Zurich, Switzerland to Lisbon, Portugal
Jan 28th, 2004, 10:00 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 510
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Zurich, Switzerland to Lisbon, Portugal
What are my options for travel from Zurich to Lisbon? I looked up Swiss Airlines and the Lisbon to Zurich sector is fully booked on the date I want to travel (in May 2004). Aside: Swiss has a funny, nonsensical way of computing the charges. The other airline I have a choice of is TAP. Are there any other airlines catering to this route?
Also, how much time would a train journey from Zurich to Lisbon take?
Also, how much time would a train journey from Zurich to Lisbon take?
Jan 28th, 2004, 10:43 AM
#2
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 22,985
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A train journey would require multiple changes and would be very long. Flying might be the best way, perhaps by going to Basel, or finding a cheap flight to London and flying from there. The direct route might not be the cheapest.
Jan 29th, 2004, 03:27 AM
#4
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,689
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There is an overnight train from Zurich to Barcelona that takes 13 hours and does not require any changes. It departs at 7:30 pm and arrives into Barcelona at 9 am the next day. Take a look at Swissrail.ch for timetables. You cannot price this on line as it is not wholly within Switzerland, but you can e-mail them for a quote. I cannot tell from the site if this train runs daily or just a few times a week. Put in the exact date you want to travel and you will see if the non-stop train is available on that day.
There are several other trains that require 2-4 changes and take between 12-17 hours depending on which train you choose.
There are more discount flights from Geneva, however I have found that flights from Zurich to Geneva are not that cheap, so it kind of offsets the savings you may get. You can take a train from Zurich to Geneva in 3 hours.
There are several other trains that require 2-4 changes and take between 12-17 hours depending on which train you choose.
There are more discount flights from Geneva, however I have found that flights from Zurich to Geneva are not that cheap, so it kind of offsets the savings you may get. You can take a train from Zurich to Geneva in 3 hours.
Jan 29th, 2004, 03:49 AM
#6
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,689
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Mea Culpa! You want to go to Lisbon! Thought I was being helpful and I have confused you more. . .it is a wonder I can survive each day.
I will try to find out about trains to Lisbon and will write back later.
I will try to find out about trains to Lisbon and will write back later.
Jan 29th, 2004, 03:56 AM
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
The night service Zurich to Barcelona runs nightly but only during the "summer" period; otherwise it is about three times per week. You'd then have to change for a train to Madrid and then from there change again for Lisbon; however there is an identical (equipment) night service from Madrid to Lisbon. It would be a great trip for a rail buff like myself but realistically I think you'd be better off flying
Jan 29th, 2004, 06:05 AM
#8
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,689
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
As noted above, once you get to Barcelona, you have to change for a train to Madrid (9 hours) and then in Madrid take an overnight train to Lisbon (about 10 hours). It may end up costing you the same as a flight, hard to tell. If you have the time and can spread your trip out, stopping in Barcelona and/or Madrid would be a great add-on to your trip. The train rides would be interesting in themselves, IMO.
Website for Spanish trains is www.renfe.es. This will show timetables for trains to Lisbon as well.
Website for Spanish trains is www.renfe.es. This will show timetables for trains to Lisbon as well.
