3 days in switzerland. I'm thinking of taking the 6+am train which should get me in zermatt by 12 and then going back in the evening. my question is.

1) I bought an interrail card to use for my trip. Does it have any train restrictions in terms of timing etc? (i.e peak/off peak). Also do I have to make a booking for this journey? and does the interrail pass cover my entire journey? or is part of it own by a private railway

2) To view the matterhorn, I understand there are three viewing points. With my time constraint, and having the interrail card ( I understand I only get a discount for the gornegrat and not the other two), what would be your best recommendation?

Many thanks for all your help!

Hi,
I am coming to Zurich next week, I would like to know about electricity power there, is 110 v or 220 and what kind of plugs used in Zurich, is it like UK,
Thank you

Hi,

I'm intending to make a day trip down to lucerne from st gallens on a sunday and I've got a few questions about my trip up to mt pilatus.

1) Does it being a Sunday make any difference? Will it affect my train travel. It's the only full day I have

2) I am going to get the youth interrail switzerland pass. Is that of any use to my trip up the mountain (will use it to get from st gallens to lucerne anyway)? I will be travelling on 8 nov and accd to the website, the golden round trip will not be available then. Also, the panorama gondolas and aerial cableways will be closed for maintenance work. So is my only way up via the Alpnachstad cogwheel railway?

If so, what ticket should I get? Accd to the website, the silver round trip covers Lucerne – Alpnachstad – Pilatus Kulm – Kriens – Lucerne by second class train. will my interrail switz pass already cover the train ride and can I then buy a cheaper ticket instead for part of the trip? or do I have to get the full silver round trip ticket at 71.60?

Thanks in advance for the help provided. I'm really confused abt the Lucerne – Alpnachstad – Pilatus Kulm – Kriens – Lucerne part. which is the train bit, the cable car bit, the bus bit etc?

Hi
we have just booked to stay at the Hotel Jungfrau Lauterbrunnen in March for skiing, has anyone else stayed there in winter.. if so whats it like for skiing regards the distance to lifts etc, any information would be appreciated
thanks
Rockypaul

hi,
I am coming to Basel next month for about a week, I am staying at Vicoria Hotel near thr Train Station, I would like to know if there is internet cafe near the station, I mean internet cafe with computers as I will not bring my lap top because it is heavy,if there is no internet caef , where is the closet one ,
Thanks for your reply
Zinduga

I'm in the planning stages for a trip to Switzerland. I've traveled extensively in the US and have even conducted tours here, but have never traveked abroad. I normally plan ALL my activities in advance: Travel (plane, car, etc), lodging, etc. I feel really uneasy trying to do this in a foreign country. I also feel uneasy using a travel agent (are they still around??).

Here are my travel criteria:

1) I want the freedom to travel/stop when I want (i.e., in a rental car as opposed to a tour bus).
2) I don't like crowds.
3) I NEED to have (almost) 24x7 Internet access - I run my business on the Internet and need the ability to remote-into my business computer.
4) I like "cities", but much prefer nature (but not too strenuous).
5) I don't speak German.

I'm flexible as to the time of year (planning for Spring/Summer 2010). From what I've read, I think late-May would be best (weather turning nice and less crowds).

My questions are:

1) Do I need to rely on a "tour company" to do this or is it reasonable to think I can do this on my own?
2) Is renting.driving a car much different here than it is in the US (any gotchas?)
3) What can I expect for Internet access in the cities and mountains?

TIA,
bert

I have posted in several forums with only one reply.

Flying into Zurich on Nov 28th. Have to be in Strausburg France on Dec 2 for business. We want to see the OB, but are concerned it is too much the slow season. Should we go to a larger town? Will the OB be active enough to experience the area?

Grindelwald a better idea? We have not seen this area and will have a car. Any suggestions appreciated.

Zombywoof

My parents ages 77 and 81 will be in Zurich with my sister and I while I have major surgery at Schulthess Klinik in December 2009. My parents do not travel much and my mom is Italian and very clean, neat and particular. I would like it to be some place nice, CLEAN, safe and easy enough for them to reach the Klinik. My sister and I would need to stay with them for the first 2 days and then just my sister for a few days. Otherwise, my sister will be with me in the klinik. The area around Schulthess Klinik seems very expensive and though we would love something that nice, I do not think we can afford it for 3 weeks. However, since I am blessed to be getting the best care, etc...I would like them to have something nice as well especially since they are forced to make this trip from the United States under less than ideal circumstances. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated since we are not sure at all what to do here though I have been looking and looking... Thank you very much!!

Hello all,
My family and I will be moving to Zurich for 6 months (Jan-June 2010). We will live in a furnished apartment there. I am trying to figure out what clothes to pack, how many sets, and would love it if anyone has a ready-made list or some advice. I have 3 sons, aged 7, 10, and 12. I am trying to be as efficient as possible, as we are going to carry everything in our luggage. Thanks for any help!

Hi

I travel to Bern quite a lot and am tiring of staying in hotels. Anyone know of serviced apartments or holiday flats in or around the City (I thought there may be some in the Muri area, but can't find any info)

Many thanks!

Hello, I am going to Geneva for my Christmas holiday with my partner and we are looking for another country to go to for a few days in between. We would like to go to Italy but my partner has never been to Rome and can't bare to go to Italy and not see Rome. Are there any direct buses or trains to Rome?

If not are there any good days trips from Geneva not to miss?

We will be arriving in Geneva Christmas morning, will there be things to do around the city that day? Also any good ideas or places not to miss when visiting Geneva around Christmas would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

hi,
I am coming to Basel next month for about a week, I am wondering about the nigt life there, are there night clubs that I can go to, any recmmendation? is there any Jazz club?
Thanks for your reply
Zinduga

Help please.

How far from the city center is this hotel?

Are there good transportation? I am using the public transportation.

Many thanks

Ze

I will be travelling to Interlaken for a couple of days from Zurich. I would appreciate tips on what to see, where to stay, an escape to Luzerne (probably), transport ( any cards that could be savers) etc., Dates - end of october. Thanks in advance for your help.

I will be going to Zurich en route to Interlaken and will be there just for an evening and would welcome suggestions to make the best of the time available. I am planning to stay at the Crowne Plaza and would love to have a typical fondue dinner and probably some show or musical to end the day. Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

I am planning on visiting Basel this month end. Will be there for a week. Basel being border to France and Germany, Is there any good places in and around that area that I could take a quick peek and return back to Basel in the evening as I would be crashing out there during the nights.

We are a group of Libyan students in UK for a 6 weeks training in LSE. Some us are planning to visit Switzerland. They have been told that as they already have got a visa to UK there's no need to apply for Swiss visa. Is that true?

Hello,
I am looking for some information on the University of Zurich. I am thinking of taking a master course there (neural networks & computation) and taking a new direction in life! So, I was wondering what the reputation of the university is like and what to expect from life in Zurich. Also, am I correct in assuming that life in Zurich is expensive - I mean accommodation, general living costs. Of course, I would work a part-time job if I could get it, but I don't have much German at the moment as I would be hoping to take some lessons upon arrival. Would be grateful for any advice as I want to go, but need to work out if I can afford it!
Cheers...

Does anyone know of bus/coach lines servicing Geneva to Paris?

Thank you