5 hour layover in Zurich
 

Hi all,<BR><BR>My fianc&eacute;e and I will be traveling to Italy at the end of October on our honeymoon and will have a 5 hour layover in Zurich, going, and a 4.5 hour layover, returning. <BR><BR>Assuming a couple of hours will be eaten going through customs and waiting for the second flight, does anyone have any suggestions for the best way to spend a few hours in Zurich? We will be there on Monday noon and afternoon.<BR><BR> thanks!<BR> Roger

Roger---That really isn't enough time to do anything other than lounge in the terminal and wander through all the shops. Zurich has a pretty good assortment of shops in the terminal that ought to keep you occupied for the little extra time you will have.

Roger -- I second Wayne's advice. With the new security procedures you would have to turn around and start back trhough the minute you cleared. Stay and shop -- watches [a great swatch store], CHOCOLATE, swiss handcraft and souvenirs plus the usual duty free culprits. It is also a sprawl of an airport and a long walk from A gates to B gates.

Roger,<BR>Assuming that you can get through customs and airport security in a reasonable amount of time, grab a train (on the lowest floor of the terminal) and ride into the city, get out at the Bahnhof (main railway station), and stroll down Bahnhofstrasse (begins at the railway station, and has upscale shopping) to the lake (beautiful view at the lake).<BR>That's about all you'll have time for, but it beats sitting at the airport.

They also have showers and dayrooms (which I believe rent by the hour, don't know if there is a minimum time?).<BR> If you've just come off a long overnight flight, it would be a good way to relax alone for a few hours.<BR> They are both in the downstairs men/women bathrooms in the in-transit area. At least this was the case a couple of years ago. Regards, Walter

Yup - a stroll on Bahnhofstrasse is your only real bet. Once you walk out into the Unique aiport arrivals lounge, you've got probably 1/2 hr.-to-45 minutes till you reach Zurich (walk to train, get train, walk to Bahnhofstr.). If you don't make it to the Lake, then stop at Paradeplatz and have a chocolate or two at the Lindt/Spr&uuml;ngli caf&eacute;.

Hi Roger-<BR><BR>We had a 4 hour layover in Zurich in May. So after grabbing a quick sandwich and looking in every shop there, we headed to the oneworld lounge--either American, Iberian, or something like that. Anyways, free drinks, munchies, free magazines and newspapers and unlimited free internet access.

AH but Lori you did not mention that not just anyone can get into these lounges...they are reserved for card carrying members only. Most will also allow passengers in who are flying first class even if they are not members. Yes, they are sweet deals if you can get in, and the ones in Europe are far superior to those in the States. But, remember, they are not open to the general public.

Thanks for all the great replies. I guess we'll wait and see how we feel after the flight. Given that we'll be going straight from the wedding to the airport, the dayrooms may be the perfect answer for my fianc&eacute;e (I function on very little sleep).<BR><BR> happy trails,<BR> Roger